Re: ad aware and spybot - a waste of time???

From: Kent W. England [MVP] (kwe_at_mvps.org)
Date: 06/26/03 

Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 09:12:12 -0700

One of the most effective ways to prevent spyware drive-by installation
is by changing the scripting settings for the Internet security zone.

ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins
 Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
 Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disable
 Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disable
 Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Prompt
 Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting: Prompt

Microsoft VM
 Java Permissions: High Safety

Scripting
 Active Scripting: Prompt

Many web sites will become tedious with all the prompting and some will
not load with the Disables as above, so it helps to install Microsoft
Internet Explorer 5 Power Tweaks Web Accessories:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/previous/webaccess/pwrtwks.asp

This pack of Web accessories adds an Offline/Online button to your
toolbar and commands in the Tools menu to help you set sites as trusted
or restricted without having to wade through the control panel. With a
right click of the mouse you can copy a URL onto the clipboard and paste
in e-mail or any document. Put a trusted site in the Trusted zone and
permit all the scripting to run in the Trusted zone settings.

The most effective way to prevent spyware by-request installation is by
using SpywareGuard from http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
or by carefully reading the User Agreement in the installer.

Spybot has an innoculate feature and other web site also offer files
which put a kill bit on all the known spyware ActiveX IDs in the
registry, preventing them from running. You have to update these spyware
signatures regularly, just as you do anti-virus signatures, but you
don't have to run anything in the background to trap these spyware
scripts and controls. 

-- 
Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows
"eli" <eli_yardena@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23mJ6nIpODHA.2096@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> the problem with ad aware and with spybot is
> they can only delete the spyware but they are unable to
> prevent the spyware from accessing the computer in the first palce...
> so after you have surfed the internet and all your surfing habits have
been
> recorded and transmitted without your knowledge or approaval
> what is the use of deleting them in the end?
> its like living in the desert and leaving all your widows open.
> you can clean the dust all day - but if you are unable to close the
windows
> shut
> the dust will always come in (not to mention the bugs and the
mosquitoes!)
> Eli
>
>
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