[Lohengrin]

Are dedicated anti-spyware applications becoming obsolete?

I've discussed this before in some thread but I thought I'd make a dedicated thread for it because I'd like to hear people's opinions on this subject.

IMHO, yes they are. They are becoming redundant since all modern anti-virus applications now have a built-in anti-spyware module not to mention that HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System) are becoming more common/available in modern security software.

So, my argument is that we simply no longer need a dedicated anti-spyware application.

What do you guys think?

~Lohengrin (aka Dark Swan Knight)

This post has been edited by Lohengrin: 08 November 2009 - 04:09 AM

[karachidude]

yes

[fl0ppyd1scours3]

100% yes

reg cleaners are on the rise though

[heath28m]

I do agree.. and I think that even more Security Suite providers who offer firewalls and things of the sort should incorporate this along with support for the most popular e-mail clients.. I will never run a Suite that doesn't include it.. nor will I be forced to run a standalone for that purpose either

[manpe]

Yes, I agree, they will become more unpopular as time goes by.

[shought]

I assumed you meant anti-spyware and malware applications? (Trojan Remover, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D and the like?)

If so then I say No, they're not becoming obsolete. I still use them alongside an AV whenever I have to clean a PC.

[heath28m]

Well I use some applications for thorough cleaning that include tools related .. but a standalone program.. that does only that.. no.. though there are some good ones out there. I used to use Sunbelt CounterSpy..

[Lohengrin]

shought, on 08 November 2009 - 10:59 AM, said:

I assumed you meant anti-spyware and malware applications? (Trojan Remover, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D and the like?)

If so then I say No, they're not becoming obsolete. I still use them alongside an AV whenever I have to clean a PC.

I never found myself in need of any of such programs, I deal with a lot files on a daily basis and even when I find threats I find a decent AV is more than enough.

Home: Norton Antivirus 2010 (Anti-Spyware & HIPS on) &
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro 6.7 (Anti-Spyware & HIPS on)

Work/Laptop: BullGuard Internet Security 8.7

This post has been edited by Lohengrin: 09 November 2009 - 04:37 AM

[fl0ppyd1scours3]

eset says 100% realtime protection against malware spyware adware etc.. and i believe them when they say that! =>

[CODYQX4]

I used to use Spybot S&D along with AV and it always found stuff on XP SP1. Now with any security suite I use I only find MRU and cookies, not spyware, so while they may still be good for removing already existing SpyWare the need for a spyware app to prevent infection I find to be useless.

[Atasas]

God flippin' god! such an old topic!- still as important as ever!

[Bizarre™]

I voted Yes, they are becoming redundant... at least for me

However, non tech savvy users might disagree.
They might prefer the extra security.

No one can blame them, really.
Either they don't have time or patience to learn.

[jofre]

A few days ago Spybot Search and Destroy found here 2 spies that ESS didn`t .
So, I wiil keep using this Anti-Spyware.

[dcs18]

Most certainly not only dedicated anti-spyware but also other Programs like anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-SPAM, etc have gone obsolete. Though Techies prefer dedicated software, Developers have . . . . . in recent times, been designing Suites instead of dedicated Programs to cater to the majority ---->> i.e. the Noobs who freak out on one single do-it-all software consisting of everything - anti-spyware, anti-malware, anti-virus, anti-SPAM, anti-theft, etc, etc. As a Traditionalist, I'm quite disappointed with this trend, however commercially speaking; from the point-of-view of the Developers, must agree with a lot of reluctance that it does makes business sense . . . . . . . . for them.

[shought]

Bizarre™, on 14 July 2010 - 05:54 PM, said:

I voted Yes, they are becoming redundant... at least for me

However, non tech savvy users might disagree.
They might prefer the extra security.

No one can blame them, really.
Either they don't have time or patience to learn.

Has nothing to do with non tech savvy users.

Whenever our family computer gets infected I always make sure to use Trojan Remover and Spybot S&D as well, once I even had to add a rootkit remover...

Non-realtime (dedicated) anti-spyware/malware applications aren't becoming obsolete.

An additional real-time anti-spyware solution is obsolete, I think.

So my answer depends: real-time: yes, when cleaning: no.

[bgood]

I prefer the option of using any tool that may be available..over the yrs have tried many types of security all the way to not using any..really liking the idea of virtual systems.