Spyware and Windows Defender

[pokemon_master]

After reading just what a spyware program actually is, I decided to go and get Windows Defender (it's in its beta stage, but it is still good at it's purpose).

As most of the techies know; spyware is very naughty.. Not only doest it fiddle with your settings, they try and sell you lame stuff!!

And to top the icing on the cake, some people make spyware programs which are advertised to try and get rid of spyware! How rude is that!

It makes me mad at the amount of things that go on in the internet... It's probably wise if everyone checks the Howstuffworks.com article on spyware just in case to see if they haven't been affected and what you can do if it happens.

If you are Mac, Linux or anything other than Windows, then you are a bit more safe.. Most Spyware programs are aimed at windows anyway. As for windows users you can get programs (like my windows defender) that are not spyware but do help get rid of it.

Hope it helps, and don't get caught!!

 

[pokemon_master]

It says it doesn't support my service provider... looks like I need to find another one..

 

[JudicialTyranny]

It says it doesn't support my service provider... looks like I need to find another one..

It has nothing to do with your ISP. It scans your hard drive for spyware.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

As for windows users you can get programs (like my windows defender) that are not spyware but do help get rid of it.

But be careful - some "spyware removal" programs are actually spyware themselves! They fool you into thinking you are getting a free spyware removal program, but then install more spyware on your computer. These especially come from the pop-up windows on web sites that claim "spyware was detected".

The good ones I know about are:

Windows Defender (formerly Windows Anti-Spyware) (www.microsoft.com)
Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com)
Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org)

There are others, but research them first.

 

[Cochise]

Agree there, careful what you get. i use Spybot and ad aware (with live blocking) then tidy up with a bit of window washer after. Works a treat

 

[pokemon_master]

It has nothing to do with your ISP. It scans your hard drive for spyware.

It say it seems not to be compatible with my service provider for some reason.. Not that big a deal.

But be careful - some "spyware removal" programs are actually spyware themselves! They fool you into thinking you are getting a free spyware removal program, but then install more spyware on your computer. These especially come from the pop-up windows on web sites that claim "spyware was detected".

Yeah, I know! Taking advantage of mass histeria is something that should be left to the realm of Chicken Licken..

 

[Laurafoster]

Spywear is dreadful! Like Conchise i use Ad aware and Spybot but i still have to clean up the PC every now and then. Luckily i work for an IT helpdesk and have easy access to all of this stuff for free.

There are some free ones available on the net but it is really hard to tell if they are genuine or not!

 

[pokemon_master]

I managed to get Windows Defender from Microsoft. Woo!!