What spyware removal program do you use?

[drakethib]

I think there are several but I am looking for any recommendations if anyone has any.

Thanks

 

[mikelan6]

I use Spybot that you can get from download.com. I haven't had any problems recently, but I don't know if it's any good though.

 

[kevrab]

Our info tech person at work put AVG on my laptop and it works great. Plus, it's free. Google it and check it out.

 

[robertgp124]

I use the free/trial version of Malwarebytes Anti-malware.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Works pretty well. It's gotten rid of several things for me.

 

[noladave]

the 3 main ones (free) that most people use are

Adware
Spybot search & Destroy
and
malwarebytes.

There are others, such as Mcafee, and Norton. They tend to want to sell you a "package" - antivirus and spyware.

I have all 3 on my system, as each 1 tends to have strengths over the other in certain areas.

If you are willing to pony up to pay - that's where you get the real benefit, because they will be pro-active, instead of re-active (free versions). Spybot will do some pro-active searching, but will not catch everything.

 

[airman]

I use Ad-Aware it has worked good for me.

 

[wilde_oscar]

pctools spyware doctor.. free from google, and pretty effective

 

[catycatcat4]

symantec anti virus is what my dad puts on computers

 

[miss missy]

I needed a new virus program... used Micro Trend before, went to Best Buy, they like Kaspersky, it has virus and spy all in one now its a light program and doesnt bog down the puter. With my rewards and such I got a deal, but it was reg 79 for 3 computers. I needed for 3 so it was worth it for me.

 

[doconeill]

Our info tech person at work put AVG on my laptop and it works great. Plus, it's free. Google it and check it out.

The free version of AVG generally only works as a virus scanner. It's not as effective of detecting spyware.

We have used internally at our company and myself at home a combination of both Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware, both are good and can generally pick up stuff the other misses.

Some of the recent malwares are EXTREMELY hard to get rid of short of wiping your system. "Antispyware 2009" and "Spyware Guard 2008" were a REAL pain.

 

[uncleleo]

Windows Defender (free from Microsoft) got the fraudulent Spyware Guard 2008 off my son's computer when Norton, AdAware, and Spyware Blaster failed. It did take two tries to defeat SG2008's reinstaller.

Lee

 

[PK Disney Dork]

We use Trend Mico PC-cillin...it covers spyware, worms, fishers, virus, adware...you name it! It's never done us wrong.

 

[DWFan4Life]

I used Spybot and really turns out good for me. It's easy to use and download it free.

 

[little bob]

I dont use spyware or antivirus software and dont have any problems.





















But Im a Mac snob.

 

[doconeill]

I dont use spyware or antivirus software and dont have any problems.





















But Im a Mac snob.

Ironically, Macs used to be the typhoid marys of computers. I wrote several articles for the University newspaper who had themselves become widely infected at one point.

But since MacOS X, which is actually far more Linux-like than old MacOS like (owing to Steve Jobs' NeXT Computers), it stands up far better. It is not invulnerable, but unless you try really really hard to be stupid, the potential damage is limited.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

Another vote for Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware

 

[FireDancer]

Spybot and Ad-aware here too. And please, if you care about your computer and you privacy use Firefox instead of Chrome, IE, or Safari. Preferably with the No-Script add on.

 

[wilde_oscar]

Spybot and Ad-aware here too. And please, if you care about your computer and you privacy use Firefox instead of Chrome, IE, or Safari. Preferably with the No-Script add on.

mmmmmmmmm no script addon... tastes like chocolate

 

[Floydian]

Another vote for Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware

Ditto. As a PP mentioned, it's good to use two or three of them, as one may pick up something that another missed. I also run SpywareBlaster, which is a pro-active software. With that running, I only do monthly scans using the other two, and only find a handful of minor tracking cookies and such on my system. Then again, I mostly use my computer for TV, games, and a few trusted web sites.

 

[OKW Lover]

I dont use spyware or antivirus software and dont have any problems.





















But Im a Mac snob.

Another vote for a Mac.