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I use it at my work on a few hundred computers in a school district. For some reason teachers refuse to use anything except IE, so I had to install SpywareBlaster to at least try and prevent it from being installed in the first place. From what I've seen, none of the computers I've installed it on have gotten any spyware.

I have no affiliation with them... but it's a great product.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.htm l

Fast, and it does just that: blocks this crap from ever being installed. It's easy to use too.

I keep it installed on all my comps. And so far, it's proven to be very effective.

Spyware Blaster

Similar to Spybot S&D's "Immunize" function, but even better and more expansive. (Spybot even mentions Spyware Blaster as a more comprehensive alternative to itself.) Spyware Blaster also sets IE's Security Settings to safer settings.

Surprised no one has mentioned Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.ht ml). It may not be able to completely prevent spyware, but it's free and it seems to do a pretty good job.

Some freebies from JavaCool Software, Spyware Blaster is wonderfully simple yet effective, while Spyware Guard is a more "real-time" solution to spyware.

Some freebies from JavaCool Software, Spyware Blaster is wonderfully simple yet effective, while Spyware Guard is a more "real-time" solution to spyware.

to mitigating Spyware that I've had sucess with:

1) Websense has a category set for Spyware to stop it at the firewall.

2) Spyware Blaster is an excellent free Spyware prevention program. I've never had a problem with users who run it.

The best would of course be to convert your enterprise to linux with Firefox. But, if everybody did that, the organized crime that is Spyware would target linux systems. Security through obscurity only works as long as you don't have the market share. However, open source tends to converge on security fixes more quickly anyway. So, even if there were major browser vulnerabilities more often, the fixes would be here faster...

I usually follow that with an installation of Enough is Enough, SpywareBlaster, the combination of which pretty much neuters IE (but provides an easy way to add the sites that only work with IE to Trusted Sites from a menu), and Firefox, making it the default browser.

I haven't really customized my firewalls. All the software I use is free.

Win2k: AVG, Ad-Aware, SpyBot - Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster

Linux: nada

However, desktop firewalls can serve as a backup defense in a layered security model. They are also useful for providing a layer of security that is based on applications and addresses (IP/port#) which augments the (external hardware) router's security of addresses and packet inspection. Another benefit is redundancy: If the hardware firewall has a (yet unknown) bug, the software firewall may prevent any attack based on it.

Another best practice is to not log into an OS as Administrator/root, especially to read e-mail, browse the web, IM (Instant messaging), etc. Check your system logs, run anti-virus software and anti-spyware programs (I use a combination of Java Cool's spyware blaster & spyware guard, and Spybot Search & Destroy (the programs are complementary, each one protects in its own way).

While not exactly *required* as AdAware and SpyBot are it is certainly a nice addition to the list.

SpywareBlaster

I would have posted AC to avoid the karmawhoring but Slashdot isn't allowing my subnet to post anonymously anymore. So blame them for the "Continual Karmawhoring".

If he had kazaa installed, then that's where the popups were coming from. The windows xp built-in firewall can stop messenger ads just fine. You should have told him to download spybot, adaware, and spywareblaster.

I believe Spyware Blaster is a program that adds this key, as well as several others that will protect your system.

The bonus about this program is that it doesn't run resident in memory. It just changes some regkeys and the hosts file to confuse/prevent spyware from running. Installing/uninstalling changes are just a click away, too.

Seriously, this is the first 'fix' I suggest to friends/family after exorcising the evil spyware/malware from their PC(s).
SpywareBlaster is yet another handy idiot-proofing tool.

Spybot Search & Destroy (best and most up-to-date IMHO)
AdAware (the original big one, not as up-to-date as Spybot S&D, but it still catches stuff Spybot doesn't)
HijackThis (for the really nasty stuff that the others don't get, though this can mess up your computer if it isn't used properly)
SpywareBlaster (it isn't as good as the others mentioned, but it still couldn't hurt)

I took some precautions with my computer to prevent spyware but my roommate managed to mess it up pretty good, since then I have taken the correct steps to ensure protection. This is what I recommend if you want to keep a Windows computer safe from everything without paying for anything.

Whenever possible enable Automatic Updates for all applications (including Windows itself), if that's not an option update manually on a weekly basis.

System Protection:

Only use admin account when necessary.

Virus/Worm Protection/Removal:

Install AVG
Don't use Outlook Express use Thunderbird

Hacker/Worm Protection:

Enable XP Firewall (easiest) or Zonealarm or Kerio (my favorite)

Adware/Spyware/Pop-up Protection:

Don't use Internet Explorer use **** Frefox ****
If you have to use IE install the Google Toolbar
Run Spyware Blaster to give IE &/or Firefox more protection.
Install Spyware Guard and place in all users startup group to give real-time protection.

Adware/Spyware Removal:

Run SpyBot & Ad-Aware
In my experience each product alone doesn't get rid of everything, using both is the best way to go.

OR

Just take the Absolute Cheapest & Most Effective route and install Linux.

********
If you install Firefox you will want the following plugins, use Firefox to download the plugins.

Shockwave
Flash
Java

I took some precautions with my computer to prevent spyware but my roommate managed to mess it up pretty good, since then I have taken the correct steps to ensure protection. This is what I recommend if you want to keep a Windows computer safe from everything without paying for anything.

Whenever possible enable Automatic Updates for all applications (including Windows itself), if that's not an option update manually on a weekly basis.

System Protection:

Only use admin account when necessary.

Virus/Worm Protection/Removal:

Install AVG
Don't use Outlook Express use Thunderbird

Hacker/Worm Protection:

Enable XP Firewall (easiest) or Zonealarm or Kerio (my favorite)

Adware/Spyware/Pop-up Protection:

Don't use Internet Explorer use **** Frefox ****
If you have to use IE install the Google Toolbar
Run Spyware Blaster to give IE &/or Firefox more protection.
Install Spyware Guard and place in all users startup group to give real-time protection.

Adware/Spyware Removal:

Run SpyBot & Ad-Aware
In my experience each product alone doesn't get rid of everything, using both is the best way to go.

OR

Just take the Absolute Cheapest & Most Effective route and install Linux.

********
If you install Firefox you will want the following plugins, use Firefox to download the plugins.

Shockwave
Flash
Java

http://www.spybot.info . That's all it takes. Have it run on people's windows startup and they're set.

Post back with what you find. My guess is that I got it from a source that had hacked up the exe to install gator, but you never know. At the very least I'd recommend that people only download it directly from their website at www.javacoolsoftware.com.

Spybot Search & Destroy [Best spyware cleaner IMHO, also immunizes against re-installation]
Javacool's Spyware Blaster [works well in conjunction with Spybot]

I used to use Lavasoft's AdAware but after it wasn't updated for a while someone recommended Spybot which I've stuck with.

Well, I use my PC as a game box with some browsing only (with SSH if I need to access one of the unixish machines) so here's my stuff:

10 : Spybot Search & Destroy (Excellent spyware killer)
9 : Spyware Blaster (Recommended by Spybot author to run concurrently)
8 : Some form of browser.
7 : PuTTY (SSH client w/ tunnelling)
6 : Thief (awesome game)
5 : Thief 2 (more Thief!)
4 : Darkloader (allows one to run custom fan missions in the Thief games)
3 : System Shock 2 (creepy sci-fi rp/fps)
2 : For those days I feel like a slug-fest? Doomsday and the ol' Doom games. (adds real 3D and all the video card eye candy to Doom/Heretic/etc. A MUST HAVE!)
1 : Half Life You know it! (still has one of the best stories of any game around)

Such a technical solution already exists.

Spybot S&D
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard

I use these three programs (in the above order) on lots of spyware infected machines and so far, haveh a LOT of success removing and keeping spyware off those systems. Infact, earlier today, I ran that combo on a system and reduced RAM usage by 100MB, not to mention a huge speed increase (of course, I did some other housecleaning such as disabling startup items & removing some other non-spyware search bars & annoyances).

Spybot S&D
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard

I use these three programs (in the above order) on lots of spyware infected machines and so far, haveh a LOT of success removing and keeping spyware off those systems. Infact, earlier today, I ran that combo on a system and reduced RAM usage by 100MB, not to mention a huge speed increase (of course, I did some other housecleaning such as disabling startup items & removing some other non-spyware search bars & annoyances).

Note: I'm not affilliated with Javacool, but I have found their product really useful.

Spybot has the immunize feature. But better than that: Spyware Blaster and even Ie-spyad can help with that.

This thing can be an ie users best friend, Spyware Blaster it blocks malicious active X scripts while allowing good ones through, which makes it less frusterating than just turning off active x all together (just remember to update often!). If anything does get through its nothing that a good spybot scan wont get rid of, just teach em to update and scan monthly and theyll be cool but not fools.

Don't forget SpywareBlaster, which does the same as the Immunize feature of Spybot, but it has a far larger database and seems to get updated more often. I think the combination of Spybot (to remove spyware) and Spywareblaster (to prevent it from drive-by-installing in the first place) is unbeatable.

I use both of those, plus SpywareBlaster which keeps most of the stuff from being installed in the first place.

You would be interested in Spyware Blaster it is a nifty program which will modify the registry to block all known ActiveX spyware prompts. It also has a convient update feature in the program so you can be lazy and update it at your leasure and the best part is it's free!

At least for those with Windows boxes. My two favorites:

Spybot S&D It's free and it "innouculates." Regular updates too.

Spywareblaster. A little reduncancy, and it has a nice Flash killing tool as well.

Honorable mention:

Peer Guardian. In addition to RIAA IP address killing, it prevents loading of DoubleClick ads and snoopware. Regular blocklist updates, and IP addy's may be manually added.

Spybot S&D is the best, as long as you keep it updated and "immunize."

Another good one is Spywareblaster. I don't know if it does any more in the way of ad/spyware removal than Spybot S&D does, but it's "Flash killer" is very cool to get rid of those increasingly obnoxious Flash ads. It will prevent the repeated download request (annoying!), or alternatively, it will prevent Flash animations from running once Flash is already installed (an easy click to re-enable if desired).

Although not billed as an ad/spyware removal tool, Peer Guardian blocks all known DoubleClick, Cydoor, and TRIBAL FUSION domains, as well as other ad networks known for tracking. The ads don't even load. Added benefit: Stealth Sufing Mode to RIAA, et al.

Full list of blocked IP addresses.

What are parasites?

'Parasite' is a shorthand term for "unsolicited commercial software" -- that is, a program that gets installed on your computer which you never asked for, and which does something you probably don't want it to, for someone else's profit.

I'd like to add Spywareblaster to this list also. It, from what I understand, prevents the installation of most of these spyware and adware programs. I like to use Adaware, Search and Destroy, and Spyware Blaster together. All free too. Spyware Blaster