I need good spyware protection, what program? from where?

Question

My computer is spitting out warning messages left right and center that someone is accessing my computer and that I have spyware. They are obviously ads but how do I get rid of them, they are slowing everything down. I have Windows xp 2002 professional

Answer 1

I suggest that you use Ad-Aware and SpyBot. They work well together, but Ad-Aware won't do an active scan.

It actually works out well, because, even though you have to run Ad-Aware independently, it won't interfere with SpyBot, and while they catch some of the same things, they each catch things the other misses.

Answer 2

Excellent advice can be found in the article Ten Tips to Preventing Spyware and Spam at http://policedownload.net/report/spyware

Their ten tips:

1. Install Firefox
2. Install Anti-Virus Software
3. Use Anti-Spyware Software Regularly
4. Don't Use Microsoft Outlook
5. Install McAfee SiteAdvisor
6. Use Bugmenot to login to websites
7. Avoid free giveaways and contests
8. Enable Windows Firewall and Automatic Updates
9. Use gaim or Trillian for instant messaging
10. Use Soulseek and uTorrent for file sharing


It's important to note that the only anti-spyware software worth using is FREE. Most anti-spyware software, including software that you have to pay for, is spyware itself! The three worthwhile pieces of free software are Spybot Search & Destroy, Lavasoft Ad-Aware, and Microsoft Windows Defender.

Answer 3

This is a basic case of Adware affecting your PC. Scan with Ad-Aware SE. It is bound to find the buggers and blast them. Also try Spybot-Search and Destroy to further clean the PC. Use Spyware Blaster to prevent Spyware from being installed in the PC. Try CCleaner to get rid of unnecessary stuff that could slow down your PC. Practice safe web surfing.
The first download link is for Ad-Aware, the second for Spybot, the third for Spyware Blaster and the last for CCleaner.

Answer 4

All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.

AVG Removes I-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5

Spybot - 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.
http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://superantispyware.com/
SUPERAntiSpyware 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!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
Make sure after you download any of these, that you update them.

*Be sure to come back to Yahoo Q&A and vote for one of the answers as best answer!

Answer 5

The following I give 5 out of 5 stars to, but you need 256Mb of RAM or more (and if you purchase all from the list your computer is that much safer, yes they require a 1 year subscription but it is very worth it if you like your computer being safe).

#1=Spy Sweeper 5.0, website:www.webroot.com Cost $30/year
#2=Norton AntiVirus 2006, website: www.symantec.com Cost $40-50/year
#3=PconPoint 3.5, web site: www.pconpoint.com Cost$15/year.

Hope this helps and yes if you buy a year subscription on all 3 that I mentioned I guarantee at lest a 50% performance increase!!!

If you have any more questions you can reach me at: [e-mail]

Answer 6

I can give a few links that offer free virus and spyware removers...!You may be having a virus or spyware installed on your PC. Norton, AVG , Avast are free antivirus software. Ad-aware, Ewido are free spyware removers. You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html

Answer 7

Here is what I use to keep my computer clean, note on the AVG there is a new free version, 7.5 I think it is. all are free..

Anti Virus
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-virus-free-edition/lng/us/tpl/tpl01 - AVG Anti Virus
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ - Trend Micro free online virus and spyware scan

Protection from BHO (browser helper objects) spyware, malware
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html - Spywareblaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html - Spywareguard

Scanning for spyware and removing
http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php - Ad-Aware SE Personal
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html - Spybot search and destroy

Answer 8

Tenebril's Spycatcher Express is a free anti-spyware program. it has an active monitor that helps prevent spyware from going into your system.

go here: http://www.tenebril.com/downloads/

Answer 9

I have an anti-malware program by Acronis installed on my pc. It is very reliable tool provided with frequent updates. It also possesses some additional features like pop-up blocker and Internet traces clean up tool. I've been using it since July and I'm pretty happy with it so far. You can read more about it here: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/privacyexpert/

Answer 10

well gettig bunches and bunches of free softwares aint gonna help u with anything.. all u have to do is go to add/remove program and then select the latest program u installed from internet.. that has adware in it.. uninstall it and then go to ur internet explorer and goto internet option and disable third party extension.. this will do.. if u reall need some software u can go to cnet.com or download.com and type in like popup blocker or maybe yahoo toolbar is also good to help stop ur pc acting like a zombe..
take care and good luck