Anti-Spyware Tools
Below is a fairly comprehensive list of the antispyware products available that we have reviewed and have been in the market place for more than a few months. Some are free, some cost a little, and some cost a lot. Our recommendations are highlighted. Anti-virus packages that are popular in the marketplace are identified with an *.
Is there a difference between the free tools and the commercial products? Definitely. The free tools are certainly better than using nothing, but obviously, those companies do not have the staff or resources to continually research and update their products as the commercial products do.
Commercial Spyware Detection and Removal Programs
- Acronis Privacy Expert Suite
- Advanced System Optimizer / Spyware Detective
- McAfee AntiSpyware
- Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta)
- * PestPatrol SpySubtract Spyware Doctor
- * Webroot Spy Sweeper X-Cleaner Deluxe
Free Detection and Removal Tools
Downloaded Detection and Removal Programs
- Lavasoft Ad-aware (Warning: our testing has not found favorable results - it didn't remove all spyware and adware - with the free version of this product. We have not tested their commercial product)
- Spybot Search and Destroy also available here
Web-based Tools (most only detect spyware and adware)
- Alken - Cult of the amazing puffins
- Parasite Check
- EarthLink Spy Audit - nice free scanning tool (but like all scanners-only, it does not remove what it finds)
- EarthLink Spyware Blocker
- Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
- PestScan - Online Scanner
- SpywareGuide.com ActiveX Spyware Scanning
- SpywareInfo - Online Scanner
- Sunbelt - Free Online Scanner
- Webroot Spy Audit
- Webroot Corporate Spy Audit
- Winguard Spyware Detector
- X-Cleaner Free or here as a direct download
And please let us know about any suspicious calls or emails you receive. We look for patterns so that we can alert the authorities and victims to new scams, before it is too late!
For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.