Cookie Guard doesn't work

[tvaz]

I installed the "179" release from a downloaded installation file. The Cookie Guard does not appear to see or remove any tracking cookies (no entries in the history). This guard worked for awhile in the "176" version but stopped working after it started having errors. It never worked in the "177" release. I did not keep either of those releases on my computer for very long because of the errors during shutdown and after updating. In each case I have installed the program from a downloaded installation file after removing and cleaning up from the previous version including cleaning up the registry with Registry Mechanic, so the problems should not have been related to problems with the previous version. Except for this one issue (so far, at least) the "179" release seems to work well. I have not had any errors, and it does not seem to be putting a drag on my computer. I am concerned, however, about basic features that do not work, because this might mean that more important features are not really working! I will continue using this release, unless it starts having errors, which have usually been showing up after one or two days.

[c_edge]

Hi tvaz,

I just tried testing this and the Cookie Guard appears to be doing its job.
Try running a test of your own. Go to www.netscape.com and open your cookies folder and watch the cookies generate. Close IE and give it 1 minute as these should disappear. Btw, are you using IE and what operating system are you using?

c_edge :)

[SueD]

I clicked on that link and there is no sign of SD cleaning any cookies. In IE, the cookies from your link pile up and stay there. I agree with tvaz; Cookie Guard is not working and has not been working for the last 2 updates. I can't see that SD is doing anything at all, because when it scans, it finds nothing to clean. Before that update, there was a lot of activity in the SD history. I'm a little concerned that my computer is basically unprotected from sypware.

[mjq424]

Hi
If you're unhappy with the protection of SDv5, please switch back to v4. To prevent any extra problems during installation of v4 please do the following:
1. Download version 4 from www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/version4
2. Shutdown SDv5 by right-clicking the systray icon and selecting Shutdown
3. Restart PC
4. Uninstall SDv5 using the PC Tools uninstaller
5. Restart PC
6. Make sure the Spyware Doctor folder is deleted (usually the default is C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor)
7. Install the file downloaded in Step 1
Hope that helps

[tvaz]

I came to this conclusion because Cookie Guard is not removing tracking cookies. I know this because I see tracking cookies that it left without logging or deleting. These are cookies that it would delete when it was working. It does remove these same cookies when I run a scan. I cannot use SD4 (very unfortunately) because of ZAIS 7, so I am stuck with SD5, no anti-spyware program, or another brand. At this time I would like to keep giving SD5 a chance. I didn't seriously expect to find a fix by posting this but I do want to bring it to PC Tools' attention in hope that they will try to find a fix in a future update. I have a fully updated Windows XP Home Edition SP2. I use IE 6 and Firefox 2 (both are fully updated). The Cookie Guard does not work with either browser.

[tvaz]

I know that some people will be upset that I am bringing this issue up again, but Cookie Guard is still not working for me in the 182 release. The description in the guard specifically states that it monitors and blocks "Potentially malicious cookies from browsers including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera." It is not doing this in either IE or Firefox. During my browsing I picked up 14 of these cookies. The history gives no indication of it noticing or attempting to remove these cookies. I then ran an Intelli-Scan and it detected and removed all 14. All were rated as low risk. Some people have posted information on this site that SD5 doesn't remove low risk items. It obviously does! It is Cookie Guard that does not remove anything. I don't care for any lectures about cookies being low level risks or any other bs. I am merely trying to point out that, for me at least, this guard does not work. From this, I also wonder how well the other guards work, considering some of the posts where people have picked up malware while running SD5 and are now having trouble removing it. I am not trying to be negative, I am just frustrated because a product that I paid for isn't working as advertised.

[AChen]

I know that some people will be upset that I am bringing this issue up again, but Cookie Guard is still not working for me in the 182 release. The description in the guard specifically states that it monitors and blocks "Potentially malicious cookies from browsers including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera." It is not doing this in either IE or Firefox. During my browsing I picked up 14 of these cookies. The history gives no indication of it noticing or attempting to remove these cookies. I then ran an Intelli-Scan and it detected and removed all 14. All were rated as low risk. Some people have posted information on this site that SD5 doesn't remove low risk items. It obviously does! It is Cookie Guard that does not remove anything. I don't care for any lectures about cookies being low level risks or any other bs. I am merely trying to point out that, for me at least, this guard does not work. From this, I also wonder how well the other guards work, considering some of the posts where people have picked up malware while running SD5 and are now having trouble removing it. I am not trying to be negative, I am just frustrated because a product that I paid for isn't working as advertised.

Can you please run the Malware Detective tool (Tools-> Malware Detective) and provide me with your ticket number and we will analyze this and get back to you.

[notE]

I know that some people will be upset that I am bringing this issue up again, but Cookie Guard is still not working for me in the 182 release. The description in the guard specifically states that it monitors and blocks "Potentially malicious cookies from browsers including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera." It is not doing this in either IE or Firefox. During my browsing I picked up 14 of these cookies. The history gives no indication of it noticing or attempting to remove these cookies. I then ran an Intelli-Scan and it detected and removed all 14. All were rated as low risk. Some people have posted information on this site that SD5 doesn't remove low risk items. It obviously does! It is Cookie Guard that does not remove anything. I don't care for any lectures about cookies being low level risks or any other bs. I am merely trying to point out that, for me at least, this guard does not work. From this, I also wonder how well the other guards work, considering some of the posts where people have picked up malware while running SD5 and are now having trouble removing it. I am not trying to be negative, I am just frustrated because a product that I paid for isn't working as advertised. Has there been any resolution or news on this issue?

[TigerRaptorFX]

I was to about to start a thread about Cookie Guard. Then I saw this one, so I'll post here. Ever since I when from SD 4 to 5, version 5 just won't pick up tracking cookies like version 4 did. I'm all so running the lastest version of Spyware Doctor, and it still doesn't work. Is SD cookie guard incompatable with Firefox?

[AChen]

I was to about to start a thread about Cookie Guard. Then I saw this one, so I'll post here. Ever since I when from SD 4 to 5, version 5 just won't pick up tracking cookies like version 4 did. I'm all so running the lastest version of Spyware Doctor, and it still doesn't work. Is SD cookie guard incompatable with Firefox?

Hi TigerRaptorFX,

Can you also run the Malware Detective and send me your ticket number. We'll investigate this further.

[notE]

Hi TigerRaptorFX,

Can you also run the Malware Detective and send me your ticket number. We'll investigate this further.

Could the results of your investigations be shared here so all may benefit in shared knowledge.

[AChen]

Definitely. Once we analyze the logs and come up with a solution, I'll update this thread.

[notE]

Definitely. Once we analyze the logs and come up with a solution, I'll update this thread.
Thank you AChen,that may be helpful to others and to me.

[tvaz]

I sent a notice to support about this specific issue. Hopefully they will have an answer or refer it to the develpers for a fix. When I do a scan it still locates the tracking/advertising cookies and also removes them. They are obviously in the SD5 definitions.

[redwolfe_98]

i did some tests today, when someone said that SD's scanner does not flag cookies.. indeed, it doesn't.. but, when i turned on SD's "onguard", its "cookie guard" immediately deleted all of the tracking-cookies on my pc..

i am running SD 4.1 with win xpsp2..