Spyware Tools

When choosing anti-spyware protection, you should rely on products with deserved reputations and proven track records. That means avoiding the new and unknown, and not succumbing to impulse buys of anti-spyware products that you see on the Net, esp. those included in the "rogue/suspect" list on this page or advertised on Google.

At the very least, you should have an anti-spyware scanner, and there are several reputable anti-spyware scanners available on the Net -- some even for free. But anti-spyware protection goes beyond having an anti-spyware scanner like Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-aware. Even after installing and running an anti-spyware scanner, you should take steps to lock down your browser and protect your system against further infestation by spyware and adware.

What follows below is a set of recommended steps for installing anti-spyware protection for your PC. If your PC is already infested with spyware or adware, see the instructions for getting help included later on this page.

1. Run an anti-spyware scanner (or two...)

One basic tool in every user's toolbox of software ought to be an anti-spyware scanner. There are several excellent anti-spyware scanners available -- some free, some for pay. These include (but are not limited to):

Ad-aware
GIANT AntiSpyware
Pest Patrol
Spybot Search & Destroy
Webroot Spy Sweeper

Anti-spyware scanners work much like anti-virus applications (such as Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee VirusScan, et al), except that instead of scanning your PC for viruses, trojans, and worms, they scan your computer for spyware, adware, and dialers. (You can find a more complete list of anti-spyware applications HERE.)

I recommend using at least two anti-spyware scanners regularly, as one will often pick up items that the other misses. Even after you install an anti-spyware scanner, be sure to keep it updated because new spyware and adware appears on the Net almost daily.


2. Install anti-spyware protection

Scanning for spyware and adware isn't enough to protect your PC. You also need to take preventative steps to ensure that unwanted software doesn't come back. One effective way to prevent spyware and adware from returning is to install an anti-spyware prevention program such as:

SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard

SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard are excellent, free programs from JavaCool. I recommend installing and using both, as they protect your computer in different ways. SpywareBlaster "inoculates" your Internet Explorer browser against the installation of unwanted spyware and adware from the internet. SpywareGuard actively monitors your PC and prevents spyware infestations. Both are easy to install and update.


3. Lock down your browser

One of the most prevalent means for spyware and adware to be installed is through Internet Explorer. To prevent spyware and adware from installing without your knowledge and permission, you need to "lock down" Internet Explorer. There are several ways to do this.

Securely configure the Internet zone

First, you can securely configure the Internet zone of Internet Explorer and add sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone. This means that by default web sites will not be able to use "active content" (i.e., AcitveX controls, Java applets, and scripting) until you explicitly choose to trust those web sites. See this page for instructions on how to securely configure Internet Explorer:

Internet Explorer Privacy & Security Settings

To get help with a spyware infestation:

1. Clean your PC as best you can

Download and run one (or both) of these free anti-spyware scanners and remove whatever spyware and adware it finds.

Ad-aware Personal Edition
Spybot Search & Destroy

You should also scan and clean your computer with whatever anti-virus program you happen to have installed on your computer. If you don't have an anti-virus program, you can scan your computer with one of these online anti-virus scanners:

BitDefender ScanOnline
Command on Demand
eTrust AntiVirus Web Scanner
McAfee FreeScan
Panda ActiveScan
RAV AntiVirus Scan Online
Trend Micro HouseCall

... or download and run one of these free standalone virus removal tools:

avast! Virus Cleaner
McAfee AVERT Stinger
Panda PQRemove