Anti-adware Misses Most Malware -- From the langa List

[Big Booger]

By happy coincidence, noted computer author Brian Livingston covered
anti-
adware tools at the same time we were discussing them in recent issues
("Spyware Hype Vs Real Threats"
http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-01-
27.htm#2 ).

Brian's work, analyzing data produced by Eric Howes, an instructor at
the
University of Illinois, shows that "nearly every anti-adware
application
on the market catches less than half of the bad stuff." Brian's
recommendation is to use multiple anti-malware tools, so each can catch
what others miss; they can backstop each other.

Long-time readers will recognize this approach as the same one we've
recommended in this newsletter many, many times. But I'd arrived at
that
conclusion empirically and anecdotally; Brian now offers statistical
proof to back up my less-formal, seat-of-the-pants conclusion. <g>

Howes' test results also show that Microsoft's free beta AntiSpyware,
which we've previously recommended (
http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-01-13.htm#2 ) is the current
best
of the bunch in antispyware tools.

Brian and I both recommend Microsoft's AntiSpyware as one of the tools
everyone should have; but beyond that, his recommendations differ
slightly from mine in that he includes commercial tools in his top
slots.
I actually agree with Brian that the tools he recommends (e.g.
http://www.webroot.com/ , $30) are good, but I know that far more
people
will use tools if they're free or nearly so. That's why my primary list
includes only freeware and donationware--- to help ensure that cost
isn't
an excuse to avoid using these important defenses.

Brian's report appeared in his Windows Secrets newsletter;
http://windowssecrets.com/050127/ . Definitely worth a look.

BTW, my recommendations--- all free for personal use:

Microsoft Antispyware:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Spywareblaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spybot S&D: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Ad-Aware Personal Edition: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/


From www.langa.com This is a great newsletter and I recommend you to sign up if you haven't already.

[cash_site]

Sounds pretty good, especially the praise for M$'s AntiSpyware App... good they could come into a new market with flying colors...

[Curio]

All the kit mentioned will do some good and another notable is X-Cleaner ( www.spywareguide.com ). For the dirty stuff you always need HijackThis and a functioning brain. I would say they are all improving now that the exponential rate at which the spyware programs were increasing has now slowed. Well it appears that way to me anyway - until recently it seemed every one was a new one, now I get to see the same ones over and over again.

[Conan]

I tried MS anti-spyware and it wants to remove Flashget from my system.

[cash_site]

I tried MS anti-spyware and it wants to remove Flashget from my system.
LOL, must be the advert.dll section of flashget, sometimes it gets left behind even though you purchase it ;)