MS AntiSpyware vs Ad-Aware vs SpyBot

By LFC
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CrimsonBlur

Posted
Posted

So what's with all of these quibbles over MS AntiSpyware not being free?? They have already stated that the program will be completely free to all authentic Windows users.

I don't feel like searching for the article/statement, but I know it to be true. I've used both AdAware and SB - S&D before MS AntiSpyware, and both programs let spyware through and missed things on occasion. Since I installed MS AntiSpyware I have not had ONE instance of spyware on my computer. Some of the toolbar apps, etc. would get through previously, not anymore, not once.

MS didn't even develop this product, which has been stated earlier, so no one is an "MS Fanboy" fo claiming this product is better, it just IS. I would highly recommend this program as the best-in-class.

Proficient

Mastertech

Posted
Posted
Whatever Mastertech what I say still is true if someone installs one of them programs on your computer and dont tell you thats a security risk and something I would like to know about. That has actually happened before and if that person had one of them programs he wouldnt have had his passwords changed and someone in his computer doing what they wanted. Antispyware products are suppose to let you know of monitoring programs and a program that gives you control of another computer and that person doesnt know is considered not good what so ever. If you know its there then ignore it, if you dont then you can figure out whats going on. Thats why they probably list it, cuase they dont know if you know its installed or not and letting you know about it.

So your saying antivirus programs and antispyware programs shoud detect PC Anywhere? And what about your nonsense notion about ICSA certification? BTW which only applies to viruses NOT regular programs such as remote connect software. Even better why do neither of these mention if Remote Assistance is enabled? This is as big a threat as VNC according to you. No offense but the only way Boss Anywhere can get installed on your machine is if your not the administrator (work environment) or a complete idiot. It is not Spyware and it is not A Virus.

I don't feel like searching for the article/statement, but I know it to be true. I've used both AdAware and SB - S&D before MS AntiSpyware, and both programs let spyware through and missed things on occasion. Since I installed MS AntiSpyware I have not had ONE instance of spyware on my computer. Some of the toolbar apps, etc. would get through previously, not anymore, not once.

I've not had one instance of Spyware using Ad-aware or Spybot without MS Antispyware. Then again I've long uninstalled MSJVM, installed SpywareBlaster and upgraded to SP2.

Veteran

yisman

Posted
Posted (edited)

Link to the actual comparison:

<a href='http://www.<< spam >>/main/articles.php?action=show&id=84' target='_blank'>http://www.<< spam >>/main/articles.php?action=show&id=84</a>

EDIT: OK, this is really stupid. Whatever.

Edited by yisman
Veteran

yisman

Posted
Posted

The test just confirmed what all educated users already know.

Ad-Aware and SpyBot offer great performance for free, yet when Microsoft debuts its AntiSpyware application, it will require a subscription fee. Is Microsoft AntiSpyware really worth the subscription fee when there are currently good spyware removal applications out there that will do it for free?

This was an assumption that turned out to be incorrect. MS antispyware will continue to be free for Windows users, as confirmed by Bill Gates.

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yisman

Posted
Posted
don't people get it? all the hard work and amazing results that the ms antispyware gets is because of GIANT's work and not ms,

ppl are only realizing the products greatness because of the news that "MICROSFOT has a antispyware program"

many are only saying that ms product is better than the competition (which it is) "even tho it's still in beta" - that's amazingly stupid because GIANT did all the work, you can't say ms has done a great job on the product because they haven't done any work yet, that is all to come... you can't say anything good or bad on the product under ms name, only under GIANT's. The only negative about the product is the memory footprint. To me, i've never needed spybot for a while but the ad-aware and giant have always been good programs to remove spyware and adware.

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MS bought it, made some small changes, and is offering it for free. Good enough for me.

Grand Master

metallithrax

Posted
Posted

I'd never heard of this program before microsoft bought it, I used ad-aware and/or spybot. Thae fact that MS bought this program and offering it for free is kinda like them admitting that the spyware problem is as a result of the flaws in windows. Buying an already designed program is easier for them than starting from scratch.

Well done Microsoft I say.

Neowinian

invisiblegnome

Posted
Posted

I agree with one thing in all the posts previous This isnt a perfect world and some programs work better than others whether they are paid for or free. IMHO free antispyware programs are made by honest people who are sick of the crap we have to endure to safely browse the internet. In a perfect world these keyloggers and active x controls that try to instal themselves wouldnt exist. Ive tried several antispyware programs and ternd to stick with spywareblaster, adaware, spybot and spywareguard (only if i ever need to use internet explorer) and on the odd occasion where ive had a memory lapse ive had to resort to hijackthis. Since learning that microsoft will be issuing msantispyware as a free app i'll be installing that as another safeguard but i will not discontinue use of the other apps i use to keep my system clean.

with regards to mastertech thinking that antispyware apps should not scan for admin installed keyloggers etc then he must be deluded. for instance if say for argument say bought a pc from a little pc shop and the guys there decided that it would be a great idea if they installed a keylogger and remote access app on your nice new machine that you so long have waited for to purchase stuff over the internet entering your credit card details thinking your on a secure site you've read the agreement with the online shop that your details are gonna be safe. Yeah safe from them but not from those inoccuous little programs that the guys at the pc shop have installed and can easilly gather very personal details about you. So IMHO ANY program designed to spy on the way you use YOUR pc SHOULD be detected by antispyware programs

Proficient

Mastertech

Posted
Posted

That is just ridiculous. If your stupid enough to buy a PC from a shady shop that is your problem and I don't think they would be using programs that show up in Add/Remove. Antispyware applications are designed to detect programs that get installed on your machine without your knowledge. These do not include ones that people physically install while sitting at your machine that are not hiding what they do. You do realize businesses and IT use remote connect software all the time for maintenance. If dumb users run MSAntiSpyware it will disable IT's ability to fix their PC.

So do you think Antispyware programs should detect PC Anywhere and Windows XP Remote Assistance? Why doesn't Microsoft AntiSpyware detect that Windows XP Remote Assistance is enabled?

Neowinian

invisiblegnome

Posted
Posted
That is just ridiculous. If your stupid enough to buy a PC from a shady shop that is your problem and I don't think they would be using programs that show up in Add/Remove. Antispyware applications are designed to detect programs that get installed on your machine without your knowledge. These do not include ones that people physically install while sitting at your machine that are not hiding what they do. You do realize businesses and IT use remote connect software all the time for maintenance. If dumb users run MSAntiSpyware it will disable IT's ability to fix their PC.

So do you think Antispyware programs should detect PC Anywhere and Windows XP Remote Assistance? Why doesn't Microsoft AntiSpyware detect that Windows XP Remote Assistance is enabled?

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How is it ridiculous how do you know that your local neighbourhood pc store that is legit hasnt got some criminal working for them come on dude wake up and smell the coffee there are unscrupulous people out there in the IT business and you know it. The only reason any kind of remote assistance is installed on PC's is because at times some people need help but there are more sinister ways that these programs can be used but consumers need to be informed that these programs are installed on their machines and the reasons why they are installed. We as consumers need to know that these programs are installed and given the choice as to remove them or not

oh and as a post script : any admin of a network that relies on remote assistance who cant configure antispyware to exclude neccessary programs from deletion shouldnt be an admin

Proficient

Mastertech

Posted
Posted

I am an OEM and deal with local PC shops all the time. If you were one you would realize people are buying their PCs from DELL, Gateway and HP not local shops anymore. These companies don't install any remote connect software.

Not to mention you are avoiding the question. Why doesn't MS AntiSpyware detect that Remote Assistance is enabled? Should it detect that PC Anywhere is "Spyware" too? Remote Connect software is NOT spyware.

If you worked as an admin you would understand my concern. The problem is after the fact. An end user installs MS AntiSpyware (Which does not need admin rights to install) and disables the remote connect software preventing them from getting help in the field. You can not see why this is a problem if the end user is six states away? No Antispyware programs have no business setting off panic and false alarms regarding remote connect software.

Neowinian

invisiblegnome

Posted
Posted
I am an OEM and deal with local PC shops all the time. If you were one you would realize people are buying their PCs from DELL, Gateway and HP not local shops anymore. These companies don't install any remote connect software.

Not to mention you are avoiding the question. Why doesn't MS AntiSpyware detect that Remote Assistance is enabled? Should it detect that PC Anywhere is "Spyware" too? Remote Connect software is NOT spyware.

If you worked as an admin you would understand my concern. The problem is after the fact. An end user installs MS AntiSpyware (Which does not need admin rights to install) and disables the remote connect software preventing them from getting help in the field. You can not see why this is a problem if the end user is six states away? No Antispyware programs have no business setting off panic and false alarms regarding remote connect software.

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So what you're saying is that everyone that works in IT and build pc's are honest people , what about the recent AOL scandal where some high up technician decided to sell off everyones details to ad firms. An admin who is in charge of maintaining a network of pc's whether remotely or on a LAN is obligated to keep their clients informed as well as the end user informing their admin.

I go back to my previous point where sadly their are dishonest people out there and in some circumstances these remote assistance programs can be a REAL threat to the novice user allbeit they are installed initially for a beneficial purpose. Ive messed around with some remote assist progs and i use one in particualr on regular occasions to help out friends and family, right now due to me being limited to dial up i can notice the bandwidth useage very noticeably if someone is remoting with me but on dsl you wouldnt know if someone is trawling thru your private files. Honestly I dont mind false positives from antispyware apps in fact i welcome them because i know what i have installed on my pc at least these false positives show that the program is doing what it was intended for and that is to scan your pc for any threats whether spy , ad , mal , or security breaches.

In answer to your question why doesn't msantispyware detect remote assistance I can't honestly tell you why not ask microsoft or GIANT the main developers of the software.

Proficient

Mastertech

Posted
Posted

Messing around with and actually using a Remote Assistance program are two different things. These programs are not spyware, malware or viruses. The average end user is going to think they are and in certain circumstances foolishly remove them. The average user will not have these installed, detecting them as spyware is a waste of time.

You lost all credibility saying you welcome false positives, it is obvious you do not do this for a living.

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