As a
general rule, using more than one anti-spyware program like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, SuperAntispyware, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, etc will not conflict with each other or your anti-virus if using only
one of them for real-time protection and others as stand-alone scanners. In fact, doing so
increases your protection coverage without causing the same kind of conflicts or affecting the stability of your system that can occur when using more than one anti-virus. The overlap of protection from using different signature databases will aid in detection and removal of more threats when scanning your system for malware.
However,
if using several real-time resident shields (TeaTimer, Ad-Watch, MBAM Protection Module, Spyware Terminator Shields, etc) together at the same time,
there can be conflicts when each application tries to compete for resources and exclusive rights to perform an action. Your anti-virus may detect suspicious activity while these programs are scanning (reading) files. Additionally, competing tools may even provide redundant alerts which can be annoying and/or confusing.
SpywareBlaster is a program that
blocks spyware tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and any browsers that use the Internet Explorer engine, including: AOL web browser, Avant Browser, Slim Browser and Maxthon (formerly MyIE2). It also provides protection for Mozilla Firefox, Netscape, Seamonkey, and Flock. SpywareBlaster
restricts the actions of potentially dangerous sites by adding a list of sites and domains associated with known spyware, advertisers and marketers to the browser's "Restricted Sites Zone" and
prevents the installation of ActiveX-based malware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software.
How does SpywareBlaster work? It adds sites to the restricted zones by adding the domain as a subkey under the registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains. A dword is then added to that domain named * and given a hex value of 4 to specify that it is part of the Restricted Sites Zone. More specifically, Spywareblaster sets the "killbit" on the
CLSID (Class ID) of known spyware. Every program has a CLSID that is unique to the type of program. Once Spywareblaster enables (writes) those killbits they are "locked in" and any identified spyware cannot be opened. Spywareblaster writes these killbits in and then stays off until you need to re-write them again with an update.
Why is all this important? Some types of malware are known to alter Trusted Zones, Ranges and ProtocolDefaults set for a browser.
SpywareBlaster also provides the ability to keep
encrypted backup copies of the Hosts file so if its altered, you can easily restore a good backup copy. Unlike many other security tools, SpywareBlaster
does not run in the background. Instead it only requires installation and then enabling of all protection. After that you only have to check periodically for database updates using the built-in "
Check for Updates" feature and then enable all protection again.
If you are not sure how to use SpywareBlaster, please refer to the
How to use SpywareBlaster to protect your computer tutorial.
Spybot's Immunization (passive protection, meaning it
does not run in the background): When you "Immunize", entries are added to the system Registry. This blocks cookies from some sites, places other sites in the restricted zone and blocks the download of selected ActiveX scripts. This feature is similar to SpywareBlaster in that it adds registry entries for bad sites which are then blocked by IE. In fact Spybot will tell you if SpywareBlaster is installed on your computer and that it offers more control over your settings by letting you add and remove sites very easily.
If you are not sure how to use Spybot S&D, please refer to the
Using Spybot S&D tutorial.
Note: If you use Spybot, SpywareBlaster and IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut together, there is some overlap of protection. Each one offers a different list but they are not completely identical. Thus, if you undo or disable the protection in one product, it may remove some of the protection installed by the other. You should re-immunize or re-enable the protection in the other products as appropriate.
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