Researching the latest studies, its quite disturbing to discover that as soon as you connect your computer to the internet, you are more than 80% likely to get infected with spyware. It also showed that over 60% of computers are infected and the owners don’t even know it. Some spyware can be quite harmless, but there are others which can do significant irreversible damage to your computer and your files. There are free spyware removal tools which were created by programmers who are like Sherrif’s in the digital landscape, fighting those who are hell bent on creating viruses.
Our team has done extensive research on the latest free spyware removal tools and have come up with a list of the top 5. Here they are:
Microsoft Windows Anti-Spyware
Microsoft Windows Anti-Spyware is an open source free spyware removal program, it has an update based definition scanner that is constantly scanning your computer for potential viruses. The program monitors your hard drives files against a frequently updated list of spyware and adware files, and it looks for potential imperfections and identifies them as either threats or normal operating procedures. This particular software is bare bones and has the potential for real growth in the future.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE
The Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE, Personal Edition combines top of the line malware detection with a variety of additional protection layers. The Lavasoft line is extremely popular in being an all-in-one security solution for all your computing needs. The software offers complete security from firewall protection, anti-spam control, parental controls, system tuning, data recovery and an anti-phishing monitoring. You can feel comfortable online playing your games or surfing with this family when Lavasoftís Ad-Aware SE is on the job.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search and Destroy works on your computer removing trojans, blocking adware and stopping browser hijacking dead in it’s tracks. The Search and Destroy open source tool has a live protection feature that works instantly to detect potentially harmful viruses. This is a Windows platform that runs in the background of your computer and it is fully customizable by the home user. You have the ability to integrate the program with any third party virus protection you currently are using. When using the free version you are not prompted to update the tool, so you need to remind yourself once a day to check the program for potential updates.
Trend Micro Hijack This
Trend Micro Hijack This offers two very different types of virus protection for your computer against even the most harmful spyware on the internet. The program uses a unique feature called ADS Spy Tool, which was designed to outsmart spyware which was designed to hide from spyware removal tools. The software scans for alternate data streams to find where spyware may be hiding and then advanced detection process disables the virus quickly. This allows you to remove the contamination quickly without any harm caused to your PC. The software is small but very effective and also has an enhanced processor that can search your system 30% faster for any harmful spyware.
PestPatrol
PestPatrol for Home User Edition has some incredible features that allow the PC owner complete control over how the spyware is controlled once it is found. Although the system’s control panel is a little complex at first, you are truly getting some of the best spyware protection on the open source market. Once PestPatrol identifies spyware or trojans on your PC, you are given a variety of choices on how to handle the trouble. You are given the virus name, risk level, and even suggested actions on how to remove the threat. The program offers something many other virus protection tools do not, it locates processes that monitor keystrokes, a truly deadly virus you want removed immediately. With all the features this program has, you can expect it to use quite a bit of memory when scanning, so prepare accordingly.