OurTechTip - Spyware Software Revisited
by Robert Bolanos
Creswell, Oregon - After a two-week hiatus, I want to return briefly to a previous topic featured in this column and provide a brief update. Spyware is one of those annoying realities of the internet world that continues to grow as a problem. Despite our best efforts to protect and scan our computers, the stuff keeps coming back in more creative ways.
To add insult to injury, some of our most trusted and recognized tools for protecting and removing Spyware have begun to let us down and cave to the legal threats of these Spyware companies. Two of the most recognized and utilized Spyware removal tools, AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy, have been tumbling in the rankings during recent reviews and tests. Also, Microsoft’s own Anti-Spyware tool has voluntarily removed some of the biggest culprits of Spyware from their database after legal wrangling.
Some of the best free anti-spyware tools have begun to disappear form the rankings or have fallen dramatically. Whether from legal threats, or an inability to keep up with the ever evolving threats, it is becoming tougher to recommend these tools as viable solutions. In recent weeks I have cleaned up computers that were using some of these free tools but still experiencing symptoms. On average I have found find as many as 35 other undetected instances of Spyware infecting these machines by using other detection and removal tools.
Spyware is big business and a major threat to your system security and privacy. Much like you need to purchase and maintain your antivirus software on an annual basis, you now need to take the same steps with your Spyware detection and removal software. I cannot in good confidence recommend the free tools as a viable solution for systems today.
In shopping for anti-Spyware software, the key feature to look for is real-time protection. You should be able to find a great program in the $20 to $30 range, and each can be used alongside the freeware tools as well. Some of the programs I would recommend include: PestPatrol by Computer Associates, Webroot Spy Sweeper and Sunbelt Counterspy. This list is by no mean all-inclusive and just represents my nickel advice/recommendation. The
I’ve been a proud member of the Creswell Business Community since 2000.
bottom line is that the free tools are no longer keeping up with the ever evolving threats and therefore you must now look at a commercial product backed by a large development and security team that constantly updates and evolves their products to the threats as they appear. Be smart and be safe.
Robert Bolanos
All Things Computing
PO Box 916
Creswell, OR 97426
541.556.7564
www.atcsite.com
by Robert Bolanos
Creswell, Oregon - After a two-week hiatus, I want to return briefly to a previous topic featured in this column and provide a brief update. Spyware is one of those annoying realities of the internet world that continues to grow as a problem. Despite our best efforts to protect and scan our computers, the stuff keeps coming back in more creative ways.
To add insult to injury, some of our most trusted and recognized tools for protecting and removing Spyware have begun to let us down and cave to the legal threats of these Spyware companies. Two of the most recognized and utilized Spyware removal tools, AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy, have been tumbling in the rankings during recent reviews and tests. Also, Microsoft’s own Anti-Spyware tool has voluntarily removed some of the biggest culprits of Spyware from their database after legal wrangling.
Some of the best free anti-spyware tools have begun to disappear form the rankings or have fallen dramatically. Whether from legal threats, or an inability to keep up with the ever evolving threats, it is becoming tougher to recommend these tools as viable solutions. In recent weeks I have cleaned up computers that were using some of these free tools but still experiencing symptoms. On average I have found find as many as 35 other undetected instances of Spyware infecting these machines by using other detection and removal tools.
Spyware is big business and a major threat to your system security and privacy. Much like you need to purchase and maintain your antivirus software on an annual basis, you now need to take the same steps with your Spyware detection and removal software. I cannot in good confidence recommend the free tools as a viable solution for systems today.
In shopping for anti-Spyware software, the key feature to look for is real-time protection. You should be able to find a great program in the $20 to $30 range, and each can be used alongside the freeware tools as well. Some of the programs I would recommend include: PestPatrol by Computer Associates, Webroot Spy Sweeper and Sunbelt Counterspy. This list is by no mean all-inclusive and just represents my nickel advice/recommendation. The
I’ve been a proud member of the Creswell Business Community since 2000.
bottom line is that the free tools are no longer keeping up with the ever evolving threats and therefore you must now look at a commercial product backed by a large development and security team that constantly updates and evolves their products to the threats as they appear. Be smart and be safe.
Robert Bolanos
All Things Computing
PO Box 916
Creswell, OR 97426
541.556.7564
www.atcsite.com
