When I first purchased my copy of Ad-Aware SE, I'd run both Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot Search & Destroy (Ad-Aware ran first). For a long time, when Ad-Aware would clean my system of malware, Spy-Bot found nothing. As a result, I stopped running Spy-Bot.

I resumed running Spy-Bot recently when a friend said that Spy-Bot seemed to catch more malware than Ad-Aware. For the past 3 months, I've run Ad-Aware SE followed by Spy-Bot. Each time, I update to the latest version of the definitions as well as the software. Too often, Ad-Aware finds nothing and Spy-Bot detects instances of malware.

Why is this happening? Shouldn't Ad-Aware find the same malware?

Thanks;

Stan
Stan Brager

I have used both SpyBot and Ad-Aware for many years, in my arsenol against spyware.

I have had it the way you mentioned and the other way around. What one doesn't pick up the other might. Sometimes Spybot finds nothing but Ad-Aware does and vice versa. It just depends on what is on your computer, and what updates have come thru.

I look at it, as taking a double barrel shot gun approach.

I always recommend running multiple antispyware programs. I like to use a combination of adaware, spybot and ewido. If after running these program multiple times and you were still unable to get rid of the spyware, you probably need Hijackthis and specialized removal tools.

Thanks for your answers. It sounds as if most of us are forced to run multiple malware programs to feel secure.

Here's the point I was trying to make:

I don't have multiple anti-virus software on my computer and I have had a virus infection in a very long time. I expect the same level of security from my malware program. I shouldn't have to run multiple programs. If this means paying a bit more for the malware program, I'd happily pay it.

As it is, I always update the definitions prior to running Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot.

My hope is that the next version will resolve these problems. Maybe with a "Live Update" capability.

Stan

Well you don't want to run two Anti-Viruses on your computer.

BUT it is advised to have one Anti-Virus on your computer and then regularly use a Web-Based online AV scanner to double check your computer.