Spyware Removal

[Andy the Actuary]

My PC XP uses various spyware tools -- Norton, Lavasoft (Ad-Aware), IOLO (Spyhunter).

I've read about Spybot and even though it is freeware with undetermined support, I am considering it.

Are there any users of Spybot? Any other recommendations?

[Bill Presson]

My PC XP uses various spyware tools -- Norton, Lavasoft (Ad-Aware), IOLO (Spyhunter).

I've read about Spybot and even though it is freeware with undetermined support, I am considering it.

Are there any users of Spybot? Any other recommendations?

I use it all the time and have used it for years. It doesn't clear 100% of what I would like, but probably 95%. And, as you mentioned, it is free. I've donated some in support over the years.

I highly recommend it.

[Andy the Actuary]

Thank you. It seems that each tool removes some unique stuff. There is not 100% overlap.

[david rigby]

Generally, I trust advice from www.komando.com

[K2retire]

When my PC wouldn't run due to the spyware that Spybot missed, I subscribed to Webroot's Spy Sweeper. For about $30 a year it has kept us problem free for the past several years and automatically downloads updates everytime we turn on the computer.

[Fredman]

I usually get handed 1-2 machines a month from family and friends that are infected. I've faded away from the Spybot and Ad-aware combo. Right now, Malware Bytes Anti-Malware has been very good at detecting and cleaning an infected machine, but it really depends on the situation.

At home, I use AVG and/or Antivir (I ditched paid Anti-virus years ago). I also run Anti-malware and Crap Cleaner once a month at home as preventive maintenance. Don't forget to back up the important stuff.

With click happy kids and wife using Facebook and the like it is almost impossible to keep things clean, but for the most part I've been lucky compared to other PCs I've seen.

[Andy the Actuary]

Just as a note to PC users, once you get computer clean, create a clean restore point. It would be horrid to clean up the computer and restore windows using a dirty restore point.

[Effen]

FWIW, I like Malwarebytes as well. Seems to work on most issues we have encountered.

[oriecat]

My partner (works in IT) also recommends Malwarebytes.