Free Antispyware Programs: Top 5 Best and Worst
Posted by Mark Esler on October 02 2008 at 11:46
Being a computer technician means you run across a wide range of antispyware/adware programs. While there are some very good programs for which you can pay for out there all you need are a few freeware programs to do the job. I hope this list can help. Let me know if you ave any questions.
Best AntiSpyware Programs!
Super Antispyware
Even though this program is newer to the race then the rest of the
listed programs it definitely lives up to is name. It has 10 million
users and is now the definitely force in antisyware/adware. You cannot
help but love a program, which is so thorough, so fast, runs in real time, and has
the coolest name on the block. If you have any spyware issues, try this
one out and then move down the list.
Download Super Antispyware
Spybot: Search & Destroy
Spybot is an old time favorite. Spybot has been around for awhile and has always come with a lot of great options. Most free antispyware tools will lock you down, but not Spybot. It can block tracking cookies, protect your browser, and has a scheduling option. It's nice to know that once you're done fixing a clients computer you just set up a scheduled search and do not have to worry about the future. Spybot has been a godsend for working with client computers.
Download Spybot
Ad-Aware Free
Sometimes spyware isn't a one-stop shop and you need to run multiple programs, unfortunately. I usually run Ad-Aware searches right after Spybot to make sure everything got picked up before running a HiJackThis search. In my own experience Ad-Aware seems to pick up spyware/adware better than Spybot although Spybot finds a lot of inconsistencies in the registry to make the system faster. Ad-Aware is a nice tool to compliment Spybot.
Download Ad-Aware
HiJackThis
HJT, as the acronym goes, spearheaded a new type of spyware identification. Instead of relying on a database of known spyware it uses something called heuristics. While the use of heuristics has been around for a long time for antivirus programs HJT was the first to do it well for spyware. The ability to grab a text file log file and post it on a forum is damn sexy for inexperienced users who need help; but don't know how to ask for help that well.
Download HiJackThis
Windows Defender
I can already hear the groans about this being from Microsoft, but it makes sense. They have bits of code other developers don't have access to which puts this program a bit farther up the league then some others. I am really glad that they came out and made it easy to get rid of ActiveX spyware installations with their real time support.
Download Windows Defender
Worst AntiSpyware Programs!
PSGuard
PSGuard is actually very good at removing other spyware and keeps up to date with new threats. It does a deep system scan, searches through individual files and, even goes through the registry. While it does do its job to some extent it also distributes a lot of malicious adware and trojans. PSGuard was advertised on illegitimate sites that advertised it to be like Windows Security Center.
Learn to manually remove PSGuard
RazeSpyware
RazeSpyware is installed though several malicious pieces of adware including the Secup trojan and
Desktophijack. Raze dosn't do a very thorough job at finding spyware and refuses to delete them unless you pay for a full version. It has been labeled by Microsoft as "High Rish Unsolicited Software"
Learn to manually remove RazeSpyware
Win Spy Control
Spy Control is very aggressive in its advertisements. The developers of WSP uses spam emails to spread their product. This software also installs toolbars that are linked to other adware affiliates.
Learn to manually remove Win Spy Control
SpySheriff
This software simply does not work. You can put this on a clean machine and it will find "malicious software" using scare tactics, saying there are keyloggers, mail bombers, etc... The reason is for people to purchase a full copy of SpySheriff in hopes to get rid of the fake software. If you get this it most likely came through a browser exploit with a pack of other similar nasties. (Time to upgrade to Firefox.)
Learn how to manually remove SpySheriff
SpyAxe
This tool was actually fairly good when it came out, but over time it began aggressively advertising themselves. This would be done through browser exploits, spam, and the lot. The trial works somewhat, but wants you to upgrade to a full version and neither has an up to date list of spyware.
Learn how to manually remove SpyAxe
Think a different antispyware program meets the grade? Leave a comment and let me know.
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Reply #26 on : Sat June 20, 2009, 20:09:08
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Reply #23 on : Wed May 27, 2009, 02:31:46