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McAfee lists Adware in Top 10 Viruses

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the calling-a-spade-a-spade dept.

joelethan writes "In the new sensitive, caring world of Windows security McAfee Virusscan detects adware/malware, just like its competitors. A surprising consequence is that the McAfee's Regional Virus Info now regularly shows adware in its infection top ten. It feels so good to see old favorites like 180Search and DFC listed. "Now for your listening pleasure it's Adware.Gator at number 7 with a bullet..." "

6 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. Gator is at number 4 by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Informative

    However, Netsky still completely wipes the floor with the adware. Over 10 times as many instances of Netsky were discovered than Gator.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. USE THESE by RenHoek · · Score: 5, Informative

    Because there are still people who don't know:

    Ad-Aware
    Search & Destroy

    To keep your pc running fast and without too many crashes..

  3. And this... by garcia · · Score: 4, Informative

    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".

  4. Re:Right.. by eddy · · Score: 5, Informative

    >..let's stick to some realism.

    Yes, let us.

    >Unlike viruses, the user has to actually install them (though that may involve just clicking "yes" in IE).

    No, that's wrong. You can get spyware just by visiting a website, which then exploits your browser to install whatever they want to install.

    I wouldn't call that "the user has to actually install [it]". I'd call that viral behaviour (even though the installed software doesn't live off a host file or process).

    Again; no clicking "yes" required.

    --
    Belief is the currency of delusion.
  5. Re:damn.. by Mant · · Score: 5, Informative

    I dont blame them on microsoft. I never said that. But spyware and virus problem is there, you cant deny that..

    Only if you don't know what you are doing. I've been running XP for two years, and not one virus, or spyware, and pretty minimal effort on my part.

    • Keep windows up to date with auto update
    • Use something other than IE and Outlook/OE
    • Use a firewall
    • Use anti virus and have it auto update
    • Run scans with some anti-spyware software now and then (although I've never caught anything I wanted removed). It looks like this will soon get absorbed by AV software.
    • Don't run dodgy executables, office documents and the like

    The problem is there, no denying, but the solution is way. What is more, it isn't windows specific anyway. Keeping your machine in order and secure is something you should be doing on any OS.

  6. List linked in summary not that great; look here by Echnin · · Score: 4, Informative
    The link in the summary shows how many infected files that have been found in North America in the last 24 hours. It's more interesting to make it show the number of infected computers, globally in the last month: Like this. Spots 1 and 2 are taken up by "exploits"; I guess these are just unpatched machines. And then on 3, 4 and 5 are the spywa-- or wait don't sue me -- adware infestations, with Gator leading at an 8.28% infection rate.

    Gator beats any virus in infestation rate if you look at the more relevant statistics.

    --
    Lalala