I was a former SpywareBlaster user

Pros: It did what it claimed to do. The SpyBot owners advertise it as a companion program to theirs.

Cons: The latest download from their website contained some nasty spyware called "AntiVirusGold". The only spyware program that picked up on it was Spyware Nuker, and it also eliminated the malicious code. Let me tell you what SpywareBlaster did to me with that malicious code: it attempted to change my fax/data modem STARTUP command (caught by both Spy Sweeper & SpyBot), and it deleted EVERY McAfee command in the STARTUP File, meaning I had no protection at all. The best way to solve this is to first remove all traces of SpywareBlaster from your C: drive and the Windows Registry. Next, load in your latest Registry and Important System Files backup (Win.ini, etc.). I use Innovative Solutions' Innovative System Optimizer to do that. This restores your system perfectly. I really liked SpywareBlaster until they came out with this latest update (believe me, I tested file after file until I found the one that placed AntiVirusGold into my PC), and it was without any reasonable doubt SpywareBlaster. I will never use this application again, never mind what SpyBot thinks of it. And, FOR ALL WINDOWS ME & XP USERS: Turn off System Restore. Both Norton and McAfee say viruses can hide in those locked files. You can easily restore your system with the product I mentioned earlier, and I have successfully done so several times (trying to find out who would be mean enough to inject malicious code into my own PC).

Posted: 16-Jul-2005 08:22:06 PM