Damn Adware!!!

tecboy · Jul 26, 2014

The stupid adware keeps installing in my computer without my knowledge. I uninstall these, but these keep installing back in my computer! :grumpy:

Tailgunner · Jul 26, 2014

I remember these days back when I used to run PCs. Thankfully virus software developers aren't worried about Apple since it only takes up a small portion of the computer word.

astroNikon · Jul 26, 2014

I use about 9 antivirus/adware tools

Try using SpyBot or AdwCleaner
or both

Josh66 · Jul 26, 2014

This is the best anti-virus software I've found so far...

Tailgunner · Jul 26, 2014

astroNikon said:
I use about 9 antivirus/adware tools

Good Lord!!

I used to run 3 programs, sometimes 4 but 9? You guys really need to come over to the dark side. I haven't had to buy, download, or think about antivirus programs in a year. It's just not an issue with Apple.

Rudipides · Jul 26, 2014

If you are frequently downloading "FREE" software from the internet or Torrents, then you should really stop. Those are the primary sources of Adware/Spyware/Viruses. I work in IT and deal with these on a regular basis.

Periodically run Spybot and Malwarebytes as well and things should be ok.

Josh66 · Jul 26, 2014

I wonder how much of it is just marketing, opposed to actual 'need' of anti-virus software...

Even when I was using Windows, I was very light on the anti-virus software. I never had more than one AV program installed, and sometimes didn't have anything. I've never had a virus on my computer.

Since I've been running Linux, I haven't used any AV software at all. That's been maybe the last 6 years, something like that anyway.

There have been cases where the supposed "anti-virus" software was, itself, malware...

I can't imagine having to run more than one program for a specific task, let alone 9!

Josh66 · Jul 26, 2014

If you must use Windows, download the ISO of whatever version you're running from Microsoft and do a clean install without all the crap that the computer manufacturer puts on it. That alone will probably make a noticeable difference.

astroNikon · Jul 26, 2014

FYI .. I don't use 9 at the same time.
Part of my job is standard desktop support after no one else can fix things, and going through hacking and having a ton of antivirus experience I use about 9 as a variety of tools that I use.

malwarebytes is great too but they've changed their usage model to 30 days then buy which most home users don't want to do.
If you run stuff like java, hackers love to use Java as a conduit to your computer to then download junk .. like "conduit" software which is a major PITA for users.
So much junk out there.

I basically tell people. If it's free then be ready to have tons of viruses and ad controlling software on your computer.

Josh66 · Jul 26, 2014

astroNikon said:
I basically tell people. If it's free then be ready to have tons of viruses and ad controlling software on your computer.

Free does not necessarily mean bad, or even that it will be filled with ads. I guess you have to know what to look for though.

astroNikon · Jul 26, 2014

Josh66 said:
astroNikon said:

I basically tell people. If it's free then be ready to have tons of viruses and ad controlling software on your computer.

Click to expand...

Free does not necessarily mean bad, or even that it will be filled with ads. I guess you have to know what to look for though.

Yes, and if you don't know what to look for ... best to avoid it. I still recall the Gator days of "useful" software.

I use alot because there are some antivirus software which works in Safe mode, some doesn't .. all dependent upon the type of ads/virsuses/ trojans etc. Some I have to remedy by taking the HD out and using it as a slave to a computer to then remedy the stuff on the HD.

For instance, Symantec may be the leading software out there, but it is also the leading software out there that hackers program to bypass.

IByte · Jul 26, 2014

Most people when they install software, they use the "Typical" setting which installs a lot of bloat/adware.

I recommend using the "Custom" setting, that setting will give you a lot more control of what programs actually being installed on your PC. Or use Super anti spyware and/or convert to Linux.

Josh66 · Jul 26, 2014

IByte said:
Or use Super anti spyware and/or convert to Linux.

For some reason, people I know see me as "the guy that knows about computers". Maybe in the 90's I was, but I have gotten out of it and the technology advanced. I get family members giving me computers to fix - I just install Linux on them and give it back, lol. No complaints so far.

I've been using Linux for a while now, so if something did go wrong I would know how to fix it, or at least know how to find out how to fix it. Windows, not so much... It's been so long since I've really done anything with Windows that I've forgotten how to do anything.

IByte · Jul 26, 2014

People really don't understand the true power of the penguin. I will say with the available flavors it is hard to choose which one.

A lot of freeware is genuinely good, but there's a reason WHY it's freeware.

Josh66 · Jul 26, 2014

IByte said:
A lot of freeware is genuinely good, but there's a reason WHY it's freeware.

If you are trying to say that it is in some way inferior, I disagree. Sure, some of it is - but the same is true of software you pay for.

I truly think that free and open source is the way of the future.