spware blaster and spyware guard

I am confused on how these programs work. Both keep spyware from installing on your machine rather than remove what is already there.... but spyware blaster does not need to be running in the background to do the job. Spyware guard runs in the background similar to how an anti virus does and prevents spyware that way. Can someone explain to me why one needs to be running and the other does not and basicly how they work?

 

Hi Dewback,

Hope this explanation helps!

Spyware Blaster works from a predetermined list of baddies – Sort of like SpyBot SD.
It adds the CLSIDs of known baddies to the registry under the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility. (I think???)
It then adds what is called a “Killbit” to these entries so that they cannot be run. I'm not sure exactly how this works, but Spyware Blaster doesn’t need to be running in the background to do this.

Spyware Guard works much like an anti-virus program (As you noted) – It employs real-time scanning to scan downloads and executables. So, like an AV program, it needs to be running in the background to prevent you from installing something that you shouldn’t!

Anyhoo, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it I’m sure Chaslang will weigh in if I am too far off base in my understanding of how these tools work.

Best,
PP

 

Thanks Phillie! That clears it up for me.