SpywareBlaster
Spyware infections have recently become the largest and most difficult computer threat. After implementing Clean Access, we stopped receiving reports of virus infections on the network. Instead, spyware infections seemed to rise and take its place. We now spend the majority of our help desk hours assisting residents in removing spyware from their computers. As such, we spent months searching for the solution to this new problem. In the end, we determined that no single antispyware program could take care of the job on its own. Having any antispyware application is better than having none, though. After the school purchased Webroot Spy Sweeper, we decided to add its installation to our list of minimum security requirements.
Webroot Spy Sweeper continually scans your computer for any current spyware infections. It has an agent that runs in your system tray. The drawback to Spy Sweeper is that it can only fix current infections. Overall, it does very little to prevent you from getting infected in the first place. Sometimes, all a piece of spyware needs is to just be installed to cause irreversible damage. Javacool's SpywareBlaster on the other hand does not continually run on your computer. It also cannot find current spyware infections. Instead, SpywareBlaster uses different techniques to block spyware from getting on your computer in the first place.
As an example, a malicious piece of spyware called BuddyLinks sends advertisements to your friends through AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, and MSN Messenger (all without your knowledge). To send these advertisements, it first has to download them from the BuddyLinks home server. SpywareBlaster prevents your computer from being able to talk to the BuddyLinks home server, essentially rendering this piece of spyware useless. This methodology of blocking access to spyware servers prevents spyware from damaging your system, and in some cases prevents you from getting it in the first place. We found a flaw with Spy Sweeper. When SpywareBlaster goes to apply the necessary spyware blocks, Spy Sweeper flags it as spyware activity! We contacted Webroot, and they informed us this was the expected functionality. Webroot does not maintain a "white list" of good antispyware applications. As such, it prevents SpywareBlaster from doing its job. Webroot told us that there would be no "fix" to this as "it is not a problem." After extensive testing, we have compiled detailed instructions on updating and applying Javacool's SpywareBlaster with Webroot Spy Sweeper installed. We encourage you to take the few extra minutes to install and apply SpywareBlaster to help ensure your system is best protected.
Last Update: 10/6/2009
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