11/26/08 - SpyBot, CCleaner, Avast!, and Wednesday's other udpates

Please consult the COU (Calendar of Updates)  http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar

if anyone would like to call attention to any particular update, feel free to reply to this thread.

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SpyBot 2008-11-26
Adware
++ Win32.BHO.hxp
Malware
++ Fraud.AntiSpywareXP + Smitfraud-C.
PUPS
+ FunWebProducts + MyWay.MyWebSearch + WildTangent
Security
+ Microsoft.Windows.AppFirewallBypass
Trojan
+ Beast + Virtumonde + Virtumonde.prx + Virtumonde.sci + Virtumonde.sdn ++ Win32.Agent.amwr ++ Win32.Agent.amyy ++ Win32.Agent.ddl ++ Win32.Agent.gpr ++ Win32.Agent.ik ++ Win32.AutoRun.AW ++ Win32.AutoRun.im ++ Win32.AutoRun.Malas + Win32.Bagle.A + Win32.Bagle.C + Win32.Bagle.F + Win32.Bagle.G + Win32.Bagle.H + Win32.Brontok.q + Win32.Exchanger.ch ++ Win32.HermanAgent ++ Win32.Omega.aik ++ Win32.RA.51122 + Zlob.DNSChanger + Zlob.Downloader ++ ZombieRat
Total: 1193059 fingerprints in 340806 rules for 4414 products.

for those who use SpyBot's IMMUNIZATION feature, be sure to RE-immunize after updating!

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P.S.   A few comments on SpyBot, so there are no misunderstandings:

In my opinion, Spybot is  NO LONGER  a first-rate scanner/remover, as it had been years ago --- I have much more confidence in MBAM and SAS.   If scanning/removal is the only reason why someone is keeping spybot around nowadays, I personally would remove it.    HOWEVER...

SpyBot has many other aspects beside just its scanner.   IMMUNIZATION is the main example for average users.   It works much like SpywareBlaster:   It prevents you from accessing many known malware/adware sites/cookies/ActiveX-controls.   SpyBot's Immunization can be used in conjunction with SpywareBlaster's.  [If you prefer, you can use either one of these alone ---  but I see no reason not to combine them.]   I believe Immunization, in and of itself, is sufficient reason for XP* [and earlier] users to keep SpyBot around and updated.

SpyBot also offers two other modules:

Its resident module, TeaTimer, is a mixed bag:   for those who feel comfortable/qualified to respond to its occasional prompts for allowing/denying registry [and other] changes, it indeed offers some very good protection.   However, since many average users may feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to respond to its queries, I believe it preferable that such a user NOT use TeaTimer rather than risk using it improperly.

Finally, SpyBot offers SDHelper, a "bad download blocker" browser helper object.   I have been using it for years now, without any problems.   But I will concede that I have no idea as to just how useful/protective it has actually been.

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* Note:  While SpyBot is Vista compatible, there is a debate as to whether SpyBot's [and SpywareBlaster's] Immunization offer Vista users any additional protection [over what Vista already protects, given UAC and its enhanced security].   See

http://www.dozleng.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=15621