View Full Version : Hello everyone!
Wendykins
2010-09-19, 18:32
Hi everybody, I have just joined. I have been using Spybot Search and Destroy for quite a while now (the free version) but it never occurred to me to actually join the forums. Anyway, I have now, which seems to make sense if I am using it.
I just have a few questions to start with. I am not sure whether this is the right forum to ask, if it is not, then perhaps somebody could kindly redirect me to the correct one?
I believe my first question has already been answered, pertaining to having your own avatar. I have seen the ones you have available. Am I allowed to pick one of those being a newbie? Am I allowed to upload one of my own? If so, how do I do this?
My next question is this. (more of a statement than a question ;-)
I ditched AVG for Microsoft Security Essentials. I also ditched Malwarebytes because I was getting an annoying balloon coming up in the bottom right hand corner of my taskbar every time I loaded up the computer relating to a problem with that program. I also joined the Malwarebytes forums where I spent ages with them trying to sort this problem and they could not sort out the problem either. I uninstalled it in the end as Microsoft Security Essentials, I was informed would be satisfactory without it.
This is my real question.
I still kept Spybot and Spywareblaster in conjunction with MSE yet MSE was advising that all other anti-virus and malware programs should be taken off before their product was installed. So the question is, do I seriously need to do this and will they all conflict with each other if I leave them all on my computer?
It does not seem to and I have not seen any adverse effects by having all three. The only thing I can think of is that I use Windows Speech Recognition. This seems to be very slow at times. Could, by using all three programs, this contribute towards a conflict to cause this problem???
Any advice on what I really should do would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Wendykins
Hello Wendykins. :snwelcome:
I believe my first question has already been answered, pertaining to having your own avatar. I have seen the ones you have available. Am I allowed to pick one of those being a newbie? Am I allowed to upload one of my own? If so, how do I do this?
All registered members may use one of the stock avatars provided, I'm afraid at this time only team members in malware removal and forum helpers can upload their own.
I still kept Spybot and Spywareblaster in conjunction with MSE yet MSE was advising that all other anti-virus and malware programs should be taken off before their product was installed. So the question is, do I seriously need to do this and will they all conflict with each other if I leave them all on my computer?
Rule of thumb is one firewall/one anti virus program resident to avoid conflicts, loss of program efficiency and system lock up due to both software products attempting to access the same file at the same time.
Usually one can have several anti spyware type programs installed without issue, although one may decide to choose one resident real time protection.
FYI:
How Spybot-S&D protects against the installation of Spyware/Malware. (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=281)
Hope that helps. :)
Wendykins
2010-09-19, 22:00
Hello Wendykins. :snwelcome:
All registered members may use one of the stock avatars provided, I'm afraid at this time only team members in malware removal and forum helpers can
upload their own.
Hi tashi, nice to meet you :-) I am from the UK by the way.
Oh, alright then. I was just going to upload a picture of Wendy from Peter Pan. My namesake. Never mind, I will you use one of the others instead. Thanks.
Rule of thumb is one firewall/one anti virus program resident to avoid conflicts, loss of program efficiency and system lock up due to both
software products attempting to access the same file at the same time.
Usually one can have several anti spyware type programs installed without issue, although one may decide to choose one resident real time protection.
Sorry for being a bit thick and just to clarify. I know that when you download MSE, it automatically turns off Windows Defender doesn't it? That is different
to Windows Firewall isn't it. So I still do have a firewall?
And you are also saying (please clarify) it is fine to have Spybot S&D & Spywareblaster on the same machine at the same time with MSE???
I have not got a real time anti-spyware program. I have to update both of them. This is not a problem though, is it?
Thank you for all the extra information you sent. I shall wade myself through it when I get a bit of time and no doubt, I will probably have a series
of other questions to shower you with :bighug:
Wendykins:laugh:
Hi Wendykins,
I know that when you download MSE, it automatically turns off Windows Defender doesn't it? That is different
to Windows Firewall isn't it. So I still do have a firewall?
Unless you have a third party firewall you'd be using Windows native firewall. What is your operating system?
And you are also saying (please clarify) it is fine to have Spybot S&D & Spywareblaster on the same machine at the same time with MSE???
I am not aware of any issues in doing so. :)
I have not got a real time anti-spyware program. I have to update both of them. This is not a problem though, is it?
Not sure what you mean, what wouldn't be a problem, updating the programs?
Spybot-S&D has "teatimer" resident, but you do not have use that option. Linked to previously: How Spybot-S&D protects against the installation of Spyware/Malware. (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=281)
Spywareblaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html#Principles
Cheers.
You may also want to download and install CCleaner:
http://www.piriform.com/
This will remove any old registry keys from your AVG installation. It doesn't dig around the registry too deep, so it works great.
This will remove any old registry keys from your AVG installation. It doesn't dig around the registry too deep, so it works great.
I'll have to link Wendykins to Registry Cleaners, not recommended (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30038) :p:
Wendykins
2010-09-22, 22:38
Hi Wendykins,
Unless you have a third party firewall you'd be using Windows native firewall. What is your operating system?
Vista Ultimate is my OS at the moment but I will be upgrading to Win 7 very shortly. I checked in my control panel and I do have Windows firewall so I guess I am protected in that area.
I am not aware of any issues in doing so. :)
Good. I did not think there were and I have had no trouble thus far.
You said in your previous post that you can have as many adware, spyware malware programs as you like. With the ones I have at the moment, as I have described, do you think I am short in any other department?
In other words, are there any more of these programs that I could do with as extra protection? If so, what are other good recommendations? Or, am I okay as I am?
Not sure what you mean, what wouldn't be a problem, updating the programs?
I think I may have my wires crossed here. Perhaps you can tell me if I have.
Because I do not have the paid version of Spywareblaster or Spybot S&D, I regularly update both and this is not a problem. What I thought you meant by "one resident real-time protection" was having one anti-spyware program that was paid for so this one stayed on all the time and did not need to be updated manually.
Am I barking up the wrong tree here and missing something???
I did not mean I have a problem updating them. Can you see what I was trying to say now?
I also regularly immunise after updating using your product. Am I doing the right thing here? I also regularly scan using your product as well. Your product, in my opinion is brilliant. I just want to learn to use it properly. :bigthumb:
Spybot-S&D has "teatimer" resident, but you do not have use that option. Linked to previously: How Spybot-S&D protects against the installation of Spyware/Malware. (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=281)
Spywareblaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html#Principles
Cheers.
I have not read this information thoroughly yet. Just shows you how novice I am. What is “teatimer”? Will it all become apparent once I have read the URLs you have put here?
Please help me out as you can see what a confused bunny I am regarding this. :confused:
I'll have to link Wendykins to Registry Cleaners, not recommended <http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30038>
I have to be honest here. I have always been told by knowledgeable people as yourself not to use Registry cleaners. For years I heeded this warning because I was so scared of ‘em.I have read some of the articles from URL's on this Website (and others) and I have yet to see a bad word said against CC cleaner or adverse effects it has caused.
I actually took the plunge and the risk a little while back, downloaded and used this product for the first time. The reason for this was that I was so desperate to clean my computer up because it slowed down to such an extent.
Yes I tried all the other ways, I regularly defrag etc etc but this just did not do anything substantial to help my machine. The very first time I used CC cleaner, I noticed a significant difference in the speed up of my machine. On top of that, I always save a backup of the registry each time I use it and these backups are stored safely in a folder if I need them.
Can you tell me any other ways you can clean up your computer and speed it up without using a software product such as I have just mentioned? If there are those programs out there, then I would like to know and then I would not need to use a registry cleaner.
Cheers :thanks:
Wendykins
Hello Wendykins,
You said in your previous post that you can have as many adware, spyware malware programs as you like.
Not quite,
Usually one can have several anti spyware type programs installed without issue,
Several: being more than two but fewer than many in number or kind.
With the ones I have at the moment, as I have described, do you think I am short in any other department?
Please see So how did I get infected in the first place? (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279) for some general tips.
Because I do not have the paid version of Spywareblaster or Spybot S&D,
Spybot for personal use is free, perhaps you were thinking of Corporate-Small Business Editions (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=16402)
I regularly update both and this is not a problem. What I thought you meant by "one resident real-time protection" was having one anti-spyware program that was paid for so this one stayed on all the time and did not need to be updated manually.
Am I barking up the wrong tree here and missing something???
I did not mean I have a problem updating them. Can you see what I was trying to say now?
Please see the topic I previously linked to: How Spybot-S&D protects against the installation of Spyware/Malware. (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=281) and tutorial "8. Resident" here, http://www.safer-networking.org/en/tutorial/index.html
I also regularly immunise after updating using your product. Am I doing the right thing here?
That is fine.
I have not read this information thoroughly yet. Just shows you how novice I am. What is “teatimer”? Will it all become apparent once I have read the URLs you have put here?
Only you will know the answer to that. ;)
I have to be honest here. I have always been told by knowledgeable people as yourself not to use Registry cleaners. For years I heeded this warning because I was so scared of ‘em.I have read some of the articles from URL's on this Website (and others) and I have yet to see a bad word said against CC cleaner or adverse effects it has caused.
CCleaner is a nice program, it is the registry cleaner option that can be a concern.
If you do not have knowledge of the registry, then you would probably be better off leaving it alone, and definitely not placing blind trust in a program to do the job for you. Registry Cleaners, not recommended (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30038)
Can you tell me any other ways you can clean up your computer and speed it up without using a software product such as I have just mentioned? If there are those programs out there, then I would like to know and then I would not need to use a registry cleaner.
From the same sticky, please read the topics linked to and see the discussions. There is information that should help. :oreo:
Do I Need a Registry Cleaner? (http://billpstudios.blogspot.com/2007/04/do-i-need-registry-cleaner.html)
Should I Use a Registry Cleaner? (http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099)
Are Registry Cleaners Safe to Use? (http://chris.pirillo.com/are-registry-cleaners-safe-to-use/)
Best regards. :)
Wendykins
2010-09-24, 14:00
Hi tashi,
Looks like I have a bit of reading up to do then. Sound advice from you which I appreciate. If I get stuck anywhere I can always ask a question in here. :bigthumb:
There is one other question I would like to ask.
I do not know whether it is me or whether the happens to other people as well. If I have downloaded a new program from wherever, before I open it, I always scan it first with MSE and then S, S&D. The Malware scan usually takes seconds before it states "nothing found". The Heuristic scan on the other hand on some occasions seems to take an age to complete. On some, it can take up to half an hour and still there is no completion and it is still stating that the scan is "queued." Is this normal? Should I be doing something differently?
Thanks for all your support with my previous questions. :thanks:
Wendykins
Hello Wendykins,
Heuristic scans take longer than other types. :)
Best regards.
Wendykins
2010-09-25, 19:39
Hi tashi,
okay, I have now read the articles that you posted about registry cleaners and I am willing to heed the warnings about them. I am now seriously thinking about uninstalling CC cleaner after what I have read. Do you think this is sensible under the circumstances? You did say the ordinary cleaner that it has is fine to use but not its registry cleaner.
I then read the article "Are Registry Cleaners safe to use"? by Chris Pirillo.
Apparently, safe cleaners to use recommended by Chris are ATF Cleaner and/or TFC. Is this good advice? Should I download them and use these?
I also read the advice about downloading ERUNT and using that but my operating system is Vista. This means I have to turn off the UAC account. Will I still be safe by taking this action? I am the only user on my machine so I kind of feel I can without any worries? Should I have any worries by turning it off?
Thanks in advance for the answers.
Wendykins
Hello Wendykins,
okay, I have now read the articles that you posted about registry cleaners and I am willing to heed the warnings about them. I am now seriously thinking about uninstalling CC cleaner after what I have read. Do you think this is sensible under the circumstances? You did say the ordinary cleaner that it has is fine to use but not its registry cleaner.
CCleaner is a nice program, it is the registry cleaner option that can be a concern.
Others mileage may vary. ;)
Apparently, safe cleaners to use recommended by Chris are ATF Cleaner and/or TFC. Is this good advice? Should I download them and use these?
That's up to you. :) Both tools were developed by respected members in the security community. ATF (http://www.atribune.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=25) TFC (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/)
I also read the advice about downloading ERUNT and using that but my operating system is Vista. This means I have to turn off the UAC account. Will I still be safe by taking this action? I am the only user on my machine so I kind of feel I can without any worries? Should I have any worries by turning it off?
Is there a particular reason you want to use ERUNT to back up the registry?
Best regards.
I would say download glaries utilities it get rids of tons of junk
http://www.glaryutilities.com/
:bigthumb:
Hello TRO98,
I would say download glaries utilities it get rids of tons of junk
http://www.glaryutilities.com/
:bigthumb:
"Glary Utilities is a freeware with registry and disk cleaning"
Did you read this entire thread of Wendykins' where Registry Cleaners, not recommended (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30038) was mentioned a few times? ;)
Best regards.
Wendykins
2010-09-26, 22:01
Hi TR098,
I would say download glaries utilities it get rids of tons of junk
http://www.glaryutilities.com/
:bigthumb:
I agree with tashi, please do read all this thread and the URLs. Also, have a look at the Chris Pirillo videos on "Are Registry Cleaners safe to use?"
http://chris.pirillo.com/are-registry-cleaners-safe-to-use/
It is quite an eye opener.
I have already been advised before this thread that using a Registry cleaner is dangerous by various MVPs and other knowledgeable people who know
their stuff. Now it has been confirmed once again by experts in this forum (tashi). They all say the same thing. Leave the registry cleaners alone. :nono:
What made me quake with fear was that although by using them you may have never had a problem. It was still pointed out to me that it was potluck
and that all it took was one little mistake in your registry that could wreck everything.
Most experts have problems knowing about the registry itself, so what chance have people like myself or other novices got to just put their faith in a
product that is expected to clean out the registry every time with no problems.
*READ IT ALL* before you use your registry cleaner again.
Also pointed out in some of this literature is that there are some safe options out there that will do the same job in cleaning your computer up without touching the registry.
Happy and safe computing and :rockon: these forums. :2thumb:
Wendykins:wav:
I already know that registry cleaners are dangerous, but I always never use the registry cleaner on it '-'