Spybot query

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Having taken silent note of various contributors

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Keith

In my view, there are three relevant parts to Spybot:

1. the scanner mechanism, which takes ten minutes or so to scan the files on your hard disk for the presence of “malware”, each time you run it.
2. the TeaTimer module, which in real-time monitors the so-called “startup locations”, in the Registry and Start Menu, etc, and, if “something” wants to change any of these, you get asked whether you want to allow this or not.
3. the Immunise feature, which I don’t know too much about, but is intended to help prevent “malware” downloads via your browser(s) of choice.

I’m not quite sure what you have put in your Start menu, but I would advise:

1. that you install both TeaTimer and the Immunise features, to perform the real-time monitoring that each does. Beware that TeaTimer can use a few % of the CPU!
2. you run the Spybot Update then Scan “regularly”, say weekly, or more frequently if you think you need this.
   You can either schedule this or run it manually, as you prefer.
   Set the Mode to Advanced (if you haven’t already done this), and spend a few happy minutes browsing though Settings -> Settings for the Automation options, particularly Program Start and Web Update

If I’ve misunderstood, ask again!

John

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I am not a Spybot user, but I think I know a tad about the immunize feature. I think it is the one that is responsible for so many posts like — “Why can’t I change my Home Page”, or “Why can’t I access my Internet Options”. ;-]

That being said, I think it is a useful feature, but please read *all* the boxes before you decide which ones to check or uncheck. Additionally — and someone please correct me if I am wrong — I believe MOST of what Spybot’s immunize function does is done BETTER with SpywareBlaster.

SpywareBlaster (and ‘Spybot Immunize’) make registry modifications that block malicious ActiveX Controls and ‘tracking’ cookies from being installed on your computer. This is very desirable, however, I believe SpywareBlaster (which is completely focuses on JUST this activity) does a more complete job. So, if you use SWB, you may not need the immunize function.

Most importantly, the immunize function does NOT require Spybot to be running to be effective. Hence the name — “immunize” is like a “vaccination”. Once you get the vaccine, you are immunized against the infection. The registry changes are static and are only changed if you update the definitions. The program does not need to be running.

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Yes, when you access the Spybot Immunise function, you get messages like:
SpywareBlaster Installed
You have JavaCool’s SpywareBlaster installed.
SpywareBlaster will give you much more control on ActiveX protection. Click here to run it.
and
SpywareBlaster Not Installed
If you want more control on ActiveX protection, we recommend JavaCool’s SpywareBlaster.
Click here to visit its homepage.

John

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Ah… that is nice. I did not know that Spybot actually defers to SpywareBlaster. One day I may actually have to try Spybot out. ;-]

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Ah… that is nice. I did not know that Spybot actually defers to SpywareBlaster. One day I may actually have to try Spybot out. ;-]

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Yes, when you access the Spybot Immunise function, you get messages like:
SpywareBlaster Installed
You have JavaCool’s SpywareBlaster installed.
SpywareBlaster will give you much more control on ActiveX protection. Click here to run it.
and
SpywareBlaster Not Installed
If you want more control on ActiveX protection, we recommend JavaCool’s SpywareBlaster.
Click here to visit its homepage.

John

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I am not a Spybot user, but I think I know a tad about the immunize feature. I think it is the one that is responsible for so many posts like — “Why can’t I change my Home Page”, or “Why can’t I access my Internet Options”. ;-]

That being said, I think it is a useful feature, but please read *all* the boxes before you decide which ones to check or uncheck. Additionally — and someone please correct me if I am wrong — I believe MOST of what Spybot’s immunize function does is done BETTER with SpywareBlaster.

SpywareBlaster (and ‘Spybot Immunize’) make registry modifications that block malicious ActiveX Controls and ‘tracking’ cookies from being installed on your computer. This is very desirable, however, I believe SpywareBlaster (which is completely focuses on JUST this activity) does a more complete job. So, if you use SWB, you may not need the immunize function.

Most importantly, the immunize function does NOT require Spybot to be running to be effective. Hence the name — “immunize” is like a “vaccination”. Once you get the vaccine, you are immunized against the infection. The registry changes are static and are only changed if you update the definitions. The program does not need to be running.

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Keith

In my view, there are three relevant parts to Spybot:

1. the scanner mechanism, which takes ten minutes or so to scan the files on your hard disk for the presence of “malware”, each time you run it.
2. the TeaTimer module, which in real-time monitors the so-called “startup locations”, in the Registry and Start Menu, etc, and, if “something” wants to change any of these, you get asked whether you want to allow this or not.
3. the Immunise feature, which I don’t know too much about, but is intended to help prevent “malware” downloads via your browser(s) of choice.

I’m not quite sure what you have put in your Start menu, but I would advise:

1. that you install both TeaTimer and the Immunise features, to perform the real-time monitoring that each does. Beware that TeaTimer can use a few % of the CPU!
2. you run the Spybot Update then Scan “regularly”, say weekly, or more frequently if you think you need this.
   You can either schedule this or run it manually, as you prefer.
   Set the Mode to Advanced (if you haven’t already done this), and spend a few happy minutes browsing though Settings -> Settings for the Automation options, particularly Program Start and Web Update

If I’ve misunderstood, ask again!

John

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I think there’s one part to your post that hasn’t been answered yet – whether to get the program to start at start-up. I use Spybot S & D but I don’t have it as one of my start-up programs as you suggest. I think the right way to use it is to install the program including, if you want, the tea-timer option, which works as John Gray has already described. Check for updates, run a scan and choose to immunise. You don’t then have to have Spybot S & D running all the time. (Tea timer runs in the background, if you have chosen to use it, but that is all.) You then schedule scans or do them manually when you see fit.

Ian

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I think there’s one part to your post that hasn’t been answered yet – whether to get the program to start at start-up. I use Spybot S & D but I don’t have it as one of my start-up programs as you suggest. I think the right way to use it is to install the program including, if you want, the tea-timer option, which works as John Gray has already described. Check for updates, run a scan and choose to immunise. You don’t then have to have Spybot S & D running all the time. (Tea timer runs in the background, if you have chosen to use it, but that is all.) You then schedule scans or do them manually when you see fit.

Ian

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John, R2 and Ian,
Thanks for inputs – The mist has cleared. Firstly, I didn’t have Tea Timer set, and I was just loading the whole Spybot programme at start-up (SpybotSD.exe). I’ve set Tea Timer and taken Spybot out of my start-up function. Now when I start up Tea Timer kicks in without the whole Spybot programme loading. Hopefully, as I’ve kept the automatic Spybot scan scheduled that will kick in at the appropriate time. I’d already set Immunize so, as R2 says, I’ve been “vaccinated”.
I’ll now go away and browse, slow time, through the many ‘settings’ options and also have a look at Javacool’s Spyware Blaster.
All your inputs have been much appreciated – and all extremely useful.
Many thanks.
Keith

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John, R2 and Ian,
Thanks for inputs – The mist has cleared. Firstly, I didn’t have Tea Timer set, and I was just loading the whole Spybot programme at start-up (SpybotSD.exe). I’ve set Tea Timer and taken Spybot out of my start-up function. Now when I start up Tea Timer kicks in without the whole Spybot programme loading. Hopefully, as I’ve kept the automatic Spybot scan scheduled that will kick in at the appropriate time. I’d already set Immunize so, as R2 says, I’ve been “vaccinated”.
I’ll now go away and browse, slow time, through the many ‘settings’ options and also have a look at Javacool’s Spyware Blaster.
All your inputs have been much appreciated – and all extremely useful.
Many thanks.
Keith

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