[evilfantasy]

I know people have opinions on the software they use and especially the security software. I don't think it is good to talk bad about SuperAntiSpyware when we use it in out Malware Removal Guide. That doesn't add much trust in our advice.

If anybody has input and solid evidence as to why SuperAntiSpyware is no good then I would love to hear and I would then consider removing it from the Malware Removal Guide. SuperAntiSpyware is very effective and has never harmed any PC I have had a user run it on and I suggest it's use from here at TST to ComputerHope.com, Computer-Juice.com and Help2Go.com. I won't guess how many users I have suggested it to but my removal guide at CH has had over 20,000 views. No single scanner will get everything and thinking different is foolish.

Do "they" disclose solid reasons as to why SAS shouldn't be used? I would like to know reasons other than 'he said she said." I have a PM between Nick (SUPERAntiSpy) and I but I won't post it here since it is a PM so I do have some inside knowledge as to why but I would love to know more facts.

[Dr Strangelove]

Personally, I was put off SAS by a group of 'alleged tech experts' at a previous forum who continually rammed it down our throats and told everyone to get the paid version.


SAS is probably a good program. I don't like the interface myself but thats irrelevant really.

No single scanner will get everything and thinking different is foolish.

I agree but SAS don't

[Blackmirror]

Evil i have nothing against SAS apart from i don't like the CPU usage

i have come from a forum where it was the tool that did it all
I disagreed

I even ran my own test to show that sometimes one program misses something

Ir was padlocked as Malwarebytes picked it up and SAS missed it
So the taste remains in my mouth

No please don't remove it from the tools

As i said its from months and months of ramming it down my throat

Rather have a mars bar

No one tool gets it all

[evilfantasy]

I understand both of your views and agree with them as well. I know I probably come off sounding like a "fan boy" when it comes to Firefox but I really just say those things in fun and completely understand why someone wouldn't use it. I tried FF twice and ditched it each time before eventually trying it again and it stuck. The reason I kept trying it mainly being is so when questions came about I could answer some of them. Third times a charm I suppose.

Sorry, back on topic...
Before MBAM there was AVG Antispyware and SAS. I didn't at first but do now understand better why SAS is talked down on. Many of those involved with the large security sites were involved with the development of MBAM. They have more of a interest in MBAM then it just being a good tool for malware removal. I'm not for sure on this point but I think reputation would be one reason. I asked above "Do "they" disclose solid reasons as to why SAS shouldn't be used?" Could the biggest reason be that they are sales affiliates?

Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove

Personally, I was put off SAS by a group of 'alleged tech experts' at a previous forum who continually rammed it down our throats and told everyone to get the paid version.

[Klunk]

i have nothing against SAS apart from i don't like the CPU usage

Whenever I run a scan with SAS the CPU usage for SAS rarely exceeds 50% and that is usually only momentarily , what % do you get?

I have both SAS and MBAM paid for versions, I am a sucker for contributing a quid or 2 to the developers of good programs that do what they are supposed to do and do it well.
As said already there is no one fix for all solution when it comes to cleaning out malware and the like, there will be times when one application catches something the other misses from time to time, remember this - they are only as good as the latest detection definition database you have loaded. and both SAS and MBAM get regular updated definition files which is a good thing.

I scan with my security software on a semi-regular basis and it has been many years since I had an infection on my system, but then I dont go visiting dodgy porn sites or download mp3 files via p2p nor do I open dodgy emails or linksetc

[Wayno2k8]

I too have SAS paid version and I think SAS is 1 of the best scanners going around and I highly recommend it to anyone that has had any virus',malware or any contamination to their computer(I rate it in the top 3 scanners).However I rely on spyware terminator for my real time protection simply because I never got any warnings from the real time protection on my SAS.It is definately a must have in my book,at 29.95 Aust for a lifetime subscription is great value for money and you can install on 2 computers also.

[Blackmirror]

I think its down to whatever suits you and your pc

i get 99% cpu usage with SAS and have posted on the forum but i prefer MB

I have Malwrebytes pro ( was a gift )
I would never ever tell anyone it is better than any other scanner
just get them to try it and see what they think

[Blackmirror]

Originally Posted by evilfantasy

Sorry, back on topic...
Before MBAM there was AVG Antispyware and SAS. I didn't at first but do now understand better why SAS is talked down on. Many of those involved with the large security sites were involved with the development of MBAM. They have more of a interest in MBAM then it just being a good tool for malware removal. I'm not for sure on this point but I think reputation would be one reason. I asked above "Do "they" disclose solid reasons as to why SAS shouldn't be used?" Could the biggest reason be that they are sales affiliates?

I have seen both SAS and MB developers defend their products
The attitudes are completely different

I think you hit the nail on the head there

[evilfantasy]

Well not to gloat but I think I have proved my point. It seems to be more opinion based rather than anything directly wrong with SAS.

So back to what set me off on this latest little rant. We use SAS as the first antimalware tool in our Malware Removal Guide here at TST and when I see ill remarks about it I really do take it personally. It sort of makes me feel like a direct attack on the Malware Removal Guide. Not a good feeling

[Gunner]

1. SUPERAntiSpyware
2. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
3. HijackThis
There is nothing wrong with this strategy.
I have run tests using sas, mwb, avg 8, and others. They all work.
They all either miss something or catch something the others may or may not miss/catch.
There is no "One Pill" for every disease.
Nick S. explains sas and its hits and misses very well. He should know all the ins
and outs as he wrote it.
At least this forum does not push "PAID" versions down everyone's throat.
I am a "FREE" advocate. There is no reason to be forced to pay for something that
is available in a free version that works as good as, equal to, or better than.
You go, EF, full speed ahead and d@mn the torpedoes.

[Blackmirror]

Originally Posted by Gunner

At least this forum does not push "PAID" versions down everyone's throat.

[evilfantasy]

Not to start another debate but with the 03/03/2008 update of SAS (version 4.0.1154) the memory usage issue was addressed.

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Product Release History

Technology Changes

• Direct Disk Access (DDA) technology bypasses all of the Windows API/Kernel to detect and remove difficult spyware
• Up to a 30%-50% increase in scanning speed
• Additional repairs for Windows Vista and Windows XP including Control Panel Access Restore
• Improved detection of packed/compressed threats
• Termination protection - you can allow Task Manager to terminate the application if something hangs - something other applications don't allow
• Enhanced detection and removal of in-memory threats
• Improved hardware detection and logging to reduce re-activation problems
• New error logging system

User Interface Changes

• Drastically reduced memory usage
• Hover text/bubble over SUPERAntiSpyware system tray icon shows program version, database versions and last update date
• Main screen now shows subscription expiration date (if any) and product version i.e. Professional or Free Edition
• When registering/activating the Free Edition, all references to Free Edition are changed to Professional
• Windows Vista Security Center Integration
• Resolved a bug where the file count was not being properly reported in previous versions - the file count scanned is now correct in 4.0
• Updates now has it's own tab in the Preferences - there may be additional items here in the future

[Blackmirror]

Not for my pc
It doesnt like SAS Evil

[Rik]

Well personally speaking i think superantispyware is good.

It is never a good idea to place all one's trust in a single scanner so I use a combination of superantispywre and malwarebytes antimalware.
The 2 together seem to catch just about everything.

[Blackmirror]

Sorry Rik but i dont run 2 avs so i dont run 2 spyware programs
Avg8 and MB for me

[Rik]

I was talking about antimalware software only, running more than one antivirus program can cause problems as they use virtual drivers thet can interfere with one another.

Antimalware does not suffer from the same problem so it is perfectly safe to have 2 or more installed.

[Blackmirror]

I wouldnt install SAS if Nick gave me a free pro version

[Rik]

Ok, is there a reason behind that sweeping statement?

[Blackmirror]

Yes there is

After having it rammed down my throat and having the pleasure of interaction with Nick on my last forum

Im sorry but SAS is misleading

1 Tracking cookies are not a threat Rik
Any program that lists them as threats is trying to make them selves look better
IMO thats false

2 the whole SAS web site is misleading

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Shopping Cart

They have limited offers that go on for months

3

SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough AntiSpyware scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!

yes tracking cookies as well

Sorry but i put my trust in Malwarebytes over SAS and thats not as we use it in the UNI

this is my opinion only

[Dotty]

well I did a SAS scan today as my pc is up the wall! I'd swear I have a trojan or summat as it's been behaving weird since yesterday though my anti virus came up clean and SAS only found 14 cookies but as you said Donna, they claim they're a threat, makes them sound ominous when actually they were nothing at all, sure wish I knew what was going on within the bowels of my pc though!