Hijack This is probably one of the most popular security tools to scan a computer system for spyware and suspicious files. It’s rather cryptic reports makes it sometimes difficulty to distinguish between harmless and potentially dangerous files on the computer system. That’s what the comparable software program Free Fixer tries to make better
Free Fixer will also scan various critical components of a Windows operating system including running processes, autostart entries, Browser Helper Objects or TCP/IP settings. The difference becomes obvious after the report is being displayed on the screen. Free Fixer will for example whitelist critical system files which means that they will not show up in the default report. This is done to decrease the number of entries that are displayed making it easier for the user to concentrate and analyze the remaining items. There is however no way of displaying whitelisted items in the application, something that the developer’s might want to consider integrating in their security software program.
Another important difference is the “more info” link that is displayed next to each item that was found during the scan. A click on the link will open a page (in Internet Explorer) on the developer’s website that is listing information about the specific entry. Files from trusted companies like Apple or Mozilla are highlighted in green giving the user another indication of potentially safe applications and processes.
The program displays delete or repair checkboxes next to each entry that has not been whitelisted or indicated as being trustworthy. Additional information like the system path are displayed for each item which, combined with the link to display more information on a website, can be a great asset of identifying potentially dangerous items quickly.
Free Fixer is compatible with most versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system (including Windows Xp, Windows Vista and Windows 7). A download is provided at the developer’s website.
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Unfortunately it does not support 64-bit OSs yet.
it crashes on win7
Another security tool that is quite stable and very useful is ComboFix, I recommend to everyone. Greetings.
The best-kept secret in the fight against viruses and spyware is a company called HonorPC! They actually guarantee against identity theft! I have owned my HonorPC for over a year. I bought it for half the price of a Mac, and it doesn’t need any anti-virus software and it won’t allow you to get into trouble from any spyware out there, new or old! It also uses Windows XP, which is a plus for those of us that like to view things without being shackled by a Mac’s overly anxious parenting. You should check it out before they are bought out by a big computer company and banished from the face of the earth!
Their web site is honorpc.com and they have their phone number right on the home page. You can actually talk to an English-speaking native!
The unavailability of the ‘whitelist’ is a bit unusual, since the experienced user would want a little insight into what is being considered critical. There also doesn’t appear to be a portable version, which would come in handy. Though this type of tool is small, installing it on every computer during spyware hunting, I would rather not do.