Introduction
The Internet is a dangerous place to be in the 21st century. Unscrupulous people using malicious software are finding ingenious ways to access your information or lead you into spending money. Spyware harvests information from your computer with keylogging and data capture techniques, while adware tracks your browsing habits and tempts you with popup ads related to websites you have visited.
With every new generation of malware (adware, spyware, virus, rootkits, trojans), there will be a new generation of software to combat it. Gizmo's offers many useful articles and reviews to help today's computer user obtain the necessary tools to combat the virtual foe. This category will look at adware and spyware removers.
The following products have been reviewed for this category:
- Spybot - Preventor, Remover
- SUPERAntiSpyware (SAS) - Remover
- Malwarebytes - Remover
- SpywareBlaster - Preventor
Discovery: All these programs will perform manual scans, but some will not provide real-time scanning protection unless you upgrade to the paid version. Some are removers, some are preventers. It was difficult to find a free program that combined all the components. The winner in this category is Spybot for its removal and prevention ability in a free program. SAS found more to remove, however it doesn't offer real-time protection.
Rated Products
Spybot
A malware remover designed for basic use yet offers information for advanced users
Our Rating:
License: Free (Private/Educational use)
Real-time protection, protects one or more user profiles.
Scan didn't detect malware coded file, does not uninstall cleanly.
Read full review...
SUPERAntiSpyware
Detects and removes malware without real-time protection in the free version
Our Rating:
License: Free (Limited features)
Simple functional menus, good cookie tracker, supports all browsers.
Free version doesn't offer real time protection, only scans.
Read full review...
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
Malware detection and removal software but the free version doesn't offer real time protection
Our Rating:
License: Free (Limited features)
Detected files other programs missed, light and simple.
No real-time protection, no scheduling.
Read full review...
SpywareBlaster
Prevent and protect from the installation of adware, spyware and scumware
Our Rating:
License: Free (Private/Educational use)
Customizable block lists, doesn't use system resources by running in the back ground, does not affect browser performance or conflict with other software.
Not a removal tool, must update protections after updating lists.
Read full review...Related Products and Links
You might want to check out these articles too:
- Best Free Anti-Virus Software
- Best Free Trojan Scanner/Trojan Remover
- Best Free Rootkit Scanner/Remover
- Best Free Intrusion Prevention and Detection Utility for Home Use (HIPS)
- Best Free Browser Protection Utility
- How to Secure Your PC
- Probably the Best Free Security List in the World
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