Home
>
Software
>
SpyBot - Search and Destroy versus Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta).... My personal experiences...

SpyBot - Search and Destroy versus Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta).... My personal experiences...

Ok... Where to start?

Well, I guess I will start at the beginning.....

Like many surfers and especially webmasters and webmarketers, I spend quite a bit of time running around the net, researching this, investigating that and so on.

So of course I come across any number of questionable websites with even more doubtful software. In many cases the webmasters aren't even aware of how much damage that piece of software they are linking to can cause. In other cases, it's the actual programmers, and of all people they should know better.

I have seen some messed up systems due to spyware, hackware and other malicious programs (and I am not even going to start talking about the viruses or Denial of Service attacks some people find amusing).

Not all to long ago, a friend of mine was surfing the web and came across a website that all of a sudden triggered a bunch of popups, one after the other, she couldn't even close them down as fast as they were coming. Amongst all of those popups were also install windows and guess what???? They were set to run some macro that automatically assumed she had hit open (for the request to open, save or cancel) and the next thing she knew 6 new software programs had been installed on her computer.

Now, she's no dummy and knows her way around a computer well enough to know to check for uninstall files, to run 'add/remove programs' and even knows her way around the registry well enough that she could remove almost all of them.

But let's step back a moment, these darn things triggered themselves to install, wether the surfer wants it or not, it doesn't matter. We're going to shove this software down your throat regardless.

Ok, back to my friend. She was able to remove all of the programs but two. One was being so stubborn, it wasn't even funny anymore. I went to a tech net site I use occasionaly and ran a search (you can use google too and most often find great info from one of the groups there) and came across some information from that programmer's own site with details how to uninstall it (mind you though, the software didn't even mention his homepage or anything).

Holy coding batman, this thing wouldn't even remove with his own instructions. So one of the techs she knows ran SpyBot - Search and Destroy ( http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html )and they were finally able to remove it (well, so they thought).

Let's shift gears a moment. There's a program that hit my own system a while back called WinTools. You will see it in your process files (check the taskmanager) with names such as wtoolsa.exe or wtoolsb.exe and so on.

Here's the kicker on this one. You go in and uninstall it, it shows it has disappeared from your system and the next thing you know (if you check processes again) this thing is back again...... What the heck? I just got rid of it... How is this possible? Did I just experience some glitch in the matrix? Nope, sure enough, you uninstall this puppy, it comes right back again.

Ok, out with Spybot and it cleaned it and the rest of my system (there were 2 more spyware programs I really didn't need, so off to the big recycle bin in the heaven with them).

All was well, or so I thought.

My system started lagging really bad and I knew RAM wasn't the issue, nor were system resources overall the issue, but it kept getting worse. Dreaded 'blue screen of death' minidumps started happening randomly. Virus scans and Spybot scans weren't finding anything, the system is defragmented and cleaned up, what gives?????

A friend told me about Microsoft releasing the beta of their AntiSpyware program (I don't believe I am going to say something nice about Microsoft, groan, all my ancestors are rolling over in their graves now, I know it). He had noticed in a couple of cases (He's a MCSE tech that swears by Spybot - well he used to) that this new program was picking up ghost files that spybot had not caught.

Ok, off to http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and let's download this software... It's a free beta.

It's an easy and smooth install and runs pretty fast. I run a system scan and guess what, I have 4 programs on here that Spybot had supposedly removed and where not showing up in any of their reports anymore. Well, well, well..... (I disconnected from my ISP at this point for a bit) Let's remove them all. Reboot the system.

Look at that, as I am booting up, one of the programs (wtoolsa.exe) is trying to reinstall itself as my laptop is booting up again, but look, hahahaha, it can't find the system resource to do it. Yipeeeee.... After I finished booting up, I even ran the MS Antispyware one more time and rebooted just to be sure and look at that, it didn't even try anymore.

I am proud to report that my processes file doesn't show WinTools anymore, in any of it's many forms. The other three items we found on my laptop are gone as well.

Oh, and my friend's computer is also clean now.

Well, that's my story, like it or not, in this case Microsoft wins. Don't get me wrong. Spybot has served me well and I am leaving it installed, because you never know what Microsoft might not catch.

One final thought I wanted to leave you with though is this. Be very careful to what you have your computer set, be wary of software that just appears from nowhere, or if you are surfing and a website tries to convince you to download something you didn't request. Also, make sure your Antivirus, Spybot and MS Antispyware are all up to date with their latest libraries and definitions.

Here's to your success,

Xavier

Xavier Nelson is the publisher of eBusinessCornerNews, your source for reviews, articles, free resources and more. Get your free subscription at http://blog.makemoneymarketingonline.com today.

Also, proudly presenting "The Complete eBusinessCollection". Visit http://blog.makemoneymarketingonline.com right now for a great collection of tools and resources that will take you to the next level and a very generous and free 2-tier affiliate program you can actually make money with!

top rated cleaning service Lake Forest ..

In The News:

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.

Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.

The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.

Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.

Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.

Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.

SpyBot - Search and Destroy versus Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta).... My personal experiences...

Software