amount of new spyware that is released daily, it's nearly impossible for any one of these products to remove
every single threat. So, all of these programs should be in your security toolbox. They have been tested and
proven to be effective.
Also, beware of fraudelent programs claiming to be legitimate spyware removers. Nowadays, there are many
of these fake scanners appearing on the Internet. They give a false sense of security, try to get computer
users to purchase the product based on false positives and many of them actually contain spyware themselves.
A very common trick I've seen is malicious code that spoofs (fakes) a Windows alert and claims that malware
was found on the computer. The user is then directed to a link that will take them to a site where software
can be downloaded to "solve your problem". Many users blindly click the link, install the software and infect
their machine even more...
Spyware Defined
How does spyware work?
Is it legal to create & distribute spyware? (opening ad?)
StopBadware.org (partnership among academic institutions, technology industry leaders, and volunteers)
Badware Busters (online community site where you can ask questions and increase your knowledge)
hpHosts (community maintained hosts file that allows an additional layer of protection against access to ad, tracking and malicious websites)
hpHosts Forums
hpHosts Policy
White Papers
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How does spyware work?
Is it legal to create & distribute spyware? (opening ad?)
StopBadware.org (partnership among academic institutions, technology industry leaders, and volunteers)
Badware Busters (online community site where you can ask questions and increase your knowledge)
hpHosts (community maintained hosts file that allows an additional layer of protection against access to ad, tracking and malicious websites)
hpHosts Forums
hpHosts Policy
White Papers
Malwarebytes
License InfoHome Page
Free Download (Anti-Malware)
Definition Updates (recommended to update directly from Malwarebytes app)
Other Products
Paid Versions
Help/Forums
Review (Download.com)
Review (PC World)
Review (2-spyware.com)
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Spybot Search & Destroy
License InfoHome Page
Free Download
Definition Updates
Donate
Paid Versions (Corporate & Small Business)
Review (PC World)
Review (Download.com)
Review (SnapFiles)
Forums
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
SUPERAntiSpyware
License: SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition is available for personal use only.Home Page
Free Download (vendor)
Free Download (Download.com)
Free Download (MajorGeeks)
Definition Updates
Donate
Paid Version (Free 15-day trial period)
Volume Licensing
Review (PC Mag)
Review (SnapFiles)
Forums
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Hijack This!
License: HijackThis is a free antispyware program for computer experts.Home Page (Trend Micro Version 2.0.2)
Free Download (vendor)
Free Download (FileHippo.com)
Definition Updates: N/A, this program scans the registry & dumps results for user to determine problem areas.
Review (Download.com)
HijackThis Log Info
Forums (A large community of users participates in online forums, where experts help interpret HijackThis scan results to clean up infected computers)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
X-RayPc
Home PageLicense/Download (vendor)
Free Download (Download.com)
Free Download (SnapFiles)
Definition Updates: Since the queries are performed via an online database, no signature updates are required.
Review (SpywareGuide, owned by FaceTime Communications Inc; they also own X-RayPc)
Self-Help
Support (company-based)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Windows Defender
Home PageFree Download
Definition Updates
Additional Info
Review (Download.com)
Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT)
OverviewFree Download
Help & Support
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
FULL RECOVERY
Of course, sometimes spyware gets so bad, nothing can save the existing software configuration except a fullrestore of the operating system and installed applications. Some severe cases of spyware infestation can really
get their hooks into critical system areas and modify files, registry settings, etc. Even after successful removal,
the damage left behind can cause Windows to become unstable or just exhibit strange behavior. In addition,
there may be a possibility that remnants of spyware remain after all attempts to remove it have been tried.
If using Windows XP or later, there is the option of performing a Windows System Restore and reverting back to
an earlier time before the system became infected. However, a restore point must be created prior to infection
AND due to the nature of most spyware, these types of restores may prove ineffective. They work great when
rolling back a bad application or driver install, but not usually when spyware is involved. If you want to try it:
See Windows XP System Restore or Windows Vista System Restore
Depending on the manufacturer/model of the computer, there may be a recovery partition available that can
allow you to restore the computer back to the original manufacturer configuration. Sometimes, it is a hidden
option that isn't easily accessed. The drawback of utilizing this type of recovery is that it will format the hard
drive before restoring the original software. Therefore, any personal data and recently installed programs will
be overwritten (deleted). This is one of the reasons it is very important to backup your personal files and keep
the original installation media of any new software installed (CDs, DVDs, etc). Also, because each manufacturer
does it differently, there may not even be a recovery partition available on your computer. The biggest desktop
and notebook computer makers, Dell and HP/Compaq, used to provide recovery CD sets with the hardware
purchase, but they stopped doing that in the last few years. So, if you want to access the recovery partition,
you will need to know how.
For most (but not all) Dell computers made in the last few years, you may be able to launch a full restore by
pressing CTRL + F11 when the BIOS splash screen is being displayed; in other words, as soon as you see the
Dell opening screen when first powered on, immediately press that key combo and you will start the process if
that option is available. See Inside the DSR.
For many HP/Compaq computers, you can launch the recovery process by pressing the F10 or F11 key immediately
during startup, when the BIOS (HP or Compaq) splash screen is displayed. See HP Recovery Process.
Because the recovery partition resides on the same physical hard disk as the boot partition, it can be corrupted
or lost in the event of hardware failure. It's also technically possible for spyware to attack the recovery partition,
making it useless. In addition, any new applications installed since purchase of the computer will need to be
re-installed. Therefore, the best solution is to create recovery CD/DVD sets yourself and/or perform complete
disk backups using disk image software (such as Norton Ghost). See Creating Recovery Media or Norton Ghost.