[evilfantasy]

Even though Spybot may not be the most powerful tool there is I have always believed that it is well worth having for the Immunize feature alone. This is an excellent write up on that feature.

Interesting Facts About Spybot's Immunize Feature

[Mike0001]

Interesting.

What is your opinion of Spyware Blaster?

[evilfantasy]

Works in much the same way. I use both.

[Mike0001]

Originally Posted by evilfantasy

Works in much the same way. I use both.

Me too! Spybot used to recommend Spyware Blaster, but I can't see that they do now.

[evilfantasy]

I'm sure they each have a different database so block "some" different items. It's a good mix

If you want to be hardcore about blocking the bad guys check out Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File. I tried it but it actually blocks too much for my liking. I normally know when the site I am on is shady, but if I want to or need to go there for information I want to be able to.

[Mike0001]

Yes, Spybot creates quite a list of those entries in HOSTS. Unfortunately it doesn't catch links or redirects to IP addresses, does it? Only stuff that would have gone via DNS.

Haven't tried, but does HOSTS allow things like

127.0.0.1 143.167.2.73

or does the second entry have to be a name?

[evilfantasy]

Not sure about the MSMVP Hosts file. Here is some more information on it.

Download and Install Instructions for the MVPS HOSTS File

If you install it and decide it isn't what you want (like I did) you can easily reverse it with HostXpert.

Download HostsXpert

• Unzip HostXpert to your desktop
• Open up the HostXpert program.
• Make sure that the "Make Hosts Writable?" button in the upper right corner is enabled.
• Click Create Back Up
• Then click on Restore Microsoft's Host Files
• Close the HostXpert program

Note: If you were using a custom Hosts file you will need to replace any of those entries yourself as well as run Spybots Immunize and enable all protection in SpywareBlaster.

[Mike0001]

I used to use Spyware Doctor once and noticed a considerable system slowdown when checking the hosts file. It turned out that it was doing a linear search through the hosts file for each of the 20,000 odd entries that should have been there!

[evilfantasy]

I tried Spyware Doctor and noticed a great reduction in performance. A great product but way too hungry!

[Mike0001]

Absolutely!