I’ve already written an article about Spybot Search and Destroy. I talk about it’s ability to help the general user and seasoned professional with Spyware, Adware, & Malware.

Since posting that last article, I’ve heard grumblings about Spybot and problems using it with Microsoft’s latest Internet Explorer (Version 8). Most of the criticism has been aimed at Safer Networking and their Spybot software. So I thought I would dive in a little deeper.

I found an article by Safer Networking, from this past March (2009) about this exact issue. Safer Networking stated that there is an apparent problem between Internet Explorer 8 and the immunization feature of Spybot.

At the suggestion of Safer Networking’s article, I tested Spybot with IE7 and then again with IE8. I also tried filling IE8 with a huge list of sites to block. As I suspected and as Safer Networking eluded to, Microsoft is tripping on it’s own feet again. Spybot is working correctly. You need the blocked sites list to protect you, whether it is provided by the Spybot software or not. If you plug the same list of sites into Internet Explorer 8 manually, that Spybot does for you automatically, you will get a similar result. So the problem falls on Microsoft and the Internet Explorer 8 web browser.

SOLUTION: DO NOT USE Microsoft Software of any kind, but more specifically Internet Explorer 8. Instead, try a flavor of Linux/Unix, maybe even a Macintosh. See the complete list of supported operating systems here!

If you must use Microsoft Windows, and you absolutely have to have IE8, you need to be using Spybot. So, a less aggressive solution would be to be patient when launching IE8. If you have Spybot installed, running correctly and protecting Internet Explorer 8, it is going to take a little bit for the program to load completely.

Filed under: Anti-Malware, Anti-Spyware, Computers, Free Software, Free Utilities, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Software, Utilities, Web Browsers, Windows | No Comments »

According to Wikipedia.org, Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to collect information about a user, their computer or browsing habits without the user’s informed consent.

Spyware can be way more than simple monitoring. Many Spyware programs collect personal information, like your Internet browsing habits and which sites you may visit. Spyware programs can also interfere with your ability to control your computer when installing software or redirecting Web browsing activities. Some spyware may even slow your internet connection, change your home page and/or interrupt the functionality of your web browser or other programs, by reconfiguring your computer’s settings.

Spybot (made by safer-networking.org) is one of the best privacy software utilities available to protect your pc from Spyware (Including Adware), Malware and general Hijacking. (EvenPC World & PC Magazine has rated Spybot “THE BEST!”)

Generally, when you use a quality privacy software, a standard disclaimer stating potential problems that may occur when modifying system and registry settings. Spybot has this same disclaimer and is very up front about it. However, I have used this utility for several years and have never had an issue with computer functionality after running Spybot.

I recommend this software to computer amateurs and professionals alike because I have never been disappointed by Spybot’s ability to find and remove harmful spyware from my Windows computers. If you insist on using Microsoft’s Windows Operating System you need to be using Spybot.

Does all of this sound like a sales pitch? Well, it isn’t. One of the best things about Spybot is it is provide FREE!

Try Spybot for your self. If you like the results, donate to Safer-Networking.org, so that they can continue development and improvements on Spybot as well as other free utilities they provide.

Filed under: Anti-Malware, Anti-Spyware, Computers, Free Utilities, Software, Utilities, Windows | No Comments »