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Best free software for spyware, etc.

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Old 07-29-2011, 10:49 AM   #1
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Best free software for spyware, etc.
My mom is having some issues that I can only explain by spyware and the like. She runs AVG Free like I do, and it is not picking up anything in the virus department. What are the best free programs I should use to get her computer back in shape?

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Old 07-29-2011, 10:58 AM   #2
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Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download

I use this at work for everything. Run a scan every week or couple weeks, and stay away from sketchy sites and they should be golden.
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Old 07-29-2011, 11:39 AM   #3
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Also Spybot.
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Old 07-29-2011, 11:47 AM   #4
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second vote for malware bytes, absolutely awesome tool and at a great price

I also have had some success with super anti spyware.

SUPERAntiSpyware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

*edit* also check what is starting up with her computer, she may be getting beaten up with bloatware. maybe a run through with PC Decrapifier would help, or even the old standard MSCONFIG.EXE
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Old 07-29-2011, 11:50 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute View Post
second vote for malware bytes, absolutely awesome tool and at a great price

I also have had some success with super anti spyware.

SUPERAntiSpyware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

*edit* also check what is starting up with her computer, she may be getting beaten up with bloatware. maybe a run through with PC Decrapifier would help, or even the old standard MSCONFIG.EXE
Also... who the heck are you?
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Old 07-29-2011, 12:18 PM   #6
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She is running a full scan with Malware Bytes right now. I also installed it, and a quick scan turned up nothing. I am pretty careful about where I browse, so I am not too surprised. Still, good to know. I also downloaded Spybot, and I have it running right now.
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Old 07-29-2011, 12:38 PM   #7
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Also... who the heck are you?
I'm Dwight Schrute, assistant regional manager.
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Old 07-29-2011, 12:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute View Post
I'm Dwight Schrute, assistant regional manager.
Assistant TO THE Regional manager...

But anyways.

MBAM is good but I still prefer a combination of Spybot Search&Destroy and Lavasoft Ad-aware.

They scan for different things.
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Old 07-29-2011, 11:19 PM   #9
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Spybot found a few tracking cookies. Interesting.
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Old 07-30-2011, 08:19 AM   #10
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tracking cookies = nothing special. keep digging.

what exactly are the symptoms?
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Old 07-31-2011, 06:57 PM   #11
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Make sure MalwareBytes is completely up to date before scanning. Some spyware is so new that only the most up to date definitions will pick up on it and remove it. I've heard good things about Super Antispyware as well, so you may want to give that a shot. As someone else posted here, different programs pick up on different infections--so if one doesn't catch anything, give another program a shot and chances are, it'll pick up something.
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Old 07-31-2011, 09:26 PM   #12
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Symptoms are gone anyhow. *shrug*
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Old 08-01-2011, 06:25 AM   #13
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this thread struck fear into the heart of the symptoms.
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Old 08-28-2011, 08:46 AM   #14
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Are any of the programs already mentioned also for Mac? If not, what is a good spyware removal tool for Macs? I'm a little obsessive about staying virus/spyware/trojan free.
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