Spybot is free, adaptable and has an easy-to-use interface. The bad: Spybot missed five known spyware apps in our tests, and we received no e-mail response from its technical support crew. The good: Spybot is free highly configurable automatic updates built-in tutorial. A full system scan required only 6 minutes, 55 seconds and identified many of the big-name spyware programs. This lets you monitor real-time processes like never before. Tools include Software Explorer, which provides detailed snapshots of running apps and network processes. In Windows Defender beta 2, automatic updates are free, making this the only free anti-spyware app with such a perk. The bad: Windows Defender beta 2 can automatically remove legitimate third-party applications that Microsoft doesn't recognize. The good: Microsoft beefs up its free anti-spyware app with a new name, engine and tools. In our anti-spyware tests, Sp圜atcher was among the fastest: it completed a full scan in less than 8 minutes and further distinguished itself by identifying almost every piece of spyware we threw at it - including one that most others missed. The free version stops spyware, and the $29.95 paid version offers detailed information about all your computer's applications and removal of unwanted tracking cookies. The bad: In some cases, the program doesn't provide much information on specific threats.Īn easy-to-use interface and great performance make Tenebril's Sp圜atcher an excellent choice. The good: Tenebril's Sp圜atcher 2006 effectively combats spyware and adware, offers protection from phishing attacks, and has an easy-to-use interface. Either edition of Ad-aware should be a must-have for every PC desktop. Ad-aware SE Plus costs $29.95 and includes real-time protection, automatic updates and advertising block-features that are disabled within the free edition. Ad-aware SE Personal is free and offers basic spyware quarantining and removal features. It's available in two versions, one of which costs nothing. Long considered the grandfather of anti-spyware programs, Ad-aware SE is your best option for keeping spyware and adware under control on your PC. The bad: Ad-aware SE offers no e-mail support for its free version, and the online support area provides limited information. The good: Lavasoft Ad-aware SE is faster, easier to use, and more robust than its predecessor at finding and deleting most spyware.

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