Ad-Aware 2007

Actually it is not very good! It has a load of bugs and wastes a ton of System Resources by installing a Service that cannot be stopped. This service is totally unnecesary for an on demand scanner which is what the free version is. It is only an on demand (after the fact) scanner which provides no active protection. In addition it does nothing to fix the real malware problems that exist and wastes too much time given you reports on cookies and MRUs (neither of which are problems).

Things we recommend are in the stickies. In particalar see this: How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

The free version of Ad-Aware SE Personal does not provide any protection. It is only a scanner. In addition it is no longer really supported. The free version of AVG Anti-Spyware also provides no protection once the trial period is over and it also leaves a service running that is unecessary. Spyware Terminator did provide free protection previously but now they are install some unwanted search toolbar. I recommend you not use it and use the below instead.

Comodo BOClean Anti-Malware

 

You're welcome. Surf safely!

 

It can be configure to run as a manual scanner but this is not the ideal use. It is meant to be loaded and always running in the background to protect you. The goal is to stop malware from getting onto your PC in the first place and when/if it detects it, it automatically removed it.

You can run tools like Spybot and even Ad-Aware SE Personal as an additional on demand scan when desired.

SpywareBlaster is not a scanner. You just install it, update it, and enable all protection and then exit the program. That's it! Then you can periodically check for updates by running it and looking for updates.

 

Message # 8 said:

You could also use AVG AntiSpyware and SuperAntispyware for scanning if desired. The only thing is that they install a service. However unlike Ad-aware V7, their services can be stopped and set to manual to prevent them from running.

There are many other tools that can be used for on demand scanners too, like Advanced Spyware Remover. See the list of tools available here: http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html and read about them to learn more about what they are. Becareful since some of the programs listed are trials (like CounterSpy, Spyware Doctor, Spy Sweeper,....an more) and unless purchased they are not useful after the trial expires.