BleepingComputer.com: Spyware Adware Remover Program

Hi, I would like to get some knowledge for running my anti spyware programs.

1) While performing a scan, is it ok to do other task at the same time?
For example, working in photoshop, excel, logging into bleepingcomputer forum & posting, writing emails, etc..
2) Will it be more efficient if I perform the scans in Safe Mode?
3) If threats were found, shall I quarantine it first before delete / remove it?
(I usually quarantine it, and if my pc is working fine, I will consider deleting it)

Prog I currently have:
*Spybot SD
*Ad-aware SE Personal
*AVG antispy 7.5
*AVG Antivirus
*Spyware Blaster
*XoftSpy SE
*Sygate personal firewall

-I would like to know if I need anymore useful spyware I should have

Thanks in advance.
-veronica yeoh-

Hi, I personally run my security progs with the computer running nothing else. I'll generally set one of them away if I'm away from the comp for any length of time. So I wouldn't recommend doing anything on the comp while security progs are running. I wouldn't run in safe mode unless you already have a problem you can't resolve. I don't think there would be a lot of benefit gained. I think it's always best to quarantine for a while first.

Running Anti-spyware applications whilst performing other tasks would slow down the scanning, especially if these were scanning a large, full drive, and I would be hesitant about doing anything related to files while one was working.
Scanning in Safe Mode does two things: it speeds up the process and provides malware fewer places to hide themselves in protected areas.

I would always quarantine files for at least several days before deleting them.
Given that each company has different criteria for spyware, sometimes the more stringent of them will recommend deletion of cookies from sites you use, or files needed by an application for proper functioning. In addition to these considerations, mistakes or false-positives are always a possibility.
By temporarily quarantining files, you have the option of restoring any that you either need or were recommended by mistake.

Lastly, there are many additional anti-spyware applications that you could install, but here the law of diminishing returns seems to operate. You have the "top three" installed, and I would think that between them, they will find almost all the spyware you might have installed, certainly all the serious offenders will be covered.

Regards,
John

Thanks Sha2, and many thanks for the helpful info John.

I guess I have a problem starting in SAFE MODE.
*I have not tried starting my PC in safe mode from the day I bought it (few months ago)*

This afternoon I tried starting in safe mode by restarting my pc, then press F8 a few times, and a boot up screen appeared. It was a big blue box with these instruction:

Please select the boot device
1st floppy Drive
SM-GCR-8525B
SS-Lite-On CD-RW SOHR-5239S
3M-ST380817AS

Where is the 'safe mode'??
I tried starting my son's pc (win98) in safe mode & I can see safe mode option is on the screen, but not with my this PC (WinXP)

Pls advice...
Thanks

-veronica yeoh-

Another option to try, to get into Safe Mode, is the System Configuration Tool method, described in this Tutorial?
How to start Windows in Safe Mode

Thanks tg1911.
I actually have seen that method, but just that I'm not very familiar with System Configuration Utility. So I was thinking something must be wrong when I am not able to see my 'Start in Safe Mode' when I hit F8 during restart.

Anyway, I've done starting in safe mode using System Configuration Utility, and did some scan.
jgweed is right, it really provides malware fewer places to hide themselves in protected areas.
I just discovered that I got 3 more infection from adware after scanning in Safe Mode.
It was found in my system restore! (Although all my scan results is Clean without safe mode...)

Thanks again, it really helps

You're welcome, Verons88.
Here's a program, recommended by usasma in the Freeware topic, that would make booting to Safe Mode even easier:
BootSafe
Quote from usasma:

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Another alternative is to use a tool like BootSafe which allows you to easily reboot into safe mode and then back to regular mode again without using the F8 key.
1. After download, double-click the BootSafe icon to start the program.
2. Select which Safe Mode you wish to boot - Minimal, Networking, Repair.
3. Click the "Reboot" button.
4. When you have completed your tasks, run BootSafe again and select the "Normal Restart" option.
5. Click the "Reboot" button and your computer will reboot in Normal Mode.

Edit: Hey tg1911, I see we were both thinking the same thing but you beat me to the post.

Do correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe with BootSafe:

If you use bootsafe.exe to enter safe mode you MUST also you it to reboot back into normal mode?
I've tried several times to get back out of safe mode by rebooting normally; however, it loops me back into safe mode. The only way I've managed to get out is by using BootSafe again to reboot into normal mode.

From what I see in quietman7's directions in steps 4 and 5, yes you have to set Bootsafe back to normal then hit reboot.

Orange Blossom

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Correct. You run BootSafe again and select the "Normal Restart" option.

tg1911, quietman7, Orange Blossom, Elendil Thank you for all the replies.
I've got bootsafe on my desktop now.

*So, I need to use Bootsafe to start & exit safe mode. (the first 2 options- normal restart, safe mode minimal)

Can someone give a rough explain on the other 2 options?
Safe mode - networking
Safe mode - Directory Service Repair.

Just want to know how to make full use of it.

Thanks again

Description of Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP

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