I hope it is OK to add a question.  I use Spybot Search and Destroy and have Windows XP.  Recently, I did a scan that came up with 2 files titled WildTangent that required a rescan by Spybot after restarting the computer to fix.  After it rescanned and fixed the problem, a Spybot popup said that there was a request to change the registry and the file was titled Wild Tangent - did I want to accept the change?  I assumed, since I had not gone on the internet, that the registry change was part of the fix and accepted the change, but now wonder if somehow WildTangent was able to immediately reinfiltrate.  Does anyone know what WildTangent is or does?  If it's a problem, can I get rid of it without doing a recovery?  I did restore to a date prior to the date this all happened, but don't know how to check the registry to see if WildTangent is there, and if it is, how to delete it.

Diane Hartley


----- Original Message ----
From: Thomas Mayer <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 12:55:20 PM
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Spyware/Internet Security

It is amazing how small questions can lead to big answers. This area has 
been extensively covered by this forum in the past, so I'll try to be 
brief in MY response which are based on MY experiences. There are many 
members who could have other varied responses that would likely all be 
valid.

Firstly, I have used both McAfee and Norton over the past years and due 
to bloat, resource use, and price, I have stopped using them. When you 
uninstall/replace each one they leave their tentacles behind. Norton has 
a removal program on their site that removes most of their left overs 
and McAfee may have a similar program. However, to get rid of the last 
vestiges of each requires a thorough search of the hard drive folders 
and the registry. BTW I had the same situation trying to 
uninstall/remove Zone Alarm.

Secondly, I believe that a single purpose program is better at doing its 
thing than trying to branch out and do a lot of different things. 
However, there are companies that offer all-in-one packages.

Thirdly, Internet Security, to me, is a broad term that includes 
avoiding viruses, spyware and other nasty things. Within that framework, 
Internet Security relies heavily upon how a person uses the Internet. 
Indiscriminate use will result in non desirable results. Beyond that 
anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall are good aids.

Fourthly, I have come to the opinion that, for home use, free security 
programs are sufficient. AVG and Avast are free anti-virus programs that 
seem to receive good user comments, I've been using AVG for about 3 
years without any problems. My anti-spyware consists of Spyware Blaster, 
Spybot Search and Destroy, and Microsoft Windows Defender. They work 
together without any apparent problems and provide real time protection. 
I also have AdAware, but it does not provide real time protection unless 
you pay for their upgrade. Rarely do my anti-spyware scans find any bad 
items with the few that appear being tracking cookies. My Firewall is 
only inbound only a cheap router with a built in hardware firewall. It 
is installed between the modem and the computer. The newest modems seem 
to include built in routers and probably have built in firewalls as 
well. Unfortunately, I have not found a free, user friendly outgoing 
software firewall (I've tried a number of them). With careful 
utilization of the Internet and the foregoing, I have been very 
fortunate to not have any bad occurrences.

Fifthly, beyond your immediate question, I also utilize programs to 
block pop-ups, stop changes to my startup file, stop changes to my 
"home" designation in my Internet browsers, stop and notify me of 
intruders to my LAN, etc. And I do not consider myself paranoid.

Sorry for the length of this reply. I am sure you will get others.

Tom Mayer

> Thanks!  I appreciate your candor.  I'm not sure how security programs work or what I actually need. Is spyware, internet security, and anti-virus mutually exclusive?  Is it best to buy individually or can you get all three in a software program like Norton or Mcafee?
>
>  I have Comcast.  I think they offer an introductory Mcaffee. I did the introducory then switched to Norton.  Nowthat I think about it my system did slow done tremendously.  
>
>              
>
>  

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