Which Free Spyware Removal Tools are Best?

By Douglas Reach

Given the amount of trouble people are having with spyware these days, it is no wonder they are scrambling to find a software program that will help remove it. Why should you pay for spyware? There are so many free spyware removal tools available on the Internet; it actually seems a bit silly to pay for something that you can get for free. This article is going to look at that very question. You have heard the phrase, "if it is too good to be true then it probably is." This applies to the area of spyware, as well.

I have personally used a number of free anti-spyware programs and for the most part they work very well. However, you need to visit the sites of the various companies who create the products and compare features. One of the main features that you will find between free and paid programs is that  some of the paid programs will monitor your system and catch and stop the importation of malicious files. The free versions will only find these files after they have been installed on your computer when you run a scan. Now if you are very diligent and you run a spyware scan daily you are probably ok. But, are you really that diligent. It's kind of like backing up your computer; we all know that we should do it but most of us are probably pretty lax.

If you are in a business environment and you have a network of computers, then the enterprise version of these programs, might be more suitable. This allows for the managing of your spyware activites from a central location. Again, the free version will not do this.

Here is a list of some of the free programs that I have used.

NoAdware

NoAdware 5.0 is constantly updated to identify the latest threats to your privacy. The software will scan your PC for different Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and Web Bug traces. These items not only create nuisances in the form of popups, system slowdowns and crashes, but many items actually record personal information about you, such as credit cards, social security numbers, or other sensitive information.

You can configure various browser shields to further protect your computer when online, including a real time shield, that will prevent items we detect from ever running on your PC in the first place!

Check the Protect IE Favorites box to ensure that no website can add their URL to your browser's 'Favorite List'.

In fact each time a bookmark is attempted, NoAdware will alert you and ask for your authorization to add the specific URL to the browser's 'Favorite List'.

AdWareAlert

Go ahead and click on the image to the left and get a free scan of your computer. You will then know whether or not you have any spyware or adware on your computer. It only takes a few minutes and is totally free. If you find that your computer is infected, then get the free download and remove that nasty stuff.

Spybot - Search & Destroy

Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.

Ad-Aware Personal

Ad-Aware Personal provides advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. This software is downloadable free of charge. This version will do the following:

• Scans fixed and removable drives, memory and Windows registry 
• Detects known and unknown variants of malware by using the Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology 
• Removes aggressive spyware and malicious content 
• Takes advantage of a fully featured quarantine support 
• Logs information about scans and malicious content removals
• There are three other versions of this software that are paid versions.