Re: Spyware prevention

along these lines you might also want to look at an extension called no script for FF. It is a little annoying to use, but it blocks so much intrusive stuff, any of which could cause problems.

Louise

pc doctor wrote:
"Maxine" <mg@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:Xns982E6EDEBD15Bmgusenetatpcgdotnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The latest issue of Consumer Reports rates F-Secure and Webroot's Spy
Sweeper as the two best for spyware protection.

I'm about to get a new computer and want to prevent spyware from the very
beginning. I've always just used Spybot and the free version of Ad-Aware.
But I'm willing to spend some money if it's worthwhile.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Maxine

I'm not trying to sound sarcastic, but if you really want to stop spyware, then delete the Internet Explorer icon from the desktop, and install Mozilla Firefox. "Right-out-of-the-box" it is not susceptible to most methods of spyware/malware infestation, and includes a pop-up blocker. It is very customizable by offering different desktop themes, and the extensions are fantastic for customizing the browser to your specific tastes. An extension called Adblock is available to block annoying banner ads, and it can be used to filter out websites with specific words or phrases. An add-on extension to Adblock is "Filterset G". This installs a list of known ad generators into Adblock's block-list.
Firefox, along with all of the themes, extensions, search engines add-ins, etc., is completely free. There is no cost at all.
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/ (Firefox download page)
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/central/ (Info on all the custom add-ons)

I do this for my customers with every system that I build or clean. IE will still be available from the QuickLaunch bar or from the Start-->All Programs list, if it's really needed, such as for Windows Updates.

At this time, it is not necessary to spend money to secure your system.
I troubleshoot and clean malware infested systems. My system is used to go hunting for malicious websites, and yes, it cruises through the back alleys and gutters of the web. I even click on the bad links that are posted in this forum as a test for my system. The real test though, is the 2 teenagers and their various friends that also use this computer : )
I have almost stopped running malware scans on this system, as whenever I do scan the system, I never find more than 2 tracking cookies. (Both from my homepage's website.)
My system consists of, and I recommend the following for securing the system:
Mozilla Firefox http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Extensions: Adblock https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/10/
Extensions: Filterset.G https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1136/
Kerio Firewall http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
Avast anti-virus http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html (updates automatically)
SpywareGuard http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html (make sure to update it after installation.)
SpywareBlaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (make sure that Mozilla/Firefox protection is enabled)
That's it. That's all I have found is necessary, and I'm not convinced that I need SpywareGuard, as I have not seen a warning from it in a very long time. I do keep a wide variety of malware scanners on hand, but all of them seem to find only those 2 tracking cookies I mentioned above. (I use A2, Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D, SUPERAntispyware, X-Cleaner, etc.)
A few free programs will block virtually all of the malware. The one caveat to this is if a window opens and asks if you want to install a program, an update, a codec, or something else, usually to be able to view content on that website. If you click Install, Approve, Yes, OK, or allow it in some other way, then you will have bypassed most of the protections that are in place on your system. If the website is one that you can trust, then it might be safe to install an update, but if you are just surfing around to unknown sites, absolutely do not let them install anything in your computer!

Sorry for the long post, but I don't like making suggestions or statements without explaining the reasons for my opinions.
pc doc


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