Spyware, malware, adware…whatever you call it, it’s time to get rid of it. Is your system running slowly, are you getting pop-up windows?  Is there software that “looks” like an antivirus program asking you to pay, warning that you are infected but won’t do anything until you cough up the dough and you don’t remember even installing it?  You might have spyware on your computer.

Loosely defined, spyware is any software on your computer that is monitoring you (internet usage, web habits, or even possibly stealing passwords), adware is any software that tries to display ads on your computer either when you’re browsing websites that don’t have pop-ups windows or sometimes when you’re not even on the internet.  Malware is both spyware and adware, plus any number of programs that pretend to be antivirus, antispyware or other types of utilities but actually don’t do anything except ask you for money.

There are some really great free tools out there to remove spyware.  If these don’t get rid of your infection we’d recommend either calling a professional or just backing up your data and reinstalling your entire operating system and all programs.

SUPERAntiSpyware

Right now, SUPERAntiSpyware is the best of the bunch (IMO).  It’s fast, and seems to catch more than the others.  Their scanner/removal tool is totally free, but if you want extra protection (or just want to support their development) you can purchase the full version and get real time protection and a couple other goodies.

Malwarebytes

Another great tool, but it’s been around for a while and some of the more advanced malware programs have been specially coded to work around Malwarebytes defenses these days.  I personally still use it along side SUPERAntiSpyware as a one-two combo to get rid of stubborn infestations.

Combofix

The smallest and most purpose driven (also the one with the easiest name to pronounce) is also a great tool. There’s not really a user interface and there aren’t any options.  You run it, and it will scan and remove a number of different infections from your system and give you a list of what it changed at the end.  Even though it only runs out of a command prompt, don’t underestimate it.

Ad-aware and Spybot

I put these two on here for nostalgia.  Several years ago Ad-aware and Spybot were the best of the bunch, but over the years I’ve found them to be less effective than the others higher up in the list.  Still, I’d rather have Spybot on my side than nothing at all.