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Anti-Spyware Products Don't Live Up to Promises

Posted by michael on from the take-off-and-nuke-it-from-orbit dept.

John Wells writes "In the December, 2004 issue of PC World, the author of an article titled Poor Defenders concludes that most commercial anti-spyware software is ineffective. In tests using a fresh install of XP and 6 typical spyware infections the commercial software failed to stack up against freeware competitor Spybot Search and Destroy. Four out of seven commercial products failed to remove any of the infections. One product even installed 57 spyware files itself! Conclusion: Use freeware products like Spybot and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Personal."

13 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. Where's the program by four2five · · Score: 4, Funny

    That convinces your little sister she doesn't need a barbie IE brower theme or a cursor that looks like a puppy dog. Hold that, I want a program that turns the cursor into a weapon of some fashion that I may use to smite that damend purple monkey on my computer. That's worth my website traffic being shipped of to who knows where in itself.

    --
    -or so you'd think
  2. Don't install "anti spyware" advertised in popups! by sulli · · Score: 1, Funny

    Duh.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  3. Consider the alternative. by sulli · · Score: 3, Funny

    It was either this or more "What I Did With My iPod" stories.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  4. Re:How many by QuaZar666 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Damn you. One can lose their sanity in that song. for the love of slashdot never post that song again.

    For all others who have not clicked on the link, I recommend to not click it, unless of course you enjoy Banana Phone.

    - Qua

  5. Re:It's up to the users to do the research. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    SpywareBlaster is good for keeping those pesky cookies from getting onto your machine in the first place.

    I guess it's a simple typo but you meant to say "Mozilla Firefox is good for keeping those pesky cookies from getting onto your machine in the first place."

  6. Article Redundant by isorox · · Score: 3, Funny

    In tests using a fresh install of XP and 6 typical spyware infections

    So, a fresh install of XP then

  7. Re:even better solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    1. remove windoze...

    2. keep the money you were to spend on expensive windoze based software...

    3. install GNU/Linux & mozilla and/or firefox, OpenOffice and/or Abiword, gaim, & other misc. GNU/OSS freeware...

    4. watch monkeyboy ballmer jump around like a monkey because nobody buys their crap anymore...

    5.lol...

    6. enjoy freedom...

  8. Re:How many by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    And, to combine that song with a well-known meme, it's Badgerphone!

  9. Re:No shit by oexeo · · Score: 2, Funny

    I didn't post this. A friend thinks it's funny to destroy my karma, when I leave my account logged into /.

  10. Re:why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    My mom bought a Dell and a neighbor has had to clean the thing 3 times in the past 6 months!
    Hehe... perhaps the neighbour's visits are not about the computer?
  11. Re:I can't run Ad-Aware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It sounds like you may be infected with some malware. You should get a program to check that out.

  12. Re:not too comprehensive by BitchKapoor · · Score: 1, Funny

    You're installing random programs off of the internet?? Do you go around and have sex with random people, too? Oh wait, this is Slashdot; never mind.

  13. Contact info for spyware author... by teknickle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could we please all help our 'friend' in promoting his selling of spyware dll usage?

    The domain name is:
    LOCALNRD.COM

    The address is this:
    Thinking Media LP
    275 Madison Avenue
    New York, NY 10016

    Or please give a call to show your support for spyware and your desire to do business with them.
    1(866)839-6164

    Thanks for helping the cause!!!!