Spyware Warrior

Krahk

Having used an old Ad-Aware before I decided to update it to the 2k8 version on two of my computers. On the crappier one, it didn't work. Oh hell! Anyways, I put it on my other computer. Well, it installed and ran alright here. But not for long. When I started the scan it would find two infections, then stop at 2000 scanned entries. Not literally stop, but the time is ticking yet nothing happened. I watched this for one hour then decided to try "stop scan" but it didn't work - the program didn't freeze up but the button didn't function, the time went on. Eventually I 'X'-ed out the program, then started again, but then it couldn't scan saying that "the scanner is busy". Tried un- and reinstalling but the problem persisted - after starting to do a full scan nothing happened eventually.
Therefore, I must conclude that unless there is a secret, otherwise harmless piece of malware on my computer that specialises in disabling Ad-Aware 2k8 (but none of my other problems), I must conclude that this one might as well be a rogue. And that, with me downloading it from download.com, a legit site - though it harbors lots of rogues most of the popular ones are supposed to be legit.

Does anyone know about this?

Tarq57 · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:58 am Post subject:

I was quite happy with the old AdAwareSE, despite it's somewhat limited abilities, but after three valiant attempts to get 2008 working correctly, and three frustrating attempts to register at the lavasoft forum, have given up for good.
Your problems with the application don't sound unusual - perhaps a bit more extreme than the average user experience - but not that unusual.
However, it's definitely not a rogue. "Not the best" it may be, but it's fairly libelous to start talking about it being rogue-like.
Most of the downloads on Cnet are clean, I've found, but, to tell the truth, been a while since I downloaded anything from there, simply because I generally find it very much preferable to download programs from the original author's site. A habit I believe is good to get into.\
Cnet absolutely does not (knowingly) host rogue programs, and if any are found there, I am very sure the sites' admins would be very interested indeed.
I can recommend alternatives to AdAware, if you're intersted.

thehabsonice · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:49 am Post subject:

i don't think that ad-aware is a rogue... but for sure it's not as good as it used to be, I also stoped using it when the 2008 version came out. Hopefully their next verssion will be much better.
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Krahk · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:31 am Post subject:

thehabsonice · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:59 am Post subject:

krahk...

I believe that for a free antivirus you should use avira since it has more virus definitions and updates more frequently than avg or avast... and as for an antispyware you should prob. use spybot s.d. and or superantispyware, they are both pretty good.
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suzi · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

Tarq57 wrote:

Krahk · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

wyrmrider · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject:

HI
a couple of things
delete the AVG install
I agree to use AVAST
even if you decide to try AVG use the latest installer
IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD AVG
go here and run the uninstaller
www.grisoft.com/ww.download-tools
If you have ever had Norton, Panda, Antivir etc run their removers also
or you will have "unpredictable results"
and you do NOT want "unpredictable results"

"Windows Defender would be my firewall"

Windows Defender is NOT a firewall- it is a anti-spyware program
WD is the old Windows Anti Spyware which was purchased by MS from Giant Anti Spyware
after Spybot WD is a reasonable choice for a antispyware program
It does provide a free source of real time anti-spyware protection
Compare to T-Timer
AD-Aware is none of the above Smile

I do recommend a firewall and not the one that comes with Windows
lots of choices
Comodo, PC Tools, etc

Tarq57 · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject:

Krahk · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks, both of you. I think I'll have stuff to do tomorrow. Wink

wyrmrider · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

keep in touch
if secunia says java is out of date run "javara" and remove ALL old versions if Java- they are still vulnerable if left on your computer
Have a nice day Smile

Krahk · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

Tarq57 · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-Day_Attack
Basically, a brand new virus/trojan etc.
In the past, get one of these and it was blatantly obvious something was wrong. Drives wiped, things seriously not working etc. (Back in the days when virus writers were more akin to cyber-vandals.) These days a lot of the malware writers want to try and keep these hidden, because it's seriously big business. The longer a trojan can stay on a computer doing its work the more money is to be made.
Keeping software up to date closes at least the known vulnerabilities.
Using a software firewall with outbound control (a two way firewall) gives a good chance to prevent malware connecting if you're unfortunate enough to have a brand new (and as yet, undetected) threat install. Submitting suspicious files to a security vendor who will then analyze them for actual bad behaviour helps the software community neutralize zero day threats, by adding definitions for same to AV and AS databases.