here is the website for spy sweeper

http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php

spy sweeper is pretty popular, but i think it is too expensive..

something that will help to keep spyware off your pc would be to block first- and third-party cookies in internet explorer/tools/options/privacy (you can access that through the aol browser, if you prefer, by going to settings/internet options/privacy), and to use "spywareblaster"..

http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

those two things will keep almost all, if not all "spyware" off your computer.. 

if you block first-party cookies in ie's cookie manager, you will have to add some websites that require cookies to the "allow" list (click "edit"), typically ones where you have to login, but sometimes other sites require cookies, like some online newspapers.. to add websites to the allow list in ie's cookie manager, they need to be in the format like http://www.dell.com , or www.dell.com .. even if you choose not to block first-party cookies, you still could block third-party cookies, there.. if you block first- and third-party cookies in ie's cookie manager, check "always allow session cookies"..

you should keep up-to-date on windows critical updates, and on your antivirus program's virus definitions, and use a firewall..

i have a firewall saved to disks so that it can be installed before reconnecting to the internet after doing a clean reinstall of win xp..

if you want to save the kerio 2.15 firewall to disks (i use floppy disks), here is the link

http://download.kerio.com/dwn/kpf/kerio-pf-2.1.5-en-win.exe

i use "gsplit" to split the kerio installation file onto two floppy disks

http://www.gdgsoft.com/download/gsplit.aspx 

 

 

Message Edited by redwolfe_98 on 07-19-2004 10:30 PM

I really don't mind the expense, is it any good?

                                   Thank you

                                             Andrew

SpySweeper works fine, I've also used the free version, but as Redwolfe said $30.00 a year is pretty steep.  The trial that you downloaded is a full version, but just won't let you download any updates for free.  You can use it over and over again with no time limit.

Now that you've got the junk out, consider downloading Spywareblaster (freeware) to protect against new spyware and adware, and also install Spybot Search and Destroy to catch the stuff that might get through.  This should be enough to keep you 90+% protected.  If you really want to spend the money on Spysweeper, go ahead.

I thank all you guys for helping me decide.

                                                 Andrew

Well, it DOES NOT show up on the Rogue Anti-Spyware page, that's a good sign.

Webroot is a quality company with there main program being Window Washer.  PC Magazine thinks quite highly of it. The other programs mentioned are in the same league. Use them all, especially Spyware Blaster to prevent the stuff.

Hi, Andrew: 

Because I use AT&T  as my internet provider, I get the Spy Sweeper program free. It is an excellent program. It found spyware on my computer that Adaware and Spybot S & D missed. Still, if it weren't a free program for me, I doubt if I'd be willing to pay $29.00 annually for it. If you keep searching around you'll probably find a free spyware program just as good, or, if you're not concerned about cost, one that is a bit easier on your budget. Good luck.

Bill D. 

   Thank you MaxD & Bill D. What I did was download the free full version 3.0 of Spy Sweep. My main concern is to see how it interacts with my PC. In a couple of weeks if I don't get any Poltergeist stuff on my computer I will buy it. So far it looks like it's working like a charm.

    The free version is a full working version, the only difference is you can't update it with new spy sites available from the Webroot web site which I hear is pretty often.                  

                            Thank you for all your help

                                             Andrew 

I have the full licensed version 3.0 of Spy Sweeper on my XP-SP2, Build 2162 system.  Here's my experience with it.  Please keep in mind that I also have Window Washer 5.5 and love it...so I am definitely not anti-Webroot.  However,

1.  I have been trying to get technical support on three problems with Spy Sweeper since 1-July-04.  I've tried calling and can not get a human voice after 5 attempts, 1+ hours holding each time.  I've sent 4 emails identifying the problems.  Two have been answered after 7-9 days after submitting them.  Both were entirely inappropriate for the problem submitted.  It was as if they had sent responses from someone else's problem.  So the problems still exist.

2.  Using the Memory Shield results in 100% CPU utilization spikes every 25+ seconds, lasting 3-5 seconds each.  The spikes are consistent and overpowering.  No response to my technical support request although Webroot technical assured me via e-mail prior to purchasing Version 3.0 that this was corrected in Version 3.0 as compared to Version 2.6.  I have 1.5 gbyte DRAM and a Pentium IV, 2.6 ghertz CPU...so speed and memory is not "the problem."

3.  If I activate the Spy Sweeper right click context scanning feature for Windows Explorer and do any right click on a file or folder using Windows Explorer, Windows Explorer aborts.  Webroot says the fix to this is to turn off the option and then turn it back on.  I've tried every combination of doing this; however, Windows Explorer still aborts...every time.  The first technical response to this was to rebuild my Internet connection.  Apparently the tech person mistakenly thought Windows Explorer was Internet Explorer and directly referred to my not being able to connect to the Internet...which was never mentioned or eluded to in my email problem submittal.

4.  I have AOL Fanfare beta installed.  If I activate the Spy Guard Shield of Spy Sweeper, AOL FanFare will not load and aborts.  I can turn off the this shield and AOL FanFare works as designed.  Total silence from Webroot on this problem.

A system scan works fine with Spy Sweeper.  Definition updates appear to be fairly frequent (1-2 time per week).  So right now all I am doing with it is a system scan.  It has not found anything that Adaware6 Plus, SpyBot S&D or Pest Patrol has not detected. 

Because of the very lax technical support and no resolutions, I am strongly considering requesting a refund for Spy Sweeper.  I have until 31-Jul-04 to make this decision. 

Would I buy again or recommend...no! 

 

edited

Message Edited by redwolfe_98 on 07-20-2004 02:02 PM

Spybot & Adaware are two free programs many people use including me.  I use both of them and they work fine.