Keep Adware and Spyware Away

• On this page:
• What is adware and spyware? (Just below.)
• How to remove adware and spyware.
• How to avoid rogue software and false advertising.
• Trusted sources for quality anti-spyware software.
• Free protection with free anti-spyware software.

What is Adware and Spyware?

What is Adware?

Adware can possibly be quite harmless but sometimes it is there to spy.

Harmless adware?

Sometimes you are offered a free program to download on the understanding that the free version displays advertising. Often you can upgrade to the paid version and then you do not see advertising when you use the program.

BAD adware

Bad adware is something that installs itself on your computer and feeds you advertising without asking.
But the adware we most need to keep away is really bad adware that is also spyware.

Get more facts about Adware on our Adware Information page.

Get more facts about Spyware on our Spyware Information page.

Briefly: What is Spyware?

Spyware refers in general to programs that run without asking and invade your privacy. Spyware can track the websites you visit and collect and report that information to another party. This other party would usually be somebody very keen to send you 'targeted' advertising that you did not ask for.

If there is spyware on your computer you might notice that it runs slowly or that using the web seems slower. You might see a lot more 'pop-up' advertising pages when you use the internet. On the other hand, clever spyware could also be hiding undetected, without causing these common symptoms but still spying on your browsing habits.

Very bad spyware could be aimed directly at stealing and identity theft. This can include attempts to discover personal information such as your credit card details and passwords. See in our glossary for keyloggers for an example of how this can be done. (Glossary page links open in a new window.)

There is more detailed information about spyware on our Spyware Information page.

How can we remove adware and spyware?

There are anti-spyware programs that can check your computer for adware and spyware and remove it.
(See below for some of the good ones.)

But be very careful when choosing anti-spyware tools!

This is worth repeating.

Be very careful when choosing anti-spyware tools!

There is a lot of false advertising about spyware. And there are a lot of rogue programs for sale that don't really keep you safe. Don't just download any old thing that you might see advertised on the internet.

Rogue Software and False Advertising

Unfortunately, not everybody offering spyware tools is an honest dealer.

Some anti-spyware vendors falsely claim to find spyware on your system with their free scan, just in order to frighten buyers into paying immediately for the software to have the 'problem' removed.

This scare tactic is known as deliberately showing 'false positives'.
(Note that this is not the same thing as when your security software makes an honest error, which can also often happen.)

Completely False Advertising

Worst of all, some supposedly anti-spyware tools are nothing of the sort but will, themselves, expose you to spyware or adware. This is rogue software, the kind of danger that the people at Spyware Warrior and Malwarebytes are fighting to stamp out.

Sellers of rogue anti-spyware software are scammers. They use fake 'scans' of your PC, aggressive advertising, false advertising, 'pop-up downloads' and similar tactics to try and trick you or force you to install their rogue software.

See our glossary for a brief explanation of rogue programs. (Glossary links open in a new window.)

Or see our page about rogues. We explain simply:

• How rogue programs are advertised and spread
• How to see through the usual tricks and scams
• How to check your PC for rogue programs and remove them.

The selling of poor quality software on the internet is a profitable business and there are scammers in the marketplace. Shopping for spyware protection is a time to remember 'buyer beware'. Also, we should not get a false sense of security just because we used one single tool that said it found no spyware, or that it found some and fixed it.

Spyware is now a very serious concern:

Protecting ourselves from spyware is increasingly important, for two main reasons.

• There is more spyware than ever before.
• A lot of it is now aimed at stealing.

But with so many anti-spyware tools on offer, and some sellers being rogues, how do we know what's good?

Well, that's what this page is for.

However, you don't have to trust us. There are also other people acting as consumer watchdogs and offering free information and free tools to help us keepsafe from spyware. You can use web sites like Spyware Warrior and Malwarebytes as a shopper's guide: they are dedicated to exposing scammers, liars and bad quality in this market.

Buyers' Guide

If you are looking at a lot of different spyware tools you could check the Spyware Warrior Blacklist and avoid anything listed on it.

You can:

• Go to Spyware Warrior's list of 'rogue' spyware tools:
• Check the (alphabetical) list of bad anti-spyware tools there:
• Make sure the software you are thinking of using is not on the blacklist.

So you could shop for anti-spyware tools just by starting with the ones identified at Spyware Warrior as being reputable and worth using.

Of course we have included those in our section below where we list and describe some of the quality brands.

Please remember that a blacklist like this (there are others too) is the author's own opinion.

Another list can be found at Malwarebytes, home of RogueRemover.
(See below on this page to find out what Rogue Remover is for.)

Because of the sheer quantity and proliferation of spyware, especially since 2005, suppliers of anti-spyware tools are hard pressed to keep their information up-to-date.
The attitude behind the blacklists is usually that it is better to be safe rather than sorry: their lists might be based on quite high standards.

Perhaps you already have a spyware tool, what do you do if you find it on a blacklist?

Don't worry.
It may be useful software, but the people keeping the blacklist disapprove of the way it is advertised – e.g. if it is advertised with scare tactics. They may just think that the tool is incompetent and a waste of your money. These people are just trying to help us.

In any case, on the lists of rogue programs at Spyware Warrior and Malwarebytes they will tell you for what reasons a program is listed as a rogue.

If you find that you have installed a blacklisted program you need to find out why it was on the blacklist.

There is one main thing to worry about here: if the program was on the blacklist because it is spyware or adware (or some other real security threat) you need to get rid of it.

You will probably be able to remove it with Rogue Remover. (Rogue Remover is free to use. You can pay to upgrade and get more features but the free download will detect and remove known rogue software from your PC.)

Testing and comparing anti-spyware software.

Sometimes we see advertising saying things like "Top 5 anti-spyware programs compared", or "Top 5 anti-spyware programs tested and reviewed".

I don't want to call any specific people liars, but sometimes when you go to these sites there is nothing but a table comparing a few 'also-ran' brands and 'rating' their performance with stars and ticks.

Just for the sake of it I made a similar page with a table like that. Except my page has no claims that I have actually done any credible laboratory testing. And the page only lists reputable brands. It is useful if you want to compare some features of different brands.

Be aware that testing anti-spyware tools is very difficult.

For one thing, you first have to get a test computer well infected with lots of spyware. And for another, spyware is breeding so quickly that, as already mentioned, it is hard for testers to keep up-to-date with the latest threats.

As far as I am aware, security experts and anti-spyware specialists are struggling hard to find a credible test method for evaluating the performance of anti-spyware programs.

The nature of spyware threats is that they develop and change shape very quickly. So the people who are most serious about testing and comparing security software usually say things like:

• It was hard to design and carry out the testing: here is what we did.
• The testing has limited scope (they know they can't test everything at once).
• The results are good for now, but things change quickly.

In short: it is extremely difficult to perform credible tests of security software. This affects all the main security battlefields: i.e. anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall software.

So I'm very sceptical when I see advertising that says something like 'We tested the five top programs and found the best one'.

I just can't believe it.

Q. I have an anti-spyware tool, so I'm secure, right?

A. Not really.

To emphasize again: because of the proliferation of spyware, suppliers of anti-spyware tools are hard pressed to keep their information up-to-date. Consequently, the usual opinion is that we should have two to four anti-spyware tools on hand.

This might sound like bad news to computer users – sounds like you need to spend a lot of money on different tools – but it is not as bad as it sounds because:

1. There are some good free anti-spyware tools Free anti-spyware tools, see below, and

2. A lot of tools do more than one job – e.g. anti-spyware + firewall, firewall + anti-virus.

So it need not cost us users a lot to keep extra spyware tools on hand.

• Remember the list of basics for staying secure online:
• Making your browser more secure (or maybe using a different browser).
• Using anti-spyware tools. (A few.)
• Using an antivirus tool. (One good one that runs all the time.)
• Using a firewall. (Just one.)
• Using email safely. (Some antivirus and anti-spyware tools will monitor incoming and outgoing emails.)

Here are some anti-spyware tools, starting with the free ones.

Free spyware tool: 'SpyBot-Search and Destroy'.

Spybot Search and Destroy

SpyBot is one of the most respected free tools to handle spyware. Also, their website is informative about the topic of spyware and available in many languages.
Also, there are other free tools on offer at the SpyBot site.

• Operating Systems:
• Most Windows versions, but not Windows 95 at present.
  Can be used in Wine on Linux.

• Features:
• Support for many languages.
• Lots of extra tools, e.g. a file shredder (handy), manager for Windows start-up, and more.
• Monitoring of downloading and browsing activity.
• Back-up of changed settings in case you need to undo changes.
• Regular updates available for the library of spyware and threats.

SpyBot provides a lot of features for a free tool. Users should read the help files to learn about what it can do.

Free spyware tool: 'SUPERAntiSpyware'.

SUPERAntiSpyware

SUPERAntiSpyware is free for personal use.
It can detect and remove Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers, Parasites, Rootkits and many other types of threats.
It also examines critical points of your system each time you start up and shut down, to eliminate threats before they have a chance to infect your system.
(This is important because some of these pests lie in wait without you knowing, then 'wake-up' next time you restart your machine.)

There is a free version with the essential functions, and users can also upgrade to the paid version and get more features and free support.

• Operating Systems:
• Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP.

I can personally confirm that it is easy to download and install: SUPERAntiSpyware makes a good 'introduction to spyware tools' for new users.

Feature: LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION
With the paid version of SUPERAntiSpyware you can get a lifetime subscription. (Note that a lot of software, and most anti-spyware tools, are paid for on the basis of a yearly subscription.)

The lifetime subscription to SUPERAntiSpyware includes free program updates and definition updates for the life of the product. (It is listed as an option on the ordering page - good value-for-money.)

Vendor's Description:
SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market.
Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware other products miss!
Easily remove pests such as WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, and thousands more!
Repair broken internet connections and desktops, get a registry editing tool and more with our unique Repair System.
Our Dedicated Threat Research Team scours the web for new threats and provides daily definition updates.

Free Spyware Software: SpyCatcher from Tenebril.

Tenebril is a company specialising in anti-spyware technology. They put an emphasis on developing and improving detection methods. This is to keep ahead of the constantly evolving and mutating kinds of spyware.

Tenebril are patenting their spyware detection methods, the 'Tenebril Spyware Profiling Engine'. Visit their site here, tenebril.com. or find out about their SpyCatcher Express, free version, .

I have not heard very much about Tenebril's free anti-spyware software, SpyCatcher Express, but PC World called it one of the best free utilities available.

This doesn't require much further thought: it's free, it helps defend you against spyware.

You can also get a free trial of the full version of Tenebril Spycatcher. (click the image, left).

The full version includes many features that go beyond the average anti-spyware program. This includes protection from phishing attempts, and protection from spyware that tries to re-install itself after being deleted.

Discount: Get 2 years of Spycatcher for the price of one Click Here

Tenebril also has other handy internet security products.

For example, with Tenebril's GhostSurf you can get the anti-spyware tool AND the advantages of anonymous surfing. That is, when you use the internet your location and identity (as connected to your IP address) are hidden and invisible to websites you visit.

I haven't had time to write much on this site about the advantages of anonymous surfing. But, in short, a lot of websites and advertising companies can very easily track your surfing: any anonymous surfing service is aimed at greatly increasing your privacy and security on the internet.

There are some free anonymous surfing services available, but people wanting a good one, and one that doesn't slow down their internet connection, usually have to pay an ongoing fee to use the service.

Another discount: $20 off Ghost Surf Platinum Click Here

Free adware remover: 'Ad-Aware' from Lavasoft.

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware is the original adware detecting tool.

It is now very well-known, well established and widely used.

Lavasoft's basic 'Ad-Aware' (Free) tool is excellent at finding and removing adware and spyware. It has been free (for personal use) for many years, and still is.

However Lavasoft now provide other options with much more comprehensive anti-spyware protection, and a firewall application. More about that just below.

To get the free version:

• Click here (or on the image just above/left).
• When you get to Lavasoft's page there is a big button (green button, on the right, last time I checked) with the link for AdAware free.

The free version of AdAware is a good spyware and adware detector and remover. However it does not run all the time on your computer. This means you need to start it and run it in order to find and clean out spyware.

It is much better to have an anti-spyware tool that can be running at all times.

For the record, here are the features you don't get with the free version:
(You get these features when you buy Ad-Aware: more about that just below.)

Automatic Threat Updates
Customizable Scans
Scheduler
Ad-Watch Real-Time Monitor
Ad-Watch RegShield
Hosts File Editor
Blocks Malicious Tracking Cookies
Free Customer Support
Priority Threat Updates
Detailed Scan Reports (Printable and XML)
Advanced Command Line Support
Ad-Watch Connect
Process Watch Module
Network Drive Scanning

Which brings us to other quality spyware tools that are not free, but do provide constant protection.

Anti-spyware tools you can trust.

These next four tools are all mentioned at Spyware Warrior as reputable tools worth using.

Ad-Aware 2007 Plus.

Ad-Aware has always been good at finding and removing malware, and easy for new computer users to understand.

The latest version is highly featured but Lavasoft are also concentrating on ease of use so that everybody can actually implement all the security features available.

With Ad-Aware there is a choice of ordering options: You can save money with a longer license and there are discounts for educational and non-profit buyers.

You can order Ad-Aware right here from the links below or visit Lavasoft to find out more.

Ordering Options
(Click on any of the 'Order' links to check the latest prices in your local currency.)

Ad-Aware 2007 Plus - 1 year license: Order
Ad-Aware 2007 Plus - 2 year license: Order
Ad-Aware 2007 Plus - 3 year license: Order

Academic / Non profit

Ad-Aware 2007 Plus - 1 year license: Order
Ad-Aware 2007 Plus - 2 year license: Order
Ad-Aware 2007 Plus - 3 year license: Order

New and Improved in Ad-Aware 2007 Plus

• Redesigned Engine – more accurate scanning methods with all-new program architecture.
• Improved Code Sequence Identification (CSI) Technology – provides privacy protection by precisely detecting embedded malware, including known and emerging threats.
• The Scheduler – You can set times for automatic scans and updates to fit your own needs.
• Incremental Definition File Updates – This is much faster than some other spyware tools: it means the you only download the updates to the list of known spyware, not the entire list every time. Saves time and computer resources with smaller update files.
• Ad-Watch RegShield – Improved protection against attempted registry changes, a favorite target for many forms of malware.
• TrackSweep – This is a privacy tool: it secures your privacy by removing the tracks (e.g. history of sites you visited etc.) left behind while you surf the Web. Works with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera, with one click.
• Hosts File Editor – Take control of your Web navigation by blocking advertisement sites, reversing browser hijack entries, assisting with parental controls, and creating navigation shortcuts.
• Multiple Browser Support – Choose Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Opera with expanded browser support.
• New Straightforward User Interface – Effortlessly maneuver the complexities of malware detection and removal with our new user-friendly interface.

More Features of Ad-Aware 2007 Plus

• User-Controlled Spyware Removal – Decide for yourself what to delete from your system and what to keep.
• Extensive Detection Database – Stay protected with priority updates from the huge library of identified and analyzed spyware.
• Ad-Watch Real-Time Monitor – Actively watches for malware and parasites to intercept them before they install on your PC.
• Customized Scans – Saves scanning time. You can scan selected areas where known spyware programs are known to hide, e.g. RAM, registry, hard drives, external storage devices, and optical drives.
• System Restore Point – You can easily revert back to your clean system to recover from a spyware attack.

• Operating Systems:
• Windows 2000, (Pro and Server); Windows XP (Home and Pro); Windows Server 2003.

• Web Browsers Supported:
• Internet Explorer (version 5.5 or higher), Firefox (version 1.5 or higher), Opera (version 9 or higher)

Free Support for Users:
Lavasoft offer free online customer support, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Also they have a forum on their site where users can get more help. Users of the free version of Ad-Aware are welcome on the forum too.

Spyware Doctor from PC Tools

Spyware Doctor continues to be awarded the highest honors by many of the world's leading PC publications.
Why? Not just because it is a capable anti-spyware tool, but because of the customer support.
Spyware Doctor aims to be easy to use, to support all PC users, not just the experts.

Free Trial

I'm calling Spyware Doctor 'half free' because the free trial version blocks spyware that tries to get onto your PC. It just doesn't clean out spyware you might already have. You can download the free trial from us right here. It's quick.

Spyware Doctor protects against: Spyware, Adware, Spying Trojans, Keyloggers, Identity Theft, Hijackers, Tracking Threats, Rogue Anti-Spyware, Unwanted Software, Phishing, Popups and Bad Websites.

Read more or order here. (Note the discount code in the box just below.)

Features:
– Automated and incremental updates
– New rootkit detection innovations
– Anti-spyware hacker defence
– New OnGuard tool – File Guard
– Windows Vista Support
– Pause and resume scan option
– External drive scanning (e.g. USB stick)
– Unicode support (for threats that use Unicode characters to avoid detection)
– Improved browser protection for IE & Firefox
– Global Actions List (ability to whitelist or blacklist detected items)
– Improved quarantine & restore area
– Enhanced cookie blocking
– Multi-user support - fast user switching
– Support for 13 languages

Read more or order here. (Note the discount code in the box above.)

Or download a FREE TRIAL here.
(Small download, only takes a few seconds.)

CA Anti-Spyware from Computer Associates

CA Anti-Spyware, fomerly known as Pest Patrol, has been upgraded and improved since 2007.

CA Anti-Spyware detects and removes spyware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers and other threats.

CA Anti-Spyware has been certified by independent testing Lab, West Coast Labs, as an effective spyware remover.

Read more at the CA website

Spy Sweeper

Spy Sweeper with its 'Smart Shields' is able to block known and emerging spyware threats as you browse - before they ever reach your computer and personal information.
If your PC is already infected, Spy Sweeper has advanced discovery methods: it will find and completely destroy malicious spyware that hides in your PC - even spyware that hides using rootkit technology.

Spy Sweeper also protects you from Trojans, Adware and Keyloggers.

NEW Email Protection: Spy Sweeper scans email attachments, incoming and outgoing, and will quarantine suspicious files.

Customer support: Webroot provide customer support by phone or online.

You can buy Spy Sweeper from the Webroot site.

I am having trouble keeping track of the link to the free trial for Spy Sweeper. But on the Webroot site. you will see a link to downloads and free trials.

Or you can download a free trial instantly from here.

• Operating Systems:
• Windows XP (32 bit versions of Professional, Home, Media Center, or XP Tablet)
• Windows Vista (32 bit versions of Home Basic, Premium, Business, or Ultimate)
  
• Note: Spy Sweeper is ready for Windows Vista.

AVG Anti-Spyware

Description:
AVG Anti-Spyware is for Windows XP and Windows 2000.
Easy to use protection: install and forget.
AVG detects spyware, adware, DLL-trojans, keyloggers, and much more.
You get a lot of extra tools with AVG Anti-Spyware, e.g. for checking and controlling your computer with tools such as viewers for processes, connections, browser plugins, startup entries etc.
You also get file shredder for secure file deletion and a tool to harden your Windows installation.

Prevention is better than cure:
AVG 'Resident Shield' provides protection by scanning every file opened, executed, or saved. It also prevents the opening or executing of malware.
If you are looking for a tool to do more than one security job AVG Anti-Spyware gives you a selection of tools in one program. However AVG has a range of even more fully-equipped options, e.g.:

The Anti-Malware tool combines anti-spyware and anti-virus.

• The AVG Internet Security program combines:
• Anti-Virus protects from viruses, worms and trojans
• Anti-Spyware protects from spyware, adware and other malicious programs
• Anti-Spam filters spam and protects against phishing attacks
• Firewall protects from hackers

• With AVG products you get:
• Free support by email, 24/7.
• 30 DAY TRIAL:
  All AVG tools are available to try as fully functional products, with no obligation, for 30 days.

Other information.

I already installed anti-spyware tools – but now I think they might be rogue programs: what do I do?

There is a tool dedicated to finding and removing bad anti-spyware tools (and other rogue) programs:

Download a FREE TRIAL of RogueRemoverPRO
Or read more information on the ordering page.

Prevention is better than cure: RogueRemover also provides protection to keep you safe from websites that can stealthily install rogue software without your permission.