im wondering how so many people fall for "antivirus/spyware" BS on the net?(its all marketing tools DUMBA$$
477011
First off if you have teenagers of any sort you would know why people have anti-spyware crap on there computers.\n \nSecondly if you helped to program such things you would think you would know how to spell check, pretty simple really.\n\nbut back to the first part.....My eldest daughter had my computer so riddled with ad-ware my computer had pop-up ads non-stop even before going on-line.  Without the help of cnet.com I would still be pulling my hair out.  With the help of Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-ware personal and Spyblaster I was able to use my computer without pop-ups or pop-unders.\n\nIn a perfect world I would agree with your statement unfortunately this is not a perfect world.  Someone is bound to go to those questionable sites that unknown to them do a lot of damage to their computer.  \n\nAnd By the way,  I turn my computer off when I am done each and every time.
659251
Hi,\n\nI would disagree with the previous poster who recommended AVG.  I would actually strongly suggest the opposite and that you steer very clear of it!  Many people seem to think it's a good piece of software - although I tend to think this is more to do with it being free rather than it's protection capabilities.  If you do a quick browse for Security Vendor Protection Scores you will find that AVG scores pretty much the lowest of all - many viruses are now sailing straight through their defences.\n\nI would recommend a relatively new security program called Prevx1.  This is an All-In-One solution that is continually proving to detect, protect and remove more malware (virii, spyware, adware, trojans, rootkits, etc) than all other security vendors (see the Yahoo news article below).  Because it is an all-in-one solution, this also mean you no longer need 3 or 4 separate programs (anti- virus /spyware / adware) to deal with each type of threat.\n\nThey are currently offering a Free Trial of their product which you can download from here:\nhttp://www.prevx.com
1131899
Antivirus software = good.\nClicking any "opt-out" links in porn spam email = usually a bad idea.\n\nIf you and others in your group of relatives and friends are receiving these same spam emails, there is a good chance that at least one person in your group has got a virus/trojan/worm on their PC.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_computer\n\nDoes everybody have antivirus software of some sort installed? Has anybody in the group seen any alerts about viruses being found and quarrantined recently? If so, *that person* may be clean, but they may be able to provide clues as to what virus you are dealing with, and by process of elimination, who among you doesn't need to be too concerned.\n\nHere's a freebie online virus scanner from a reputable vendor:\nhttp://housecall.trendmicro.com/\n\nIt's a good place to start for someone who doesn't have any antivirus software installed, or hasn't kept their antivirus software current.\n\nIf it reports that it finds something that it can't repair, you can take that information and Google it. Sometimes the major antivirus vendors release specialized "removal" utilities for specific viruses. If you see something like that from McAffee or Symantec (makers of Norton Antivirus) or Trend Micro, I will personally vouch for their integrity. :-)\n\nFinally, if anyone in your group does not have antivirus software installed and needs something, but hates the thought of spending any money on it, a good freebie I recommend is:\n\nhttp://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01\n\nOhyeah, and regarding clicking on the "opt-out" links, in *some* cases it might work, but the sleazy, lowlife spammer who hijacks peoples' computers to send porn emails is not actually going to honor your opt-out request; he's going to use it to verify that he's found a valid email address. Or he's going to lead you to a web site where he will try to install another trojan. There are, indeed, some email advertisers who follow the law and provide functional opt-out procedures, but in my opinion, the potential risk is greater than the reward.
970475
In my experience, the internet has provided some of the best tools at no cost while some of the well-known costly products perform less than desirable yet everyone still buys them.  The two worst anti-virus products I ever used were Norton and McAfee, which I purchased.  I had some bad free ones too but the one I am very happy with as it does not hog resources, has frequent updates, and provides high level of protection is by Avast.  \n\nThe internet is of course full of snake oil salesmen.  Don't rely on the website peddling the product.  Use known and reputable websites that serve the computing industry (CNET, TUCOWS, MAXIMUMPC) to verify if a product is tried and tested.
930020
All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.\n\nI-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5\n\nSpybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\n\nhttp://superantispyware.com/\nSUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!\nEasily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!\nMake sure after you download any of these, that you updat
85765
For the spyware stuff try Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware, its great, totally free and theres no bullshit with it...  You will need a genuine copy of Windows to download it though, theres a validation thing on the website that you have to do first...  Enjoy...
188641
I'm pretty sure its packed full of spyware, personally I wouldnt use it.
711733
i agree to andrew to an extent, but some av's like norton or mcafee can be notoriously tough to remove. that may be a problem. bitdefender 8 is a free version that you can try and yes it is pretty good. the best antivirus in terms of performance i have seen is nod32, works pretty damn good even on older computers but unfortunately only has a 28 day trial period and is not free. an antivirus shouldnt use all your computers ram, its an addon. avast is another good one and is free too, no avg's and kapersky's plz
859953
Before we get THAT far, why aren't you using antivirus or staying away from these places that give you viruses and spyware?\n\nIt's like smoking and wondering why you have cancer all of the sudden.
935869
These are the ones I use.\n\nAll of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.\n\nAVG Removes I-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5\n\nSpybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\n\nhttp://superantispyware.com/\nSUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!\nEasily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!\nMake sure after you download any of these, that you update them.
47928
There are several good (and free) [anti]spyware and virus products: My favorite free anti-virus is AVAST. When it comes to anti-spyware and anti-popups, is really important to know what the malicious software is - some anti-spyware is written for specific types.\n     There are some good web sites that have both the "scan only" and the "full" anti-spyware: Kim Komando (a radio personality); the Adware Report; and "Spyware Info" (a forum type site similar to this).\n     I'll name a couple of other products, but I don't know whether they are SCAN ONLY or not: Spybot and Ad Aware. They work well for my purposes. The most basic protective software, in my opinion, is a fire wall - and some are free.\n     One other good place to look is THIS site. I have the Spybot and AdAware because I asked a similar question back about 4 or 5 weeks ago and got a great answer from "conradj213."  So check out the archives. By the way, Conrad recommended KERIO as a fire wall. Two more comments: if you use any Microsoft products, the first thing to do is obtain their (free) anti-virus and spyware package. Usually when a large company like that puts out a product, it is suspect. But these Microsoft products are good. They are a MUST.\n     The second comment: I am assuming you know the URLs of the products I mentioned. If you don't, simply go to any "Search box" (Yahoo, Dogpile, Google, etc.)and type in the phrase in quotes: i.e. "Microsoft virus protection." Good luck.
636054
Spyware is one of the most annoying aspects of using the internet, as unscrupulous websites can install software on your computer to monitor what you are doing, and often pop up annoying adverts from time to time.\n\nIf you ever get a pop up box offering to install some software or saying that your computer might not be clean and asking you to install something, then always cancel it.
1084619
Let me tell you avg users.. im not lying ...... but Avg was unable to detect my ownmade virus too.. and avg's weak point is it's defense... yes online protection.......\n         only norton and avast were able to detect..... I tried Mccafee too... since norton slows down computer Use Avast! it's Excellent!........
1091173
Don't do it.  Spyware!!!
694399
All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.\n\nAVG Removes I-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5\n\nSpybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\n\nhttp://superantispyware.com/\nSUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!\nEasily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!\nMake sure after you download any of these, that you update them.\n\n *Be sure to come back to Yahoo Q&A and vote for one of the answers as best answer!
522292
by getting antivirus and spyware + adware remover? its not that hard, and you can get free spyware removers everywhere, try www.download.com, or buy them, its better to buy, since you'll get more protection, and its legal
76509
It works and is quick. However, I think it would be foolish to rely upon this one utility alone - or any other single utility.\nIn my experience the Yahoo Anti-Spy does not identify all spyware.\nI recommend these freware utilities:\n1. Microsoft Antispyware Beta from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx\n2. Ad-Aware from http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ (look for the personal edition)\n3. Winpatrol from http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html\n4. Spybot Search & Destroy form http://www.safer-networking.org/\n\nYou will, of course, also be using an anti-virus program and a strong firewall.