antispyware programs

In another thread, I had asked about any potential incompatibility resulting from the coexistence of a firewall AND antivirus software. THAT question was nicely taken care of, but it's led me to a new question now.

"Sparrow" further mentioned that even running AdAware, Spywareblaster, SpybotS&D, and Spywareguard (in addition to firewall and antivirus) shouldn't create conflicts - well and good. I already have all but Spywareguard installed already (downloading *it* as I type).

Three questions:

1) Sparrow (or anyone else who knows the answer!), would you please tell me what you meant by upgrading AdAware and Spybot before each use? I click on "update" in both of them every few days, but I almost always get the message that there are no updates ... so I'm wondering why you suggest doing it so often.

2) Does Spywareguard do anything in particular different than the combination of Spywareblaster and Spybot, or is installing it as well just a case of "can't have too much protection nowadays "?

3) I just tried updating Spybot again a few minutes ago, and got the message that there are no updates available - except MY version says Spybot 1.2, and I noticed from some other threads here that there is now a version 1.3. Is a new "version" different from a simple "update "? Do I need to uninstall 1.2 and download 1.3 from scratch?

Thanks in advance,
Rebecca

 

Hi Rebecca, again

Lets get SpyBot out of the way:

This thread will answer your questions - on the new 1.3 version: http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=31729&highlight=spybot

Question 1: What was meant by updating is not the software versions, but the parameter files that are added for new malware. BTW, Ad-Aware's current software version is 6.0.

Question 2: Spywareguard, someone that uses it in combo w/ the others is best fit to answer - but IMO, yes that is "gilding the lily ".

Regard - Charles

 

Not trying to knit-pick, but 6.181 is current.

 

Hi Rockster2U,

Sure, lets pick-nits: Properties > Version = 6.0.1.181

AAW's Front panel says what?

Regards - Charles

 

All these programs eliminate "data miners" from your computer. I dont like strangers taking information from my computer behind my back. So even if there's only one data miner that the extra program eliminates, I'm happy. Of course, there's no such thing as complete safety, and there's lots of other ways identity theft can occur, so one has to do ones best and pray.

 

Hi Rockster2U,

I can see why you wrote that:

In WebUpdate - "Installed Core Application: 6.181 Personal ".

Regards - Charles

 

Re: What was meant by updating is not the software versions, but the parameter files that are added for new malware. BTW, Ad-Aware's current software version is 6.0

How does one go about updating the parameter files? I guess I always thought that would be done any time I clicked on 'update' (I'm obviously naïve!).

If I hadn't seen it mentioned here, I would have assumed Spybot 1.2 and AdAware 6.0 WERE the latest versions, because when I click on update for both of them, I get the message that there are no updates. How do you find out when there's a new version out altogether?

Should I uninstall Spybot 1.2 using Windows' Add/Remove Programs (I can't find Spybot's own uninstall command)? I read the Spybot thread Charles pointed me to, and saw that Jeane mentioned still having leftover folders afterwards - would I do a "search" for anything with the word Spybot in it after I uninstall, to double check for leftovers? And just delete those, if there are any?

I'm downloading Spybot 1.3 now, but will wait for feedback here before I install it (specifically, how to thoroughly UNinstall 1.2).

Thanks!
Rebecca

 

Not altogether on-topic, but do firewalls (for example, Zone Alarm's free one) need to be updated periodically too?

 

Thanks, Pete!
Back to the aforementioned "parameter" files - assuming I have the most recent version of Spyboy and Adaware, when I click on "update ", are the parameter files what's being updated?

 

Right! That's the way to update the parameter or definitions file.

Refers to definitions.

Best way is follow this forum.

SpybotS&D is in control panel, add/remove programs, so just delete it from there. I'm not aware that you'll get leftovers, and I personally wouldn't worry about that. Just install the new version. I may seem paranoid about the number of programs I run to protect me from snoops and miners of my data, but I'm not paranoid about a program leaving a little trash behind because I don't think that would hurt me.
Zonealarm shouldn't need updating if it's working well. There have been some problems with version 5 that I'm told have been corrected in the version you're likely getting. I still use an older version, and I'm in no hurry to upgrade.

 

Okay, I've now got the current versions of AdAware, SpybotS&D, Spywareguard, and Spywareblaster (not to mention my Zone Alarm firewall!) on my computer.
Question: which ones of the above need to be "turned on" in order to do their jobs? I believe I read somewhere along the line that Spywareblaster is always running (without my having to actually click on it each time I log on). The Zone Alarm and Spywareguard icons show up in my start-up tray (I think that's what it's called -- the bar of icons just to the left of the time/clock at the bottom right hand corner of my screen), which makes me think they're on auto-pilot too.
Am I correct in my understanding that AdAware and Spybot are programs I only access when I want to actually scan my computer?
Also, when I start AdAware, on the initial screen, under "usage statistics ", it says: "Ad-watch status not loaded ". Sounds like I haven't activated something I should have - in which case, how do I change the status to "loaded "?

 

Hi Rebecca,

SpyBot is a little more complicated.

In v1.3, two "resident" processes have been added - meaning they run all the time by themselves unless not enabled: TeaTimer and SDHelper.

If you go back to Jeane's thread, I wrote about it - where the options to run/not run are.

Regards - Charles

 

Charlesvar

We're on the same page and thanks to your guidance, Rebecca is headed to a better operating environment - hope things dry out up there soon.

Regards,
Rockster

 

Thanks, Charles -
I had read your advice to Jeane, and did uncheck those two items in Spybot 1.3, as you'd suggested. Can't tell you how good I feel about my computer as I head off to the land of nod tonight - not only do I feel adequately protected for the first time in months, but everything is actually WORKING on my computer!!!

 

Hi Pete,

I just trust Lonny.