Is Ad-ware the same as Spy-Ware?

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-21-2008, 06:15 PM

Just wondering if someone can tell me if Ad-ware is the same as Spyware.

If not - I do have Ad-ware on my computer but could someone recommend a good free Spyware program?

Thanks so much!

Love,

Jen

**PrairieRose** · 06-21-2008, 10:58 PM

I use SpyBot.

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-21-2008, 11:03 PM

Thank you ... I'll go check it out!

Love,

Jen

**Nishu** · 06-21-2008, 11:04 PM

What? I'm confused. Are you asking for spyware?

Adaware is great for removing spyware. I installed it on all my relatives computers because they're constantly downloading crap like Bonzi Buddy and Weatherbug. Most of them are... um... not real computer literate, so it's ease of use is a real plus for us.

My husband prefers Spybot. That one, I've never used myself... I don't know anything about it.

**zakity** · 06-21-2008, 11:26 PM

I have both, but I prefer adaware. I can run spybot and then run adaware. Spybot will say that all is fine and adaware finds a zillion things on my computer.

**scottVee** · 06-21-2008, 11:43 PM

Adware is unwanted software that makes ads show up on your desktop or browser. Spyware is unwanted software that steals your private information.

I used Stopzilla for a while, but now my Norton Internet Security takes care of these things.

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-21-2008, 11:43 PM

Hi Nishu,

I was asking about Spyware if it and the Ad-aware were 2 different things.

Did a search and found something called Spy Doctor or something to that affect.

Downloaded it, run it and had many things that needed off my computer [this is after I did run Ad-aware.]

Well, when I clicked to remove them, it said that I had to actually buy the program [go figure, huh? *lol*]

On my way now to Spybot to give it a try.

Still getting my browser hi-jacked when I do a search at google. How frustrating!

Love,

Jen

**Nishu** · 06-21-2008, 11:55 PM

Spyware is the ugly stuff that hijacks your computer and causes popups or redirects your browser. Adaware is a free program available on the internet that will allow you to remove those spyware programs. So, they're not the same thing. Is that what you're asking?

There are a lot of programs (like Spydoctor) that do that to you, they'll pop up and say "You have spyware" and basically get you to install a bunch of crap on your computer. It makes the problem worse, and even if you did pay for it, it probably wouldn't remove all your junk.

Have you run Adaware recently? It has removed those types of programs for me.

This is the adaware you're talking about, right?
http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

**scottVee** · 06-22-2008, 02:02 AM

Oops - in that case let's just say that Adware and AdAware are two different things ... AdWare is a problem, and AdAware is one of the tools to help clean it up.

**karone** · 06-22-2008, 09:33 AM

according to jason u should use both adaware and spybot together b/c one program might find some stuff that the other wont. also avg is a good antivirus program: http://free.grisoft.com/ last yr b4 jason took over taking care of my computer i had norton installed and when i did a scan with avg, avg found stuff that norton had missed.

**YankeeMom** · 06-22-2008, 11:35 AM

I use three programs.
Ad-Aware
Spy-Bot Search & Destroy
AVG anti-virus

Between the three, I am able to keep my computer clean.

**PrairieRose** · 06-22-2008, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

I use three programs.
Ad-Aware
Spy-Bot Search & Destroy
AVG anti-virus

Between the three, I am able to keep my computer clean.

Same here, they're all free (Avg has a pay for program but I use the free for home use one....).

I also use PanicWare for pop up blocking. I know my browser has one but this one works best for me, it's free too.

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-23-2008, 12:02 AM

What I ended up doing was to restore my computer back to a previous date and that took care of the browser problem.

Then today I went to Pandasecurity, a site online that scanned my computer and with the free version of it, it did take care of a couple of viruses.

I need to buy a good program next month when I get my money [rent rebate] 'cuz honestly ... my computer is my lifeline or link to the world.

Love,

Jen

Thanks for everyone's help!

**YankeeMom** · 06-23-2008, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Clutterbug Jen

I need to buy a good program next month when I get my money [rent rebate] 'cuz honestly ... my computer is my lifeline or link to the world.

Honestly, you don't need to buy one. The three listed above are free and very good at what they do. And they don't give "false positives" to make you feel like they're doing a good job. IE, telling you there's 50 infections and it's taking care of them just to make you feel better when in reality, there are no infections or if there are infections the program didn't find them.

Some are even spyware/adware in disguise as programs designed to get rid of spyware/adware.