Is there a 'worthy', free Anti Spyware program that updates itself?

Question

Is there a worthy, free Anti Spyware program that updates itself?

I’ve looked into several, but most of them have limitations unless you make a purchase, such as not having the ability to automatically update itself or schedule an automatic scan.

I’ve used Webroot’s Spy Sweeper, and it’s like the best. But I was wanting to offer a free Anti Spyware program to my clients that’s on the same level of AVG Antivirus.

Thanks in advance,

David

lawnmowerguy · Answer

Microsoft's Windows Defender is free, updates itself automatically and runs in the background. Defender also has automatic scanning at intervals you can schedule. I'm not sure about this, but you may need to have XP's Automatic Updates enabled so that updates for Windows Defender go thru. This program is already included with Windows Vista, but is available as a download for Windows XP SP2 users. http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx Message Edited by Lawnmowerguy on 01-05-2008 02:49 PM

joe53 · Answer

I can recommend Comodo's BOClean 4.25 as an excellent free anti-malware.   It was recommended by a number of  experts I trust, and I have used it since it changed from a paid to a free program 9 months ago. It has been trouble-free for me ever since: a true 'fire and forget' defensive weapon.   Unlike most free antispyware on-demand scanners, which only detect malware already infecting a PC, BOC runs continuously in the background and prevents malware installing. No need for users to run manual scans. It updates automatically, and requires virtually no user interaction after initial install/configuration. It does not conflict with any of my other defenses (AV, AS, Firewall) and is light on resources. There is a good user-to-user support forum.   More info here: http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.html   Download, instructions, Operating System compatability info here: http://www.comodo.com/boclean/CBO_download.html http://www.comodo.com/boclean/supboc.html   Support forum: http://forums.comodo.com/comodo_boclean_antimalware-b83.0/

dalem29 · Answer

Hi Joe:   I have both Windows Defender and Super Anti Spyware...along with Spybot S&D, AdAware 2007 and Spyware Blaster.  Do you think this Comodo product would get along with this assortment of  programs? I am always interested in taking a look at new products and seeing how well they work, but don't want to get bogged down with conflicts and resource usage. I believe that Defender has real time protection, where as Super Anti Spyware doesn't unless the user ops for the paid version. Thanks for any info.

joe53 · Answer

Dale:   I have all the programs you list (and several more) and BOCleaner doen't conflict with any of them. It just does its thing quietly in the background, and doesn't affect performance. It has proven effective at detecting some spyware tests that I have run in the past.   My real-time protection is provided by Defender, BOC, my AV (Nod32) and my Comodo 3 firewall HIPS. The other programs I use for on-demand scans only. I've tried the real-time protection of a few paid anti-spyware programs, but have yet to find one worth purchasing.

DaveDontKnow · Answer

Keep in mind I’m an idiot, but it’s my understanding that the BoClean isn’t necessarily considered anti-spyware protection.

Check this out.

http://forums.comodo.com/empty-t18014.0.html;topicseen

joe53 · Answer

Dave:

BOClean is an anti-malware program, which includes anti-spyware and anti-trojan functions. I'm not sure of the point of your link, but I agree with the posters' comments therein. BOC does not replace the need for a good antivirus and firewall, but it certainly complements them.

Your original question asked if there was a "worthy" free antispyware that updated itself. I believe BOC meets all these criteria.

Message Edited by joe53 on 01-07-2008 12:03 AM

njs1 · Answer

Spyware Doctor is a free download option in Google Pack.  It update automatically and has a scheduled scan.

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Is there a "worthy", free Anti Spyware program that updates itself?

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