Is the Spybot running or not? No icon on taskbar shown

[arb65912]

Hello , I installed Spybot Search and Destroy on my wife's computer ( Windows XP) and no matter what I try I can not see the little icon on the taskbar idicating that Spybot is running.

The only process that I expect to be related to Spybot running when I open Task manager is Teatimer.exe

If I see the teatimer.exe running, does it mean Spybot is working or it has to be something else running.

I have "Googled" for the answer but without luck.

Maybe someone will be able to help me here.

Thank you, cheers, AJ

 

[drifter77]

Hi AJ,

Teatimer is a utility that runs with Spybot Search & Destroy. If you recall, when installing Spybot you'd see a message asking if you wish to install TeaTimer with it.

No worries, you can also check if you uninstall and re-install Spybot.

 

[arb65912]

Hi Drifter,

Thank you for the reply.
I understand that Teatimer runs with the SS&D but how do I know if it is actually running?
I thought that SS&D was running in the background somehow and in the past on my computer I had that icon all the time in the taskbar, now there is nothing ( on my wife's computer ), that is why I am so concerned.

What would you run to protect the computer?
maybe I need something different than SS&D?

Cheers, AJ

 

[drifter77]

Try Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, it's better than Spybot and will keep the system protected along with your regular Antivirus.

 

[arb65912]

OK, I will try and what do you use for regular Antivirus? Sorry for so many questions and thank you again.

 

[drifter77]

The best paid antivirus is Kaspersky Internet Security. If you're looking for free programs I would suggest Avira or AVG. Both don't consume much processing power and will do a decent job protecting your machine from viruses.

 

[arb65912]

Thank you very much, I just want to get it done properly. Now I will try the suggestions.

 

[drifter77]

I forgot to mention Microsoft Security Essentials, it's free and it's not too bad either. Good luck man, post if you encounter any problems.

 

[arb65912]

Thanks, I know there is many options and choices, I will post if anything goes wrong or I need help again.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I forgot to mention Microsoft Security Essentials, it's free and it's not too bad either. Good luck man, post if you encounter any problems. < MSE hasn't passed certification tests in the last 2 years

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AV-TEST-Certification-Security-Essentials-Double-Failure-0-Day,20524.html

 

[drifter77]

I forgot to mention Microsoft Security Essentials, it's free and it's not too bad either. Good luck man, post if you encounter any problems. < MSE hasn't passed certification tests in the last 2 years

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AV-TEST-Certification-Security-Essentials-Double-Failure-0-Day,20524.html

Thanks for the update SR-71 Blackbird.

 

[lon0]

Apparently Bitdefender is doing well in tests this year.
But my personal preference has to be ESET, low power usage and excellent detection rates. Not sure how it stacks up to Kaspersky though.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php?chart=chart2&year=2013&month=3&sort=0&zoom=2

 

[lon0]

http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php?chart=chart2&year=2013&month=3&sort=0&zoom=2

Thank you for that, it does look like ESET has one of the best performance ratings, as they are running XP I would assume it is an older machine and perhaps a better alternative. I've found ESET to run well on my network of 100 or so XP older laptops, sufficient protection and usability combined
http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php?chart=chart4&year=2012&month=10&sort=0
That's just my experience with it though, I have by NO means tested all of the ones in the chart!