Ask Download Squad: How do you deal with spyware?

Adaware, nice, fast & reliable.
Of course with firefox, everything became so sweet & safe.

Agnitum + Kaspersky + Win XP SP2 = Rulezzz

I use a mac, and on my Windows, Opera. I am getting McAfee Courtesy of comcast soon for my windows, and I have ClamXav for my Mac

haven't had any real spyware problems since i've switched to firefox (several years ago). i run microsoft antispyware just in case though.

Microsoft Anti-Spyware, AdAware and Spybot. These three seem to do the trick (and they are free).

ditched IE and loyal to FF because of MS's activeX thing, its a black hole to malware it seems. On top of all, mcafee firewall on tight security, adaware SE pro scanning once a week, use sysdoctor to cleanup registry, hijackthis to do startup checks.

And no, i don't use any antivirus software, and definitely NO for all MS's security patches, no SP1 or SP2 whatsoever. I am free of spyware for 5 years, a proud Firefox switcher.

I also haven't had any problems since I switched to Firefox many years ago. Every once in a while I'll stupidly install a shady piece of software and then I'll use AdAware and Spybot to get ride of things. Even with my usually tidy computer I usually have to reinstall Windows about once a year, but it's usually due to some massive problem (virus, currpted hard drive, Norton going postal on my computer...).

It's weird seeing what Windows users have to go through.
And I am a Windows user.

It seems confusing that MS creates the problem with IE and Active X and then gets credited for having a good anti spyware app...

The MS One Care is a joke. Charging for anti virus help? Please...

"On top of all, mcafee firewall on tight security, adaware SE pro scanning once a week, use sysdoctor to cleanup registry, hijackthis to do startup checks"

Do Macs users really have to do all of this? Any of it? I think we underestimate how difficult all of this must be to a non engagdet/download squad computer user.
Computers need to get simpler. I blame XP.

I use Ad Aware Pro 1.06. It's pretty damn solid. I would use others but I think its a shame I have to use one at all.

Vista Vs. Mac OS X 10.5 will determine my next computer.

I am using XP Home and use Adaware SE, Spybot, Microsoft Anti-Spyware and VET Antivirus. I am also behind a hardware firewall and only ever use Firefox. Perhaps it's overkill, but I haven't ever had a major virus or encountered more than a few small Spyware/Adware problems. I am happy running a scan every couple of weeks if it means that I can have a safe computer.

I use ZoneAlarm Security Suite (comes with AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, Spam Guard,ID Theft Guard and best in its class Firewall) to take care of all security issues, keep up with all the latest vulnerability news through various blogs and Websites. I use both Firefox and IE for surfing. I feel it is more about taking care of what you install and what kind of sites you surf to, if you take care of that, most of the times there are no problems of viruses or spyware.

Use firefox, but for a lot more reasons then just spyware.
I am starting to get a careful about what i download, and only get stuff that's more or less legit. For free apps i try to stick to open source programs, they are run by honest folk

Once i do get infected (which hasn't happened for a while) my first choice is spybot S&D, then Adaware

I do run MS Anti-Spyware at work, but not at home.

Bottom line, use Firefox, and watch what you download, that kept me safe for a very long time

Firefox (it's just better), SpywareBlaster (for prevention), MS Anti-Spyware (mostly "just 'cause it's free"), and extremely occasionally scan with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Haven't had to scan in ages though. MS Anti-Spyware has allowed me to uninstall two other utilities though - one that watched for software that gets set to auto-run, and another that watched my hosts file.

on my windows laptop for work i have been using firefox exclusively and have never had a spyware issue for many years now. at home i have three macs and never encounter spyware or adware. I think it has more to do with the websites you go to and the software you download than your browser or OS of choice.

I use XPSP2, MS AntiSpyware and IE7 beta. No antivirus program (don't like the performance hog) and have not had a spyware problem in forever.

The trick is to not be stupid. Really. I do have a router/firewall for connection sharing.

I use Firefox with Adblock and Filterset G active, supplemented by an MS Antispyware daily automatic scan and a Norton Antivirus daily automatic scan. I run Ad-Adware SE about once a week manually.

I don't have very much difficulty with spyware, adware or viruses, but when I do the problems are always the result of my very occasional use of Internet Explorer.

- Firefox
- SpywareBlaster (a must)
- Ad-Aware, or maybe Spybot

That's all you need, folks. Prevention is the best medicine.

I'm on a mac, so I don't need to use any of that junk.

Where are you all surfing to collect such a fauna :-).

Here are my low-impact, low-cost solutions. I pay attention to where I go, only install the big Microsoft service packs, use pop-up bloquers and access the internet via a hardware router with integrated firewall. That is all.

Every now I routinely check and verify all my running processes and sometimes I use RegEdit or AutoRuns (-> www.sysinternals.com). I like to understand what is running and why at all time.

No Anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-worms. I did try some of those but was not convinced. Using MSIE and Microsoft OS since Windows 3.1. Last spring I did catch Coolwebsearch but applying a restore point was the solution.

How many of these Anti-XXX companies were started by malware developers in the first place? Certainly a few.

It pains me to admit, but the only M$ product I like is Windows Anti-Spyware. I mean, they didn't actually MAKE it, but it's still so Micro$oft-ish.

I don't have three or four different anti-spyware scanners installed, nor do I even use any sort of anti-virus, and I haven't had any problems with any sort of malware in over a year.

I'm fairly cautious, and I find that to be almost enough in itself. I don't go to shady (warez, porn) websites, install software I'm unsure of, run random files found in e-mail attatchments or over instant messenger, and so on. I will check with online anti-virus and anti-spyware scanners about once a week to see if I'm still in good shape, and similar to Zelidar I like to keep an eye on running processes as well. Being a cautious user is much more valuable than any anti-whatever application.