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Thread ID: 51135 2004-11-12 19:51:00 Alternative to Ad-Aware? basil (2970) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
291045 2004-11-12 19:51:00 Does anyone know of a free-ware alternative to Ad-Aware? i.e. the next best similar thing.

Given the trouble I am having with installing Ad-Aware SE and then not being able to get on the 'net, perhaps I could use an alternative to Ad-Aw?
basil (2970)
291046 2004-11-12 19:55:00 try spybot.

i would make sure your antivirus is fully upto date and give your pc a full scan.

then install spybot and update it before doing a scan.
tweak'e (174)
291047 2004-11-12 20:04:00 I've used both AdAware and Spybot S & D and then I got hold of C Cleaner (aka crap cleaner) from one of metla's post and it cleans up eveything those two combined used to pick up.

Runs like a dose of salts through yr computer. Tried it on a few others as well and no problems so far.

But it is ruthless. Have a look at it.

HTH:)
mark c (247)
291048 2004-11-12 20:13:00 I probably shouldn't admit this - but I didn't realise that CCleaner does the same thing as Ad-Aware. I have, and use, CCleaner - does that mean I can forget Ad-Aware and SpyBot? basil (2970)
291049 2004-11-12 20:19:00 > I have, and use, CCleaner - does that mean
> I can forget Ad-Aware and SpyBot?

In my experience yes but I haven't done a lot of tests OK? Someone might contradict me but it seems to me that it works like that.

Try running CCleaner first, then see what's left for the other two. And then do it the other way round. :D
mark c (247)
291050 2004-11-12 20:39:00 afaik Ccleaner dosn't do the same job as adaware or spybot. however Ccleaner does clean out a few aeras on the pc where spyware hide, it can help (exspecially help you stop being reinfected by cleaning out the orignal install which often hides in the temp files).

it certainly not a replacement for a good spyware cleaner.
tweak'e (174)
291051 2004-11-12 21:10:00 Fair enough tweak'e, but I have noticed after running CCleaner and then running AsAware and Spybot, that there is 'nothing left' for those two programs. :D mark c (247)
291052 2004-11-12 22:17:00 > I have noticed after running CCleaner and then running AsAware and Spybot, that there is 'nothing left' for those two programs .

The same would probably happen if you manually cleared out all the files that CCleaner removes .

A lot, but not all of the spy and adware hide in the temporary internet and temporary files which is why it should be your first task to clear them out using either CCleaner or another recommended tool . It also saves time as Adaware and Spybot, plus the virus scanners, have less files to check .

CCleaner is a good tool but is definitely not a replacement for Adaware and Spybot - it complements them .
Susan B (19)
291053 2004-11-12 22:31:00 > Fair enough tweak'e, but I have noticed after running
> CCleaner and then running AsAware and Spybot, that
> there is 'nothing left' for those two programs. :D

how do you know there was any spyware there to be cleaned out ?? adaware/spybot proberly showed nothing beceause there was nothing there before the cleaning.
tweak'e (174)
291054 2004-11-12 23:11:00 I have to agree, Ccleaner is magic for cleaning out files that contain spyware and trojans . But it only cleans out cache and temp files .

Spyware initation can also reside in the registry , and also within other directories that Ccleaner considers valid, so there is no getting around not having a specialised Spyware cleaner .

Despite that, I would heartily recommend it as a first line cleanup if you are having problems, followed by more specialised programs such as Ad-aware and Spybot are .
Pheonix (280)
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