Author Topic: Spyware Terminator  (Read 26352 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #15 on: August 23, 2006, 11:49:30 PM »
Quote
Why could not two different programs get affiliated
They don't even have to be associated just work together.
Since ClamWin is open source and Spyware Terminator is Free, there is no reason why
Spyware Terminator can't utilize the abilities of this open source software to enhance their product but they should be using the latest version and be able to update the virus definitions to make it work properly and keep the users fully protected. IMHO
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline polonus

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 33891
  • malware fighter
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #16 on: August 23, 2006, 11:55:20 PM »
Hi bob3160,

I don't use the first program, but isn't there an internal updater or an ability to use the latest ClamWin defs?

polonus
Cybersecurity is more of an attitude than anything else. Avast Evangelists.

Use NoScript, a limited user account and a virtual machine and be safe(r)!

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2006, 11:59:42 PM »
Hi bob3160,

I don't use the first program, but isn't there an internal updater or an ability to use the latest ClamWin defs?

polonus
Hi Polonus
It should all happen when the main program itself is updated but, since they're using an outdated version of ClamWin, I don't see how that's possible. Which is why I posted the questions in their forum.
Till I get a reply, we'll all just have to wait and see.
I do know that they update their spyware definitions often.
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
  • Certainly Bot
  • *
  • Posts: 67195
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2006, 12:10:03 AM »
Till I get a reply, we'll all just have to wait and see.
They posted there.

I do know that they update their spyware definitions often.
Almost two or three times a week...
The best things in life are free.

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #19 on: August 24, 2006, 12:23:06 AM »
Quote from: st_helper
The virus database is updated regularly; however, our development team is currently reviewing the issue presented and will issue an update based on the findings.   

The above quote is their reply to at least a part of the questions I raised.
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline Dwarden

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Super Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 1793
  • Ideas, that's ocean without borders!
    • Bohemia Interactive
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #20 on: August 24, 2006, 04:59:43 PM »
and source code is posted there ... anyway i find idea of giving ClamAV another use quite refreshing ... within GPL boundary
https://twitter.com/FoltynD , Tech. Community, Online Services & Distribution manager of Bohemia Interactive

Spiritsongs

  • Guest
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #21 on: August 24, 2006, 05:59:54 PM »
 :)  Hi all :

      People with a shady past, that include a reputable AV in
      their product, that turns out to be an outdated Engine,
      sounds highly suspicious to me; how about you ?
      And have you ever gone to the front page of any
      antiMALWARE Product, other than "Spyware Terminator",
      and seen pages of "Testimonials" !?

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #22 on: August 24, 2006, 07:10:27 PM »
I guess you're entitled to your suspicions Spiritsongs.
The program is working well on my system and they update their
data base frequently. They are also very resposive to questions raised in their forum.
As far as the layout of their website, I guess that's something to bring to their attention or,
maybe that was the choice they made.
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline Dwarden

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Super Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 1793
  • Ideas, that's ocean without borders!
    • Bohemia Interactive
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #23 on: September 02, 2006, 08:22:51 PM »
For all users, fans, haters or just worried people ...

 there is great roadmap for Spyware Terminator (from developers) which cover WHAT and WHEN comes in future :)

 i wish more developers do this :) (hint hing 4 Vlk  ;D )

http://forum.spywareterminator.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&m=778&#778
https://twitter.com/FoltynD , Tech. Community, Online Services & Distribution manager of Bohemia Interactive

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
  • Certainly Bot
  • *
  • Posts: 67195
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2006, 05:49:30 AM »
From: Gizmo's Support Alert Newsletter Issue 138, Free Edition, 19th October, 2006

Free Anti-Spyware Program with Active Protection

Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search and Destroy have long been the mainstays in the free anti-spyware utility category but, alas, their stars have fallen in the last year as these once great products have been overwhelmed by the latest generation of malware products. Hopes for another solution were raised when Microsoft bought out Giant's excellent Antispyware product and released it for free. However, these hopes were dashed when Microsoft changed the Giant product into Windows Defender. It was no enhancement; in fact, a step backwards. So I've been keeping my eye out for a new contender, particularly one with good active protection to prevent initial infection. One such product is Spyware Terminator [1]. I've known about it for quite a while but have approached it cautiously as there was a cloud hanging over the reputation of the vendor [2]. Thankfully, that cloud has now been lifted. Installation proved to be very simple as the product has an excellent configuration wizard that walks you through the setup. One option offered is the capacity to harness the open source anti-virus product ClamAV to provide another layer of detection in addition to Spyware Terminator's only inbuilt detection. This is a nice idea; ClamAV is not the most effective AV scanner on the market but it's certainly competent and the additional protection can only be a plus. The Spyware Terminator (ST) user interface is very clean and professional, a complete cut above the amateurish look of products like SpyBot S&D. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of ST is its comprehensive active protection. Over fifty different system variables are monitored in four separate areas.

Additionally, there is a built-in HIPS system that works in a similar manner to products like WinPatrol to prevent programs starting up on your PC or making changes without your knowledge. A nice feature here is the ability to set the HIPS warnings to a level appropriate to user experience. Other HIPS products could do well to offer a similar feature.

Unusually for a free product, ST allows you schedule scans automatically. Updates, too, can be set to automatic.

Scanning proved to be on the slow side. A full spyware scan took 896 seconds to scan 21000 objects while Windows Defender took only 503 seconds to scan 78000 objects. A combined Spyware and AV scan took even longer.

I tested spyware scan detection rates on a limited sample of 110 currently circulating malware products obtained from P2P networks. ST detected around 31% by scan and 49% on execution compared to 34% and 56% for Windows Defender and 42 and 71% for the class-leading product WebRoot SpySweeper. The sample size here is too small to get pedantic but it would be reasonable to say that ST approaches Windows Defender in performance but is a distinct notch below the top commercial anti-spyware products.

This conclusion needs to be qualified. ST has a much stronger HIPS capability than Windows Defender and this provides additional protection for experienced users who now how to interpret and respond to warning messages. Less experienced users will benefit less.

In the technical area ST was less impressive. It can be easily terminated using basic methods; Windows Task Manager was sufficient. It doesn't detect rootkits, can't detect process injection, it doesn't scan within archives and can only handle a limited number of compressed executable schemes. Mind you, most other anti-spyware products perform badly in these areas as well.

Where ST does shine is active protection against hostile web sites. Here it is the HIPS that is carrying the main load but the result is impressive. ST protected my PC against infection at my three standard hostile sites, easily outperforming most other anti-spyware products with the exception of SpySweeper.

In conclusion, Spyware Terminator is an excellent free spyware scanner with useful auxiliary anti-virus capabilities. Its active protection is well ahead of the other major free anti- spyware products: SpyBot, Ad-Aware, and Ewido Free. Its detection rates are good, just a notch behind Windows Defender but well ahead of Ad-aware and SpyBot. It does not, however, approach the rates achieved by the top commercial anti-spyware products.

So do I prefer it to Windows Defender? For users of older Windows systems it's a non-question as Windows Defender will not work on these systems. Windows 2000 and XP users do, however, have a choice. I'd have to say at a technical level I think Spyware Terminator's HIPS gives it the edge however this is offset in my mind by lingering concerns over how a high-support product like this can remain viable as a free product. Freeware, Windows 98 and later, 2.3MB

[1] http://www.spywareterminator.com
[2] http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#spyterm_note
The best things in life are free.

roro

  • Guest
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #25 on: October 21, 2006, 08:15:59 AM »
I have Windows Defender installed recently.  Should I also install Spyware Terminator along with all the other anti spyware programs I have? Also if I do install Spyware Terminator should I uncheck the Clamwin box?  I don't need another AV do I ?  I don't want to cause any conflicts on my system. 
I am wondering if it is time to uninstall Spybot S&D and Adaware as many have remarked that they are falling down in their effectiveness.
I have been very lucky as I have had no Viruses and only few tracking cookies which I delete once a week.

RoRo 8) 8)

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88900
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #26 on: October 21, 2006, 12:36:57 PM »
I'm a believer in the 'you can get too much of a good thing' school of thought and you can go overboard in the protection stakes also. The more security programs you have the more you have to keep up to date, and the more investigation you need to do if they detect something.

I have uninstalled Spybot S&D and installed another anti-spyware program (not spyware terminator), whilst I trial it, the one thing I noticed is that scans are much longer. I was presented with an alert that no other anti-spyware/security program has ever flagged a key logger called SpyWorks (which has been on my system for years), after extensive checking I now consider it a false positive detection of a tool that has been named long before spyware was known about.

Whilst the one I'm trying isn't resident (that is how I have it set-up) in the free version, Spyware Terminator is resident I believe as is Defender so there you have two anti-spyware tools that are resident. My personal view would be only to have one resident anti-spyware program just like AVs.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
  • Certainly Bot
  • *
  • Posts: 67195
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #27 on: October 21, 2006, 01:38:20 PM »
Whilst the one I'm trying isn't resident (that is how I have it set-up) in the free version, Spyware Terminator is resident I believe as is Defender so there you have two anti-spyware tools that are resident. My personal view would be only to have one resident anti-spyware program just like AVs.
Sure. Just one of them, also to do not take that much resources from your computer.
But, what was my intention to post first? To show that Spyware Terminator, not only for me, is far better than Windows Defender in many ways  8)
The best things in life are free.

drhayden1

  • Guest
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #28 on: October 21, 2006, 02:14:43 PM »
hey tech....like davidr i have only 1 resident or real time spyware program running like my avast! but have a couple of others as scanners only-had spyware terminator on my computer awhile back but took it off because it was reproting too many false positives at that time-do you know if that has improved?? ???

have a good one my friends 8)



« Last Edit: October 21, 2006, 02:19:52 PM by drhayden1 »

drhayden1

  • Guest
Re: Spyware Terminator
« Reply #29 on: October 21, 2006, 02:18:55 PM »
 :o ::) 8)
« Last Edit: October 22, 2006, 11:10:19 PM by drhayden1 »