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General discussion

Using SpyBot and AdAware

Oct 18, 2004 2:09AM PDT

I have no idea how many of the following queries will receive attention, but I?ll throw them out there and see if any get picked up. They are queries many non-techs are likely to have if they are conscientious about protecting their computers but don?t have time to get several years of experience before using their computers.

Programs such as AdAware and Spybot contain a lot of features that are beyond the understanding of most non-techs. Such as:

When I bring up the Tools menu in SpyBot, I find the following unchecked:
Bug Report
ActiveX
Browser Pages
Hosts File
Opt Out
Process List,
With all the others being checked.

I don?t know if I should do any checking or unchecking. And I still don?t know after reading SpyBot?s explanation of them; it is not written for the uninitiated.

When I installed Spybot, I checked the ?Don?t create a Start Menu folder? just because I figured I could easily click on the SpyBot desktop icon when I wanted to run it. But maybe that?s not what it is about. Maybe a person gets some nature of protection by having Spybot in the Start Menu folder. Using SpyBot?s Sgartup log, I see it includes TeaTimer, but maybe there is something else it should include that I prevented from being included by checking the aforesaid button.

I?ve been advised before that when installing SpyBot I should check ?Use Internet Explorer protection (SDHelper)? and ?Use system settings protection (TeaTimer)?. But the average non-tech will probably wonder about these; is there some reason the user is given the option of not checking them that the user ought to be aware of?

The SpyBot ?explanation? of ?Interpreting the results? is, as is customary, not very informative or helpful for the average non-tech. It says that whether to remove usage tracks is up to the user. Well, duh. But if the user doesn?t have any idea of the ramifications of removing or leaving, then he makes a very uninformed decision. And there is nothing said about the ramifications. I presume that my best bet is to remove the usage tracks, but I?d feel better if I heard that from a tech.

I presume that the average non-tech can ignore the option to ignore only real threats. Right?

Most of the advice I have read about using SpyBot basically just say how to get the scan done. My impression is that most any non-tech user should also implement the Immunize feature. Right?

The Immunize feature says that if you want more control over ActiveX, you can use spywareblaster. I presume that the average non-tech ought to do just that. Or are reasons why he may not want to?

I presume that the way to implement SpyBot immunization is to check where it says ?Enable permanent blocking of bad addresses in Internet Explorer?. I presume that the average non-tech user should check this, right? Or should he exercise choice by flipping a coin, since he won?t have any idea about the ramifications involved, unless some tech is willing to provide them.

When messing around with Immunize, and all an uninformed user can do is mess around with, I got a Warning: ?0 bad products already blocked. 1926 additional protections possible. Please immunize.? I said OK. Any reason for me not to do that?

When I ran AdAware for the first time after reformatting my Windows 98 computer, it put all 48 or so items in quarantine. I think maybe that was the way it was programmed on install. But, again, AdAware is quite uninformative about any guidelines for dealing with what should be quarantined and what need not be, and about what a user should eventually do with items in quarantine. As is typical, it says it?s up to the user. Again, duh; gee, I thought it was against the law to quarantine without a doctor?s permission. Should the user flip a coin, or are there guidelines that might be helpful?

I expect some techs will want to point out that SpyBot and Adaware are free, and what do I want, egg in my beer? I?m grateful for them and am not blaming them for not giving non-techs better information. But they do leave questions unanswered, I figure that the best way to get answers to questions is to ask them. There are many other questions that a non-tech might ask about all the features, bells and whistles on SpyBot and AdAware, but I think I?ve probably worn out my welcome.

While there is the free version of AdAware, it also offers a paid version which it says is better. With spy ware being such a pernicious and damaging problem, I?d certainly pay for better protection if I could get it; my question is, would I get it with the paid version, or are its improvements not really helpful for the average Joe, or the average grandpaw?

grandpaw

Discussion is locked

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Re: Using SpyBot and AdAware
Oct 18, 2004 2:27AM PDT

PART 1. " Programs such as AdAware and Spybot contain a lot of features that are beyond the understanding of most non-techs. "

Let me simplify it.
1. In its stock settings, you remove what it finds.
2. As to "other things", read "Detections" as http://tomcoyote.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=590

The link at item 2 (above) also has a FAQ for Adaware.

There are many sites out there that will tell many things and answer many questions about SPYWARE, but the bottom line is that the issue has grown to the point that more people lose their machine contents to SPYWARE issues than any Virus/worm/trojan today.

PART 2 "I?d certainly pay for better protection if I could get it; my question is, would I get it with the paid version, or are its improvements not really helpful for the average Joe, or the average grandpaw?"

In my experience, the stock settings do fine with the freebie Adaware, Spybot and such. You can increase your protection many fold by using another browser when you can...

Bob

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Re: Using SpyBot and AdAware
Oct 18, 2004 6:30AM PDT

"I expect some techs will want to point out that SpyBot and Adaware are free, and what do I want, egg in my beer? I?m grateful for them and am not blaming them for not giving non-techs better information."

No one was born knowing this stuff. Learning computer basics goes a long way in helping you understand how programs work. When you first started posting on the various boards, it was suggested you get some books to help with your computer questions. Did you ever do that? If not, it is something I would recommend you look into doing. I really think it would help reduce your frustrations and increase your enjoyment with using your new computer.

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Re: Using SpyBot and AdAware
Oct 18, 2004 7:58PM PDT

In short, both Ad-Aware and Spybot do well with just the "default" setting. Anything else as suggested is up to you. Thus, you need to explore or try what makes you happy. Whatever, tracking or general logs are generated can be deleted or simply "not" generated if applicable option. Yes, the freeware versions does a decent if not through job, the paid for versions *may* turn on features or added features that get more aggressive and/or go on thier own via defaults w/o any further intervention by the user from the start. If you simply want to know about the pgms. in gereal just query for it via google and review the hits.

IMHO, both pgms. can be trusted and allowed to work "as is" under thier defaults. usually, once the first cleaning is done, you'll fine repeat cleaning of the same listing as thier considered too informative to outside sources and thus deleted. They get regenerated anyways for thier intended needs, like cookies as that's required for many websites.

good luck -----Willy Happy

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I should remember to KISS
Oct 19, 2004 8:02AM PDT

This post was a bad idea. I should have been satisfied to continue using SpyBot and AdAware the way I have been, the way Bob and Willy have suggested, that is, update and scan and ignore the other options.

glb, I could set aside several hours, or days, to read various books about computers without learning a thing about the questions I have posed. There may be a book somewhere with some relevant information, but, if so, it is a needle in a very large haystack. I doubt that reading the basic Dummies-type books would have enabled me to answer many, if any, of the posts I have submitted. I bought Windows 98 For Dummies when I first bought my computer. While it provided some basic information, it was of little use in the type of questions I would pose on the forum.

While the website that Bob cited can be a very good source for information, much better than any book I know of, the articles he referred me to were of no use to me. Not only do they not touch on the questions I asked, but they are designed for advanced users. How many nonadvanced users do you know who are conversant with such terms as C2.lop, Prolivation, Sti_Trace.log (or SchedLgU.txt) and I/O Error 32 (Version 0.93)? In fact, I wonder how many advanced users are.

gandpaw

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I really really understand.
Oct 19, 2004 8:06AM PDT

But Microsoft and the MALWARE WRITERS have made quite a mess.

To eject most spyware is one thing, to understand spyware takes far too much effort.

Bob

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Try googling...first for topic ?
Oct 19, 2004 11:59AM PDT

Grandpa, I know how you feel or get your drift. Not too many books really touch on newbie questions other than real basic stuff. That's why I google for a topic or question I ponder on in order to get a feel for what's out there. Yeah, you have to weed through alot of stuff, but more than likely someone has the same problem/question you're up against. While, I'm not new at this, the amount of background info a techie needs to know is insurmountable at times and really fruitness for many tasks at hand. Of course the monent you bypass something it becomes required, go figure.
One of my many replies to users is to "play" with the system and get the feel of it plus learn at baby steps and proceed with some knowledge and build on it. Anything(data) really important, back it up, just in case. While this forum and others can be helpful, don't settle for these alone, there are so many out there it maybe worthwhile to dwell in that search to have more feedback from other knowledgeable techies or enlighten users. Wink

adios -----Willy Happy

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Excellent advise, Willy
Oct 20, 2004 1:16AM PDT

Actually, I often do what you suggest about goolging. I did that in connection with my questions about SpyBot and AdAware, for example. While that didn't help with my specific questions, I have often become better informed through such googling.

I appreciate your comment about the books. While my Windows 98 for Dummies does provide some basic information, it is rarely helpful with the kind of problems that I, and other people, post on the forum. (I think the main thing I learned from the book is why they call people who buy it Dummies.)

I also see the benefit you suggest in "playing around" with the system, although that has sometimes gotten me into trouble because I was not sufficiently prudent or because I failed to recall exactly what I had done. XP's restore feature should be quite helpful in that regard.

On a pesonal level, I am plagued with a seriously impaired memory which can turn minutes into hours when I try to do someting. I sometimes get irritated when people seem to assume that everyone is coming from the same place as they are.

Anyhow, your comments are encouraging. Many experts, in any field and not just computers, seem to have an inability to see things from the viewpoint of the less learned; I appreciate your ability to do this. To me, it's something like asking a long-time resident of somewhere for directions; often, he is unaware of how much more difficult it is for a stranger to see the landmarks for the first time that he has looked at for years.

Thank you Willy. grandpaw

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Re: I should remember to KISS
Oct 20, 2004 6:59AM PDT

Grandpaw, you completely missed my message. No one is born knowing this stuff. You can't understand the complicated or more advance information until you master the basics. Memorizing steps might work for a single problem but, it won't help you problem solve.

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Re: I should remember to KISS
Oct 20, 2004 11:12AM PDT

glb, since I've used computers in the basic ways for some years, naturally I must know a good many basics. Because of my memory deficit, I do forget them rather easily, but my memory, as I think is the case with most memories, is better served if it is refreshed in dealing with an acual problem rather than a hypothetical one.

I do spend a fair amount of time googling for answers to problems, particularly since it seems to take me much longer than most people to do this, but perhaps I should spend more. However, my computer has commanded so much of my time, not in being useful but in being troublesome, that I am loathe to give it more.

While I intend to do less posting simply as part of my desire to spend less time working on my computer, I do have a difficult time understanding why you have a problem with my posting. It seems quite easy to me to ignore posts that you have a problem with. I recognize that, as in this thread, no one will want to take on the queries, but that doesn't suggest to me that I should not pose them since I have no way of knowing what the response to them will be, and I do consider that my queries are legitimate and appropriate to ask.

I recognize that you want to be helpful, and I'm sorry that you and I differ on the value of these basic books, but my view of them is grounded in my experience with them.

grandpaw

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Re: I should remember to KISS
Oct 23, 2004 8:46PM PDT

I wish you well with all of your computer problems.

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Re: Grandpaw, my thoughts.
Oct 24, 2004 11:03PM PDT

Hi Grandpaw,

I read this post of yours, and all of the replies, and thought I would try and answer at least some of your specific questions where I could. Being at the start of this reply, I imagine it?s going to be a very long one, and I?m not sure CNETHelp.com?s server has sufficient Gigabyte space for it, but let?s see??

I also use Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware and I agree with you that there are many features in them where you almost need to be an Einstien to understand what they do and what I need to do with them. I?m sure you have heard of the phrase, ?it?s not rocket science?. Well as far as I am concerned, these ?are? rocket science, and I am still struggling to understand how the water wheel works, Happy

Anyway, let?s begin. I am sitting comfortably.

Spybot S&D

Spybot has its own dictionary and FAQ at http://www.spybot.info/en/support/index.html
And there is also a forum at http://forums.net-integration.net/ scroll down and look for the forum at Spybot Search & Destroy 1.X

I?ve never checked the dictionary but I have visited the forums once or twice and they have been quite useful.

You said, ?When I bring up the Tools menu in SpyBot, I find the following unchecked:
Bug Report
ActiveX
Browser Pages
Hosts File
Opt Out
Process List,
With all the others being checked.

If you check all of the icons in the Tools main window, you can then click on each in the menu under the main Tools option on the left. (As you tick an icon, it appears in the list on the left. If you untick it, it disappears from the list). With them all ticked, and by clicking each in the list on the left in turn, you get more information about each, eg;

View report ? If you have a specific problem and want to generate a report, this option allows you to specify what will be included in the report. My icon is ticked, and the options in View report are all ticked, but I have never had to generate a report so I am not sure what good this does me. But I still leave it ticked.

Bug report ? Clicking this brings up a messaging utility where you can send reports of any bugs in the Spybot program itself to the spybot web site. If you look at the top of the window, underneath the ?Bug Report? heading, you will see a ?next? button. If you clicked Next, the next window is where you could enter your report of whatever problem you found with the program itself. You could also use this, (apparently), to submit a log file to the forum if you wanted. Personally I have unchecked this icon. If I have a problem later on, perhaps I will check it.

Secure Shredder ? Spybot?s help file actually does help with this option, Happy. If you have any files/documents/whatever that you want to destroy totally without leaving any traces on your hard disk, find the document in Windows Explorer or using the Start > Search option, and ?drag? it into this window. Then click the ?Chop it away? button at the bottom right of the Spybot window. I?ve never used this, so I leave it unchecked.

Resident ? Hmmmm. My Resident icon is ticked, but I didn?t really understand the SDHelper here, but that is also ticked anyway. I read the help file on the TeaTimer, and was quite impressed. I have now ticked my Tea Timer and will see what it does and how it does it. By the way, I have a little utility program that sits permanently in my memory and alerts me if any program seeks to set itself to start whenever I turn on my computer. This ?Start up monitor? has just alerted me that Spybot has attempted to set itself to do just that, and I have allowed it to do so. I find this Start up monitor very useful.

ActiveX ? Not ticked in mine, but I do check it sometimes. I rely ?wholly? on what Spybot says here. If I have an entry in the list with a green tick, I am fine. If it has no tick, I?m fine, but not so fine, Happy . If it has a red sign, I will remove it, no questions asked.

BHO?s ? All I know is that these are Browser Help Objects, and some of them don?t. Help that is!! My BHO is ticked, and if I find any red entries I will remove it, no questions asked.

Browser pages ? Some web sites you visit and perhaps some viruses or Trojans, try and force your browser, (Internet Explorer), to load their own page as your Home Page. They can be the devil to remove and can be quite embarrassing, eg, you want to go surfing with your girl friend, and start up Internet Explorer, and your first page, (your Home Page), has been changed to ?Sexy Susies live web cam show??.. or whatever, (grin). Never happened to me of course, honest! But this option lists the web pages that are registered with Internet Explorer as start pages or search pages. You can change these or delete them as you wish. My icon is ticked, but I have never had to use it, (honest!).

IE tweaks ? Nope, no idea here! But my icon is ticked, and inside the tweak window I have ticked the first two options, (Lock Hosts file and Lock IE start page). I have also changed the heading that displays on my Internet Explorer, (Internet Explorer custom title ? Current user), to my name (from my ISP?s name), so that whenever a web site is opened it displays ?web site name ? my name?, eg this site's title in Internet Explorer reads "CNET Reviews - Mark Flaxman".

Hosts File ? not sure what this does, but my icon is ticked.

Opt out ? This icon gave me difficulties. I had to really read the small advice given in the window. But this is what I understand it to be. I could, if I wished, double click any of the items in the list to visit their web site to tell them I want to opt out of their spam email. But, unless I ?know? I am getting spam email from them, I should not use this option, as doing so will only give my email address to them in the first place. So, I choose not to do this, and my icon is not ticked.

Process list ? This really is for the experts, so I don?t touch it and the icon is unchecked. It lists, as far as I can see, any processes, (background systems, programs), that are running in the background, or start at start up. It?s a bit like the Task Manager. I prefer not to use this and if I have problems, seek information from elsewhere.

System internals ? Scary! I?ve just used this for the first time to delete any registry entries that do not have corresponding programs or filenames. I found 5 and deleted them all. I don?t expect any problems the next time I start my computer up, but if you don?t hear from me for awhile??. This icon is not ticked, but I will check it occasionally.

Uninstall info ? I?m not really bothered with this one. My icon is not ticked. If I need to uninstall a program I will go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs.

Winsock LSP?s ? No idea. My icon is unticked.

You said, ?When I installed Spybot, I checked the ?Don?t create a Start Menu folder? just because I figured I could easily click on the SpyBot desktop icon when I wanted to run it.? No problem there Grandpaw. As you have said, this only adds a shortcut to your Start menu folder and starts Spybot every time you start your computer. This is optional, and I have opted out. If you wanted to change your own settings, go to Settings > Settings, (in the list on the left), scroll down and place a tick in the ?Default mode? or ?Advanced mode?, whichever you prefer. If you are not sure which is which, you can always choose one, test it, then switch to the other if need be.

You said, ?I?ve been advised before that when installing SpyBot I should check ?Use Internet Explorer protection (SDHelper)? and ?Use system settings protection (TeaTimer)?. But the average non-tech will probably wonder about these; is there some reason the user is given the option of not checking them that the user ought to be aware of?? Good question and I don?t know the answer. If there is a threat, real or perceived, then these should be set, so why give someone the choice? I can only imagine that if someone wants to visit a web site and these setting prevent him or her from doing so, they can then change these settings accordingly. But I can?t imagine the ordinary Joe doing this.

You asked about usage tracks, (I expect you mean under ?Settings > File Sets). All of my options in this window are ticked. I trust Spybot on this and so far have had no problems. From what I understand, Windows records your movements all over the place, eg recent file lists, internet history, recently played music files, videos etc, or recently opened documents. Some of these can be useful, and others not so useful. Unfortunately Spybot doesn?t seem to offer any refinements to the option, so I?m afraid this is a ?per-user? option. If I find that I miss any of my recent lists, I will unset this option.

You said, ?I presume that the average non-tech can ignore the option to ignore only real threats. Right?? I?m not sure what you mean here Grandpaw.

Immunize ? Yes Grandpaw. If you do a scan, (Spybot-S&D > Search & Destroy), then you would look at the list of objects Spybot has found, select them all or select the ones you want, (I only select any red entries), then click the Fix selected problems button, Spybot will get rid of any infestations it has found on your computer. But, if you scan for updates, and Spybot downloads them, ?that? is when you Immunise.

Spywareblaster works in a different way. I could tell you the difference, but I would have to kill you afterwards. Ohh, ok, I don?t know the difference myself. Except that spywareblaster doesn?t have to perform a scan, it prevents infections from ever getting a strangle hold. I use it myself and I accept that it compliments Spybot. I don?t see any reasons why a non-tech guy, or even a technical expert, would not want the added protection.

You said, ?I presume that the way to implement SpyBot immunization is to check where it says ?Enable permanent blocking of bad addresses in Internet Explorer?.? Mine is ticked, and I feel that everyone should do the same. But then I am a non-tech guy. I don?t think that flipping a coin is wise, Happy .

There is ?no reason? for you not to immunize the 1926 additional protections possible. If you do not do this, the threats from these sources are still possible on your computer.


Ad-Aware:

Yes I agree Grandpaw that Ad-Aware is another application that doesn?t really give out much information, although they have a very good forum at http://www.lavasoftusa.com which I have used often. The experts there are very helpful. Look for the Support > Home users link on the left, then find the Support Forums. I have found that if I quarantine any items, (or should I say if I allow Ad-Aware to do it), I tend to forget about them for a week or so. If I have any trouble with the items being in quarantine, (and so far I haven?t), I can then recover them from the Ad-Aware quarantine location. If I don?t have any problems after a week, or a month or whatever, I delete them.

I use the free versions of Spybot and Ad-Aware. I do keep thinking of donating to Spybot, (there is no paid version), but somehow never get around to it. I don?t intend to purchase the Ad-Aware super-dooper version for as long as the free version is as good as it is, and Lavasoft have never indicated that they are going to withdraw it.

Grandpaw, whatever you do, ?DON?T? stop asking questions!!! Besides me and the techie experts, there are a lot of people out there who read your posts, and I am absolutely certain many of them sigh, and say to themselves, ?see, it isn?t only me who has problems?, Happy .


Yep, this was a long reply.

Mark

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Re: Grandpaw, my thoughts.
Oct 25, 2004 12:12AM PDT

Good post Mark. I have never had a need to visit the Spybot Forum but I DO belong to Lavasoft's. Anyway, I'd like to add one thing here. I have seen numerous people ask where the "tool" section is on Spybot because it does not show up in the "default" setting. For anyone that does know where it is, on the top left of the Spybot interface, where it says "mode" you have to click "advanced mode" and then the "tools" and "settings" buttons will appear.

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Re: Grandpaw, my thoughts.
Oct 25, 2004 12:20AM PDT

markflax,thanks for your unusual time and effort. I will be spending some time studying your post before I comment on it. Again, my goodness, thanks. grandpaw

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Re: Grandpaw, my thoughts.
Oct 25, 2004 5:00AM PDT

You're welcome Grandpaw.

And Roddy, thanks for that tip about the Mode menu and Tools, I wasn't aware of that.

Mark

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Re: And again
Oct 25, 2004 5:11AM PDT

Roddy, I just turned off Advanced mode and went to Default mode to see what the differences were.

Blimey there's a major difference there. No Tools whatever, no Settings. Default mode really is basic in its settings, although it still protects against spyware the same as in Advance mode.

I must re-think my advice on Spybot in the future. If the developers designed the default mode for people who really only needed to be happy about cover against spyware and are not interested in the minor details, then the advice I gave above would just have read like Linear A , the written language of the Minoans, so far undeciphered.

This is the problem with giving advice, and it has been said before by others. It is so hard to guage the level of knowledge people have, and therefore so difficult to target any replies. Fortunately for me, Grandpaw is at the Advance level stage. Happy


Mark

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Re: And again
Oct 25, 2004 5:50AM PDT

That's right Mark. I think they do it so the normal computer user doesn't mess anything up. I just got off the phone with a good friend who's computer is all messed up with spyware. She had both Spybot S&D and Ad-Adware (old version 6.0) but she had the old version's and definitons of both because the person that told her about both things never explained how to use them in layman terms and she was under the mistaken impression that both programs updated automatically. She was about 3 months behind on everything. She even had the VX2 variant. She now has everything up to date including the VX2 cleaner and knows how to use everything. It took 2 hours on the phone (her dime) but it was worth the time because my friend is happy now and her computer is clean. Needless to say, I did NOT tell her about the advanced mode on Spybot because she has no business being in there LOL.

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Re: And again
Oct 25, 2004 7:05AM PDT

Nice work.

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Just to say
Oct 25, 2004 8:52AM PDT

that it takes me a long time, and an surprising amount of mental energy, to understand complicated matters. I started to study your post a couple of times only to find myself short on both. So I ask your indulgence, Markflax; the delay is not a sign of ingratitude; in fact, it's more a sign of the opposite because I want to digest your post, not just take a taste of it. grandpaw

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Re: Just to say
Oct 25, 2004 9:24AM PDT
Happy

I said it was a long post Grandpaw.

Take your time. I will test you in an hour, (grin).

Mark
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Mark..........
Oct 26, 2004 1:01AM PDT

........ You are just wonderful! You took the time to answer Grandpaw's questions (GOOD questions, I might add) about these programs that are tossed out there for the users (at all levels of knowledge) to d/l, install and utilize.

It's not always that easy!!!

I work part time at a full-service computer store in a small town. I end up putting these types of programs on folks' machines ALOT!! I then try to educate them on how to use them in as simple a way as possible. Sometimes they "do what they are told" Happy Sometimes I end up with the same machine in the store over, and over, and ......

... well, I guess there are just some folks, like Grandpaw, that want to learn, and then there are some that "just want it fixed." I fit the former category with computers. I fit the latter category with my automobiles Wink

--Marcia/Oregon


.

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Re: Who, 'lil ol me???
Oct 26, 2004 5:35AM PDT

Well said Marcia.

Especially that bit about.... "You are just wonderful!"..........

I'm collecting them. Happy

i notice you say you work in a PC Shop/Store, and you put these anti-spyware utilities on folk's computers for them.

Is there any way that people in your position could also include a typed step-by-step guide for them? I know there are all sorts of considerations, like copyright, disclaimers and (perhaps) incorrect or misleading advice etc, but it seems to me that the very people who need to know about how these programs work and how they should be used are the very people who really don't understand where to start.

I'm not suggesting that you do this, at least not without discussing it with others, but if we could teach people from the ground up, and give them something tangible other than a readme.doc, they may well take more notice, and be able to use the programs as they should be used.

Just a thought.

Mark

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Well, that wasn't so bad after all
Oct 27, 2004 3:29AM PDT

Just as I used to do with my math homework, I kept putting this off thinking it might heat my brain up too much. But, due in large part to your understandable explanations, it was even enjoyable to read, and I appreciated the humor you injected.

I'll need to revisit the explanations of the various options from time to time to acquire a better feel for them, but I now know what I need to do.

You said:

"You said |I presume that the average non-tech can ignore the option to ignore only real threats. Right?| I'm not sure what you mean here, Grandpaw."

Nor am I. I'm sure I was referring to the SpyBot comment somewhere in the tutorial that a person could choose to ignore the green entries, which I now know are the usage tracks. Although you do ignore the green entries, I suppose there is no harm done by also removing them, which is what I have been doing without knowing what I was doing.

I appreciate your not telling me the difference between SpyBot and Spywareblaster since I want to use up whatever years I have left. But I've decided to add SpywareBlaster to my arsenal.

I was disappointed to hear that flipping a coin is not the best way to decide. It's a method I have used a lot over the years.

I was interested to get your usage of quarantine in AdAware. I've wondered how I might approacy that.

I have to say, well, I guess I don't have to, that I was taken back by your willingness to provide me, and hopefully others, with this info. I've decided to remember you in my will by adding a sentence "and remember Mark".

Much obliged, grandpaw

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(NT) (NT) :) :) Grandpaw, 'Remember me too'!
Oct 27, 2004 3:46AM PDT
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You've got it, uh, uh
Oct 27, 2004 11:51AM PDT

Shucks, I've forgotten your name. grandpaw

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Re: For Grandpaw
Oct 27, 2004 5:13AM PDT

ROFL !!!

I well understand what you mean by heating your brain too much. When I composed my epic I had my head in the refrigerator. Works a treat.

No there's no harm in removing green entries, but like you said, some of them might be usage tracks, and sometimes they are useful.

I'm sorry to disappoint you about flipping the coin. I'm sure sometimes it works, but not always with computer options I have found. With the Spybot question of "blocking of bad addresses in Internet Explorer", I might be wrong about flipping a coin. But it just seems to me that if Spybot says "bad addresses", then I trust them and tick the box.

However, with the Ad-Aware quarantine question, flipping a coin really doesn't hurt. When the Ad-Aware main window opens, (the Status window), there is a link to the quarantine list on that page. If you click it you will see all the quarantine files Ad-Aware has produced. You can see inside each file by highlighting it and clicking "Item log". But whether you delete the files is entirely up to you, and flipping a coin is as good as any method to decide.

I would just remember not to delete the latest file, until a week or so has passed, just in case you want to restore it.

Grandpaw you're very welcome. And I am overcome by your generosity about the mention in your will. I can't wait!! Happy

Mark

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About my will
Oct 27, 2004 11:48AM PDT

All I can say, Mark, is touch, which I believe is English for touche'.

We need more posters like you. The posts by the old (what was that other word?)tend to be on the dry side.

Heck, work can be fun, after all.

grandpaw

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Re: Grandpaw, my thoughts.
Oct 28, 2004 4:29AM PDT

Mark, re: Spybot. What can you tell us about the bugs it finds as a result of the IE security hole? I know that SP2 likely patched that hole but I've spent about 6 months prior to the patch dealing with the problem and it seems to me that the bugs return the second you use IE again so it becomes a vicious circle.

Also, Spybot indicates that it is creating a system restore point. That is a bit scary to me. I was just informed that I have a corrupted HD. Previously a friend was helping me and discovered all these restore points but none of them worked. Defrag took an enitre day and reported 12 or 15 system restores at 16 MB apiece that could not be defragged. Then the thing just stopped.

In summary, what can you advise me for the future re:
1. Spybot and the IE security hole?
2. Spybot and the system restore feature?
3. Defrag and the meaning and importance of blocks that cannot be defragged?

Thanks for your time. -grapefox

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Re: Grandpaw, my thoughts.
Oct 28, 2004 4:47AM PDT

1. I'm not Mark but I'm here at the moment and I can help you with some it this. If the security hole you are talking about is for the DSO Exploit, Spybot S&D fixed the bugs in that a couple of days ago. This is a post and the link to put the fix on top of your current version from Donna in the "Virus and Security Alerts" forum.

Do not uninstall your version. The said update is a fix for the current version stable version of SSD. It is a fix for the DSO Exploit detections which we've been waiting for

Just download it from http://www.safer-networking.org/files/spybotsd131tx.exe
then open the spybotsd131tx.exe file, it will show the installation wizard. When done, you should see your SSD version as 1.3.1TX

2. As far as the restore point, open up Spybot and click on settings/settings and scroll down to "main settings" and uncheck the TWO boxes that say "create a restore point..."

3. Sorry, I'm not sure of the answer to this last question.

Hope this helps you some.

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Re: Grapefox
Oct 28, 2004 6:21AM PDT

I entirely agree with roddy. Install the Spybot bug fixer and it will fix the DSO exploit in IE.

I would perhaps have gone further. Don't use IE. There are other browsers out there. Many people, especially the tech guys, use Firefox from Mozilla.org. Personally I use Netscape 4.7. It's getting a bit old and tired now, but I still like it.

I must admit I have never checked Spybot's Restore options, so I can't advise you on that, but again roddy's advice looks sound.

But are you also talking about XP's Restore Points? You know don't you that XP's System Restore and Spybot's Restore points are not the same. You mention you have been told that your hard disk is corrupted, (scary in itself, you should be thinking now of backing all of your data up for if and when the hard disk finally cracks and you have to buy a new one, or better still, buy a new one now), and that defrag cannot defrag the Restore Points.

I've not heard of this before. I've not heard of defrag giving an error report stating where exactly it has not been able to defrag, (eg failed to defrag Restore Points), nor that Spyot's restore points would in any way be recognised by defrag as restore points. So I am not sure what you are saying.

But, if your PC is running smoothly at the moment, and has been for a while, (besides the DSO problem which Spybot will fix), you could consider turning off XP's System Restore, rebooting the computer, (which will then delete all the restore files), and then defragging.

Back up first, then before you defrag, you should check the disk with scan disk, and ask it to correct all errors. Then reboot again before defragging.

Maybe it will be quicker this time. Then once finished, turn System Restore back on and immediately create a custom restore point.

I go through a process. Once a month I run Disk Cleanup to clean my system of any temporary files, temporary internet files, history, recycle bin. Then I update and run my anti-virus, spybot, spywareblaster and ad-aware, then I reboot, turn off my screensaver, turn off my internet connection through my firewall, (so that it blocks everything), disable my anti-virus, then I scan the disk. Then I reboot again, turn everything off again as before, and defrag the disk.

I should add that I use Disk Cleanup more often, and I check for viruses, spyware etc more regularly, but particularly before scanning and defragging the disk. I want the disk to be as clutter free as possible before checking it.

I hope this and roddy's good advice helps m8.

Mark

PS: One more thing about the Spybot program/scanning fix. I understand that once the fix has been installed and you run Spybot, it will still find DSO exploits, but if you remove them and run Spybot again, it will show a clean run.

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fixing the DSO Exploit bug
Oct 28, 2004 10:42AM PDT

I'm not sure what the means. Whenever I run SpyBot, it finds DSO Exploits. By fixing it, do you mean that it will no longer get in my computer and SpyBot will no long find it because it won't be there? And I take it I should download and install from that link you gave in order to get the fix, right? Thanks, grandpaw