The Final Straw…
No more is Internet Explorer allowed here at home. From now on Firefox is the browser of choice. Despite the very tight ship — the firewalls, the anti-spyware software, the virus checkers, the network security, the education on accessing websites, downloading software, and opening email attachments, my strict rules and regulations — another spyware application has snuck through the defenses. Granted, it’s been 132 days since the last minor invasion, a marvel in itself thanks to the conscious security, but I’m fed up with having to go through hulahoops every time I suspect something else has infiltrated. I partially blame Yahoo, the website being a prime target for stealthy applications hidden in online advertisements, plus Yahoo Messenger appears to interfere with a few popular spyware blocking applications — so gone is Yahoo Messenger as well.
Are you stuck with some nasty virus or spyware app? The following list is the best ammunition against spyware as of today, and they are free (ironically, most of the online scanners require Internet Explorer and will not function with Netscape or Firefox, just like the spyware and viruses themselves!)
- Trend Micro — a leading free virus scanner now also offers spyware scanning, too
- Symantec Security Check — from the makers of Norton Anti-Virus
- Lavasoft Ad-Aware — offers a free version of the popular spyware scanner
- Spybot — you must run several tools on your system, not just one!
- HijackThis — a must-use spyware detection utility to cross-check the others. Complicated and potentially dangerous, it’ll show you everything you need to know about what’s running on your computer, and then let you remove it — it’s up to you to determine whether what you’re removing is good or bad!
Exercise extreme caution when using other spyware checkers, scanners, or blockers; research them extensively BEFORE installing — there are now 100s of confirmed “spyware removal” apps that actually contain spyware and adware!
While you’re at it, check the settings of your firewall (I know you have one properly installed, right?!) with Shields Up!, an online utility that attempts to scan and identify any open ports, essentially back doors into your computer!
I notice in your list you did not include Norton anti-virus 2005. So far it has been the best program for finding spyware on any machine I have run it on. I use spybot, and adaware alot, but several programs have somehow gotten around them, but I can run Norton Anti-Virus 2005 and it will not only detect 2-5 programs that the others didn’t catch, but will also remove the source of those problems without having to hack into the registry. Granted that NAV 2005 isn’t free, and there is only a 15 day trial. It has been well worth the money on all my business machines.
True, I use McAfee myself. I used to use Norton but it let a few viruses slip through. In light of your contribution, I’ve added Symantec’s online free checker to the list above. In my most recent “test”, only Ad-Aware found any unwanted applications. The bottom line is that because no scanner can catch everything, you must use several products to scan your computers — do not rely on a single packaged solution. - RDL
Another very timely blog. (You sure you’re not aiming these things at us?) IE gets the boot tonight. (Well, tomorrow. It’s a Monday…)
So, having switched to Firefox (which I’m learning to love, for it’s tabbing feature alone sparing me all those extra open windows), can I get rid of IE? As both a practical matter (can it actually be removed?) and as a functional issue (will something stop working if it’s gone?)
Yes, it can be removed, but Windows Update as well as many important websites that use ActiveX controls (such as many online virus/spyware scanners) will no longer function. I personally do not find an advantage in permanent removal. Making sure all obvious shortcuts are removed and modifying the registry to have all software use Firefox as the default browser should be sufficient. - RDL
I used to recommend Ad-Aware to my clients until I read this: http://www2.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13028621