Ahh Fuckin Dammit!! Norton IS vs. Ad Aware..

C

CindyComesBack

New member
Okay, so my College says we need some kind of Internet Security Program for our computers in order to be able to log onto their system. Well, I buy Norton Internet Security of around $80 bucks. Well, I do Virus Scans and stuff like that every week, so my computer should be free of stuff like that right? Well, yesterday morning, I do a full system scan, it comes up fine.

Later that day, my friend looks at my computer and suggests I download Ad Aware, so he downloads it for me...After it downloads, he does a full sytem scan using Ad-Aware. When it finished, there were 64 infected files!!! WHAT THE FUCK!!! Norton Internet Security cost me $80, Ad Aware cost me $0 and it found 64 infected files? I can't refund the Norton because it's been over 2 months since I bought it....So, I got ripped off, but at least my computer is fuckin healthier. Dammit!
 
First off, Norton anything is an overpriced broken piece of shit. Norton sucks at virus detections and removal, and software firewalls are worthless.

Secondly, AdAware scans for spyware and adware, not viruses. I'm not sure if Norton "Security Center" has an included spy/malware scanner, but Norton Antivirus only really targets viruses.

Also, using Internet Explorer is WHY you're getting all those infections. Try using Firefox or Opera instead if you want to prevent them.
 
AdAware actually scans for spyware cookies mostly. They're not viruses. Spywareblaster and Spybot Search&Destroy do a decent job of finding and protecting against spyware. Just make sure you use the immunize protection with Spybot. Add Microsoft Anti Spyware and you'll get pretty good protection. At least the best you can get for free.
Oh, and just because you use Firefox doesn't mean you won't get spyware.
 
I hardly ever get spyware, and I can't remember the last time I scanned my computer. I just don't. It's crazy, I know.

And I'm always clicking on pop-ups just for the heck of it. My computer is still working fine. I do have avast! anivirus. That works pretty good, my computer still is perfectly in shape.

I was just scanning but it was taking a friggin long time with stupid ad-aware. I decided not to jinx it.
 
Using a browser that doesn't support ActiveX, such as Opera or Firefox, will eliminate most, if not all, spy/adware. ActiveX is the only means by which software can be installed on your computer from the internet. Javscript is in a sandbox so to speak and would require exploiting to work. Google if you don't believe me, but there have been very few cases of spyware installed via javascript - less than a handful probabaly.
 
junglizim knows what he talks about. hes probably as nerdy as any one who knows that only a hand-ful of cases exist where spyware is installed using javascript. Im not so nerdy and hence not as knowledgeable, however, I do have a single recommendation if you never want to have to scan for viruses again: try using linux.

i know it sounds scary and shit, but it is really worth it. the day I tried opening up a browser and it took me 5 minutes (no joke) on windows I decided to give linux a try and I havent looked back since. I recommend you try the following linux:

http://www.ubuntulinux.org/

its about as easy to install as the easiest windows application. if you do try it and need help, send me a tell or go to the linuxforums. anyhow just my two cents worth.
 
exactly, and the fact that that can happen at all on windows makes it not worth my time. I'd probably waste as much time trying to keep my computer virus and spyware free as I would if I let the viruses and spyware go rampant and then have to accept a laggy computer.
 
I have to disagree with you to a point; most spyware is definitely installed via activex. I use firefox and I have found spyware, although I have to say only one occurance in the past several months. Other ways spyware is installed are not browser specific:
There are three main techniques used to distribute spyware.

* Adware is often bundled with free software programs. These programs require users to accept pop-up advertising as part of the service they provide. If you have installed one of these products, file-sharing software or other similar products, you may have unknowingly agreed to view pop-up ads.
* Some Web sites require that you install an application before you use their site or in order to access their products. Have you ever visited a Web site and been prompted to install something? Some sites, usually ones that offer free products, use this method to trick users into downloading spyware.
* Spyware makers also exploit security holes using viruses, fake email messages, Trojan horses and ActiveX controls. Using anti-virus software, ignoring email attachments from unknown senders and keeping your computer up to date with the latest security patches will mitigate this third risk.

More and more programs are distributing spyware using these methods. The presence of spyware or other adware is often not disclosed when you download or install software. If any information is disclosed, it is usually buried in an End User License Agreement (EULA).

There is a program that will examine the EULA, although I haven't used it extensively you can download it free and make your own judgement on it's worth:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/eulalyzer.html
 
I dunno. I use Ad-Aware SE on my computer and it finds so many infected files every day. It finds an average of 10 to 35 files every time I run the program and I run the program on average 3 times a day. (Usually when I'm shutting my system down.) I don't know what's up with it. I feel like my computer is being bombarded. I was thinking of buying a program and not using Ad-Aware anymore.
 
I thought it was obvious that I was only talking about browser specific means to install spyware.

At any rate, I agree with what you said, but that's where common sense comes in.
 
Quit going to pr0n sites. Problem solved. :happysad:

Seriously though, I haven't had any spyware on my computer in months. I actually get disappointed when I run adaware and it doesn't find anything. I feel like I have a program on my computer that serves no purpose. :tongue:
 
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