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2 "helpful" answers available (2 pts)

5 Replies Last post: Jan 14, 2009 2:46 PM by JessOnTechComps

arcticsid

173 posts since
Jan 20, 2008

Reply

Jan 14, 2009 12:54 PM

Why aren't all anti-spyware/malware programs created equal?

As part of my weekly "computer clean-up", I run "Super Anti-Spyware" followed by "Lavasoft Ad-Aware". I often find that Lavasoft will detect things not found by Super. Based on a post in here this morning I downloaded and ran "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware", it immediately found 23 infections, none of these were found when I ran the other programs Saturday.

Why would one program find things the others won't. Am I overkilling by running all three of these or is there one that will take care of all of it.

Incidentally, I also run CC Cleaner and One Live Care, and those also seem to find things the other doesn't.

I know the above mentioned programs do essentially the same thing, but was curious why they detect different things.

As Always, Thank You

ArcticSid

hp Pavillion541c, AMD Athlon XP 2000+, 1.66GHz, 480MB RAM, XP Home SP3, IE7, and other stuff I don't understand yet!

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ARock84

579 posts since
Dec 23, 2008

1. Jan 14, 2009 12:59 PM

in response to: arcticsid

Re: Why aren't all anti-spyware/malware programs created equal?

One thing you have to remember is all these companies are fighting each other. They want to be the best! Also there are many virus's and malware / adware written everyday. Its hard to keep up with it sometimes Someone has to get infected first before they can fix the problem, and each company finds out at different times, and updates their definitions differently. It also depends on the program and how well it searches and where it searches on your computer. So the one that searches the most and has the most known definitions will usually be the best program to use.

ARock84.............................................................................................................................................................. Call me a sinner, call me a saint Tell me it's over I'll still love you the same Call me your favorite, call me the worst Tell me it's over I don't want you to hurt It's all that I can say. So, I'll be on my way

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JessOnTechComps

40 posts since
Jan 13, 2009

2. Jan 14, 2009 1:46 PM

in response to: arcticsid

Re: Why aren't all anti-spyware/malware programs created equal?

Another thing to remember is that although all the programs you mentioned are about removing things from your computer, spyware and malware are both different types of software. The focus of spyware is to 'spy' on what you are doing, whereas malware can hijack your computer and show things like false antivirus programs and so on.

Of the programs you listed, the anti-spyware programs are Super AntiSpyware and AdAware. The Anti-Malware program is MalwareBytes. CCleaner removes other crap which can build up over time, such as the temp folder for your browser and so on, and One Live Care removes viruses. So you have five different programs to do four different types of scans. It used to be that you needed a couple of spyware programs to catch different types of spyware, but I have personally found Spyware Doctor to be an easy simple answer to the whole thing. If you search for it in the magazine archives, you'll find PCW recommended it as the best anti-spyware program available. And best of all - it's free! Now you'll have to go hereto get it for free, and use the Google Updater program to download it, but it's well worth it.

Jess

Website
Blog
Facebook Search for OnTech Computers, Kitchener, ON

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arcticsid

173 posts since
Jan 20, 2008

3. Jan 14, 2009 2:17 PM

in response to: JessOnTechComps

Re: Why aren't all anti-spyware/malware programs created equal?

Sure appreciate the input. Sounds like the programs I'm using are doing their job. Been running AVG Free for quite some time and would be apprehensive to change, I will however take some time later to look into the program you recommended and will let you know what I decide and if I have any further wuestions or concerns.

ArcticSid

hp Pavillion541c, AMD Athlon XP 2000+, 1.66GHz, 480MB RAM, XP Home SP3, IE7, and other stuff I don't understand yet!

Reply

techie4fun

2,613 posts since
Oct 18, 2006

4. Jan 14, 2009 2:28 PM

in response to: arcticsid

Re: Why aren't all anti-spyware/malware programs created equal?

arcticsid wrote:

As part of my weekly "computer clean-up", I run "Super Anti-Spyware" followed by "Lavasoft Ad-Aware". I often find that Lavasoft will detect things not found by Super. Based on a post in here this morning I downloaded and ran "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware", it immediately found 23 infections, none of these were found when I ran the other programs Saturday.

Why would one program find things the others won't. Am I overkilling by running all three of these or is there one that will take care of all of it.

Incidentally, I also run CC Cleaner and One Live Care, and those also seem to find things the other doesn't.

I know the above mentioned programs do essentially the same thing, but was curious why they detect different things.

As Always, Thank You

ArcticSid

CCleaner cleans out the clutter within your //temporary Internet files// and //temp// directory. Most Trojans and Tracking Cookies are shoved into these directories by default. If you use CCleaner regularily, you'll notice that the majority of trash picked up by Spyware Removal applications cease to exist, leaving only the severe threats.

Reply

JessOnTechComps

40 posts since
Jan 13, 2009

5. Jan 14, 2009 2:46 PM

in response to: arcticsid

Re: Why aren't all anti-spyware/malware programs created equal?

You're welcome, arcticsid. I use AVG Free all the time at our store, and I love the user interface. Easy to use, easy to understand.

Have fun here at the forums!

Jess

Website
Blog
Facebook Search for OnTech Computers, Kitchener, ON

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