What is the Best Anti-Spyware Software?
Here are the results of the spyware removal software review. Spysweeper consistently comes in first, it is relativley cheap considering everything that it does as a spyware removal utility. Adaware is still the leading free spyware removal tool. Below you will also find various other free tools to remove spyware.
Top Rated |
What the Research Says |
• Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal
(free, http://www.lavasoft.com)
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Free adware/spyware removal tool.
The free version of Ad-Aware isn't as robust or effective as Spy Sweeper or Spyware Doctor. Ad-Aware Personal doesn't offer real-time protection or scheduled system scans, but it makes a good supplement to your primary anti-spyware software program, since reviews say no single spyware removal tool can catch all threats. Since the free Ad-Aware doesn't have real-time monitoring, it doesn't drain system resources except when scanning. The paid version of Ad-Aware is not recommended highly in reviews.
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• Microsoft Windows Defender
(free, http://www.windowsdefender.com)
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Free real-time spyware blocker.
Windows Defender is currently available to Windows XP users for free, and it's included in the new Windows Vista operating system. Although reviewers say that nearly every other tool is more effective than Windows Defender, they still recommend Defender as a noninvasive additional tool to supplement other spyware removal software. The user interface is excellent and easy to use. You can run manual and scheduled scans.
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• Javacool SpywareBlaster
(free, http://www.javacoolsoftware.com)
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Free spyware immunizer.
SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, tracking cookies, browser hijackers, dialers and other potentially unwanted software. This program is just a blocker; it will not find pre-existing malware on your system and it does not include a scanner. SpywareBlaster is yet another free tool recommended for use in combination with other spyware removal software. On its own, SpywareBlaster is too limited in functionality to be your primary tool.
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• Spybot Search & Destroy
(free, http://www.safer-networking.org)
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Free anti-spyware software.
Spybot Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware. Reviews say that the spyware removal software was once as effective as commercial software, but has been surpassed in recent years. Nonetheless, the consensus is that this is a harmless and valuable additional tool. Immunization is a particularly useful tool; it modifies Internet Explorer to block malware from known perpetrators. The program requires manual updates and scans.
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