spy sweeper - and now I/E invite me to install spy hunter - confused. 2

[mel999]

Hi - I installed spysweeper several days a go and now Internet Explorer has invited me to download a free version of "SPYHUNTER". - What is happening here? Are the programs linked or what?

Please tell me if I should download and install spyhunter.

Mel in the UK

 

[mws5872]

Sometimes this happens, I recommend using Mozilla firefox as a browser and only using internet explorer only if a site absolutely requires it. Alot of viruses and spyware target IE. You will also get no pop ups with mozilla and it also features tab browsing.

http://www.mozilla.com

As far was spyware killing software I recommend Ad-aware.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

I find that it gets alot of the spyware that spysweeper misses. I also recomend keeping your windows up to date using windows update, this takes care of security issues.hope this helps!

 

[satrow]

Install Ad-aware and Spybot Search and Destroy, update them, boot into Safe Mode and run them both.

Andy.

 

[linney]

Spy Sweeper (Web Root) is not linked to Spy Hunter (Enigma) as far as I can see. I would be suspicious of anything offered free or otherwise if you did not solicit it.

http://www.anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com/spyhunter-software.html

Check your Advanced options in IE's Internet Options and make sure the two check boxes for "Enable Install on Demand" are not checked.

What are Good Virus/Spyware?Update/Firewall Practices?
faq779-5240

 

[bcastner]

I have downloaded SpySweeper trial several times from

http://www.webroot.com

and have never been prompted. The last time I did this was this past Monday.

 

[mel999]

Thanks for info guys. - - I am just going to run spysweeper and spyhunter sise by side. - - It looks genuine, at least I hope so.

Mel in the UK

 

[satrow]

Sounds very suspect to me...

Andy.

 

[gpalmer711]

mel999,
Something you have to be careful of is the embedding of viruses,trojans and worms into legitimate products. This is seen quite often in software you can download from the likes of Kazaa, eMule etc... This is not just comercial products like Office for example, but also free to download products such as AdAware, Mozilla FireFox etc...

If you are ever prompted to download a piece of software from a normal dialog box, and you are not sure what it is, then visit the website of the developer and download directly. This way you can ensure that you are getting the software as they intended and not including nasties.

Finally, this is a trick employed by people using the Messenger service to send advertising messages. They often use this to tell you that "You System is Open on Viruses" or the like. They then give you a link to download software that plugs the holes. However all it does is install Trojans to allow people control of your PC. Often to be as a relay for Spammers, or other illegal activities.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[Madawc]

As others have already said, this is likely to be a trick, by advertisers or hackers.

There are some people who genuinely do make and give away good software products. THis has been swamped by the phony stuff. You have to go to some reliable forum to check what's worth having.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia)