Free AntiSpyware Programs

Advanced System Protector is the best free available antispyware

i am a tech and have been working for over 15 years and have used Super Antispyware on business systems that would be dificult to just reload windows on...saved me 100's of hours and lots of headache check it out here there is a free version -- http://www.superantispyware.com

I agree super antispyware is good,but the one iam using at the moment is Iobit 360 which gives you real time protection.
I have yet to fault this piece of software and it runs on xp,vista and windows 7.

Malwarebytes is my first choice for fighting spyware. SAS is good as well. Forget the others.

I would like to give a shout out to Spyware Terminator. It runs a check daily, is self-updating and free. Running that in combination with a good antivirus (like Avast) will save you LOTS of headaches.

Mike's comment on 11 July 2009 about Spyware Doctor is incorrect. If you download Spyware Doctor from Google Pack, you will be able to not only detect malware, but also remove it.

I did a LOT of research on anti-spyware/malware when my own computer was infected with malware that wouldn't go away despite my best efforts. I read several different pc magazines that tested various anti-malware programs against each other, and the top two consistently cited were Spyware Doctor and Webroot Spy Sweeper. Most agreed that Spyware Doctor detected THE most infections, hands down, and also *removed* the most (many programs do well at detecting, but stink at removing). Despite highly successful performance findings for Spyware Doctor, however, not all reviewers gave Spyware Doctor top reviews because it was a system hog and tended to cause the system to be sluggish or glitchy. Spy Sweeper was the next best in tests, but didn't detect or remove NEARLY as much as Spyware Doctor. Pretty much all agree that no one anti-spyware/malware program will detect EVERY spyware infection out there...and so most recommend doing a layered approach, using more than one program.

As for my personal experience removing that malware: My experience coincides with the findings I found in the various pc magazines. When my system was infected, I already HAD a paid subscription to Spy Sweeper, and also had free versions of Ad Aware and Spybot on my system. None of them could remove my malware infections. Ad Aware was the only one of the lot that detected my malware...but it could NOT remove it. When I finally downloaded the free Spyware Doctor, in a few short minutes, it detected and removed my evil demons. It was the ONLY software that worked.

Spyware Doctor has indeed slowed my system down, and has even frozen up my computer and forced me to reboot. I've resolved this by not using the realtime protection. I run regular scans of my system, and then shut down the program completely when done. Running my Spyware Doctor manually like this has kept my system running smoothly and, to the best of my knowledge, infection free ever since!

I use every one of them, don't much like MS-Defender, but still use it. All others are great and one picks up where the other leaves off. Ive had excellent luck with the free version of Super Anti-Spyware, it has found Trojans none of the others could find. Also Hijack this is great if you know what programs are running on your computer and are a normal part of the install, otherwise if you don't know for sure what your doing yet, like a newbie, then you might be better of without hijack this.

Anna wrote: "Mike's comment on 11 July 2009 about Spyware Doctor is incorrect. If you download Spyware Doctor from Google Pack, you will be able to not only detect malware, but also remove it."

Mike is right, that Spy Doctor will NOT remove malware unless you buy a license. That is my experience also and according to CNET (http://download.cnet.com/Spyware-Doctor-2010/3000-8022_4-10293212.html):
"Spyware Doctor 7 offers users a superb collection of malware prevention and removal tools, but its infamously strict trial restrictions makes it difficult to evaluate...Once you remove the threats, which requires purchasing a license..."

Hi Mick, I'm wondering if you actually tried downloading Spyware Doctor from Google Pack specifically? Google Pack is the only location I know of that provides a fully functional free version of Spyware Doctor. I got my free version probably 2 years or so ago, so I suppose it's possible that Spyware Doctor could have reeled that privilege back in since...but I do know that my free version of Spyware Doctor that I got from Google Pack *DOES* remove as well as detect the spyware.

Just checked the Google Pack page. Spyware Doctor's description states that Google Pack provides a "Starter Edition" of Spyware Doctor, which *does* provide basic spyware protection. For advanced malware protection as well, they recommend paid upgrades which provide anti-virus and internet security in addition to the spyware protection.

If you don't see that offer, then I'm also wondering where you live? Perhaps the offerings are different depending on what country you live in??

I helped a friend of mine remove a severe infection from her laptop on xP. In normal mode, you couldn't install anything, couldn't even go into control panel.
Windows Defender refused to install in safe mode, but Malwarebytes did. Something to keep in mind.