Spybot S&D...is it really worth it?

I'm looking for opinions here, because I've formed my own over the last several months. I run Spybot and AdAware, just to be safe (both with the most current updates, I check every time before I run them). And a good thing, too! Spybot usually either tells me I'm completely clean, or finds 1-2 items. Immediately following Spybot, I run AdAware, and it typically finds dozens of files, registry keys, registry values, and sometimes even whole folders.

For instance, tonight, I ran Spybot in Advanced mode, and it found 1 item. Then I immediately ran AdAware (deep scan), and it found: 14 registry keys, 2 registry values, 21 files, and 3 folders for a total of 40 new objects. So I have to ask...why should I even bother with Spybot any more? Has anyone else noticed this?

 

I use both Adaware and Spybot too. I always delete anything adaware finds because it is always Spyware. Then I run Spybot and I only delete the things Spybot puts in RED.. the green things I let go...

 

Hello Sgt. Tibbs.

I have both Adaware and Spybot and find that both work really well. My Spybot will find things that my Adaware does not, kind of the opposite to you. It's never as extreme as your findings though.

I think you should keep Sypbot. Recently Spybot found something hidden in my Windows Media Player that was screwing up my videos. I ran my Adaware first and it didn't detect anything.

All I can suggest it to fool around with Spybots configuration options.

Having both is better than one or the other even if one doesn't seem to be doing anything.

 

I like them both, kinda like a 1-2 punch, one will find stuff the other doesn't and vice-versa, a lot of stuff they will both find. Spybot not finding much on your machine probably is more of a result of you following safe surfing practices than anything else. Have you ever looked at the list of stuff it can find? Tons o' nasties! Running it and Ad-aware on someone's PC that's loaded with spyware will immediately make their complementary value obvious. Plus, Ad-aware can't even touch most of the features that are available in Spybot advanced mode. Both are essential, IMO, along with SpywareBlaster.

 

I've got everything tweaked as far as I know how, and it's showing all the file types. I just think it sucks.

Well, I'll keep using them both for a while, since y'all think it's such a great program. I just find the ratio of 1:40 items to be a bit telling. I've never (literally NEVER) had AdAware find less than 15 additional items, and it's usually between 25-30.

Yes, I am aware I should run them more often, because I shouldn't have that many. But until they let me auto-schedule, I'm never going to remember. That's my failing. The fact that SpyBot finds almost nothing is not my failing, however.

 

I find lately that Spybot finds nothing but Adaware finds what Spybot would normally find

Spybot hasnt been working like it normall does for me

 

Why not use both?

Thats 2 weapons instead of one
BOth have great reputations
Both catch different things
and most of all

Both are FREEEEEE

 

SpyBoT versus Ad Aware

Hi,

I run them both. Only downside is it takes longer. Check out www.pestpatrol.com and you will probably add that to your arsenal. I do, makes 3 altogether. I guess it is a belt and braces effort but I think it is worth it IMHO,

Baz