How Can I Be Sure That "Anti-Spyware" Isn't Spyware?

First, have your paranoia removed by a professional exorcist. Then try again.

I assume it is ....

I use the stuff provided by my broadband supplier.

I have a slight suspicion that commercial anti virus software warns you of loads of threats just when your update fee is due .

Del

a./ there is no way, you can only rely on it...

b./ You should have a firewall. It it notifies you that your anti-spyware wants to go out you should be more than suspectful...

Generally speaking, if you find some anti-spy software & then Google the programme name or the name of the originating web site, you will find lots of hits describing how good or bad the programme is. Don't be tempted to install an anti-spy programme just to see if it works.

Another way to validate the function of an app before you install it would be to read a magazine that covers PCs and look for their recommendation. PC magazine websites might have similar information.

Convert to linux and breath easier...then send emails to everyone who makes your windows-only software and ask them to make linux-friendly versions of things.

Nothing is for free, if its free, its got spyware in it.

Buy something that you have read the tests on and is the best in its class.....it works out cheapest in the long run!!

Spybot is antispyware that doesn't come with its own spyware.

It's free but they do ask for a donation. They still provide the same service whether or not you donate. It is also a respectable program.

Any spyware program that is advertised to you with a pop up has its own spyware.

Alerts that pop up telling you that you've been infected and they are the only spyware outfit that can remove it is a RED FLAG.

Any spyware program that you purchase for someplace like Office Depot is spyware free.

Microsoft has a search engine that will refer you to creditable antispyware programs and their costs.

If you have a valid version of Windows, download Windows Defender from Microsoft.

Actually most spyware is designed to be picked up by Internet Explorer.

Many people are switching to different browsers other then Internet Explorer, such browser like Firefox. I use Firefox and have noticed a reduction in spyware on my computer. If anyone should make the switch they ask you if you want to transfer your browsing history from Internet Explorer. Say yes otherwise your browser drop down window isn't going to hold a list any greater then five addresses at a time.

Buy McAfee Total Protection. This includes anti-spyware and you don't have to worry about anything.

I found exactly the opposite to be true. After I switched to Firefox, Spybot would find and report far more spyware than when I was using IE. Yes I read all that crap about how great and secure Firefox was. Then I tried it for myself. I will never go back to that piece of garbage. I plan on trying Opera next.

I was using Opera. Too many incompatabilities. I am now, and have for some time, use Firefox. I am in complete disagreement with, yet another, guest.

It might be that he needs to do a registry scan and clean out his registry. A lot of spy-ware write themselves to the registry and even after you do a scan they just rewrite themselves each time you boot up again.

Is there a preferred method for 'cleaning up' the reg?

They have registry clean up programs, I don't know of anyone that is best over another to make a recommendation, I just know that you can't really get rid of the spy-ware until you clean them out of the registry and your regular anti-spy ware programs don't do that unless they tell you it does.

Sometimes you have to boot up under safe mode and locate the spy-ware program to remove it.

No counter software is perfect.

They are reactive then proactive, the nature of the beast.

As stated the major reviews are a good place to shop. If you follow the industry even a little any anti-spyware that turned out to be spyware would be defamed.

The bad press would backlash and cost them market share.

Free ware is usually full of ways for them to make money, but not all.

Greed will always cause some to try to get away with things like this but it catches up in the end. just pay attention

Brad

Thank you all for your points which have been very useful and clarified the subject for me. Thanks again. clear blue

Please be warned about some of the "major Spyware brands", at least one of them has been using the practice of "de-listing" (I don't remember which one). This is a practice where a company that makes or uses add-ware/spyware cookies pays the anti spyware provider to have their product not recognize that bit of code. Believe it or not, that practice is not illegal!