AdwCleaner

[Senexx]

So in my recent experience SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) is not as effective as it used to be. I notice on forums like these people are referred to AdwCleaner instead.

So is AdwCleaner the new SAS?

 

[BoraMurdar]

I think tools like AdwCleaner, Junkware Removal Tool and others are good tools for removing toolbars, adwares, wrong hosts and some malformations in Windows system but in my opinion can't replace SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, SpyBot S&D...

 

[Senexx]

People still use SpyBot S&D. Years ago I found it to be mostly useless.

I figured Adaware and SpyBot S&D had been replaced by MBAM and SAS

I'm basically asking has SAS now been replaced too?
(not withstanding your other remarks)

 

[Gnosis]

SAS is off my "quality list" of malware removal/prevention options.
Like you heard; SAS and adwCleaner are two different animals.
I have not used Spybot S&D for a long time. MBAM, MBAR, and HitMan Pro are the popular choices for malware detection/removal, and for good reason.

 

[Ink]

The new Spybot S&D (v2) doesn't appear to be worth the trouble. Not sure what more advanced users think of it though, having said that I don't think I've come across anyone here using v2.

I no longer use anti-spyware scanners. Mainly, because I'm not in the Malware Removal business, so I don't really have an use for them.

 

[Senexx]

SAS is off my "quality list" of malware removal/prevention options.

Thank You Gnosis. I guess that is really what I was asking.

Like you heard; SAS and adwCleaner are two different animals.
I have not used Spybot S&D for a long time. MBAM, MBAR, and HitMan Pro are the popular choices for malware detection/removal, and for good reason.

And in a roundabout way I guess I was asking this too about SAS.
Has MBAR made it out of Beta yet?

 

[Gnosis]

Good question.
Yes. It appears it still is in beta.

As far as Spybot S&D goes, I give them a thumbs up for making an honest effort to help users. I also appreciate their style of asking for donations instead of charging, but I don't use it anymore. That said, anyone that knows me knows that I raised awareness a year or two ago when I heard they were going to bring out a new version. I still know people that use it. Give it a try. There are worse programs you can install on your PC.

I will go on to say that adwCleaner is much more similar to Spybot S&D, but each offer a little more than one another in various ways. I don't know for sure though because, like I said, I have not used Safer Networking's Spybot S&D for some time; I am quite certain that is a German outfit.

 

[aztony]

In my own experience of using both SAS and MBAM free, there was rarely a time that SAS found something, other than tracking cookies, that MBAM didn't. So to me SAS was just redundant being on my system.

 

[Littlebits]

AdwCleaner, Junkware Removal Tool and Combofix are geek tools which can cause more problems than solving anything.

None of these tools are digitally signed by a trusted vendor and nobody knows anything about their developers. They are popular on Beeping Computer forums but are not popular at most download sites.

I never use these kind of tools since they tend to cause more harm than good. They all detect harmless files and registry entries that can cause Windows to become corrupted and delete system and user settings.

If you want to remove malware it is best to use a respectful digitally signed product by a known trusted vendor that are known to be safe.

Using these kind of geeks tools is like using muriatic acid to kill germs, of coarse it will kill them germs also melt everything else in the area.

Besides of Malwarebytes there are a lot of other removal tools and rescue boot disks available by trusted vendors. If all of them fail to remove infections then it is best to reinstall Windows then to mess with these geek tools which have a poor success rate fixing all problems.

Thanks.

 

[jenniferatemple]

AdwCleaner, Junkware Removal Tool and Combofix are geek tools which can cause more problems than solving anything.

None of these tools are digitally signed by a trusted vendor and nobody knows anything about their developers. They are popular on Beeping Computer forums but are not popular at most download sites.

I never use these kind of tools since they tend to cause more harm than good. They all detect harmless files and registry entries that can cause Windows to become corrupted and delete system and user settings.

Besides of Malwarebytes there are a lot of other removal tools and rescue boot disks available by trusted vendors. If all of them fail to remove infections then it is best to reinstall Windows then to mess with these geek tools which have a poor success rate fixing all problems.

Thanks.

The truth to tell, if in the end you need to reformat and reinstall the OS, why not play with the "geek" tools. If they work, WHOOPEE!! no reinstall required and you get to know the tool(s) in question.

Spybot, from what I could tell, was hopeless! I removed it some time ago because it never caught any of the malware though it did list every cookie!

 

[BoraMurdar]

There were cases I've found users to have so much toolbars that a "toolbar space" was taking >50% space of the browser window. In most cases, after uninstalling with IObit Uninstaller and then full scaning with Malwarebytes and HitmanPro were enough.
But there were times that after even reinstalling the web browser there were registry keys left that were continually changing the home page or search engine. In those cases Junkware Removal Tool was very helpful removing all remaining traces.
But I can agree that these tools can be dangerous and users should create restore point before using them, especially Combofix. Use them only as the last option.

 

[jim lin]

hello

when dealing with stubborn Malware and you have to use specialized tools to get it off of your pc would
you ever trust your pc again?

Malware can and will leave holes behind to make your pc vulnerable so other Malware can get back in and
there is no way to fix that unless you reinstall your OS

so cleaning is one thing but fixing is another and reinstalling the OS would be something to think about

thanks

James

 

[Gnosis]

But I can agree that these tools can be dangerous and users should create restore point before using them, especially Combofix. Use them only as the last option.

Absolutely.
adwCleaner will usually cause a couple of browser add-ons to need to be readjusted, and as for CFix, it goes without saying.

 

[Bobroberto]

Used this yesterday to get rid of a pud. While it did work, the reboot of my thinkpad was a knowledge testing chore. Effective but can clean way too deep.

 

[Prorootect]

Used this yesterday to get rid of a pud. While it did work, the reboot of my thinkpad was a knowledge testing chore. Effective but can clean way too deep.

Spybot, Ad-Aware, SAS - these are 'Crap From The Past' to me ..
I did not use these softs for years - to forget.

AdwCleaner is very good, actively developed. I do the scans with AdwCleaner, and SpyDLLRemover sometimes, rarely.
SpyDLLRemover by SecurityXploded : http://securityxploded.com/spydllremover.php

My post with AdwCleaner links here: http://malwaretips.com/Thread-My-homepage-has-changed-remove-MySearchDial?pid=138138#pid138138

 

[Littlebits]

Used this yesterday to get rid of a pud. While it did work, the reboot of my thinkpad was a knowledge testing chore. Effective but can clean way too deep.

Spybot, Ad-Aware, SAS - these are 'Crap From The Past' to me ..
I did not use these softs for years - to forget.

AdwCleaner is very good, actively developed. I do the scans with AdwCleaner, and SpyDLLRemover sometimes, rarely.
SpyDLLRemover by SecurityXploded : http://securityxploded.com/spydllremover.php

My post with AdwCleaner links here: http://malwaretips.com/Thread-My-homepage-has-changed-remove-MySearchDial?pid=138138#pid138138

SpyDLLRemover is a much safer product to use since it doesn't break legitimate system settings or trusted programs. Of coarse it does often have false positives but used with skills, it is a good product.

For adware, just about all of it now can be easily uninstalled with Windows Control Panel and almost all adware vendors provide removal tools from their websites which always will do the job. They maybe a few inactive registry keys left behind but that does not hurt anything. Most registry cleaners can remove these keys or uninstallers like IObit or Revo.

In my tests of using AdwCleaner on infected systems after using uninstallers and the vendor's removal tools, all AdwCleaner found is false positives and inactive registry keys. So my opinion of the product is not that good.

Thanks.