Personally, I use the free versions of Adaware SE, SpyBot and Spyware
Blaster (which now works with Firefox). (I have switched to Firefox and
Thunderbird, too, but not everyone wants to deal with swiching.) I also
run the free IE Privacy Keeper, which is a cookie manager, history/trace
cleaner, etc. I run HostsMan 2.1, which is a free HOSTS file manager.
Occasionally I run CCleaner, but it doesn't find much behind my
fortress. :-) (I have Comcast HSI with a Linksys NAT/SPI firewall
between my Comcast modem and my home LAN. I run Link Logger software,
so I can view ingoing and outgoing traffic & alerts and run reports as
needed.) Finally, I have turned on the Windows Firewall. I realize I
have no outgoing protection, but I like to start with a new clean
machine and protect it before it gets hit. (I also realize this is not
foolproof, but for me, it works.) For a while I ran DiamondCS' Process
Guard for outgoing protection. They have another very good program (I
also use) called Port Explorer. Both Process Guard and Port Explorer
have free and pay versions based on the features you want/need. I have
no experience with their third product, Wormguard. But here's a link to
their web site: http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=products
Finally, I run Webroot Spy Sweeper on my home machine, because the
program seems very comprehensive, is not too expensive and has not too
huge a footprint. For my friends who can afford a product they have to
pay for (or are unwilling or unable to manually run the three freebies I
mentioned above), I recommend Spy Sweeper. Still, I advise only buy one
year (of updates) at a time, because something else may be better next
year. I have not actively evaluated AV products for antimalware
purposes, but IMNSHO, we all need a good AV and a good antimalware
product. And of course, we need to practice safe computing/surfing. ;-)
Regards,
Margaret
Richard Wiggins wrote:
> Do any of you now regard any anti-virus products or suites as sufficient
> for anti-spyware purposes?
>
> The most recent reading I have on what folks in NAG and on the Net say
> is that you need a specialized anti-spyware tool (on Windows computers)
> and that it's best to use two tools at once.
>
> Now the anti-virus vendors are offering anti-spyware components. Would
> you still advise users of these updated products to use an anti-spyware
> tool as well?
>
> I notice that Webroot's SpySweeper appears to be moving from a freeware
> tool with for-pay enhanced version, to purely commercial.
>
> What are you advising your users?
>
> Thanks,
>
> /rich
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