Best Free AntiSpyware Software

[zer0]

any recommendations?

[Q]

Spybot and Adaware. Not only are they free, but they're pretty much the best according to most.

[Starscream]

I find on really bad machines you need to run MORE than just spybot and adaware.

I run through the following on the bad ones:
Spybot
Adaware
CWShredder
Hijack This
Windows Defender

Repeat cycle until clean.

[evilghost]

Linux works pretty darned well.

[grey_1]

Linux works pretty darned well.
I saw your name on that last post and was COMPELLED to look. Lol.

Spybot and adaware have my vote. Hijack this also for those tough cases. But no amount of software will stop browsing habits. I've clicked on smaller game sites looking for walkthroughs and such and gotten infested.

[evilghost]

I saw your name on that last post and was COMPELLED to look. Lol.

Am I that predicable? ;)

[grey_1]

Am I that predicable? ;)
Lol, not any more bro. I just saw you recommend someone stick to Vista in the gaming forum, TOTALLY threw me! :D

[six_storm]

Adaware is the best by far. Go with that.

[Q]

I find on really bad machines you need to run MORE than just spybot and adaware.

I run through the following on the bad ones:
Spybot
Adaware
CWShredder
Hijack This
Windows Defender

Repeat cycle until clean.

I agree. But in the wrong hands Hijack This does a lot more harm than good.

But in a honesty, if its gotten to this level you may as well Wipe and Reload.

[Monolyth]

I second: AdAware, Spybot, & Windows Defender

Linux works pretty darned well.

Linux is only safe because Windows has the highest market share. If the situation were reversed Linux would be plagued with the same problems as Windows. Spyware developers have no huge need to target Linux because Linux is not where the most people are.

I do believe exploit-based attacks would be better handled in Linux due to the open-source platform. The primary problem would still be that most spyware is installed because users click through their dialogs and/or believe the message stating they have spyware on their system from an inernet web page. ;)

[rewt]

I like AVG Anti-Spyware (http://www.ewido.net/en/download/) (used to be called ewido, AVG/Grisoft bought it I guess).

It's mostly free, however the real-time scanner runs out after 30 days. But you can still update it and scan your PC.

[evilghost]

Linux is only safe because Windows has the highest market share. If the situation were reversed Linux would be plagued with the same problems as Windows. Spyware developers have no huge need to target Linux because Linux is not where the most people are.

I do believe exploit-based attacks would be better handled in Linux due to the open-source platform. The primary problem would still be that most spyware is installed because users click through their dialogs and/or believe the message stating they have spyware on their system from an inernet web page. ;)

Exactly! I mean, all those Apache servers running content out there, they're like what, 60% market share? See http://news.netcraft.com/archives/web_server_survey.html

I'm sorry this argument doesn't work. The OS is significantly more secure with greater vulnerability patch times (we don't get those Typical Tuesday patch days) as well as not having an Internet seething full of malware.

I'm also no logged in as root and only assume root rights to explicitly install software. How about that Internet Explorer, that's got a great track record for stability and security.

Can't name the last time I had to defrag my ext3 filesystem, scan my registry for corruption, scan my system for viruses, or perform a "spysweeper".

:)

[Monolyth]

Exactly! I mean, all those Apache servers running content out there, they're like what, 60% market share? See http://news.netcraft.com/archives/we...er_survey.html
Did I say servers? No I said 'users'. Most people that understand how to install & configure Apache are not basic users and understand something about security, and most web-servers aren't randomly browsing the internet clicking on dialog boxes or web-links.

I'm sorry this argument doesn't work. The OS is significantly more secure with greater vulnerability patch times (we don't get those Typical Tuesday patch days) as well as not having an Internet seething full of malware.
I gave *nix the upper hand on patch time there's no need for you to throw that back in my face. You honestly believe that the 'Internet full of malware' would not apply to Linux if Linux was what 'everyone' used?... Most common users I know would not like dealing with daily patches, heck they rarely like dealing with monthly.

I'm also no logged in as root and only assume root rights to explicitly install software. How about that Internet Explorer, that's got a great track record for stability and security.
Ever heard of power-users? IE does not have a great track record because IE is the target. Once FireFox or Opera become targets then we'll see how they hold up.

Can't name the last time I had to defrag my ext3 filesystem, scan my registry for corruption, scan my system for viruses, or perform a "spysweeper".
Anyone that can use Linux in most of it's current forms understands much more then the basic user, which of course removes the whole 'everyone uses it' from this discussion.