Adaware vs Microsoft Antispyware

hollisterco · 04-25-2005, 04:07 PM

Is it true Adaware is really a bad program even though it's supposed to do good?

Does Microsoft Antispyware do the same thing?

Thanks :) I'm getting a new computer and want to make sure I have the right programs for my safety

**Sarkast** · 04-25-2005, 04:17 PM

May i ask why you think Adaware is a bad program ?
I've used it for a looong time and i think its very useful. Its defenitely on the list of "Standard Anti Spyware programs" that most people that fight spyware/ adware on a daily basis will recommend.

hollisterco · 04-25-2005, 04:41 PM

I recall reading it somewhere online that it puts bad things in your computer. Maybe just an Adaware hater? I'm just not very computer literate and if people say it's a good program I use it but then if someone says it's bad I get hesitant. I'm gullible lol.

**Sarkast** · 04-25-2005, 05:14 PM

Well if you have the "real" AD-AWARE (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) i dont think you need to worry about getting "bad things put" on your PC.
There are always other programs that might have a similar name that you cant trust. Oh and are you sure you didnt mix it up with ADWARE - cause thats what some of the malicious programs are called (ADvertisementWARE).

FALLOUTGOD · 04-25-2005, 06:58 PM

LOL

I'm sorry but this is funny, I think you have adware confused with ad-aware which is a spyware/adware removing tool. Adware is bad stuff you collect through browsing and such that is used to figure out what kinda stuff you want to buy or just gives you popups of what they want you to buy. Ad-Aware on the other hand removes the adware and spyware you got. Not all of it but a good majority. I recommend having spybot S&E and the Microsofts antispyware program as well. Man, they really need to make my suggested sticky a real sticky cause obviouslly wherver it is that people get information on antispyware programs they aren't seeing it. Not to mention I never seen it and thats why I wrote that post in the first place.

Herk · 04-25-2005, 07:40 PM

Hi hollisterco

Lavasoft has apparently discontinued their support forum. This may be causing some confusion. Ad-Aware. itself is NOT spyware. Ad-Aware and MS antispy are safe to run. In addition read from the link below

To help prevent future spyware installations/infections, please read the Anti-Spyware Tutorial http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.htm#prevent and use the tools/programs provided.

**superflysmith** · 04-25-2005, 08:19 PM

Your headline is Adaware vs Microsoft Antispyware. Both are safe to run however I trust Ad-aware more just because they've been in the buisiness longer. I run both ad-aware and spybot so when I ran MS antispyware it didn't find anything. I no longer have MS antispyware because it got corrupted when I uninstalled counterspy and have never reinstalled. I guess I'm not in a big hurry to do so because spyware can not penetrate my forces.

Along with spybot and ad-aware I also use Firefox which seems to help defeat the enemy.

BMR777 · 04-27-2005, 03:23 PM

Both Microsoft Antispyware and Ad-Aware are good. You should run both. They are both free.

Both programs have different spyware definitions, thus one may detect something another doesn't. The key feature of Microsoft Anti-Spyware, however, is it has Real-Time protection, which will stop spyware from installing rather than just cleaning up the aftermath. Ad-Aware also has real time protection, if you pay for the registered version, but the Microsoft Real-Time Protection is free.

One thing, also, to be aware of is that the current version of MS Antispyware will stop functioning on July 31st, because it's beta. At this point it may no longer be free.

For now, though, run both.

Hope it helps,
BMR777
www.rusnakweb.com

greyknight17 · 05-01-2005, 05:17 PM

From what I heard, Gates himself said that it would be released for free. It's just under Beta now, but it should be free even after the 7/31 date.

04-25-2005, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
hollisterco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 84 OS: WIN ME/XP	Adaware vs Microsoft Antispyware Is it true Adaware is really a bad program even though it's supposed to do good? Does Microsoft Antispyware do the same thing? Thanks :) I'm getting a new computer and want to make sure I have the right programs for my safety

04-25-2005, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	May i ask why you think Adaware is a bad program ? I've used it for a looong time and i think its very useful. Its defenitely on the list of "Standard Anti Spyware programs" that most people that fight spyware/ adware on a daily basis will recommend. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch

04-25-2005, 05:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	Well if you have the "real" AD-AWARE (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) i dont think you need to worry about getting "bad things put" on your PC. There are always other programs that might have a similar name that you cant trust. Oh and are you sure you didnt mix it up with ADWARE - cause thats what some of the malicious programs are called (ADvertisementWARE). __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch

04-25-2005, 06:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
FALLOUTGOD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 248 OS: xp	LOL I'm sorry but this is funny, I think you have adware confused with ad-aware which is a spyware/adware removing tool. Adware is bad stuff you collect through browsing and such that is used to figure out what kinda stuff you want to buy or just gives you popups of what they want you to buy. Ad-Aware on the other hand removes the adware and spyware you got. Not all of it but a good majority. I recommend having spybot S&E and the Microsofts antispyware program as well. Man, they really need to make my suggested sticky a real sticky cause obviouslly wherver it is that people get information on antispyware programs they aren't seeing it. Not to mention I never seen it and thats why I wrote that post in the first place. Last edited by FALLOUTGOD : 04-25-2005 at 07:00 PM.

04-25-2005, 07:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Herk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 584 OS: XP	Hi hollisterco Lavasoft has apparently discontinued their support forum. This may be causing some confusion. Ad-Aware. itself is NOT spyware. Ad-Aware and MS antispy are safe to run. In addition read from the link below To help prevent future spyware installations/infections, please read the Anti-Spyware Tutorial http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.htm#prevent and use the tools/programs provided. __________________ Spybot S&D\| Adaware SE\|Spyware Prevention

04-25-2005, 04:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
hollisterco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 84 OS: WIN ME/XP	I recall reading it somewhere online that it puts bad things in your computer. Maybe just an Adaware hater? I'm just not very computer literate and if people say it's a good program I use it but then if someone says it's bad I get hesitant. I'm gullible lol.

04-25-2005, 08:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
superflysmith An American Hero and Moderator, The Conversation Pit. Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,576 OS: XP PRO	Your headline is Adaware vs Microsoft Antispyware. Both are safe to run however I trust Ad-aware more just because they've been in the buisiness longer. I run both ad-aware and spybot so when I ran MS antispyware it didn't find anything. I no longer have MS antispyware because it got corrupted when I uninstalled counterspy and have never reinstalled. I guess I'm not in a big hurry to do so because spyware can not penetrate my forces. Along with spybot and ad-aware I also use Firefox which seems to help defeat the enemy. __________________ "Some people go their whole life wondering if they ever made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem." Bush made the Packers lose

04-27-2005, 03:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
BMR777 Tech, Microsoft Support Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,395 OS: XP Pro, XP Home, Vista Home Basic, Ubuntu Studio Blog Entries: 2	Both Microsoft Antispyware and Ad-Aware are good. You should run both. They are both free. Both programs have different spyware definitions, thus one may detect something another doesn't. The key feature of Microsoft Anti-Spyware, however, is it has Real-Time protection, which will stop spyware from installing rather than just cleaning up the aftermath. Ad-Aware also has real time protection, if you pay for the registered version, but the Microsoft Real-Time Protection is free. One thing, also, to be aware of is that the current version of MS Antispyware will stop functioning on July 31st, because it's beta. At this point it may no longer be free. For now, though, run both. Hope it helps, BMR777 www.rusnakweb.com

05-01-2005, 05:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
greyknight17 Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New York Posts: 14,327 OS: Windows 98 & Windows XP Home/Pro My System	From what I heard, Gates himself said that it would be released for free. It's just under Beta now, but it should be free even after the 7/31 date. __________________ Please do NOT PM me. Post whatever questions you may have in the forum and we will take a look at it when we get to it. If you have waited for more than 3 days, you may then and ONLY then PM me for assistance. I will take a look at it. Adaware :: CWShredder :: HijackThis :: Panda ActiveScan :: Spybot S&D Anti-Spyware Tutorial :: Spyware Prevention Tools