What free anti spyware software is there other than spybot?

Question

I have had major problems with spyware/viruses since yesterday late afternoon.

I have since updated my macfee antivirus and checked for viruses deleting some unwanted items. I have gone though my settings and increased my security, deleted/stopped cookies, stopped mirosoft messenger. I have installed yahoo toolbar with anti-spy and pop up blocker. I have installed free spybot.

All seems fine now as I was getting lots of warning and advert pop ups telling me to buy software. I do not have any pop ups now.

I read that if you do not 'buy' an anti-spy software and you use free software you should use two free ones rather than one so it is more cover. Is yahoo anti-spy and spybot enough or should I get something else.

Could there still be a hidden problem, as the warnings started yesterday evening and I had to go on line and generally use the pc to fix the problem today could someone already have private info on me? One warning did give me IP number of someone??

Answer 1

Personally I like Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Answer 2

Ad-Aware:
http://www.lavasoft.nu/software/adaware/
Windows Defender:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender
HijackThis:
http://www.merijn.org/programs.php

Answer 3

Start with your firewall. That should conceal your identity when you're online. There's a site you can use to test it, in the links below. If it comes up clean then ok, if not then change it.
Secondly, what browser do you use? Internet Explorer is ok if you switch off Active X while you are using unknown sites. Only have it on when you know its safe and needed. Its best to use Firefox, its safer online.
Thirdly, if you use Avast! anti virus it will scan your web connection for problems and disconnect you if it finds anything. It also finds some Trojands.
Next you can use Ewido, its brilliant, easy to use and free. If you don't want to install it then you can use their online scanner once a week.

The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall

Shields Up security site, check your firewall works
https://www.grc.com

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com

http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

http://www.ewido.net - Ewido anti trojan

Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.com

Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.

http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.

http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool

Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 4

Windows Defender. Yahoo anti spyware.

Answer 5

Leave Microsoft Defender alone it's crap - Leave Microsoft firewall alone is crap.

First use a good Firewall like Zonealarm. (free)
then run a program called counterspy (it' free for a limited time)
then download yahoo tool bar with anti spy - then download download Ad-Aware (free) then if your up for it (only use if you know what your doing)download hijack this (free)

Answer 6

try advert-conscious 2007, this became between the 1st secret agent ware secure practices techniques and it has proved to be the main downloaded protection application for weeks and week. This application is unfastened to do away with application in spite of the shown fact that in case you like secret agent ware to be blocked from entering into your computing gadget interior the 1st place you will might desire to pay for it thank you Ben

Answer 7

Lavasoft do a fantastic free for non-commercial use product called ad-aware. That, coupled with spy-bot seem to keep me failrly free from ads and spyware.

Virus protection from avg is also free and very good.

Answer 8

first dont panic,all of us have had a period in our life while on the internet when we have been attacked by spyware,it only takes 1 mistake by accidentally pressing a advert and before you know it you have 20 spyware files on your hard drive
i am glad to see you are using spybot,this is one of the best
programs for spyware and if you combine it with adaware(http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/),this will make a good solid defense against most spyware
there are a few other good anti-spyware programs avalible for free(you can have as many of these as you want,no conflicts like anti-virus programs),try these ,i have 7 anti-spyware
running at one time
1)spyware blaster(http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html),this is good if you are using firefox as it has active protection for firefox browser)
2)super anti-spyware(http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10564983.html?tag=pub)
3)ewido anti-spy(http://www.ewido.net/en/),very good for hard to move spyware
4)windows defender(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=435BFCE7-DA2B-4A6A-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en)
windows defender is good as it scans in the background and will disconnect you from the internet if anything is found so as not to continue the infection,it can then be safely deleted then,very good program
you can safely download and install all of these ,as each one detects different types of spyware,so you will have all round protection,and you dont have to worry about memory usage i have anti-virus(avast4.7) 7 x anti-spyware, firewall, and i only have 512mb ram on this machine,it runs like a dream
my way of thinking is that spyware slows down your p.c,so if you can stop this from getting on to your p.c then your p.c should be fine with 512mb
most of us get these annoying pop-ups,they are stuck on these sites by companys who want to fleece you,and then dissapear,do not use them.
another good utility is the mcafee site advisor(http://www.siteadvisor.com/)this will let you know if a site is safe before you even enter it,its saved me a few times,and is very easy to use
so install these programs and from personal experience your security problems should stop,you will probally find a few spyware in the initial scans but after that the protection in the programs will keep you completely safe,also remember to update these programs weekly,and in the case of spybot and spyware blaster,immunize them
good luck

Answer 9

any pc should have these programs on them:any antivirus[bar nortons],spybot or spyware doctor,adaware se,windows defender,and cccleaner there all free and available at www.download.com have a look at their pc starter kit all these are there

Answer 10

AGV software , Defender from microsoft , mircosoft antivirus
Avanti software, these all work and are free