BleepingComputer.com: Spyware

Howdy Everyone,

I have a question regarding the spyware that I have installed on my computer.

I have Yahoo as a home page and have their anti spyware installed. When I run a scan using this spyware it may pick up say, 10 tracking cookies. I then instruct the program to remove them, and it says that they have been removed.

Next I run a Spy Bot scan. After the scan, Spy-Bot says I have 8 problems and asks wether I want them fixed. Here is the problem. These 8 problems are 8 of the 10 that Yahoo anti spy was to have just removed.

I click yes , fix problems, and Spy-Bot reports 8 problems fixed.

I then run an Ad- Aware scan, and 4 to 6 of the same tracking cookies show up. I then ask Ad-Aware to remove them. I am confused,. I am starting to wonder if any of these tracking cookies have been removed by any of the three anti-spy programs. Could anyone tell me whats happening ????

Thank You for any help you can give me.
Dennis

This should not happen if you run these applications one after the other when you are offline. Many tracking cookies will quickly reappear once you move around the net.
Be sure, also, that what the applications find are not in another's quarantine folder.
Regards,
John

Thank-you for the information John. I usually run them while on line, but while only visiting one web site and not web surfing.

I will try running them while offline and see how it goes. I also have Microsoft anti-spy and Norton anti virus.

I had run a scan by Spy Doctor yesterday evening after scanning the computer with all programs. Spy Doctors scan said I had 23 infections. Most were tracking cookies, however one was high risk. It said my browser had been compromised.

Microsoft and Norton have never reported any infections or viruses. I am really getting suspicious of these programs.

Thanks,

Dennis

The problem with spyware applications is that, unlike, for example, viruses, the definitions of what consitututes spyware can vary from one company to another. The same also applies to cookie use, although cookies are more harmless. Having one or two spyware applications makes sense, but I think the law of diminishing returns applies after two.
Regards,
John

Thanks for the reply John.

My computer was invaded by a worm/virus several months ago and it completely wiped me out. I am very gun shy now. I was just thinking the more protection the better. I am a extremely novice user, just trying to learn as I go.

Take Care,
Dennis

There is nothing wrong with a little overkill, especially if you have been burned before, or if you unsure of yourself when it comes to using the Net.
Cheers,
John