http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755 Giveaway of the Day Forums » Topic: Your opinions, please en-US Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:03:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755/page/2#post-45427 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:45:54 +0000 RunesageMagik 45427@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I don't usually bother posting alerts to malware or viruses because fixes usually show up fairly quickly and automatically via good anti-v developers. However, this might be an exception. If nothing else, some might find it instructive about the care and feeding of infected PCs -<br /> <strong><a href="http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/110228">A spyware odyssey</a></strong><br /> <strong><a href="http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix">Guide and tut for ComboFix</a></strong> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755/page/2#post-45213 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:38:52 +0000 Txnnok 45213@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I dont care for super anti spyware myself, but a lot of people use it. I preferred spytermintor compared to it, but I don't use it any more either. As for the other go with glaryutilties. It is free and has many features and never deleted anything it shouldn't have on any of my computers I can not say the same for ccleaner.<br /> Like rabbit I use the paid version of adaware and it has been great. You can use a trial version or Adaware is having a beta for their newest version out. Remember it is buggy, but you can test it for longer and help submit bugs to make it a better product while you test it.<br /> I have only just downloaded it and haven't installed,yet,but it is suppose to faster than it was before. You will have to register to become a beta tester till you are approved, I suggest using a trial version.<br /> <a href="http://www.lavasoft.com/support/securitycenter/beta_applications.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.lavasoft.com/support/securitycenter/beta_applications.php</a><br /> <a href="http://beta.lavasoftsupport.com/forums/" rel="nofollow">http://beta.lavasoftsupport.com/forums/</a> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755/page/2#post-45165 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:45:58 +0000 copmom 45165@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Rune: I've got all of the shortcuts to the above in a folder on my desktop, and while McAfee is the only one actively running in the background, (which once again is showing this site in yellow instead of green). </p> <p>I only use the others when I <strong>manually</strong> run them. I don't (as you said), like having conflicts with similar programs and I disabled the Windows firewall since McAfee takes care of the virus/firewall to avoid that conflict.<br /> AVG drove me nuts! That one took over everything as well as my emails so I finally uninstalled that! </p> <p>It's true, running each one periodically will catch things that others don't. CCleaner (to my dismay), did delete some things without asking me! I prefer having the option to check what I want and don't want before a program deletes it! </p> <p>Like you said, it's really hard keeping up with everything. I have made labeled folders on my desktop with shortcuts for: spyware &#38; utility programs, photo programs, computer backup/ghost utilities, converting &#38; burning CD's, unused desktop programs, games, and even a separate one just for Ashampoo products! </p> <p>I've been overwhelmed with too many things that have the same functions and it's hard keeping track, so now I'm being very selective in the offers I'm downloading from GOTD now! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45163 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:40:22 +0000 RunesageMagik 45163@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p><strong>Copmom</strong><br /> You'll find many techs recommend multiple layers of security, because no single anti-spyware/malware app catches all the various exploits. That can be demonstrated by submitting a known hostile file to VirusTotal. They scan it using approx 36 different best known apps and usually some will alert while others don't. However, running multiple progs often cause conflicts and a tremendous drag on your system resources and Internet upload/download speeds. Never run more than one Firewall (Windows' default is ON, so you have to disable it if you're running another one).</p> <p>I have a folder of shortcuts to all my anti-v, anti-spy/malware appls but only run a few at startup or in background. Others, i.e., lavasoft and malwarebytes, I only upgrade and then run periodically. I don't like McAfee at all, but that's a personal pref and if you're relying on whatever they sell as a suite (I'm not sure - firewall, web shield, anti-v, etc etc), then you may not need much else runing <em>simultaneously</em>. Me, I use Avast (with certain "shields" disabled) and AVG (with that link detector function disabled). I'm a big proponent of both spyblaster and spybot. I still use SyGate's free (but now obsoleted) firewall more because of all the effort I've put into gathering bad IP addies. I hate change.</p> <p>Registry progs are nice to have (but dangerous for laymen) Each offers a different GUI and functions, some better than others. Laymen really don't need a lot of in-depth functions and just shouldn't be mucking around inside Registry. </p> <p>HJT is there for emergencies, but I don't know what TrendMicro enables in the background now that they've got their fingerprints all over it. You can tell by checking TaskMan's processes what's running on your system (but the file names take a while to track back, my big complaint with TaskMan since IMHO it should offer a mouseover or rightclick ID)</p> <p>Ad-Aware - I only run it occasionally<br /> A-Squared - I only use it to scan individual downloads<br /> AFT-Cleaner - simple/safe to clean temp files (as opposed to CCleaner where you really have to be careful about settings)<br /> CCleaner - the Hoover/Electrolux of cleaners (I run it about every 15 min)<br /> Fix it Utility - I have it, rarely look at it<br /> Hijack this - for emergencies where you're following a forum pro's step-by-step inst.<br /> Premium Booster - I'm very skeptical of the claims of any "booster"<br /> Process Scanner - I personally dislike/distrust Uniblue products<br /> Registry Mechanic - risky, but I do run it weekly<br /> Spybot S&#38;D - I run it daily<br /> Spy eraser - ??<br /> Spyware doctor - ??<br /> Spyware Blaster - runs in background<br /> Super Anti Spyware - ??<br /> System Mechanic Pro - ??</p> <p>Anyone you ask will probably have a different take on the above. The ?? shows I can't keep up with all the software. In-the-wild reviews of antispyware products (even when posted on CNet or PCMag but not official CNet/PCMag articles) are usually just bogus touts planted to suck you in. Make sure the review came from a known tech writer at a reputable institution-backed article. I trust CNet, PCMag, Technorati and a few others. The rogue spyware warrior site is a valuable touchstone to separate the wheat from the chaff and the manure. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45129 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:58:33 +0000 jtdoom 45129@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hi, superantispy or SAS is legit and I have it in my toolkit.<br /> I've also recommended commodo in the past (I sometimes had to find a good and effective firewall for people running older OS, and commodo fit the bill when kerio could not be used.)<br /> Another good free FW is Online Armor. In my view, or maybe as a noob looks at it, it has a really simple learning curve. (As a somewhat savvy user, it shows it has matured.)They have not too long ago released a version for Vista, and the learning curve/annoyance level is, once again, not high.</p> <p>By the way, anyone looking for "rogue antispy tools" can find a list at castlecops or elsewhere.<br /> Kind regards, Jaak </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45124 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:33:02 +0000 thewebmaster 45124@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Ad-Aware, has a free version, and an expensive version. I use the free one. I'm amazed to see all the bugs that come in only <em>a week!</em><br /> <em><strong>-Webmaster</strong></em> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45118 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:39:29 +0000 copmom 45118@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hi Rune and Robert.. yep.. there it was, found the little bugger in Win/system/32 etc. just like you said, and did send to desktop to put in my spyware program folder! </p> <p>Speaking of the spyware program folder, do I really need ALL pf the following?<br /> Ad-Aware, A-Squared, AFT-Cleaner, CCleaner, Fix it Utility, Hijack this, Premium Booster, Process Scanner, Registry Mechanic, Spybot S&#38;D, Spy eraser, Spyware doctor, Spyware Blaster, Super Anti Spyware, System Mechanic Pro. Not counting the fact that McAfee is running all the time.<br /> Seems several of the above are v-e-r-y similar! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45102 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:54:07 +0000 Archangel 45102@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I use PC Tools Spyware Doctor to augment Avast. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45101 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:49:33 +0000 thewebmaster 45101@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I use <em>Ad-Aware</em> from LavaSoft.com<br /> <a href="http://www.lavasoft.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.lavasoft.com/</a> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45090 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:14:17 +0000 nashcat 45090@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Super Antispyware - I also use this in conjunction with Spybot and McAfee. I highly recommend this program. I don't about the others. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45076 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:49:29 +0000 Robert 45076@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hi Copmom</p> <p>Another way to launch TweakUI is typing "tweakui" (no brackets)in the run command in your start menu. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-45075 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:39:05 +0000 RunesageMagik 45075@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Just came across this thread. Malwarebytes (great pun) is a good addition to your arsenal of anti-malware appls, has shown up on (at least) two competing freeware sites, and has recv'd some good press. I like it, but be cautious playing with the options or it may (temporarily?) disable certain processes. </p> <p>goodgotd, I concur! In fact, I mentioned The Rogue/Spyware Warrior back in March... for years it's been a diligent, reliable touchstone that can protect you from installing malicious products posing as anti-spy/malware apps. </p> <p><strong>copmom</strong> if you haven't yet found TweakUI's hiding place - it should install to <strong>C:\WINDOWS\system32\TweakUI.exe</strong><br /> I'd recommend you make a shortcut of it to put in a Tools or Utilities folder on your desktop. Check out good old <strong><a href="http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/tweakui">Annoyances.org</a></strong> for more info. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40762 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:05:58 +0000 Paali 40762@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Yea, if that happened to me I would probably never have used it again either. For cleanup I use TotalPrivacy, which is much better (in my opinion) than CCleaner, but it's not free though. But I still use CCleaner as a registry cleaner. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40752 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:53:33 +0000 copmom 40752@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>BK.. downloaded tweak UI and installed, now where is it? Or how can I find what it's supposed to do?? </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40744 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:34:21 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 40744@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Thanks for the info Carol, I'll check into that. Though the pro version would be better;)</p> <p>I'm not sure about CCleaner. Despite hearing lots of positive vibes about it; I personally had a disasterous time using it after it deleted the whole of one of my back up drives (3 years ago). I asked around and it had happened to someone in the America's Army Clan I used to hang around with three or four years ago, so have never used it since. I'm sure it was probably my own fault, but once bitten.......twice...</p> <p>regards</p> <p>Stephen </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40741 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:20:58 +0000 Paali 40741@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hi SusanIAm. I haven't used all the softwares that you mention. If you could give us a short description of what they do, or what you are looking for when it comes to tweaking and such it would be easier to give you alternatives. </p> <p>When it comes to spy-/ad-ware software you should definitely have AdAware and Spybot. They are among, if not THE best. Both are available in free versions.<br /> And for a firewall the very best is Commodo. </p> <p>Another cleanup utility that is worth mentioning is CCleaner. Cleans up windows and registry very well. But give us a hint to what you are looking for in the programs you want, and perhaps there is one that covers all your needs... </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40734 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:40:00 +0000 delenn13 40734@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I have been using Super Antispyware for almost 3 years and I love it. In fact since I got rid of Adaware with it's new bloatware, I use SPyBot S&#38;D and Super Antispyware as part of my "free" arsenal along with Manutu, A Squared and Spyware Doctor. IIRC Nick is a regular poster over at BBR <a href="http://www.dslreports.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.dslreports.com</a> also. </p> <p>I would love to see it(the pro version) given away free here. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40730 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:34:53 +0000 Buckleysmom 40730@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Carol....don't know about the others you mentioned but hubby has used Tweak UI for a long time and he loves it. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40729 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:12:12 +0000 Carol 40729@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Whiterabbit, Super antispyware do have a free version as well as a pro version.<br /> Goodgotd, thanks for that link, I will bookmark that for future reference. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40728 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:35:54 +0000 goodgotd 40728@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>here's The Spyware Warrior List of <a href="http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm">Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products &#38; Web Sites</a>- and SUPERAntiSpyware isn't on it- except on the Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products list of recommended products to get rid of the scumware. </p> <p>It gives links to other 'watch-out-for' lists, too. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40695 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:44:38 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 40695@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hi Nick, maybe you could negotiate with the giveaway team to give a trial of your product. If it's as good as you imply, it may very well convert many who use other programs such as myself who uses Adaware (subscription version) to use your product.</p> <p>I'm certainly game to try it, but as I've paid for three years of updates for Adaware (runs out Jan 2011) I don't want to be having to purchase another program unless it's better. (If it was I'd definitely purchase it because the best has to be the one for me. </p> <p>Regards</p> <p>Stephen </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40603 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:56:42 +0000 Carol 40603@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I too can vouch for Super Antispyware, there is also a review of it here <a href="http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-adware-spyware-scumware-remover.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-adware-spyware-scumware-remover.htm</a> Also if you go back to the home page, you can get reviews on many types of programes including firewalls. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40602 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:12:44 +0000 SUPERAntiSpy 40602@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>PRS - they recommend us via the telephone support. We see it in our order comments and support requests daily. Companies like Dell, AT&#38;T, HP, Microsoft typically just recommend what's working for them - but don't "officially" formalize the relationship as they don't want to risk any liability by "officially" recommending a piece of software. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40580 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:08:02 +0000 prs 40580@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>It is wonderful to have a software representative come to this forum to respond to comments.Welcome! May your tribe increase!<br /> "SUPERAntiSpyware is also recommended by Dell, Microsoft, HP, AT&#38;T and many security forums around the world"<br /> If you could provide the links that would be great. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40579 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:57:56 +0000 4shadowm 40579@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I can vouch for SuperAntiSpyware as a good product. It has a very good detection rate and does better at cleaning infected machines. I prefer it to AdAware, Spybot and AVG Antispyware (used to be Ewido), though generally with Antispyware it's best to have more than one scanner to catch everything. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40576 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:26:01 +0000 SUPERAntiSpy 40576@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hello - Nick Skrepetos here from SUPERAntiSpyware.com - I saw this post and wanted to respond to "my_name_is". SUPERAntiSpyware is certainly not "masquerading" as a security program we have well over 10 million users and have been around for almost 5 years. </p> <p>SUPERAntiSpyware is also recommended by Dell, Microsoft, HP, AT&#38;T and many security forums around the world. </p> <p>I understand your concern with the name "super" - but with all the "rogue" products out there, there are very few names that can be used without appearing "suspect". We have several products under the "super" title : SUPERAntiSpyware, SUPERAdBlocker and SUPERFileRecover.</p> <p>We have been developing software for over 25 years. I do appreciate your concern, but wanted to stop in to make sure people knew we were not "suspect" even if you don't "like" our product. :)</p> <p>If anyone has any questions or concerns, we are always available to help!</p> <p>-Nick </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40554 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:55:19 +0000 MrFishy 40554@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) seems to work well as an on demand, final step in cleaning one's PC.<br /> Nice, fast scanner. I replaced WindowsDefender, Spybot and Mamutu with this app and Avira, along with the wonderful ComodoProFree. PC's never run smoother. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40548 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:41:28 +0000 ender 40548@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I have been using comodo firewall for a year now, it works great for me!<br /> no big conflicts with other software I use!</p> <p>i use it in combo with Avira antivirus free version. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40544 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:20:59 +0000 my_name_is_brad 40544@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>super antispyware...</p> <p>I can't speak to the quality of the software, but typically steer clear of anything using the word "super" in the name while masquerading as a security program.</p> <p>A friend of mine asked about the same software a few weeks ago, and honestly I wouldn't even consider it. they seem to have revamped the home page since then, but prior to that it was comically bad.</p> <p>bottom line as far as i can tell is that they are offering nothing new, and charging for the same features that products like spybot offer for free. I would recommend Hijackthis, and a decent ad/spyware program such as spybot or adaware well before I would even consider that one.</p> <p>TWEAKUI is interesting, but for me it doesn't offer anything since everything it does is available through the windows UI. If having it all in a central location and being much more user friendly is a priority for you, then it seems decent. Just keep in mind that it is most likely something you will use once, and let sit. I prefer to perform tasks that involve system settings manually over granting system level access to third party software. We are all different though, so it may better suit your style. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3755#post-40530 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:22:35 +0000 AppDeveloper 40530@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>No idea about those software.</p> <p>As for firewalls. Comodo or Outpost, those are good. </p>