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Anti spyware basic advice
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When a spyware/malware is detected, but after reboot shows to remain resident on your computer, try to scan again in safe-modus.
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Freeware scanners
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Ad-Aware (5/5)
 www.lavasoft.de (careful,... not .com).
A must have! The mother of all anti spyware tools. Regular updates are available. I also advice you to subscribe to their newsletter “The Eye”. This is the only tool that I never took in the act of giving false positives.
HINT: If Ad Aware is automatically shut-down by a malicious software, first run AWCloak.exe before opening Ad Aware. When AAWCloack is open, click “Activate Cloack”. Than open Ad Aware and scan your system.
 AVG Anti Spyware (5/5)
When AVG offers a free anti-spyware / anti-malware scanner, don’t hesitate. Before time, this spywarescanner was known as Ewido ;-). It’s free in a slimmed-down version. The download stays active like a full payware versions for 30 days, than it slims down. That slimmed down version is as good as it can get.
Spybot Search & Destroy (4/5)
This tool from Safer Networking is one of the first well trusted cleaning tools. It’s a bit more agressive that Ad Aware. Spybot also allows you to immunize your PC against known spyware. Be a bit cautious with Spybot before deleting assumed spyware. Check out if it is not indispensable for your system. Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3up has a monitoring tool that will warn you when an important key or entry in your registry is added or changed. More about registry cleaning...
SpywareBlaster (5/5)
Javacool Software offers this free spyware immunizer. It’s a great tool that is regularly updated. It is known to check your registry a bit better than Ad Aware. It does not clean but prevents installation of spyware and does not run in the background. If you want a more complete protection, than they have a freeware/donateware spyware solution named Spyware Guard that constantly scans for spyware like an antivirus.
customblockinglist.cjb.net (info)
Create your own custom blocking.
<quote>SpywareBlaster's Custom Blocking Feature allows you to easily add your own list of ActiveX controls that are not already blocked by SpywareBlaster.</quote>
Spyware Block List File (5/5)
Spywareguide.com offers you a free registry ad-in to block spyware installation by bad ActiveX controls without losing out on functionality. Download the zipped expert package. Simply open blocklist.reg, accept the installation you will be protected. The zipped file also contains an uninstall option. Download the latest version on a regular basis.
Spyware Doctor (5/5)
Payware,... but they offer a free evaluation version that removes trojan horses, keyloggers & other treats but has the real-time protection, pop-up blocker, browser monitor, and scheduler disabled - what I can live with. It digs deep into your system and shows the potentiality of the treats.
Comodo BOclean. (testing)
Once a known Back Orifice trojan killer, than developped to be a fair overall malware hunter. Now bought by Comodo and offered for free. Some say over hyped. Good to give it a try and definitely worth to complete your arsenal. Runs in the background and supposed to kill malwarez on instant.
X-Cleaner Free (XBlock Systems) (4,5/5)
This stand-alone executable goes way back in time and remains an all time favorite in it’s free - limited - version. Once it belonged to XBlock Systems. X-Cleaner and SpywareGuide.com are now owned by FaceTime. It still scans for many popular spyware packages and performs permanent file shredding but also performs cookie cleaning, Internet cache cleaning. Great as an additional scanner.
The payware version is also worth its cash.
WinPatrol (4,5/5) (payware - but functional in unregistered version with limited access to online database.)
Scotty the watchdog keeps an eye out for worms, adware, spyware, cookies and some troyens. It gives you loads of info about what is going on behind your desktop. You can learn it to automatically remove cookies with a specific text portion in the title. It also detects changes to Internet Explorer. Along with Spybot’s Teatimer a must have to keep your system in shape.
Download.com wrote: “This program uses a simple yet effective method of fighting all kinds of malicious programs. It inspects several spots in the Windows system that malware is most likely to alter, including programs launched at start-up, browser helper objects, scheduled tasks, services, and cookies. WinPatrol consumes few resources and doesn't slow your PC.” Wraff wraff...
Bugnosis (4/5) (Internet Explorer only)
See who is tracking you on the internet through a IE toolbar. From the author: Bugnosis operates by analyzing the Web pages that you visit while surfing. When it discovers a Web bug, it alerts you with a sound ("uh-oh!") and pops up a window containing details about the Web bug. It also makes the Web bugs visible, so you can see where they are placed on the page. By revealing Web bugs, Bugnosis makes it possible for ordinary Web users to "watch the watchers." More info:
http://www.bugnosis.org/help/help.htm
Better use Mozilla Firefox, than you do not need Bugnosis.
A2 personal (5/5)
Emsi Soft offers this malware scanner that is specialized in tracking Trojans, Backdoors and Dialers but also finds an occasional worm. You can download new signatures and immunize your system with a simple click. It is one of my favorites for many years now. |
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Buying a scanner?
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If you agree to pay for a scanner,... the best scanner nowadays is Sunbelt CounterSpy.
PCWorld and Download.com give it the highest rating. It does more than simply scan,.. it is a kinda spyware-wall with the option to engage an intelligent resident protection. And it costs less than any other payware scanner.
(19,95 Dollar 03/2005)
<PCWorld> Posted the highest detection rate in our tests. Offers a wide range of real-time protection, including script blocking and preventing infections from the addition of Browser Helper Objects. </PCWorld>
Sunbelt offers a 15 days evaluation period with full definition updates. Oh, yes,... it seems to be adviced to uninstall Microsoft Antispyware (ex-Giant) before installing Counterspy. The real-time protection does not seem to conflict with Spybot Teatimer and Scotty the watchdog.
Nondisputandum tests CounterSpy:
When I ran a first time scan,... after testing my PC with my favorite free scanners,... it found nothing. So my free stuff does a fairly good job after all. On the other hand, CounterSpy did not give any false positives either.
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Some advice from Nondisputandum
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Warning:
You will find many adware scanners on the internet. Not all are indisputably honest. And there’s no such thing as absolute protection! Most good scanners clean about 2/3 of known malwares. Payware is not always better than freeware, sometimes worse or even harmfull. A few tend to do a slightly better job than Ad-Aware & Spybot. No one scanner does it all.
Installing software not rated on this page:
Check first if it is not listed as Rogue/ Suspect on
Rogue Spyware (4.5/5) (Spyware Warrior) or check PestPatrol.com's encyclopedia to see if it is/contains spyware.
What about HITMAN PRO?: (5/5)
This Dutch tool (English & German version available) combines several known spyware tools. All the tools are trustworthy, no rogue software is used. It is a brilliant idea, developped by a brilliant mind. Though it is impressive, it lacks the human factor.
The installation comes with the download of the various tools. All that goes automatically. Only on a few occasions you need to click to accept the software. Once it is installed, you can also set it up in the configuration tab to scan on demand for virusses with Trend Micro Sysclean. Good for a second check besides your resident anti-virus solution. Those who use only freeware should deactivate the Webroot Spy Sweeper scan in the configuration tab before the first run of Hitman Pro. All the rest is free software. Impressive work. Version 2 is now stable. The software is regularly updated. A project to follow. |
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SiteAdvisor (spam, virus, spyware and swindle info)
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McAfee SiteAdvisor (5/5)
Even if you use Mozilla Firefox - do not use Internet Explorer but if you do, the more the reason - get some advise while you surf the internet. McAfee knows most of the websites and feeds it’s database on a daily basis. Those sites who are not trustworthy will be marked. This works for example fabulously with Google. In a very modest way, it shows you with a simple red icone when links contain riks, and when you click the icone you will see where the risky links take you to. Fabulous and absolutely a Must Have. |
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System Spyware Interrogator (lab testing)
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Spywaredata.com lab test (5/5). The software that you install scans your system, asks you to upload suspicious files for a lab test. It not only uses a database to find spyware but also searches for unknown malwares. This software does not clean in any way, but it is perfect for an additional scan when you - think that you - have cleaned your PC. You need to be online as you will see the remaining assumed malwares detected on your system. The result is not 100% trustworthy. There might be some false positives. Post your results on their forum.
Reviews at Download.com |
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Bazooka info
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Bazooka (4/5)
Those Scandinavians (Kephyr) really are keen on anti-spyware developing. This tool runs very smooth. I installed it as an additional detector besides my other soft. It’s very fast. This does not remove, but detects and says how to remove manually!
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Spyware lists
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Spyware database
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SpywareGuide.com and X-Cleaner are owned by FaceTime.
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Online vulnerability check
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Audit My PC (5/5)
Check your computer among other things for popular spyware and browser vulnerabilities.
PC Pitstop (4/5)
Works preferable with Internet Explorer but also with Mozilla and Opera after installing a plug-in named Neptune. But... they ask you to turn off the firewall what you are not obliged to do... perform the anonimous test. They check for virussen & spyware but they also test the entire system performance, internet speed, disk health and check for Active X & Gator. They also try to sell you some product,... but all works fine even if you decide not to buy anything.
Mediaboy.net (4/5)
Check if your pop-up killer works fine. If you see nothing popping-up,... your system is secured. Simple & efficient tool.
Else,... <Chet>You will see oodles of boxes, various colors, with a single word. They will appear all over your screen. You couldn't miss it if you flunked the blocker test!</Chet> |
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Online spyware scanners
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Spyware Guide remover (4/5)
offers an online scanner using active X components and lets you remove it,.. but is halts after every finding and asks you what to do... delete of skip... before it goes on scanning!
www.pestscan.com (4/5)
Finds pests and gives more information but does not remove pests. What is a pitty.
AntiVir Personal (4/5)
(Free-av.com)
Not only a free lightweight anti-virus solution. It also searches for malwares & backdoors. Perhaps not the best all-over antivirus solution but you could consider using it as a malware scanner & secundary anti-virus tool. Be carefull not to use it on access with another virus scanner.
Read also: Antivirus page.
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Rootkits
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Rootkit Revealer
(ONLY EXPERT USE)
Rootkits try to keep malwares hidden form anti-spyware (& antivirus-) scanners. Rootkit Revealer is a root kit detection utility that runs on Windows NT 4 and higher and its output lists Registry and file system API discrepancies that may indicate the presence of a user-mode or kernel-mode rootkit. RootkitRevealer successfully detects all persistent rootkits published at www.rootkit.com
Windows Strider
(ONLY EXPERT USE)
The Ghostbuster Project intends to detect and remove rootkits using cross-view technology.
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TESTING
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Do not download this yet.
I am testing the software.
PhishGuard
Protect against Internet Phishing.
An updated database immunizes the computer against scammers. You have to register online to get a free copy. Seems stable & functional.
Spymonitor betaversion 0.x from sourceforge isa free on-access open source permanent spyware scanner using whitelists and blacklists. This is no rogue software. This is not as potent (yet) as any know spyware fighter but does offer free resident scanning, what is good enough for a start.
Spycatcher Express
Free version of Tenebrils anti-spyware solution. One difference with the payware version is that you have to update the Free Express version manually. They do ask your mailadress in order to register the product. However, you do not need a registration code. You can set it up to scan your computer regularly for spyware, adware & trojans or use it only on demand. When it finds malicious programs, it acts kinda like a firewall and will quarantaine or ask you on application if you agree. So it keeps running in the background and constantly uses resources. It found several malicious activities. Among them a keylogger,... what makes me suspicious as my system is almost daily scanned with various tools.
Spycatcher alerts like like a watchdog whenever a ‘Hook’ is trying to be installed. It’s a stable piece of software.
Spyware Terminator:
This tool was once listed as Rogue. Now it seems safe to use. It offers automatic updates and real-time protection. I advice not to use that, so answer NO when asked. It offers you a daily fast scan, what you can deactivate. As I do. Lazy geeks with lotsa ram can activate that along with the real-time protection.
Malware Sweeper Free:
The free version of Malwaresweeper Plus & Pro. It offers no realtime protection - good for your system resources - but offers live update and a scheduled scan. Download it from download.com. It had difficulties installing a .dll but ignoring this did not cause any problems running the app. At first use, the live updater refused to work.
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Browser Helper Objects
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Internet Explorer allows BHOs to install themselves without your permission. Some of them are extremely harmfull, even viral.
Use BHOdemon (4.5/5) to check your registry and look at & manage the BHOs that are installed.
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Browser hijacking
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Browser vulnerability
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Thiefware
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www.thiefware.com (4/5)
gives instructions how to avoid leechware parasites to manipulate ads during surfing. Some say that thiefware is for you own good... de Gustibus etcetera...
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Snoopware
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Snoopfree Privacy Shield
(5/5)
A free privacy shield that constantly checks if anything is spying on you. (Partner, employee, hackers, government,...). It is not a scanner but a anti-keylogger, screen and open windows watcher. Just like a firewall, you need to train the application. But that is a small effort for a big comfort. |
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Windows XP
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xp-antispy.org (5/5)
offers a little tool to disable some built-in update and authentication 'features' in WindowsXP.
www.microsoft.com/*.* (5/5) offers an Office 2003/XP Add-in that allows you to remove all hidden data from your files. |
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Surf anonimously
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JAP
TOR
Remember that these tools will slow down your surfinf experience but offer you relative anonimity,... besides Echelon,.. that will find you whereever you surf. So paranoics will never feel safe ;-)
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Cookie viewer
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Registry
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Spyware weblogs & Info
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Nondisputandum reviews the best free software
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Sounds good, but for some reason not an option.
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The ratings reflect the valor of software & websites for the active internet user, focussing on advanced comfort & a honest policy towards the client. All the reviewed free tools & sites have the potential to compete with commercial software. The few exclusively commercial initiatives reviewed here can not expect above a (4.5/5) rating. Not that they are less than superb but it is considered outstanding to offer superb software for a fair price. It is absolutely superb when one can have it without the obligation to pay for it. I do think it is fair to pay when equivalent free alternatives are unavailable and to donate when free software makes a difference. You will not find software reviewed below a (4/5) rating. The symbol (/) means that the software or website is reviewed but at the time for some reason excluded as a valuable option. Software or websites with a (/) code however have the potential to be selected if only: no nags, no aggressive public relations, no malware, no trackware, no tricks whatsoever, no harmful intentions. Read the disclaimer and enjoy the Nondisputandum project.
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Really good software.
Consider using it...
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Outstanding software. Try it.
You will like it.
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Brilliant software. Undisputably good.
Superb...
A must have! |
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Pick a reward banner - Link to Nondisputandum.com
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Nondisputandum Legal Notice
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Nondisputandum.com is free of spyware, does not present controls related to dialers, adware, or other malicious or questionable programs. Does not run malicious or questionable scripts anywhere in or connected to the body of the code including but not limited to cascading style sheets, Java Script, HTML, etc. Is not affiliated with malicious or questionable portals, search engines, hacking sites, etc. Avoids linking to any sites that engage in any of these listed criteria. Does not present pop ups, slider windows, etc. that initially lead to sites that violate these criteria. Does not use dialers on the website to "connect" users to any kind of service or area. Does not present misleading controls. Does not present persistent items that do not allow the user to easily close or refuse the item on the first attempt. Does not install or cause to install programs designed to track or monitor the users browsing habits, keystrokes, or other activity from the user. Any advice or feedback that you read on this website is personal advice, not intended to judge but to share. Do not take it for granted. Make up your own mind and compare solutions before installing any software. Don’t forget to create a system recovery point first.
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Exclusion of liability: Nondisputandum reviews software and has placed links to websites on various pages of this website. The following applies to all of these links: The owner - also webmaster - of this website makes it clear that he has no influence whatsoever on the make-up and content of the pages referred to in the links. Accordingly, the owner - and webmaster - of this website, from here mentioned as Nondisputandum, hereby distances himself explicitly from the content of all pages linked from this website and emphasize that this content is not his own. Nondisputandum, the owner - and webmaster - of Nondisputandum.com accepts no liability whatsoever for the content of the linked pages. All data and information included in this website has been researched and checked, based on personal interpretations of reliability, stability and ease of use. All information is subject to correction. Misprints and errors excepted. Nondisputandum reserves the right to make modifications and additions at any time without prior notice. My propositions are without obligation. No liability can be accepted for correctness, completeness and up-to-dateness. Similarly, I accept no responsibility for the content of any third-party websites which may have been linked to my website by without my knowledge. I do appreciate it if you would link to Nondisputandum.com if you feel that you can accept this exclusion of liability. Read more about selection criteria & disclaiming.
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Other trustworthy security geeks
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