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General discussion

Adaware, Spybot/SpyGuard and Friends...Am I Protected Adequately?

Mar 10, 2004 6:55PM PST

I have a purchased version of Ad-Aware (build 162) with a reference number. Is the new 181 build compatible? Do I need an upgrade? The web site for Lavasoft isn't very clear about it.


Also, I use Spybot Search & Destroy and Spyguard, as well as Tauscan. Additionally I have 2004 Norton Anti-virus & Internet Security (set to highest levels), and Norton's System Works Utilities.

The reason for all this? I have a cable modem that's always on, I access my work network from home, and my wife and grandkids surf and download heavily.

Am I adequately protected?

OS is XP.

Discussion is locked

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Yes and no
Mar 10, 2004 7:48PM PST

Good start, but you could/should add:
(most links can be found via Google or at this site http://www.dozleng.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar , or ask for the ones you are interested in and can't find)
*Spyware Guard
*Spyware Blaster
both prevent spyware from being installed
*You could use a browser other than Internet Explorer IE (such as Firefox or Mozilla)
*If you use IE, consider using IE-SPYAD to add hundreds of sites to your restricted zone
*You can use any of a number of HOSTS files
*You could consider adding a firewall (suze as zone Alarm) or using the one built in to XP (although you didn't specify your OS)
*You can run Hijack This and take the log to any of a number of sites for expert review
*You can use CW Shredder to find 'stuff' that AdAware and Spybot can't


I am sure there are others, but this is a good place to start

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Re:Yes and no
Mar 11, 2004 8:33AM PST

I agree with LarryD.. it's a Yes and No Happy
You might want to make sure that your system is full patched and that you've configured properly the File and Sharing (if you are using it). Allow only trusted computers.

Below are some programs that you might to add in case you don't have.

Anti-spyware
1. Ad-aware & Spybot S&D ? use to scan your system for spyware and other malware. Links: http://spybot.safer-networking.de/ and http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
2. SpywareGuard ? real-time protection for spyware, hijacker. Very good to use while online and/or while installing a software.
Link: http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
3. (For XP users) XP-AntiSpy ? disable the most unneeded and insecure services in Windows XP (example: messenger service that is now used by spammers).
Link: http://www.xp-antispy.org/

Monitoring Tool
Be aware of what?s in your startup folder, IE helpers, running task, cookies, active programs and running services. Quick info is provided for each known file (.dll, .exe etc.)
Link: http://www.winpatrol.com/

Anti-virus
AVG or Avast! ? if you do not have an antivirus program or your antivirus program is expiring, get any of these 2 popular and good AV.
Links: http://www.avast.com/i_idt_153.html and http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Patch Management tool:

Bigfix or HFNetChkPro ? BigFix supports Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP that will alert you if you have missing patches. HFNetChkPro supports Windows 2000 & XP.
Links: https://www.shavlik.com/pDownloadForm4.aspx and http://www.bigfix.com

Personal Firewall

Outpost, Kerio or Zone Alarm ? manage which applications is allowed to make a connection by using any of these good free personal firewall.
Links: http://www.kerio.com/kpf_home.html, http://www.agnitum.com/download/outpost1.html and http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Anti-Script
Script Sentry ? not all AV will monitor for malicious scripts.
Link: http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/scriptsentry.asp

Anti-Spam
Mail Magic Monitor, ePrompter or Mailwasher ? Most spam contains malicious scripts or files. Delete unwanted spam from the server before retrieving your e-mails to your HD.
Links: http://mmm3.sourceforge.net/, http://www.mailwasher.net/ or http://www.eprompter.com/

Use a secure Browser ? Mozilla or Firefox ? http://www.mozilla.org/download.html

Finally, visit Windows Update regularly. If you are using Windows 2000 or XP, visit http://www.pedestalsoftware.com/products/se/downloads/webscan/ to check whether you are some missing patches.

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One other thing... Turn Off your PC when not in use...
Mar 11, 2004 1:05PM PST

and the most important thing is to educate the user.. atleast on how to check for viruses and/or spyware, every couple days. If possible tell them the Do's and Don'ts..

Have a nice weekend guys..