Timewaster's Guide Archive

General => Rants and Stuff => Topic started by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on September 05, 2003, 09:10:57 AM

Title: Ad Aware
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on September 05, 2003, 09:10:57 AM
Just got around to installing it and scanning. 122 objects, nearly every single one a reg key from before I owned the computer. All of them data miners.
Ick. I hate that side of web commerce.
Title: Re: Ad Aware
Post by: Spriggan on September 05, 2003, 10:09:10 AM
how 'bout a link
Title: Re: Ad Aware
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on September 05, 2003, 10:55:25 AM
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10214379.html?tag=lst-0-1

It's the only scrubber (cookie and other data miner/snoopware detection and removal agent) that has both the editor and user support at C|Nets's download.com. seriously, it's good stuff. Between that and making the computer ask you about third party cookies, you won't have any of that stuff.

Using the one that automatically checks (the way an anti-virus program would) costs money and registration. But the freeware oen (which I pointed you to) will scan as much of your harddrive as you like whenever you tell it to. I just incorporate it into my weekly maintenance schedule, like a chkdsk or scandisk.
Title: Re: Ad Aware
Post by: JP Dogberry on September 06, 2003, 04:18:54 AM
Ad-aware is a truly useful and fantastic program that I would recommend to anyone. Between it and Mozilla's security features, I generally don't have anyone spying on me when I go online. The latest version has a spiffy new interface too.
Title: Re: Ad Aware
Post by: Mr_Pleasington on September 06, 2003, 04:25:38 AM
Thanks SE!

I've actually been looking for a good freeware program like this.
Title: Re: Ad Aware
Post by: stacer on September 06, 2003, 03:06:58 PM
Me too--it got rid of about 150 on my computer. Yikes. Are there any of those that I *shouldn't* get rid of for some reason? I'm thinking NO. Someone who knows more about computers than me: am I right?
Title: Re: Ad Aware
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on September 06, 2003, 03:32:37 PM
If you don't recognize it, it should probably go. At least, that's true for Ad Aware. It is not a general windows maintenance rule if you're not VERY familiar with the system.

If in doubt, quarantine them for a week or two and see if you have any problems. If not, delete them.