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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Confused Computer User on March 01, 2009, 07:33:13 PM

Title: [SOLVED] Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 01, 2009, 07:33:13 PM
Hi all,

This is more of a " do you recommend this" sort of question. My systems and programs are posted in my signature so I won't talk about those. Can any tell me if they are using Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?

If so, do any of you use it on Vista Home basic or Premium as a free real-time anti-spyware protection tool?
Can this Substitute for SAS (pro version with realtime protection)?
Are there any conflicts with Aast and Windows Deffender?
Last but not least, what is your overall impression of Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: DavidR on March 01, 2009, 07:50:11 PM
I'm not using it as my signature shows.

Personally since you have SAS and MBAM which I feel are better than ST I don't see why you would need it at all.

If for the resident protection, then surely windows defender covers that.

For me I just purchased the SAS Pro version (small one off fee) to provide anti-spyware resident protection, to bolster avast's anti-spyware detection.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Lisandro on March 01, 2009, 07:52:47 PM
My experience with Spyware Terminator is that its detection rate is poorer than SAS.
Spyware Terminator does not conflict with avast and Windows Defender. I strong suggest you do not use the antivirus resident of Spyware Terminator. Also, I won't use it as resident, only on demand.
For sure, no need for Crawler toolbar.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 01, 2009, 07:58:29 PM
Thanks davidR and Tech,

I'm asking because ST is free (and includes the realtime protection) where as with SAS, as you mentioned,  there is a one time charge, which I am hopping to avoid by using ST. If that can't be done then I'll probably pay the fee.

Does any one have a free real-time scanner alternative?

Cheers
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Lisandro on March 01, 2009, 08:03:43 PM
I'm asking because ST is free (and includes the realtime protection) where as with SAS, as you mentioned,  there is a one time charge, which I am hopping to avoid by using ST. If that can't be done then I'll probably pay the fee.
You don't need to pay. You can use its real time protection.
What I think, it does not worth...

Does any one have a free real-time scanner alternative?
avast already has one.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 01, 2009, 08:53:17 PM
Quote
avast already has one.

I am aware of that but I wished to beef up the security on the pc. That's why I asked.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: DavidR on March 01, 2009, 09:18:15 PM
I'm asking because ST is free (and includes the realtime protection) where as with SAS, as you mentioned,  there is a one time charge, which I am hopping to avoid by using ST. If that can't be done then I'll probably pay the fee.

As I said before you have the windows defender which I though provided resident protection.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: gery on March 01, 2009, 09:26:51 PM
If you want to pay money put it on SAS or MBAM paid versions.
1-SaS is very very light .you want notice it is there at all
2-they both are more effective than ST wich has a mediocre scanner and detection at best
3- ST conflicts with AVAST
4- Avast doesn't really need help but just to be sure you can help yourself downloading DR Web cureIt and be happy and safe all the time
good luck anyway
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 01, 2009, 10:06:37 PM
Thank you DavidR and gery,

I'll look into DrWeb CureIt.

Cheers
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: DavidR on March 01, 2009, 10:34:38 PM
No problem.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Lisandro on March 02, 2009, 12:14:53 AM
3- ST conflicts with AVAST
No, not really.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: CharleyO on March 02, 2009, 12:35:34 AM
***

I use ST and have no conflicts with avast.


***
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 02, 2009, 02:40:15 AM
Maybe gery was referring to an older version. Better safe than sorry so I'll stick with what works for now.
Thank you Tech and CharleyO for your input.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Tarq57 on March 02, 2009, 03:56:18 AM
Threatfire works OK with Avast. It's a behaviour blocker. To tell the truth, though, it seldom alerts on anything except when installing or modifying software. (Which is exactly the way it should be.)
http://www.threatfire.com/ (http://www.threatfire.com/)
Long time since I've used ST, and I wouldn't recommend it.
I actually replaced it with Threatfire at the suggestion of one of the more knowledgeable users at the ST forum.
Very occasionally I read about Defender actually detecting and blocking something malicious. I has its uses, I guess, but from what I've read, both SAS and MBAM are streets ahead.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 02, 2009, 04:07:38 AM
Well:

Quote
I actually replaced it with Threatfire at the suggestion of one of the more knowledgeable users at the ST forum.

that right there says something about ST. It's own forum users are putting it down.
You seem to like Threatfire. Were there any issues with Avast?

I read a few comments about it and they seem to fluctuate.
http://www.download.com/ThreatFire-AntiVirus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10726873.html

I'll put this in my "possibly, maybe alternative anti-spyware" file. (I'm not to happy about having to deal with a difficult removal in case of dissatisfaction with the product)

Thanks Tarq57
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Tarq57 on March 02, 2009, 04:50:33 AM
The only issue I've had with Avast was quite minor, and with an older version (3.5) of TF. (Hesitation in Avast GUI closing.)

Not to try and sound snobby, but a lot of the users at Download dot com are somewhat more interested in post counts than working out how to use software. There are some good reviews, there - I've posted there myself - (so they must be good  ;) )but a heck of a big pinch of salt is needed, sometimes.

I'd have a look at the PCTools forum to get a better idea of the sorts of problems folk are having, and how prevalent they are.

I like it. Only drawback that concerns me is that on detection of a malicious file there is sometimes no "block" button, you either allow the process or kill and quarantine it. Not good for testers, or if it's a FP. This is mentioned at length in the forum.

I've never had a problem with removal. Like any security software, it's wise to exit the program before removing it, and install/uninstall from an admin account.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: gery on March 02, 2009, 06:07:41 PM
3- ST conflicts with AVAST
No, not really.
doesn't the CLAM AV  conflict with the AVAST virus engine at all?
it did with me once
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: DavidR on March 02, 2009, 06:17:28 PM
We suggest if people are going to install ST they don't select the CLAM AV (even though it is only supposed to be on-demand, it does run a service) and we also suggest they don't include the crawler toolbar.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Lisandro on March 02, 2009, 11:07:59 PM
doesn't the CLAM AV  conflict with the AVAST virus engine at all?
it did with me once
Not necessarely. But, like David said, you can not to install the AV part. In fact, Clam detection rate is not good.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 02, 2009, 11:38:53 PM
Thanks guys,

You saved me a lot possible trouble. I found something offered by the makers of SpywareBlaster.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

Has anyone used this on Vista or on XP?
what is your opinion of it?
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Tarq57 on March 03, 2009, 12:20:15 AM
SpywareGuard...was a very useful piece of software, is no longer in active development or support. Guards certain registry settings. When I last used it over 18months ago the most recent definitions were about 2 years old.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Lisandro on March 03, 2009, 12:26:32 AM
SpywareGuard is an outdated and unreliable tool...
WinPatrol and SpywareBlaster, each one with its differences, could do a better job.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Omid Farhang on March 03, 2009, 10:47:12 AM
3- ST conflicts with AVAST
No, not really.
Yes, it don't, just if you don't use AV inside.

Threatfire works OK with Avast. It's a behaviour blocker. To tell the truth, though, it seldom alerts on anything except when installing or modifying software. (Which is exactly the way it should be.)
http://www.threatfire.com/ (http://www.threatfire.com/)
Long time since I've used ST, and I wouldn't recommend it.
I actually replaced it with Threatfire at the suggestion of one of the more knowledgeable users at the ST forum.
Very occasionally I read about Defender actually detecting and blocking something malicious. I has its uses, I guess, but from what I've read, both SAS and MBAM are streets ahead.

It slow down the windows, working not good, it has a good idea behind, but it would slow down programs opening and closing time, also annoying some times.

If you want to pay money put it on SAS or MBAM paid versions.
2-they both are more effective than ST wich has a mediocre scanner and detection at best
4- Avast doesn't really need help but just to be sure you can help yourself downloading DR Web cureIt and be happy and safe all the time
Agreed with above things. DR.Web CureIt is great one, I love it, I use it inside IE


You can see my recommended configuration in my signature, ST is a bothering software that don't do anything more than SAS+MBAM. Keep avast for your realtime protection and just keep scanning new downloaded files with SAS and MBAM. you don't need any more realtime protection if you just browse the web and get software from trusted source, you need more protection if you download something from bad source (Keygen, Crack, download from P2P, Porn and...).
if rarely you run new risky website, you can use Sandboxie http://www.sandboxie.com/ (it's Free).
Don't slow down your computer with so much security software, if you see I've so much security software it's because my Laptop is always at risk and I'm a tester, also I play with those programs and share resualt at other forum and my blogs and... also I've some project at my laptop that is more than $12000-$13000 and need to keep them safe.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Tarq57 on March 03, 2009, 11:50:56 AM
Quote
It slow down the windows, working not good, it has a good idea behind, but it would slow down programs opening and closing time, also annoying some times.
Not my Windows, it doesn't.
But then, I don't have such a HUGE number of programs also guarding the computer, and I'm not running such a demanding OS.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Omid Farhang on March 03, 2009, 12:00:58 PM
Quote
It slow down the windows, working not good, it has a good idea behind, but it would slow down programs opening and closing time, also annoying some times.
Not my Windows, it doesn't.
But then, I don't have such a HUGE number of programs also guarding the computer, and I'm not running such a demanding OS.
I appreciate your honest respose.
so I want to know your experience with that, beside slow down my programs launch time, it caused lot of problems between my programs. not exactly with Threatfire, but I had problem with running some programs at same time when I had Threatfire... do you had any problem with Threatfire ?
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Tarq57 on March 03, 2009, 12:17:58 PM
Honestly, no, none at all.
But I'm not also running Winpatrol, MBAM, SAS, Outpost pro with HIPS, Keyscrambler and Windows Defender.
Total overkill, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 03, 2009, 01:51:44 PM
HI Guys,

Thank you for the continued support.
SpywareGuard...was a very useful piece of software, is no longer in active development or support. Guards certain registry settings. When I last used it over 18months ago the most recent definitions were about 2 years old.
It feels like I'm trying to reinvent the security wheel and am doing a bad job at it.

SpywareGuard is an outdated and unreliable tool...
WinPatrol and SpywareBlaster, each one with its differences, could do a better job.
I'll look into WinPatrol and see how that works out.

You can see my recommended configuration in my signature, ST is a bothering software that don't do anything more than SAS+MBAM. Keep avast for your realtime protection and just keep scanning new downloaded files with SAS and MBAM. you don't need any more realtime protection if you just browse the web and get software from trusted source, you need more protection if you download something from bad source (Keygen, Crack, download from P2P, Porn and...).
if rarely you run new risky website, you can use Sandboxie http://www.sandboxie.com/ (it's Free).
Don't slow down your computer with so much security software, if you see I've so much security software it's because my Laptop is always at risk and I'm a tester, also I play with those programs and share resualt at other forum and my blogs and... also I've some project at my laptop that is more than $12000-$13000 and need to keep them safe.
I don't use any of the bad sources enumerated so then it appears I'm over reacting. The reason why I keep trying so many security software is that I have yet to find a viable backup method of my data. I do back it up but it's nothing special and I would like to have the ability to be able to have an Image of my system in order to avoid having to do all those updates after an uninstall. So I choose to try as much as possible to prevent anything bad from happening until I improve my backup (i.e. find a good system image software and an external HDD).

Thank you Tarq57, Tech and Omid Farhang for the continued support.
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Lisandro on March 03, 2009, 02:08:08 PM
It feels like I'm trying to reinvent the security wheel and am doing a bad job at it.
In fact, you've discovered the words that describe the situation... anyway, you're being smart and asking for help on avast forums ;)
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 03, 2009, 03:31:42 PM
It feels like I'm trying to reinvent the security wheel and am doing a bad job at it.
In fact, you've discovered the words that describe the situation... anyway, you're being smart and asking for help on avast forums ;)

Well I won't prolong this given that I already have the answer to my initial inquiry.
I've decided to pay the onetime fee for SAS and to improve my backup system. That should take care of it.
Thank you again for the help and continued support.

One last thing which I completely forgot how to do is mark the thread as solved. :-[ Can anyone remind me.
Cheers
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Omid Farhang on March 03, 2009, 05:09:20 PM
Hope these links help you.

http://www.paragon-software.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_backup_software


There are many software that help you to backup your data, I keep my backup in Windows Live SkyDrive (25GB Free Space).
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 03, 2009, 05:39:53 PM
Thanks Omid Farhang,

You've given me a head start in my search. I will bookmark them and go thought each link to see what suits me best.

Cheers
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: DavidR on March 03, 2009, 06:16:05 PM
Whilst you don't have to mark a topic as resolved but you can change the Original title to indicate this, e.g. [Resolved] Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Title: Re: Spyware Terminator 2.5.5.166?
Post by: Confused Computer User on March 03, 2009, 06:43:30 PM
Ah, ok.

Thanks DavidR .

Cheers