# Fuck you, Ad Aware **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 14, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906 "2004-04-14T03:15:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/41 "2004-04-16T13:50:15Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > I have used AdAware on literally hundreds of different computers in the last two years, and only two of them suffered any ill effects, ie winsock damage, which was easily repaired. And that was with Adaware 5.0, which had a problem with winsock and newdotnet. > > Yeah, but if you look close, they are not all the same items. Spybot finds stuff that Adaware doesn’t, and vice versa. Just yesterday I serviced a computer that had 842 items cleaned under Adaware, then Spybot found an additional 65 items. I use both, the old belt-_and_-suspenders approach. You know what’s even more interesting? I removed the crap that Spybot found, all 82 items. THen I re-ran AdAware, and it found nothing…wonder that happened to the rest of those 129 Items. The only thing I can figure is that the 2 programs found basically the same stuff but that the things Spybot found were somehow parts of more of the 129 items. Sam ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/42 "2004-04-16T16:52:47Z")
[EarthLink said it uncovered an average of 28 spyware programs on each PC scanned](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3633167.stm) I don’t know what you people do with your computers but I spend countless hours browsing and in all these years I have never used any kind of anti-virus or any other ad-aware-type software and I have _never_ been infected by anything. I have my browser safely configured, run Zonealarm and don’t open anything I am not sure of. That’s it. Never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/43 "2004-04-16T17:06:48Z")
I’m curious to know how you know you’ve never been infected or affected by a virus or spyware if you don’t have any software to detect them. Certainly, the thing that drives most people to download something like ad-aware or Norton Antivirus is the fact that there is some visible indication that something is up (like pop up ads suddenly appearing) but many, many times, especially with viral infections, they can be absolutely “invisible” and you may never know they’re there. And just because you don’t know about it, doesn’t mean it’s not bad for you./ ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/44 "2004-04-16T17:32:19Z")
I regularly check to see what processes are running and anything new gets inspected. This way I have disabled a ton of junk that every piece of hardware or software installs. Everybody should be failiar with the processess running in their computer. Once in a while I run a web based virus check like [http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/](http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/) and they have never come up with anything. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/45 "2004-04-16T17:38:59Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > This way I have disabled a ton of junk that every piece of hardware or software installs. That’s not the same as never having been affected by spyware - that just means you’re doing manually what programs like Ad-aware etc do automatically. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/46 "2004-04-16T17:42:52Z")
Much like Sailor, I spent years and years without protection and had no problem-though Zonelabs could arguably be considered “preventative” protection as it alerts you to most connections. In the last year, however, I’ve had nothing but trouble. Used to be, I could run Ad-Aware and come up with a bunch of cookies(that I could really care less if they existed or not), and that was all. Now, since Malware, spyware, and unwanted software pushes are the norm-not the exception-I choose to run Ad-Aware once a reboot. I had one helluva time a few months ago-I’d leave my computer for an hour and come back to find hundreds of software popups. Not just internet popups, but active software downloads. I spent weeks deleting cookies and programs and examining running programs and processes. While that worked, it really only held the attack off. I had to run Ad-Aware and arm myself with their actively running Ad-Watch program to finally stop the invasion. Sam ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/47 "2004-04-16T18:34:30Z")
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > That’s not the same as never having been affected by spyware - that just means you’re doing manually what programs like Ad-aware etc do automatically. Nope. You are confusing different types of software. I have never been affected by spyware, popup, browser hijackers or any such software… Here’s an interesting tidbit: > [@](#): > > [http://www.chinatechnews.com/index.php?action=show&type=news&id=1117](http://www.chinatechnews.com/index.php?action=show&type=news&id=1117) > > Last week, ChinaTechNews covered the lawsuit raised by a Mr. Shi against Internet company 3721, owned by Yahoo!, for an alleged infringement of his rights after he found that 3721 had interfered with his computer, deleting the existing rival Baidu software on his terminal, and also found that searches for information from other websites were being illegally monitored and shielded. > > It is now being reported that visitors to the 3721 site will automatically download a .dll file to their MS Explorer, directing the user back to 3721 automatically whenever a search is performed. > > Norton has since classified this file as a virus, even though it is not self-replicating–the announcement can be found here. > > Industry analysts are monitoring the effects this will have both on Yahoo! and it’s Chinese colleague–with what amounts to a US backdoor beginning to be installed on Chinese computers. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/48 "2004-04-17T02:31:50Z")
Count me as another happy user of AdAware 6.0 and Spybot S&D. They do indeed find different things, and depending upon settings may or may not accomplish the task. Example: I knew something nasty was in the box, and ran Spybot first, then AdAware. Nasty thing still there. Changed AdAware settings to _Proctologist with an Attitude_ and it found 36 more nasties. Problem gone. Regarding the ‘System Restore’ option, I’d imagine that Doper is using an OS newer than 98SE, as it isn’t on my System Tools list. I get the same, and likely better options from using Roxio Go-Back, now part of the nice folks at Symantec who bring you all things Norton. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/49 "2004-04-17T02:49:59Z")
> [@](#): > > Changed AdAware settings to Proctologist with an Attitude [eyes light up] Hot **dawg**! How do I do that? Seriously. I run both Spybot and Adaware (the free home version) every day, and am always interested in ways to up the firepower I shoot at them bastidges… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/50 "2004-04-17T13:59:15Z")
> [@Karmagun](#): > > Watch your language, please. Fuck that, it’s the Pit. 😃 Here’s an odd thing (or perhaps not, since I’m no techie): I’ve been running Spybot and Ad-Aware for some time now. I installed a router about a month ago and since then I’ve had zero hits on Spybot. Ad-Aware continues to slay the dragon. What gives? ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/51 "2004-04-17T15:09:08Z")
I believe I’ve read Spybot is only updated once a month or so because it’s a guy doing it in his free time., whereas Ad-Aware is updated constantly. I dunno, Ad-Aware is now number 1 for me, I use Spybot only from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![jsleek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@jsleek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsleek)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/52 "2004-04-17T17:44:49Z")
Take pride that you’ve stopped the barbarians, but some of us are taking care of other people’s computers. I work with elementary school machines. Those kids always fall for ‘click the monkey’ flashy stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/53 "2004-04-20T02:20:10Z")
> [@jsleek](#): > > Take pride that you’ve stopped the barbarians, but some of us are taking care of other people’s computers. I work with elementary school machines. Those kids always fall for ‘click the monkey’ flashy stuff. God damn. I spend a lot of time doing work in schools, and I can’t go 15 minutes without someone begging me to fix their computer. The kids put all sorts of shit on the machines…but teachers are just as bad. All that time they spend filtering porn, you think they could filter pure machine-destroying shit… -Joe ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/54 "2004-04-20T12:50:30Z")
If I had a dollar for ever time I’ve had to give the “Hotbar is eeeeevil” speech to my coworkers I’d be retired by now. “But slortar,” they say. “I can’t live without my email enhancing buttons. And I just love that toolbar to death.” Slortar raises the baseball bat, a grim and steely glint in his eye… So, what’s everybody’s record for most objects found in Adaware? My company record is currently in the mid-400’s. ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/55 "2004-04-20T14:03:11Z")
> [@slortar](#): > > So, what’s everybody’s record for most objects found in Adaware? My company record is currently in the mid-400’s. Funny you should ask. I had a client last week with over 800. :eek: My lectures fall on deaf ears. (sigh) The computer I’m working on today, has ZoneAlarm installed. I was soooooo proud of my client…until I took a gander inside, and see that they’ve allowed access to absolutely everything it’s come across. (double sigh) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/56 "2004-04-20T15:12:42Z")
> [@slortar](#): > > So, what’s everybody’s record for most objects found in Adaware? My company record is currently in the mid-400’s. 842 with AdAware, and another 65 picked up by SpyBot. Damn thing would hardly even boot up. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/57 "2004-04-20T15:15:33Z")
Anyone notice the OP hasn’t been back to the board since he opened this thread? ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/58 "2004-04-20T17:31:41Z")
Wow. My coworkers have serious catching up to do. Has anyone broken the 4 digit barrier yet? ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/59 "2004-04-21T07:47:16Z")
Ad-Aware found over 1600 items on my brother’s computer. Spybot S&D then found 70+ more. I have no idea how this happened. He said he hadn’t installed anything. In the past, I’ve often been amazed at my brother’s ability to morph a perfectly good computer into something wretched to behold. I don’t know how he does it. I do know that a few weeks ago he told me, “You should join the Guards. They need computer guys like you. They’ve put me in charge of keeping the computers here running, and yes, that scares me too.” ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906/60 "2004-04-21T07:54:29Z")
thanks to all the suggestions. CWshredder finally got whatever spawn of satan was on my machine. Seems like rebooting in the safe mode helped as well before running the various killer apps Once again thanks to everyone [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-ad-aware/239906.md?page=4)