Why do companies put out spy ware ad ware it seems to defeat its purpose don't it?
398444
I think it is unintentional sabotage - some of these programs are written terribly, and when they run they slow down peoples systems (especially when there are many spyware programs running)\n\nAnother reason is that many spyware applications are designed by people who write spyware removal software! So they are basiscally brumming up their own business by infecting peoples computers!\n\nIt's a bit like a doctor who intentionally infects you with a disease, just so they can get paid for multiple visits!  It's sick.
847858
The outgoing activity could be spyware so it can't hurt to have it checked unless you trust your anti-spyware software 100%.
901705
Hi. Sometimes the scans exaggerate a bit. Search for ' adaware se', ' spybot ', and ' avg free' . They seem to work well and also seem safe.
706069
Some anti-spyware program do come with their own spyware.\n\nBy using any free program on the Net, there is a chance that they might contain some spyware.\nIf they have an ad on them each time you start them, it is spyware. Any form of advertising is spyware.\n\nThe best and only anti-spyware you should use is Spybot. And it is Free.
179914
Because others may not think that their product is marketable on the net.
648878
Better programs that I have found for spyware and adware removal are Spybot S&D and AdAware. Both are free and remove everything when used together.
947175
I have seen people recommend it,. but just the name gives me the creeps.  It sounds like one of those fake programs that actually cruds up your system.  But I haven't tried it.\n\nI stick to the tried-and true favorites, Ad-Aware and Spybot.
927967
No. They get the information they want from you, then they advertise. Sometimes they're free, but don't think they just discard all of the information they get.
570653
Aw shucks, they just want money!\n\nOh. and my virus scanner picked up a tracking cookie from that site.
313534
HI,\nSites do this, by selling access, making money; which is the bottom line of any business.\nHow do you get rid of it?\nIf you think you already have Spyware/Advertising Ware in your computer, run these as follows:\n\nAdAware at:\nhttp://www.lavasoftusa.com\nDownload: AdAware_SE V 1.06\n\nSpyBot Search & Destroy V 1.4\nhttp://www.spybot.info/en/download/index.html\nAll of  the above programs run better and much faster when run in SafeMode.\n\nTo get into SafeMode:\nRe-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.\nWhen the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select\n"Safe Mode".\nPress Enter\n\nIt's best to run the AdAware scan first; 3 times; then re-boot.\nThen, run the AdAware scan again 3 times. Then, run SpyBot, and then CWShredder.\nRe- Boot.\nReason for running so many times:\nSome of these trojans' files can be deleted the first time; leaving some others; but on re-boot, they re-write the files that were deleted.\nRunning multiple times deletes most of it the first \ntime.\n\nIf you wish to have a great program, after you clean out Spyware/Advertising Ware, it's called SpyWare Blaster.\nThis program stops this stuff from getting into the computer in the first place, by placing URL's in the browser, stopping them instantly. One of the Very Best free programs anyone can download! Updates of AntiSpyware Definitions are available on almost a weekly basis. I have not had ANY spyware since using this program....really no need for spyware scans anymore.\n\nSpyWare Blaster 3.5\nhttp://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbupdate.html\n\nFree online scan at:\nhttp://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/\n\nBest of luck, fredg
515933
Virus scanners usually do not handle adware/spyware. You want to run Ad-aware. And if that doesn't do it then Spycatcher express. Both are free.
48483
Yeah, your computer may be infected with spyware. Try downloading Ad-Aware and Spybot Seek & Destroy. Update them and scan your computer regularly.\n\nAlso, you'd be more protected with another browser if you're using Internet Explorer. Try Mozilla Firefox which also has extra security extensions which are easy to install.
1071263
In adverting we use it to give more credibility to the messages. People like to know people they trust talking about a product.
251840
Why would you want to download it?  It's Spyware.
1105305
In the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.\n\nIn simpler terms, spyware is a type of program that watches after what users do with their computer and then send this information to a hacker over the internet. Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious version can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popups with advertisements.\n\nSpyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware – by design – exploits infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.\n\nAs of 2005, spyware has become one of the pre-eminent security threats to computer-systems running Microsoft Windows operating-systems (and especially to users of Internet Explorer because of that browser's collaboration with the Windows operating system). Some malware on the Linux and Mac OS X platforms has behavior similar to Windows spyware, but to date has not become anywhere near as widespread due to their comparatively smaller user base; because Microsoft products are the most prevalent on the market currently, it is more productive for hackers to write spyware to target these products, and not Linux or Mac OS.
949979
Sure thing \nComputer Associates offers one year free trials of their antivirus software.\nAs other companies sell their software for a years subscription, they are essentially giving it out.\nYou will likely see a good number of people suggesting a myriad of software titles, but CA has a direct partnership with Microsoft, meaning that of all the other companies out there, they are the only ones who really have an idea of what your registry should look like after malware has been removed. \nThere are many titles out there that can get rid of spyware and viruses but from what Ive seen (and Ive tested most of them) CA is the only one that won't leave your system crippled if a virus has embedded itself.\nI have uninstalled Mcafee and Symantic products from customers machines, and installed CA to discover up to 30 virus infected files that had previously been missed.\nAs for spyware specifically, Ive tested and found Windows defender to do a fairly good job. (See second link)\nKeep in mind again that as it is from Microsoft  if any settings are goofed Microsoft does support it.\n\nIn this day and age one has to be carefull of the "anti-spyware" software that they choose.  I have on many occasions found companies which make "antispyware" embedding adware themselves as well as selling e-mail addresses.  They are like bad mechanics.  \n "Yup your brake pads were bad because the rotors were worn"  *clunks with wrench*  (visable dent) "See?"\n\n"You need us ...see all the adware we found!" (inprocess server downloads adware to display) "see?"\n\nIve seen that junk all too often.
787037
Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious versions can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popup advertisements. While some forms of spyware can certainly be considered malicious, some on the other hand certainly are not, and are more passive in nature by just watching, observing, and collecting information.\n\n\nI suggest you use a good spyware resource to delete the spyware present on your computer such as :\n\nhttp://umgarticles.atspace.com/spyware.htm\n\nif it helps kindly remember me in your voting!.. cheers!