what is the best spyware/adware/malware/ program? let me know thx. shortmedia!

ins4n17y

hey all, happy new 2007, it's isiea here, i was recently at a buddy's house where we got rid of some infections on a computer due to a rootkit.

now that we have done a fresh re-format, i'd like to know whats short-media's recommendation of something that scans and removes all spyware/adware/malware and the sorts.

thing is i've heard about ad aware 6.0 pro to xoftspy se and i'm not sure what to pick, so i was wonderin' considerin' here at short-media there are veterans on spyware removal and would know their best reccomendations that does the best out of all of them.

thanks all for the suggestions and i appreciate your input...


yours truly, isiea

Trogan

Hi isiea

The best anti-spyware program is AVG anti-spyware. This is not an Anti-Virus program and should not replace your Anti-Virus program.

If you want to give it a try, here are the instructions.

Please download AVG Anti-Spyware to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder.
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

• Install AVG Anti-Spyware by double clicking the installer.
• Follow the prompts. Make sure that Launch AVG Anti-Spyware is checked.
• On the main screen under Your Computer's security.
  • Click on Change state next to Resident shield. It should now change to inactive.
  • Click on Change state next to Automatic updates. It should now change to inactive.
  • Next to Last Update, click on Update now. (You will need an active internet connection to perform this)
  • Wait until you see the Update succesfull message.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and uncheck Start with Windows.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.
AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.
Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• Login on your usual account.

Once in Safe Mode:

Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start AVG Anti-Spyware and run a full scan.

• Click on Scanner on the toolbar.
• Click on the Settings tab.
  • Under How to act?
    • Click on Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu.
  • Under How to scan?
    • All checkboxes should be ticked.
  • Under Possibly unwanted software:
    • All checkboxes should be ticked.
  • Under Reports:
    • Select Automatically generate report after every scan and uncheck Only if threats were found.
  • Under What to scan?
    • Select Scan every file.
• Click on the Scan tab.
• Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process.
• Let the program scan the machine.
• When the scan has finished, follow the instructions below.
  IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you did hit the "Apply all Actions" button.
  • Make sure that Set all elements to: shows Quarantine (1), if not click on the link and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2)
  • At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button. (3)
    
• When done, click the Save Scan Report button. (4)
  • Click the Save Report as button.
  • Save the report to your Desktop.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes

. Reboot back into Normal Mode

ins4n17y

Trogan wrote:

Hi isiea

The best anti-spyware program is AVG anti-spyware. This is not an Anti-Virus program and should not replace your Anti-Virus program.

If you want to give it a try, here are the instructions.

Please download AVG Anti-Spyware to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder.
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

• Install AVG Anti-Spyware by double clicking the installer.
• Follow the prompts. Make sure that Launch AVG Anti-Spyware is checked.
• On the main screen under Your Computer's security.
  • Click on Change state next to Resident shield. It should now change to inactive.
  • Click on Change state next to Automatic updates. It should now change to inactive.
  • Next to Last Update, click on Update now. (You will need an active internet connection to perform this)
  • Wait until you see the Update succesfull message.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and uncheck Start with Windows.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.
AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.
Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• Login on your usual account.

Once in Safe Mode:

Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start AVG Anti-Spyware and run a full scan.

• Click on Scanner on the toolbar.
• Click on the Settings tab.
  • Under How to act?
    • Click on Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu.
  • Under How to scan?
    • All checkboxes should be ticked.
  • Under Possibly unwanted software:
    • All checkboxes should be ticked.
  • Under Reports:
    • Select Automatically generate report after every scan and uncheck Only if threats were found.
  • Under What to scan?
    • Select Scan every file.
• Click on the Scan tab.
• Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process.
• Let the program scan the machine.
• When the scan has finished, follow the instructions below.
  IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you did hit the "Apply all Actions" button.
  • Make sure that Set all elements to: shows Quarantine (1), if not click on the link and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2)
  • At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button. (3)
    
• When done, click the Save Scan Report button. (4)
  • Click the Save Report as button.
  • Save the report to your Desktop.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes

. Reboot back into Normal Mode

Thx for the prompt response trogan. its much appreciated , ok just one more thing, is this program free? is there any fees i have to pay? let me know, and i'll give this program a shot.

thanks again,

isiea

Trogan

Its free for 30 days. After that it turns into a limited version with no automatic updates or resident shield. You can update it manually and scan with it though.