Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition

Ad-Aware has a new version that really runs well and has a new interface that is a pleasure to use even in the free version.  It will run with Windows Live One Care without a problem.

I dunno, Lawrence. Didn't work well for me:

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19256086.aspx

[quote user="paindoc"] Ad-Aware has a new version that really runs well and has a new interface that is a pleasure to use even in the free version.  It will run with Windows Live One Care without a problem.

I dunno, Lawrence. Didn't work well for me:

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19256086.aspx

 It is the first version that works for me without freezing and worse.  If the the realtime monitoring is turned off, the program does not start automatically.

Lawrence,

Like Joe, I am not a fan of AdAware (2007, 2008, AE).   But I guess if you believe it works well for you, it can't hurt anything to have around and run occasionally.

However, if you don't already have them, I would strongly advocate you consider [the free versions of] MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti-Malware) and SAS (SUPERAntiSpyware).   And in fairness, I recognize that there are other knowledgeable people who recommend A-Squared Free.    All of these programs offer effective on-demand anti-malware scanners.

by the way, I would not be impressed by scanners that (only) find "tons" of tracking cookies.   in fact, MBAM takes the view that tracking cookies are essentially harmless, and on that basis, doesn't even bother to look for them.

Joe and ky331, " if you don't already have them, I would strongly advocate you consider [the free versions of] MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti-Malware) and SAS (SUPERAntiSpyware).   And in fairness, I recognize that there are other knowledgeable people who recommend A-Squared Free.    All of these programs offer effective on-demand anti-malware scanners."

Do MBAM and SAS only run on demand.without autoboots?  Will they interfere with Windows Live scanning?  Are they better than malware and spyware protection offered by WL? 

I have been unable to use AAW until this most recent version.  I do not know how effective it is in detecting malware, although it claims to protect against malware.  My favorite is Spyware Doctor which will not run with WL.

K331,

Thanks for the additional information.  WL uses a built in version of Windows Defender that can not be controlled o or removed.    I will download the free version of MBAM and use it after the fact since I am already protected, (at least in theory).

interesting.  

you might want to report this at their forum and see what they have to say: 

http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=41

You will be interested in knowing that MBAM prevents WL from starting, even in the free version.

interesting".

There were no comments on my post on the MBAM forum.  However, I noted that MBAM behaves like Spyware Doctor and will cause unpredictible conflicts.  Spyware Doc coflicts with Onecare on my machine.

Lawrence:

"There were no comments on my post on the MBAM forum".   Can you give me a link to your post?   At quick glance, I couldn't find it.

EDIT:   I think I finally found your post there, under Malwarebyte's Forum > Computer Help >  PC Help;   I don't know how they feel about double-posting there, but I think you should repost your question under Malwarebyte's Forum > Malwarebytes AntiMalware Support > General Malwarebytes AntiMalware Forum.

"I noted that MBAM behaves like Spyware Doctor and will cause unpredictible conflicts".   again, a request for a link to that post(s)... I want to be sure the version of Spyware Doctor there was non-resident.

There were actually no references to my post on the MBAM forum.  Finding it will be unhelpful.  My post was "MBAM prevents Windows Live OneCare from booting."   I searched "MBAM conflicts," for additional information.  The MBAM people conceded that "not every computer acts the same way."  There were some references to conflicts with various programs on an unpredictable basis in both the paid and free versions.   Spyware Doctor is a program I have used in the past and was very fond of it.  It offers resident full time protection.

   Spyware Doctor...  offers resident fulltime protection.

I certainly can see that potentially conflicting with windows live onecare, which also offers resident protection.   However I'm still miffed by your troubles with the free MBAM on-demand scanner.   But if it's causing problems for you, then you have to stick with whatever else works.

Lawarence,

posting this FYI, in case you haven't been notified already; copied/pasted from http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar&cal_id=1&code=showevent&event_id=52967

.

To address the growing need for a PC security solution tailored to the demands of emerging markets, smaller PC form factors and rapid increases in the incidence of malware, Microsoft Corp. plans to offer a new consumer security offering focused on core anti-malware protection.

Code-named “Morro,” this streamlined solution will be available in the second half of 2009 and will provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans. This new solution, to be offered at no charge to consumers, will be architected for a smaller footprint that will use fewer computing resources, making it ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios or less powerful PCs. As part of Microsoft’s move to focus on this simplified offering, the company also announced today that it will discontinue retail sales of its Windows Live OneCare subscription service effective June 30, 2009.

Regarding OneCare: If yours was included with the Equipt  suite read on...

...Equipt included Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Windows Live OneCare, Office Live Workspaces, Windows Live Mail, Live Messenger and Live Photo.

...According to an FAQ posted on Microsoft's site, it will discontinue updates to OneCare at that time [April 2009], and cripple Office...

More here:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyId=17&articleId=9128259&intsrc=hm_topic
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/959675

KY:  Thanks for the FYI.  Does this include a firewall?