Opinion Poll: MS Anti-Spyware or AdAware?

Which do you prefer?

from WinCustomize Forums
I used AdAware for who knows how long, but recently decided to give MS anti-spyware a try. I was wondering who is using what, what you think of them or if you don't use either - what do you use?
91,246 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm using both, though keep MS anti-spyware running all the time here at the office. It's pretty good so far. I've not caught anything nasty that I know of. Doesn't seem to suck down too many system resources either which is nice.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use both.
Been checking the adaware forums - seems the update files have been getting smaller due to adaware removing some programs from the list
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use both. There are still some bugs with the MS Antispyware prog. I have had to re download it a few times, as it has a habit of disappearing from the task bar. I think when they get the finished product out, it will be a good program. It has yet to find any bugs on my system. Even though Adaware has taken some of the spyware from their list, I will continue to use it no matter what else I have, which I have several other programs as well.My adaware is the registered version, and I really like the added benefit of ad watch. I would never rely on only one anti spyware program. Smile!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe"...works for me and is "FREE" but they do ask for "donations" and I gave em 20 us greenbacks
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Spybot, Adaware & SpywareBlaster have worked great for me since owning my pc. I personally don't care for MS Antispyware...slows my system down.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Spybot S&D 1.3 and Adaware 1.06r1
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
plus Spybot S&D


forgot. me too
& SpyWare Blaster & SpyWare Guard & Trend Micro
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
adaware - paid version for ad-watch. didn't like the MS one - would run adaware afterwords and find stuff that MS missed. have never had problems and love it - put it on every computer in my house
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
both, plus spybot and spyware blaster
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use Spybot, Adaware and MS Antispy....plus the free one that comes with the Yahoo toolbar.

I've had no problems with MS antispy and it doesn't slow my system either....have run it after Adaware on occasion and it found missed items...also the Yahoo one picks up items even after the others have run.

Obviously none of them are perfect, so why not have them all if your system can handle 'em
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Spybot..Adaware and MSantispy....never had any probs with MS and doesn't slow my system either. Sometimes have run it after Adaware and it picked up missed items also....Spybot will als pick up items after other scans. Also have AntiSpy in Yahoo toolbar.

Obviously none are perfect so why not have all if your system can handle them
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Both, I'm looking at getting the new Zonealarm Suite w/ Spyware. Their's was recently rated as on of the best.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Norton Internet Security AntiSpyware edition is awesome! I bought this the other day and upgraded my 2003 version. Does AntiVirus, Trojans, Adware, Spyware, etc. all with one program. Works really well on my system. After reading quite a few complaints about performance I put this thing to the test. It takes less than 2% CPU resources on my AMD 64 and Intel P4 3.2E. I did notice it goes up to about 8% on manual scan, but that's not bad. I also found that this caught 3 adware threats that Adaware pro and SPybot had missed, and one that MS AnitSpyware missed. All were current. It also took care of one threat that had been coming back with Adaware.

Nice product. Thanks Symantec.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WinPatrol is another good one to add...catches things trying add themselves to your startup programs...and gives you a lot of other useful info.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lotta paranoid people out there running 3 different programs . Actually , I forgot I use SpywareBlaster too. I'mm getting the impression no one is better, everyone of them has their good points. And I've had the problem with MS disappearing from my systray myself. Actually, now that you mention it, it's gone now . Maybe I'll beef up like everyone else and use a couple of them.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Not paranoia, but realism. A recognition that no one product is perfect. I use Ad-Aware, Spybot and MS Antispyware; each will pick up what another will miss.

The 'belt and braces' approach is much better than being caught with your trousers down

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 'belt and braces' approach is much better than being caught with your trousers down




hee hee that's a good one.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use AdAware, Spybot, WinPatrol, SpywareBlaster and MS Antispyware. Also keep 'Hijack this' close by, in case it's needed.

I also have a copy of Registry Mechanic I got free with "XP Magazine" It does a great job too.

I have Mailwasher to check my mail whilst it's still on the servers....

...and I use 'Window Washer' to erase my cookies etc. in case any nasty li'l data mining cookie does get through ~[hardly likely though, with all that stuff ]

I run a tight ship, because I have a lot of money invested in this setup, and because I do 95% of my banking transactions online.

As Fuzzy say's above ..."it's not paranoia, but realism." There's a lot of hardcore crim's out there on the net, just itching to steal what they can from you.

...over the top, you think??

to use the old adage ..."better safe than sorry"

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yeah, I guess it's like a friend told me once - "It's not paranoia if they are out to get you"
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When I run Linux I don't worry about Spyware as Linux is 99.999 percent immune to it.

While I am in XP I use MS Antispy and ad aware and spybot.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4, Ad Aware SE 1.06r, Spywareblaster 3.4 and MS Antispy Beta.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thread title was driving me barmy....had to be fixed.... Spell checker
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use Ad-Aware mostly. I tried MS Anti-Spy, but I didn't care much for it.

I beta tested the new Trend Micro's Anti-Spyware, and I have been using it when I got the final version. It's very good.

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