Spyware is a term that is given to a category that encompasses a variety of software applications which compromise your system security. Tracking cookies, keystroke loggers, remote administration tools and screen capture applications all fall under the definition of spyware. Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet spyware is programming that is put in someone’s computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program.
Adware (advertisementware) is software that is supported by advertisements. Common adware programs are toolbars that sit on your desktop or work in conjunction with your Web browser. They include features like advanced searching of the Web or your hard drive and better organization of your bookmarks and shortcuts. Adware can also be more advanced programs such as games or utilities. They are free to use, but require you to watch advertisements as long as the programs are open. Sometimes freeware blocks features and functions of the software until you pay to register it.
Malware (malicious software) is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and also spyware, programming that gathers information about a computer user without permission. Common examples of malware include viruses, worms, trojan horses, and spyware. Viruses, for example, can cause havoc on a computer’s hard drive by deleting files or directory information. Spyware can gather data from a user’s system without the user knowing it. This can include anything from the Web pages a user visits to personal information, such as credit card numbers.
Spybot Search & Destroy
System: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Removal of adware and spyware
- Removal of dialers
- Removal of keyloggers
- Removal of trojans and other baddies
- Removal of usage tracks
- Save removal of threats by shredding them
- Backups of every removed problem
- Blocking of threatening ActiveX downloads
- Blocking of known tracking cookies for IE
- Blocking of threating downloads in IE
- Weekly updates
- Fully configured (automate scan, removal, update)
SpyBot Search & Destroy Antispyware identifies and removes Spyware and is suitable for both novices and professionals alike. Additionally, SpyBot is able to remove ‘usage tracks’ making it more difficult for unidentified spies to find information. The list of last visited websites, opened files, started programs, cookies, all that and more can be cleaned. Supported are the three major browsers. Spybot works in two modes: Easy mode for new users who want just the basic features, and Advanced mode for professional users and those who want more control. Both modes are available in the free version.
HomePage: http://www.safer-networking.org
Reviews:
a-squared free
System: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Trojans Backdoors, Keyloggers, Rootkits (Trojans and Backdoors provide strangers with access to your PC) a-squared Free specializes in recognizing and eliminating these types of Malware.
- Worms, Bots (Worm viruses are usually transmitted as dangerous email attachments, worms send copies of themselves) a-squared Free eliminates worms from your PC and prevents them from doing any further damage.
- Dialers (small programs that change the Internet access number) a-squared Free removes Dialers before they are becoming active.
- Spyware, Adware (recording personal information and spying on everything you do) a-squared Free completely removes Spyware from your PC, traces of Spyware in the Registry and Tracking Cookies are also recognized.
a-squared Free scans your computer for Trojans, Backdoors, Keyloggers, Rootkits, Spyware, Adware, TrackingCookies, Worms, Bots, Dialers and their traces. Application offers to remove or quarantine any found items. Antispyware claims to detect and remove more than 700,000 different types of malware. Also lacks real-time protection, scheduled scans and automatic updates.
HomePage: http://www.emsisoft.com
Reviews:
Windows Defender
System: Windows XP SP2/2003 SP1/Vista (included)
Licence: Freeware
- Streamlined, simplified user interface and alerts.
- Improved control over programs on your computer using enhanced Software Explorer.
- Protection technologies for all users, whether or not they have administrator rights on the computer.
- Support for Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
- Automatic cleaning according to your settings during regularly scheduled scans.
Microsoft Defender, before Windows Antispyware, is an antispyware application that scans the user PCs for various types of malware, and runs a variety of other security features. Windows Defender is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
HomePage: http://www.microsoft.com
Reviews:
SUPERAntiSpyware Free
System: Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Quick, Complete and Custom Scanning of Hard Drives, Removable Drives, Memory, Registry, Individual Folders and More! Includes Trusting Items and Excluding Folders
- Detect and Remove Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers and many other types of threats.
- Repair broken Internet Connections, Desktops, Registry Editing, Task Manager and more with our unique Repair System! Spyware application often disable system components to prevent removal - SUPERAntiSpyware resets and restores these items in seconds!
- Quarantine items detected and removed for complete protection. Items in the quarantine may be restored to your computer if desired.
- Detailed scan logs with complete information about detected and removed threats and their locations within your computer. Scan logs allow you to review scheduled scan results at anytime.
SUPERAntiSpyware efficiently scans all infections with its multi-dimensional scanning efficiency and removes all threat from your PC with its process interrogation technology. This tool is enhanced with a rich list of features such as; quick, complete and customized scanning, detects and removes all online threats like Spywares, Ad-ware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, Key Loggers, Hijackers and so on, repairs broken internet connections, trust items and exclude folders for customized scanning, easily removes pests such as Win Fixer, Spy Axe, Spy Falcon and much more, the process interrogation technology finds hidden threats and many more features that will provide you with a clean and stable system.
HomePage: http://www.superantispyware.com
Reviews:
AVG Antispyware
System: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- real time protection
- deep file scan
- Highly improved cleaning
- complete system scan
- highly configurable
- lower resource usage
- additional languages supported
AVG AntiSpyware is a spyware and malware scanner that protects you against against spyware, adware, trojans, dialer, keylogger, worms and other potential threats. It offers real-time monitoring and scheduled scans as well as additional security tools including a BHO viewer, TCP/IP connection viewer and file shredder. AVG Anti-Spyware lacks some of the features found in other programs, such as homepage and HOSTS file protection and other advanced shields, but it offers real-time protection for tracking cookies and suspicious files. Simple interface, easy-to-use, automatic updates. After the trial, some of the features will remain available as freeware.
HomePage: http://free.grisoft.com
Reviews:
Ad-Aware 2007 Free
System: Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Redesignedengine – provides optimal productivity with fast scans and improved spyware detection.
- Advanced Code Sequence Identity technology - better detection of deeply imbedded and emerging malware
- Enhanced Detection Database – protects Ad-Aware 2007 from the latest threats
- New graphical user interface - easy to navigate for beginners
- TrackSweep – new feature which erases tracks left while surfing the Internet on Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera
- Multiple Browser Support – Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera
- System Restore Point – set a Windows system restore point after a scan to easily revert back to clean system in order to recover from a spyware attack.
Ad-Aware 2007 Free is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. This free utility scans PC to identify and remove any adware or spyware components. It can track surfing habits, push aggressive advertising at user, and generally abuse our privacy. New version completely overhauls the scanning engine, which results in more accurate scanning methods and an all-new program architecture. New version now supports the detection of embedded malware, including known and emerging threats. Ad-Aware now has better detection of adware and malware, a scanning engine that goes easy on our PC’s system resources and a new interface. The updates apply also to Ad-Aware 2007 Free.
HomePage: http://www.lavasoft.de
Reviews:
Hitman Pro
System: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Downloads automatically the latest updates (this is often a manual task without Hitman Pro).
- Controls automatically the third-party antispyware programs.
- Makes use of purchased versions of commercial anti-spyware programs
- Configures the anti-spyware software for optimal results.
- Antispyware generates one comprehensive report.
- Expert-function for advanced users.
Hitman Pro is an interesting application wich controls both a built-in virus program and also three of the more popular anti-spyware programs - Ad-Aware SE, SpyBot Search & Destroy, Spy Sweeper, Spyware Doctor, CWShredder, Spyware Blaster, NOD32, Sysclean.
HomePage: http://www.hitmanpro.nl
Reviews:
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
System: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Spyware protection
- Adware protection
- Scan and Remove
- Smart Updates
- OnGuard Protection
- File Guard
- Immunizer
Spyware Doctor is technology designed specially for ordinary people. It is automatically configured out of the box to give you optimal protection.. Protection against: spyware, adware, spyware trojans, keyloggers, identity theft, hijackers, tracking threats, spybots, rogue anti-spyware, unwanted software, phishing, pop-ups, and bad Web sites. Starter Edition is a free version of Spyware Doctor, with full scan and remove. Spyware Doctor Starter Edition comes with Google Pack.
HomePage: http://www.pctools.com
Reviews:
Comodo BOClean Anti-Malware
System: Windows 9x/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003/XP/Vista
Licence: Freeware
- Destroys malware and removes registry entries
- Disconnects the threat without disconnecting you
- Automatically sweeps and detects instantly
- Configurable "Stealth mode"
- Optional central administration prevents user tampering
- Protects itself from malware tampering or shutdown
- Support by Privacy Software Corporation at no charge
- Update file can be shared/pushed on a server for easy maintenance
- Full spectrum malware coverage and protection
BOClean Anti-Malware software protects against a full spectrum of malware, automatically removing these programs from memory, hard disk and registry without the need to reboot or drop your internet connection. Antispyware can be deployed on single computer or over a network and can be customized for any network or institutional situation. BOClean Anti-Malware detects, shuts down, and removes any malware that may slip past other installed security precautions such as firewalls.
HomePage: http://www.comodo.com
Reviews:
Arovax AntiSpyware
System: Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Freeware
Arovax AntiSpyware is a free tool for detecting and eliminating one of the biggest pestilence of the internet. It accommodates two types of analysis, a deep scan and a quick scan, the latter being extremely speedy and effective. The interface is clear and easy to use, with information about everything that it finds. Arovax AntiSpyware includes Smart Scan, Deep Scan and a Remover. Spyware Scan includes Scan Statistics, also Ignore List, Scan Reports and Quarantine functions. The System Scan lets you find out if your PC is infected.
HomePage: http://www.arovaxantispyware.com
Review:
Spyware Terminator
System: Windows 2000, XP, Vista (and also for OS)
Licence: Freeware
- Fast Scan - scans only critical areas of your system, allowing you to quickly assess your computer’s health.
- Full Scan - scans all areas of your system, thoroughly scanning every file on your hard drive and encompassing everything performed during a fast scan.
- Virus and Spyware Scan - using the optional ClamAV component, this scan offers everything performed during a Full Scan plus checks all files against the ClamAV database of threats.
- Customized Scan - gives the user the ability to customize how a spyware scan is performed, including the ability to store up to five different custom scan profiles.
- Scheduled Scan - provides the user with the ability to schedule spyware scans on a daily or weekly basis.
- Effective Removal - removes threats effectively using the AntiSpyware Terminator removal engine.
- On Boot Remover - removes locked files when the operating system reboots.
- ClamAV Integration - optional integration of the ClamAV the real-time shields provides active protection against over 100,000 threats identified by the ClamAV team.
- Computer Restoration - allows for restoration of Windows to a state of an earlier time with the help of Window System Restore.
- Locked File Removal - allows for removal of files locked by the system that cannot be removed using standard methods.
Spyware Terminator will scan your computer for known threats and report findings in a manner that is easy to read and interpret. Every entry is given a rating and a classification, which makes it very easy to decide if a detected item should be removed. Unlike some free software titles, Spyware Terminator will remove all threats for free. Spyware Terminator includes Real-Time Protection, HIPS, and antivirus. Effectively remove spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, home page hijackers, and malware threats even dangerous threats like Look2Me, BetterInternet, VX2, and CWS. Spyware Terminator is easy-to-use, requires minimal PC resources, and performs ultra fast scans.
HomePage: http://www.spywareterminator.com
Review:
Discussion
No comments for “Free antispyware”