I was just reading an article about how much crap is on people’s computers that they don’t even know about. Got me to thinking about the last time I cleaned up a friends machine and Adaware found 1642 objects. Also got me to thinking about how I haven’t run either in awhile so maybe I should.
Spybot found 13
Adaware found 2
So I thought it would be interesting to see what others get, so if you use these programs, post your results here.
If I remember right, when I ran spybot earlier this morning (first time since getting my computer a week previously), it found about eight programs.
I tried running adaware too but I evidently downloaded the wrong program as it asked me to pay for its registry to finish so I cancelled out and uninstalled.
Spybot 0 (I’ve been getting a clean-bill of health lately, and it worries me)
Adaware 8 (Usually after a week)
I update and run both (plus Pestscan) about twice a week, and very rarely get anything at all show up … maybe one a month.
Spybot 13 - first time running the program.
Ad-Aware 4 - last scan a little more than a week ago.
Updated and ran both last night. Spybot 1.3 found nothing. Ad Aware 6 found 8 tracking cookies.
Spybot - 3 (two cookies and one empty directory)
Ad-Aware - 13 (9 cookies, 1 registry value, 1 reg key 1 file, 1 directory BUT one of the cookies is my ISP-issued webmail cookie and all the other non-cookie things relate to the same “toolbar”, so really 9 objects)
I can’t remember the last time I ran either of them, but judging by Ad-Aware’s warning that my definitions were 57 days old, I guess it’s close to two months.
Spybot - 3 (DSO Exploit, I’ve been getting this every time I run SB for the last few months, I read in GQ that it wasn’t that big a deal so I don’t worry about it)
Ad-Aware - 0
Same as Lord Ashtar. I used to get loads more when I used IE but have now switched to Firefox.
Spybot 5 (DSO exploits again, I don’t really care as I only use IE for one online game)
Ad-Aware 0 (I don’t think Ad-Aware has picked up anything since I started using Firefox’s Adblock)
I also use Spyware blaster to keep nasty programs off in the first place.
I use AdAware. I got two on it last week, but since I first installed it and ran the first scan where it found about a dozen, it doesn’t usually find any. Normally, not more than three. I’m also using advanced cookie settings in Netscape 7.1, with a lot of filters. So I hardly get any tracking cookies. No popups. Hardly any spyware, ever.
I use both AdAware and Spybot and I also use PestControl’s cookie patrol function and Yahoo’s popup blocker. My internet security is set to medium high so that pesky programs won’t install automatically. I run AdAware and Spybot about once a month and get very few hits (3-10), mostly tracking cookies from websites that I have “approved” so I can’t complain.
I don’t use any p2p programs, which greatly reduces the risk of infection and my web surfing usually takes me to the same old places and I don’t visit high risk type places like porno sites.
I don’t download “free” screensavers, cursors, etc., which typically carry loads of spyware.
Adaware (v1.05 w/ 10/22 defs) : 3 items, all from midADdle , have had problems getting fully clean ever since I “upgraded” to XP Pro.
Spybot S&D (v1.3 10/14 detection rules): 8 different trackers, with lots of subcookies. These don’t seem to cause any huge problems but I get rid of them and then they come back again.
I stopped using Adaware and I never used Spybot. Instead I use SpySweeper and WinPatrol. I run them daily, and they each find about 15 items.