Spybot update might be broken

[Platypus]

I've installed the 02-02-04 Spybot update on two systems, both have stopped detecting stuff. My system just now scanned clear with Spybot, then AdAware found the tracking cookies I knew would be there (eight of them).

[confus-ed]

Take it off, zap its 'orphan' directories (those with the pattern updates in 'em), then re-install & give it another whirl

I've found that certain installs get confus-ed once they've got a few pattern updates, I suspect thats as they are cumulaltive rather than just replacing the 'master' one..

I do like spybot, but it does seem to have some programming 'oddities' - having used it for the best part of two years I'm fairly used to 'em now

[Platypus]

Unfortunately that didn't cure it.

Uninstalled, removed orphaned folders, re-booted. Re-installed, ran without update, found stuff. Update to 02-02-04, stops finding stuff that AdAware then finds.

Looks like it's broken for me, I'll use AdAware until I can find out something more. First up I'll try it from another mirror site.

[confus-ed]

Keep your eye on their newsgroup or even post there ? I've had random 'queerness' from spybot so many times to not be surprised at this at all..

[TripleRLtd]

I've noticed the same thing. For over a month now, whenever I install it and then check for updates, AND no matter what OS (all different customer PC's), it hangs up. So, it downloaded the updated files and saved them to a CDR and now I do it that way. So, what's up??? You would think they'd have fixed it by now...but hey: it IS freeware from someone who asks for support $. So, I wonder:how much support are they getting? Yeah, even us techs...after paying soooo much for EVERYTHING, take great tools for granted. Welll: what if they werent't there for us???? How much MORE time would it take us???

[gazzak]

I stopped using spybot some time ago now as I too lost faith. Ad-aware works just fine thank you, stick with that!

[Platypus]

I've not had problems myself with Spybot until this. I changed to Spybot like many others some time back when AdAware was not updated for about 6 months. I guess any product can go through low times.

Apparrently the update is acknowledged to have a problem:

"Platypus, you are correct. The Feb. 2 detections update renders the program "blind." It is totally useless, unable to detect any threats, even when there are many. Spybot has been notified."

From here:

http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...hreadid=156198

[confus-ed]

"Platypus, you are correct. The Feb. 2 detections update renders the program "blind." It is totally useless, unable to detect any threats, even when there are many. Spybot has been notified."

Well ta for that nugget ... but MY copy is still working !

Last time it 'broke good' it was something to do with out of date or different versions of the 'c calls' library MScvrt.dll (is that the right .dll?) & windows update ... whoever does the version control at spybot hadn't figured it out

I still like it, but my faith is dwindling ... then again I'm none too convinced by adaware either as there often seems to be no updates for that for months (& it definately doesn't get 'everything', though neither does/did spybot)... then again both are free ... so what do we expect ?

[meatwad]

Every update problem that I've had with Spybot was cured by switching to another mirror and downloading from there. Have you tried that?

[Platypus]

Every update problem that I've had with Spybot was cured by switching to another mirror and downloading from there. Have you tried that?

Yes indeedy,

First up I'll try it from another mirror site.

but I didn't trawl through all the sites, maybe Europe is OK. I'll try further later.

[Platypus]

the 'c calls' library MScvrt.dll (is that the right .dll?)

Probably MSVCRT.DLL - MS Visual C RunTime Library

[ADS_Tech]

Cant decide between them, so I use both.

[Platypus]

Yes, what one misses at any given time, the other will probably get.

The current problem with Spybot (it doesn't find tracking cookies), will be corrected as part of the next signature update, whenever that is.

[Orangeman]

Do you think this might be somehow related to CNN's advising viewers to download it last week?

In a special report Cable News Network (in the US) advised viewers to get it and download it to keep your computer safe from spyware and malware. I thought it was irresponsible because in 25% of the cases Spybot causes problems. That is why it carries the warning "use at your own risk," but that's a different forum altogether.

[Platypus]

No, I think it's unrelated, but it's unfortunate that the recommendation is being made at a time when Spybot has a problem. Although the fault is not serious in its own right, it presumably indicates CNN didn't know there was one. Spybot is one of the standards, so probably got an automatic mention.

It is a pity the problem isn't being addressed outside of the normal update process, but then it is a free program, so I guess the development team have so much resources and no more...

I must say I've had no other problems with any of the Spybot installations I've put on computers. The "at your own risk" warning, and the dialog that points out some programs may stop working if spyware components are removed, is more to do with the way spyware and other malware works than it is any indicator of Spybot's potential problems.