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The Bad AntiSpyware List

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There are so many choices out there for Anti-Spyware programs. The problem is… do you realize how many of them are scams? There is a huge list of Rogue Anti-Spyware programs available, which I read off in this video. Keep in mind that any programs you hear me read are BAD, and should be uninstalled immediately if they are on your computer.

A Rogue Anti-Spyware program is one that has been tested by Experts in the field of Spyware removal. These programs can make it onto the naughty list in one or more of the following ways:

  • False positives In cases where it is noted “false positives work as goad to purchase,” the apps in question produced inexcusable false positives on a “spyware-free” system.
  • Poor scan reporting This means that the application either did not provide information about what it found or did not report enough information about the basis for the items it found.
  • Knockoffs/rip-offs The term “knockoff” means at the very least that the app in question substantially imitates the look, feel, and experience of another program. With some of these “knockoff” apps there may be evidence of more serious borrowing from other programs, but there are no specific allegations to that effect as yet from the affected parties. The term “rip-off” means that there are specific allegations from the affected parties of unauthorized borrowing from their applications.
  • Aggressive/deceptive advertising “Aggressive” advertising consists of the obnoxious, intrusive, use of pop-ups, false GUI elements, or other advertising techniques designed to badger, pressure, or coerce users into buying the application advertised. “Deceptive” advertising employs advertising techniques and information designed to create a false sense of alarm among users in order to stampede them into purchasing the application being advertised.
  • Flawed, inadequate detection schemes “Flawed, inadequate detection schemes” refer to scanning techniques that are insufficient to produce reliable detections of spyware, adware, and malware. These detection schemes typically rely exclusively on matching file names/path and Registry names/paths without using MD5 hash checking or signature matching to uniqiuely identify detected components. In some cases, there may be other problems with the detection scheme, such as failing to scan all drives on a system or skipping key system areas during scanning.

So now what? How do you know what to trust? The following applications are recommended by Experts in this area, as well as this site.

Don’t let yourself get taken in by claims of “100% protection”. Do your research, and make SURE that what you are buying or installing on your computer is a legitimate program.

CORRECTION TO VIDEO We were discussing who is responsible for the Rogue list. Suzi does, in fact, own the website it is hosted on. However, a man named Eric Howes is responsible for putting together and maintaining this Rogue list.

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