Spyware Warrior

alphaa10

None of the major AV or AntiSpyware publishers wants to deal with ADware as a principal focus. True, stopping ADware doesn't generate the pulsepounding dread of the discovery you've an Alien on board, but ADware does wear you down, day after day.

Even staid Netscape 7.2 was coded to serve in a limited way as a billboard for ads-- that is how AOL pays for stuff. The Netscape adbase never has been obtrusive, but at some point, we users have to take back control of our desktops.

Does anyone have a short list of the best ADware-killing programs? I know about the PCWorld article, and presumably PCMagazine has done something within the last decade. But I would like to hear from you, based on your good (and bad) experience with antiADware utilities.

Franklin · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject: Best free app

If you used virtualistion security to run your browser through you wouldn't have to worry .

Signature based security is not that good.In fact I don't run any of them realtime and only use E-trust vet AV and Ewido as on demand scanners.

Sandboxie,Defensewall,Bufferzone,Geswall and VMware are just a few you could look into.

I have tried a few of them with Sandboxie, (my favourite) being the easiest to use and I would say Defensewall the most secure.

No signatures or engines to update = no worries!

trickyricky · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:28 am Post subject:

Surely the original poster is after a way of stopping the adverts from appearing at all rather than preventing adware from being installed on the PC? In which case the sandbox approach isn't appropriate since it does nothing to prevent advertising appearing in the first place.

I seldom see intrusive ads, yet I use nothing sophisticated. I use the Firefox browser with the adblock and adblock-filterset-g--updater extensions, in conjunction with the simple Spybot S&D hosts file. The Spybot hosts file is by no means an aggressive list and there are far more wide-ranging host files out there with the intention of blocking ALL adverts. I also have IE-Spyad (Zoned Out version) installed, plus Spywareblaster.

That, plus a good dose of common sense whilst at the controls leaves me well protected and I seldom see advertising of any description other than the occasional Flash layer ad on the occasional web site - disabling Flash will knock those on the head no problem.

Franklin · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:40 am Post subject:

Mrkvonic · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 11:18 pm Post subject:

Hi,
Spybot immunization and SpywareBlaster will give you some rest from adware.
You could also try PeerGuardian2, which works not only with P2P, but also has a list of spyware sites to block and reject.
For Firefox, go with Adblock (Plus) extension to remove ads. Very convenient.
You could also try Proxomitron web filter, which is probably the best privacy tool out there - reinforced with Kye-U filters. Proxomitron will remove ads AND a variety of exploits, as well.
Finally, you have the hosts file option, if you like.
Mrk

physics223 · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:04 am Post subject:

From another post of mine:

Oldfrog · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:23 am Post subject:

Moore · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:04 am Post subject:

This is how I set my self free from ads.. Wink

Bluetack Hosts file , Greenbrowser/MyIE with custom ad/popup filter , Blockpost with the Bluetack anti-spyware and ad-trackers lists loaded.

Not many things get through , what does just gets added to the lists. Razz

Many decent browser alternatives for IE now have ad/popup blocking filters , though I think the Hosts file is the best free way to block 99% of ads from being able to connect to your pc.. hosts file guide -> http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=3089

Greenbrowser/MyIE have page download controls to let you quickly disable things like active-x, flash , popups , flying ads and normal ads etc and you can customise , save - export your filters to share with others.

Outpost firewalll has built in active page content filtering , adblocking / word filtering plugins which work ok , also you can import Erics IE-Spyad filters.

Admuncher + Ghostsurf have also worked well together for me in clearing out the ads.

For stopping any malicious installations Processguard + System Safety Monitor are what I depend on.
_________________
| Stop Malvertising | Outpost | Blocklist Pro | Hosts |

kjose · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:56 am Post subject:

You can try the Microsoft antispyware from their website. Personally I've used it and it did a decent job. And it's also free! ( as long as you have a legit XP key). If you're willing to pay for a so called profesional spyware remover, you can always try the one in my signature. It's not too bad. I got my boss to buy it , and I recommand it.

Overall, I'll go for the microsoft free one. I've never test an antispyware that is 100% effective.

fcukdat · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:39 am Post subject:

Oldfrog · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject:

If the goal is to prevent ads from showing while you are browsing, which means ads served from the sites that you are visiting, then forget about all the scanners and such. I see basically four options:

In the browser area I like the Adblock extension for Firefox although it will not prevent you from seeing the ad the very first time that it is served. Hosts file blocking is very effective as you can add in the hosting domains and immediately block all adds coming from that source. I have just started using the Sunbelt/Kerio firewall and the ad blocker seems so far to be very effective. The last option would be my least favorite as it would add yet another running process.