PC World Community: Spyware question ...

Browse by Topic

Home News Reviews How-To Blogs Videos Downloads Shop & Compare Community

Business Center

Magazine

Subscribe & Get
a Bonus CD

Customer Service

Up to Discussions in Answer Line

This Question is Answered

1 "correct" answer available (4 pts)

14 Replies Last post: Sep 12, 2007 7:54 AM by artman

artman

49 posts since
Oct 15, 2006

Sep 8, 2007 8:57 PM

Spyware question

I have been using Webroot SpySweeper for the last 2 years. I am using the current version 5.5. I scan my machine every other day and the only spyware that is ever detected are various type of marketing cookies that SpySweeper says are for marketing and provide buying preferences. When I delete this spyware cookies with Quarantine the next time SpySweeper scans my machine it detects the same ones again.

I have contacted Webroot a couple of times and they never respond with a good answer to my question - which is why should I continue to use SpySweeper if it only detects website marketing cookies?

I am also using Bit Defender version 10 anti-virus and spyware - it has never detected any spyware.

Thanks for your help!

Bill

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA

lilxkid24

1,751 posts since
Jul 8, 2007

1. Sep 8, 2007 9:22 PM

in response to: artman

Re: Spyware question

Tracking cookies are everywhere on every site you surf. Tracking cookies can't harm you so its no big deal. LOL you said you never got any spyware so far when you scanned, well do you want spyware or something lol because i don't think you would want spyware on your computer. And spyware never comes often, if you just do regular stuff like check email and stuff etc. You only get it if you download files that are unsafe or get keylogged or something. If you want more information on Tracking cookie go wikipedia it.

artman

49 posts since
Oct 15, 2006

2. Sep 8, 2007 9:51 PM

in response to: lilxkid24

Re: Spyware question

Thanks for your reply. No you are correct, I don't want spyware on my machine. I know that harmful spyware can come in unsafte downloaded software but I didn't realize that harmful spyware could not come in visiting websites.

Thanks again - have a great week!

Bill

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA

LincolnSpector

360 posts since
Oct 16, 2006

3. Sep 8, 2007 10:31 PM

in response to: artman

Re: Spyware question

Tracking cookies are spyware, but as spyware goes, they're relatively benign.

Unless you give us surfing the web, you will always get them. And if you delete them on a regular basis, they won't do any harm. For more on them, see http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130798/article.htm.

Lincoln

SpiritWind

1,406 posts since
Aug 19, 2006

4. Sep 9, 2007 12:29 AM

in response to: artman

Re: Spyware question

Hi All :

Spyware can come from visiting websites

To "control" "Adware/Tracking Cookies" should seriously
consider using a "Cookie Manager", such as the FREE "Cookiewall" ; I use this program and
"Traceless" to "control" my Cookies .

For the BEST in what COUNTS in LIFE : http://www.tacf.org

artman

49 posts since
Oct 15, 2006

5. Sep 10, 2007 9:04 AM

in response to: SpiritWind

Re: Spyware question

SpiritWind;

Would please give me the URL link for CookieWall and Traceless? Thanks!

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA

mphenterprises

9,183 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

6. Sep 10, 2007 9:26 AM

in response to: artman

Re: Spyware question

Hi Artman. Since you have designated this Discussion as "Answered," distribute the points to the posts that you feel helped you the most.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

AuroraDizon

4,823 posts since
Jul 30, 2006

7. Sep 10, 2007 9:59 AM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Spyware question

There are many free security programs to use that will do a good job of keeping your computer clean. I wrote a blog post about it here.
Cookies can easily be managed without a 3rd party application if you use Mozilla FireFox or Opera that information can be found here.

Read the latest DigiYumi cartoon "Commercial Wars - Mac and PC" here

artman

49 posts since
Oct 15, 2006

8. Sep 10, 2007 10:07 AM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: Spyware question

mphenterprises;

This is the first time I have used the PC World forums so I don't know how to distribute the points. I clicked on a couple of the posts that were helpful but then there were no points left to distribute.

How do you distributes the points properly?

Thanks!

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA

artman

49 posts since
Oct 15, 2006

9. Sep 10, 2007 10:10 AM

in response to: AuroraDizon

Re: Spyware question

AuroaManson;

Did you have a link to your blog where you posted information about managing Cookies? I am using FireFox 2.0.0.6. Can you tell me where to find information about using FireFox to manage Cookies.

Thanks!

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA

mphenterprises

9,183 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

10. Sep 10, 2007 10:31 AM

in response to: artman

Re: Spyware question

Hi Artman. It looks like you figured out the point distribution on your own, great. If you have any additional questions about that, please ask. Aurora already provided links to each othe ths blogs she mentioned in her post. If you click on the word, "link" in her post, you will e taken to that respective site. If you have any questions about that, please ask.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself