[Rivera42]

Today I started my computer like always, nothing appeared out of order. I launched IE7 and initiated a Windows Live antivirus scan online. Then for whatever reason I decided to launch FF3 and watch some TV online. So far, no problems.

Windows has installed an update! And it would like to restart my computer. Everything looks legit. WinPatrol, Windows Defender didn't say anything. So, I closed FF, canceled and closed out my OneCare scan, and...

Whoa. Wait. What's that? Where's my "SpywareBlaster" desktop icon? It's GONE.

Funny, it was there before.

The computer finished its reboot sequence and I checked to see...yep, SpywareBlaster has left the building. Totally gone-zo.

I did not knowingly uninstall this program. But it has indeed been uninstalled.

So where did it go?

[Rivera42]

Update: I downloaded and installed SpywareBlaster version 4.1 and saved the installer "just in case." That still doesn't explain what happened. The OneCare scan had suggested it "found something" but didn't say what, and I hardly see what that could have to do with SpywareBlaster's disappearance even if I hadn't canceled the scan.

For any who might wonder, it appears the SpywareBlaster user data remained intact throughout the un/reinstall process.

[Rivera42]

Yep. OneCare did it.

Results of Completed Scan:

hklm\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\spywareblaster_is1 Deleted

c:\system volume information\_restore{46de8921-1d39-44d2-a9e9-64119261f211}\rp138\a0077081.lnk Deleted

c:\program files\spywareblaster\spywareblaster.exe Deleted

c:\documents and settings\dateline 420 online\my documents\quick desktop\spywareblaster.lnk Deleted

c:\documents and settings\dateline 420 online\desktop\spyware blaster.lnk Deleted

c:\documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs\spywareblaster\spywareblaster.lnk Deleted

c:\documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs\security tools\spywareblaster\spywareblaster.lnk

[TechOutsider]

Looks like someone, or something tried to block spyware blaster. Use Revo uninstaller to completely uninstall it, then reinstall.

[Rivera42]

The OneCare scan deleted it; that's where those copy-pastes came from.

OneCare is one of the final stops on my round of weekly scans. I've already received a clean bill of health from HouseCall, BitDefender Online, Kasp and ESET.

This SpywareBlaster release is the new 4.1 and I wonder if that's to do with it. I've used the app since v3.5 and this has never happened. I used the Javacool site's download.com link to get the .exe so I assume the file was clean.

If I fully, totally uninstall it, won't I lose my saved "snapshots" and other SB restore data? Because I druther not.

[Rich-M]

I hate to say this but Spywareblaster which is old technology, is the best program you mentioned. Live One care, Defender...all worthless IMHO. If you have to have free use Avg 8.0 and Superantispyware...you can buy Superantispyware for life for $19.99 and run it in the background auto update etc...if you use it free and wait for the 3rd update session.

[Rivera42]

I also use WinPatrol, avast! Antivirus, Spybot SD, A-Squared Free scanner, Avert Stinger scanner, AdAware 2008 and a Yahoo freebie called CA Yahoo Anti-Spy, which I have always found to be efficient, effective and reliable. It gets rid of unwanted cookies and some other types of PUP in next to no time at all. I also make regular visits to the various reputable online anti-malware scan services.

I've thought about adding SAS Free and/or Malwarebytes Free to my installed arsenal, but I can't decide whether it'd be overkill. I also looked into Threatfire, but decided against it.

I used to use AVG Free. I forget the version number but it was in 2007. I switched when the program failed to prevent the process SVCHOSL.EXE (capitals mine) from registering on my system. So far, I have found the free Avast! AV to be a superior program, which is saying a lot since AVG is not too shabby.

[Rich-M]

Live One Care is an antivirus (supposedly) also...should never run 2 of those in a system.

[hewee]

SpywareBlaster is still a very good program. But if you don't use IE it is not something not needed really. Still good to keep it but SpywareBlaster if your using Firefox only deals with cookies because it does not need to deal with all the other thing like it does with IE on blocking bad sites etc.

[Rivera42]

I use and prefer Firefox, and I have and utilize the IETab extension. But you know how it is. Sometimes you just wind up launching IE.

I appreciate the extra tools included with SpywareBlaster, like the encrypted HOSTS backup, and the "system snapshot" feature.

The program asks next to nothing of the system, takes up hardly any space and doesn't make its presence known during normal PC use. IMO I'm better off with it than without it. Any extra layers of legitimate protection for IE can only be a good thing.

[Rivera42]

Originally Posted by Rich-M

Live One Care is an antivirus (supposedly) also...should never run 2 of those in a system.

The INSTALLED Windows OneCare is an antivirus program. The ONLINE Windows OneCare is an on-demand scanner. The latter is the service I use. Windows Defender is its own thing.

What bothers me is that when the Windows Live OneCare online scan took the initiative to delete all the SpywareBlaster material, it DID NOT notify me in advance, DID NOT ask my permission, DID NOT present a restore/undo option and DID NOT supply any backup record.
There were no pre-scan settings a la BitDefender.
There is no undo option.

I can't use System Restore (if I were to need to) and IDK Y. Please refer to the following thread:
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-nt...good-idea.html

[SIR****TMG]

The problem was fixed now

[Rivera42]

Originally Posted by SIR****TMG

The problem was fixed now

What's fixed? OneCare? Please clarify.

[hewee]

Originally Posted by Rivera42

I use and prefer Firefox, and I have and utilize the IETab extension. But you know how it is. Sometimes you just wind up launching IE.

I appreciate the extra tools included with SpywareBlaster, like the encrypted HOSTS backup, and the "system snapshot" feature.

The program asks next to nothing of the system, takes up hardly any space and doesn't make its presence known during normal PC use. IMO I'm better off with it than without it. Any extra layers of legitimate protection for IE can only be a good thing.

You got that right. SpywareBlaster takes nothing to use. You never even know it is doing anything and that is I think true because when you open it then add the protection it adds things to the registry and block list of cookie but that gets added to firefox block cookie list.
So once SpywareBlaster is closed down it really does not need to be doing much.

I even added to the custom blocking list you see here.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/pattaya1/customblocking.txt
It is a very big list too and gets updated and your see the date Date=21.6.2008 that is a new one today.
Takes time to open the list in the custom blocking because it is so big.

Got to remember also when ever you install a newer version you have to uninstall SpywareBlaster you need to uncheck the protection on everything so it takes it out of the registry etc and reboot.
Same goes with using the custom blocking. You want to take away the protection on everything each time you get a new list because the new list may not have some sites listed anymore and you want them taken out of the registry.
Here is the web site http://koti.mbnet.fi/pattaya1/spywareblaster.htm for you who can read it.
Know what you doing if you use the Custom Blocking or don't use it.