Re: spybot and adware
From: sponge (yosponge_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 05/28/03
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Date: 27 May 2003 22:36:30 -0700
On 26 May 2003 20:34:45 -0700, mikesal3731@hotmail.com (Mike Salazar)
wrote:
>I'd like to download and install both spybot and adware however, I've
>read a few posts from some folks whose system really got messed up
>after using one/both of these programs. One individual mentioned he
>deleted some sort of commoname (spelling??) file and now he can't
>download stuff off the internet anymore. I'm a medium level computer
>user who usually follows wizards to get me through programs I haven't
>used before...will this keep me from diminishing the functionality of
>my laptop if I go ahead and use spybot and adware? Comments
>suggestions would be great!
>Thanks,
>Mike Salazar
I also recommend using SpywareBlaster IN ADDITION to SpyBot &
Ad-Aware. Make sure to run their updaters first so you have the latest
definitions.
Most of the problems of system problems have been resolved. They occur
for one of two reasons. First, some programs packaged with spyware
simply won't run if the spyware is removed; that's their way of
forcing you to keep it on your system. Frankly, this is fine and dandy
-- there a many spyware-free programs that work as well if not better
than the spyware-enabled ones. KaZaa, for example, won't run if it's
accompanying spyware is removed. What's the alternative? Use
KaZaaLite. It's spyware free, and is actually much, much better than
the originial KaZaa, because it contains a number of "cheats" to get
around participation priorities. The same can be said for virtually
all other spyware-products. Both SpyBot and Ad-Aware also contain a
few "cheats" themselves that fool certain spyware programs
(specifically, those carrying Cydoor) into thinking the spyware is
still there, when in fact, the spyware programs have been replaceed by
dummies that do nothing.
The other cause of problems -- and the one to which you are referring
-- are due to the fact that some spyware modifies system-critical
components. They are called LSP-hijackers and, to put it simply, what
they do is modify some of the fundamental communications systems that
allow your system to talk to the net. Essentially, they create a chasm
in the communications link when removed. Both SpyBot and Ad-Aware's
makers realized a long time ago that this is a problem and packaged
fixes that repair the damage they do. CommonName is one of the
better-known of these would-be system-wreckers (New.Net, Transponder,
and Webhancer are the other main ones). SpyBot simply patches the
"hole" left when these parasites are removed.
>From what I've seen, SpyBot is the better of the two at this, but both
seem to have the problem licked. I've actually used SpyBot to remove
CommonName after analyzing it (yes, I actually DELIBERATELY infect
myself with spyware. And no, I don't belong in a straightjacket: I
research and analyze this stuff) and SpyBot eliminated it without the
slightest problem.
Sponge
Sponge's Anti-Spyware Source
www.geocities.com/yosponge
- Next message: Dusan Chromy: "Re: GnuPG front-end to safely en/de-crypt files using symmetic cipher"
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- In reply to: Mike Salazar: "spybot and adware"
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