Advanced / Expert Considerations

Look below for these...

Advanced / Expert Combinations of Spyware Removers

(For Combination Plans recommended for those who are not currently experts in spyware removal, click here...)

Are you a user with expertise in spyware removal?  Consider these:

Here are some experts who have used these advanced/expert user combination plans...

Livingston: Recommends Spysweeper + Giant  + CWShredder
Reference:   www.WindowsSecrets.com/050127

Recent Update (3/2/05): PC World review, online preview of April 2005 edition:  Recommends...

CounterSpy + Hijack This

OR

SpySweeper + Hijack This

Howes  (of SpywareWarrior): has used AdAware Professional 6.0 + Spybot S&D 1.3 + Hijack This
In demonstration for the FTC (Federal Trade Comission) of a spyware clean-up after a "drive-by download
Reference: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/dbd-anatomy.htm

Horowitz: Recommends AdAware + Spybot + SpySweeper + Pest Patrol + CounterSpy; if needed, then Hijack This
Reference:    www.michaelhorowitz.com/removespyware.html

One of our technical consultants (R.B.) is frequently asked to combat spyware on new clients' computers and networks. He has years of expertise in IT service work for a computer service firm. Recommends for those with expertise:  Pest Patrol + AdAware SE + occasionally also uses Giant + CWShredder. (Prefers Giant, as opposed to Microsoft Antispyware beta, because the Microsoft's changed version of it does not include certain features that were in Giant)

 

Features to Look for in Spyware Removal Software

Here are some suggested features to look for in your spyware removal software…
(source: SpywareWarrior.com).

Each of the programs in our Comparison Table has most, if not all of these.

Features for scanning


-- Memory scans
-- Registry scans
-- Drive scans
-- Customized scans
-- Remove on reboot
-- Scan log/report

Features for scanning configurations


-- Whitelist (exclude)
-- Quarantine recovery
-- System start scans
-- Scheduled scans

Features for prevention/protection


-- Memory processes
-- Browser hijack
-- Startup settings
-- Hosts file
-- Active X killbits
-- Restricted sites

Features for diagnostic tools


-- BHO's (browser helper objects)
-- Active x controls
-- Browser settings
-- Startup locations
-- Hosts file
-- Winsock LSP's

Features for Updates


-- Manual
-- Program start
-- Scheduled

Features for software trial

-- Full featured trial


Top Recent Spyware Threats

(source:   webroot.com, Feb 2005)

 

Advanced / Expert Users:  Are you Optimizing These?

Having advanced knowledge is commendable, but are you applying that knowledge optimally?  Here's a checklist to act as a reminder...

_____ Have you obtained and are you regularly using 2 or more top-rated anti-spyware programs?


_____ Are you automatically (or regularly) getting anti-spyware program updates? Have you installed the latest versions of the programs?


_____ Are your spyware definitions up-to-date often (weekly or more)?


_____ Are your scans scheduled automatically?

_____  Are you regularly reviewing your other areas of computer security?

_____  AntiVirus

_____  Firewall

_____  Data Backups (onsite and offsite)

Recent Developments:  Are you aware of these...?


_____ Did you know…that some of the toughest spyware types, such as CoolWebSearch, can now often be detected and removed by the latest versions of the top-rated programs we have discussed here?


_____ Recent update (February 2005): Did you know…that more founding members of COAST (Consortium of Antispyware Technologies), Webroot, and CA, recently left the organization, after it was joined by several adware makers?


_____ Recent update (February 2005):  A particular Trojan horse form of spyware uses Microsoft antispyware program as its target, compromising the user's bank transaction security.

_____ Recent update (February 2005):  Spam (unsolicited email) offer of a free download for Microsoft antispyware actually infects the user's computer with trojan horse program

 

 

 

SITE CONTENTS:

Click links below for...

 

Recent Reviews Comparison Table

12 Critical Tips You Must Know Now (Step 1), including:

-- Why is spyware your #1 computer threat?

-- What are spyware & adware?

-- Signs of spyware infection

-- What are the top anti-spyware programs, rated by independent expert reviewers?

-- Watch for these "Common Pitfalls"...

-- Why do experts recommend using 2 or more programs?

What steps you need to take TODAY (Step 2), including:

-- "To Do Now--Quick Checklist"

 

What you need to KNOW AND DO SOON (Step 3)

 

Top 10 Cyber Security Tips

 

Top-Rated Resources:  Click Here...

 

More Top Spyware Questions (FAQ's):

-- More info on best programs

-- More on "Our Ratings"

-- More Types of Spyware

-- Why is spyware worsening? (Big Money)

-- If you're badly infected

-- Selected References

Advanced / Expert Considerations:

-- Advanced / Expert Combinations

-- Suggested Features in Spyware Removers

-- Recent Top Threats

-- Experts:  Optimizing these?

-- Recent Developments

Top-Rated Resources:  Click Here...

About Us / Contact Us

 

"No consumer would walk down the street waving a stack of cash or leave their wallet sitting in a public place, but far too many are doing the exact same thing online. Without basic protections like anti-virus, spyware protection and a firewall, consumers are leaving their personal and financial information at risk."

Tatiana Gau, AOL's Chief Trust Officer and Senior Vice President for Integrity Assurance. (Cited in NCSA / AOL Inhome study, released 10-2004)