On this page, I’ve listed some of the best spyware removal software available in the market. I have tested most of these and have found them pretty good at their job. Please note that most spyware removal software recognize spyware by comparing it to a database. Thus, the more extensive, updated and correct the database is, the better is the spyware remover.
Some points on how to remove spyware from your system
- Download the spyware removal software
- Connect to the net (if you are offline) and check if any updates have been made to the database
- Download and install the updates
- Run an entire system scan using the spyware remover
- Select and remove the spyware
Sponsored Links
Ad-Aware – Spyware remover
Ad-Aware is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. With the release of Ad-Aware SE Personal edition, Lavasoft takes the fight against Spyware to the next level.
Ad-Aware has a nice GUI and support for custom graphical skins and is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003. The spyware software features extended memory scanning and scans the registry for known and unknown/possible Browser-Hijackers. The scan results include a scan summary and detailed view. Ad-Aware is linked to the online TAC database and allows you to tweak it to your requirements.
Ad-Aware Personal edition is free for non-commercial use. For use in a commercial, educational and governmental environment you need to register the software.
www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
Webroot Spy Sweeper – Spyware removal software
The Webroot Spy Sweeper comes in two flavors – Spy Sweeper Enterprise (for corporations) and Spy Sweeper for the Home. The spyware software detects and removes particularly vicious spyware and adware programs like CoolWebSearch and features enhanced smarter shields that block browser hijacks – before they happen! Webroot Spy Sweeper scans your entire system using a constantly updated database of thousands of potential and known threats. You can schedule regular scans or perform one manually to find and remove spyware and adware from your PC.
Webroot Spy Sweeper has Active Shield technology, which stops spyware, adware and other unwanted programs before they infect your PC. Deep scans root out and quarantine the trickiest programs. The quarantine process is safe and if any files or traces of spyware, adware or other unwanted programs match the threat definitions database, Spy Sweeper immediately quarantines them. Quarantining disables the program’s functionality for immediate protection, while giving you the option to review and permanently delete suspect files or safely restore them if they are essential to the operation of desirable applications.
Webroot Spy Sweeper is easy to use and the company provides technical support to help you through even the toughest spyware problems.
Subscription is $29.95 for the home users and there is also a free spy scan available on the company’s web site.
www.webroot.com
Yahoo Toolbar – Spyware remover program
The Yahoo! toolbar blocks pop-up ads and features a Anti-Spy tool. The Anti-Spy finds and uninstalls programs on your computer that may be considered spyware.
toolbar.yahoo.com
Spyware Doctor – Spyware remover
Spyware Doctor is a multi-award winning spyware removal utility that detects, removes and protects your PC from thousands of potential spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, spybots and tracking threats. You can get a free scan for your computer on the company’s web site.
The registered version of the software costs $39.95 and in addition to detecting and removing spyware and equivalent programs, Spyware Doctor, immunizes your system against more than a thousand known web-browser hijackers and ActiveX threats and has OnGuard which runs in the background to monitor and protect your PC from browser infections and tracking cookies. Real-time protection includes defense against known phishing attacks, popup blocking and malicious site guard and intelligent and deep scanning options allow you to thoroughly check your PC for Malware infections.
www.pctools.com/
SpywareBlaster Spyware Remover from Javacool Software
SpywareBlaster secures your system against spyware, adware, browser hijackers ActiveX components, diallers and other potential threats. The software blocks spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla based browsers such as Netscape. It also restricts the actions of dangerous web sites in I.E. SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background and hence conserves system resources.
SpywareBlaster is freeware for personal and educational use.
www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
EnigmaSoftwareGroup.com’s Spyhunter Spyware Removal Software
The Spyhunter from EnigmaSoftwareGroup removes spyware, adware, keyloggers, cookies, spyware registry keys, toolbars, internal popup programs, memory resident spyware etc. It contains a database of 193 spyware products and features a very fast scanner when compared to other products in the market. Easy to use, Spyhunter includes the FREE Enigma Popup Stop on purchase. Popup Stop gives you the control to stop all popups and manage wanted popups from specified websites. Before you get the Spyhunter for $29.99 be sure to use the free scan feature on the company’s web site.
www.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/
