[George1979]

Ok I have my computer very well protected so I do not worry too much about getting infected with viruses or spyware, but on the same hand I do not do stupid things with it either (like view porn). Now I do have my computer scanned online from time to time using PC Pitstop as PC World used to promote it. But PC World no longer does nor does it have a link on there site anymore, why? Who knows, but my question to all of you computer users out there is that can PC Pitstop still be trusted? I recently have have my computer scanned for viruses and it is clean, then I had it check for spyware and it "clams" to have found a hijaker spyware on my computer. But none of my anti-spyware programs find anythng. PC Pitstop says it will remove it but I must buy their PC Pitstop Exterminator. So can anyone tell me if PC Pitstop only wants my money or is that program actaully legit? I use Zone Alarm Security Suite which has spyware protection, also I use Spybot Search & Destroy, and Lavasoft's Ad aware free edition. I know that Spybot is not the best out there but I love several of their tools that they have bundled with it. I also most never use Ad Aware and I am looking for a new anti-spyware program to replace it. So I would like to know what other programs that are out there and how well they preform. So I would love anyone's input about other anti-spyware programs that you have used and/or tried. Thanks

[George1979]

Oh I guess I should say that I do have spyware blaster so that prevents any spyware from running, also I do have my hosts file locked (always have) so even if PC Pitstop is right I consider this a low risk for my computer. Plus I am having no problems with my computer at the current moment. Just want ideas from people about a new anti-spyware program that I could use, and any problems anyone else is having with PC Pitstop in regards to falsely reporting spyware. Again thanks ahead of time for anyone who responds.

[jasonz]

I agree with what you are saying. I tried pitstop, and it said i had a lot to clean up and it could make my internet connection faster and everything, but i didnt want to pay for something that i dont know is legit. I ran CCleaner and my spyware (Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D) and Anti-Virus(Antivir and Windows OneCare) and I had no problems. When i ran pitstop again, it still detected problems. So i guess i got the same ? as you.Also, i think you are using the best free spywware protection on the web. However, I've red AVG is supposed to have a good spyware program to complement the antivirus.

[George1979]

Well thanks I'll have to try that sometime. But for right now I downloaded Spy Subtract which has a 30-day free trial and all is clean. I also down loaded CA e-Trust Pest Patrol Anti-spyware which also has a 30-day free trail, but I will not install that until my other free trail is up. Ok I also looked at the lists of anti-spyware on PC Worlds download page and I could not find user reviews that were useful for most of the products and no used reviews for the ones that I downloaded. So when I am done with my free trail I will be posting a user review so that may help everyone out there looking for anti-spyware. I already like the Spy Subtract because of the Venus Spy Trap option and that monitors your computer. It is different then how Spybot monitors your computer, as Spybot only tells you about registry changes, Spy Subtract notifies you about a lot more and you have the option to allow pr deny. So after I try Pest Patrol I just may go back and buy Spy Subtract, not sure yet?

[jayliew]

Hello guys! Just wanted to chirp in.I use Spybot Search & Destroy's TeaTimer feature -- it tells me in real time when an event (usually when an application) will result in a registry add/delete/modify. It prompts me to allow or deny the action. Let me tell ya, this has saved me lots! innocent looking programs, functions, changing my settings and what not. I recommend using Tea Timer.:)Cheers!

[Cosmo]

[2 cents]Just a little info, Pitstop is notorious for false positives.[/2 cents]

[jasonz]

thanks cosmo, thats pretty much the opinion i was looking for

[jasonz]

I wouldnt recommend pest patrol. I've had it since i had my laptop, and I am much more pleased with S&D. The other program sounds good though, is it free?

[George1979]

Wow well I am thankful for all the input that all of you have provided. First I would like to note that yes I do use Spybot's TeaTimer always have. It is very helpful but again it only gives you registry changes to allow or deny, nothing else. Spy Subtract allows you to allow or deny Active-X and much more! I am really starting to like it. Like I got an alert asking me if I wanted Yahoo Messenger to use active-X, up until that point I had no idea that yahoo messenger used active-X. I downloaded Spy Subtract here at PC World at: http://www.pcworld.c...ge=3&order=1And it has a 30-day free trail, after that then you must buy it if you want to keep it. The price is $30.

[Thom]

I recommend giving Ewido a try. It will find things that Spy-bot and Ad-Aware doesn't.http://www.ewido.net/en/ Thom :D

[SpiritWind]

{size:18px}[/size]:D Hi George : I had "SpySubtract" on my computer years ago BEFORE I knew there were GOOD & FREE antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN programs. No need to buy ANY antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN program. Would NOT have a "Security Suite" either, since they usually only have 1 "component" that is half-way decent . Some people who have BOTH SpywareBlaster & Spybot have Spybot Updates "disable" some of SpywareBlaster's protection !? This is one reason I uninstalled Spybot and got SpywareBlaster's "companion" called SpywareGuard to "replace" what "teatimer" does. I currently have : 1) Ad-Aware Personal; 2) "Ewido"; choose your version at : www.filehippo.com/download_ewido/ ; 3) FREE version of "SUPERantispyware" from www.superantispyware.com .

[George1979]

Well thank you SpiritWind for your input. The only reason I have spyware blaster on my computer is because in Spybot program there used to be a link in the immunize area, and it said click here to download and enable spyware blaster which makes a great companiion to spybot. Now not sure if that has changed but I guess it has by what you are telling me. Also the reason I like Spy Subtract is because it monitors your system better then spybot. Spy Subtract allows you to "allow" or "deny" any changes to your system which I like. It monitors your startup files, hosts files, system registry, internet connection, and ever your active-X controls. So I feel it gives me much better comtrol over my system, but I am willing to try other free programs and then judge which I like the best. Also I know that Security Suits are not the best thing to have but I see no other choice at the moment. My brother works in the military and he tells me that the best firewall and anti-virus to have is Norton for the anti-virus and Zone Alarm for the firewall. Now even before my brother was in the military I had always used Z/A for my firewall, as I too feel it is a good product. But I do not know what to use for my anti-virus? Norton crashed my computer a few years back, I do not like McAfee, I have read up on other programs but nothing seems to be that good. Or is it just me? To me anti-virus is one of the most important things, and up until I got Z/A Security Suite I was getting one virus per year, sometimes more if there was a virus outbreak! I am not saying that Z/A has the greatest anti-virus because they don't, and I am looking to try AVG, Panda, F-Secure, or CA anti-virus. But one thing is sure and that is when you do have a security suite it is cheaper, well normally iy is. Z/A security suite will expire on Dec. 12th 2006 and it will cost me $35 instead of $30 like it did last year. The year before that I had Z/A pro only and to renew it only cost me $20, now it is $30. I know that costs go up but yes I am looking for the best bang for my buck. Of course now that Z/A free has the ability to lock the hosts file I may just as well go with that, I know this because I a few weeks ago I just updated my sisters Z/A free and I looked, was shocked but it is cool. Hay sometimes free can be better! So that leaves me with what anti-virus to get?

[Cosmo]

NOD32 is a fantastic virus scan, that I recommend you get. This scanner is extremely fast, and picks up pretty much any virus on your computer. Its heuristics scanner can't be beat either.

[jasonz]

im not sure, but ive read Ewido is now AVG free spyware protection

[SpiritWind]

{size:18px}[/size]:D Hi George : Your brother in the military is NOT knowledgable as to the BEST security programs to protect a home computer; you already know that Norton is "undesirable" & Zone Alarm has competition in the firewall arena. IF you are willing to use the "component" approach, rather than the "Security Suite" approach, your choices for "paid" antiVIRUS program should be either NOD32 or Kaspersky; however, I saw an "announcement" on another forum that Kaspersky 6.0 is FREE !? At present, I am using the "Free" ver of Avast Antivirus ( www.avast.com ), because AVG AV has had problems with their Updates occasionally causing problems AND Avast has 7 "Providers/Shields" & EXCELLENT Support Forums . I am in the "camp" that does NOT use a "specialized" Hosts File, but relies on SpywareBlaster in setting "Kill Bits" in the Registry, IE-Spyad for ZonedOut & "Blocklist". My firewall is the "bought out, then abandoned by Symantec" Sygate Personal 5.6, still available for download from www.filehippo.com . For "general cleaning", I use "Traceless" & "ATF Cleaner" And there is the FREE "System Safety Monitor" for what you say SpySubtract does . Nowadays "viruses" seem to be less of a threat than "trojans" and "worms" and "generic Dialers", etc