Too Many Spyware Scanners?

Too Many Cooks

The cause could very well be the fact that you are using at least SEVEN anti-virus and anti-spyware programs!

Since they're all trying to do the same job, they can end up 'fighting' with each other, slowing down your system, causing crashes, even blocking access to important operarting system functions.

I recommend you look into using the System Restore (see http://www.askbobrankin.com/system_restore.html ) tool that's built into WIndows XP, to get back to a stable point. Then ditch ALL of your anti-malware tools and use only the FREE anti-virus and anti-spyware tools in this guide:

http://askbobrankin.com/should_i_buy_antispyware_or_antivirus_software.html

This is exactly how I protect all of my computers, and it's been working great for several years.

Are Cookies Bad For You?

Some anti-spyware scanners will falsely identify cookies as a security threat, presumably so they can make you think they found Bad Stuff, and entice you to buy more software to remove the 'threats' that were identified.

But cookies are not evil... in fact, they are very useful. When people became more aware of cookies 7 or 8 years ago, some journalists and privacy advocates ran into the streets, screaming and waving their arms. People were claiming that users might see their insurance rates go up after visiting an AIDS informaton website, or find the Feds at their door after doing a search for bomb making information.

Of course, no such thing has happened, but the myth that cookies are a security risk has persisted, in part because of software vendors using scare tactics like I mentioned above. See my Eat Your Cookies article for a closer look at cookies.

Got comments on spyware, or anti-malware tools? Post your thoughts below...