Comprehensive List of FREE Anti Spyware Scanners

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Comprehensive List of FREE Anti Spyware Scanners

Posted By Raymond In Category: Computer // Downloads

Mar
21
2007

We all know how irritating spyware is once infected on our computer. Your computer responding very slowly, your hard disk LED never goes off like as though some activity is going on every second, you get popups every minute, and your browser is impossible to use anymore! Cleaning them is NEVER easy because the developers of spyware no longer makes it easy. I’ve seen spywares that disabled msconfig and regedit. They modify part of your Windows to disallow basic manual way of removing the spywares from autostartup. What I find it hard to believe is, spyware can even load in Safe Mode!
Infected by Spyware
Spyware has became so widely spread that there are so many Anti Spyware programs are out for you to BUY. Instead of spending your money on Anti-Spyware programs, why not try cleaning it with FREE Anti-Spyware programs first? Here I have tried my best to include as many free Anti-Spyware programs. Because Anti-Spyware programs can’t clean all spywares, most probably you’ll need to try all of the Anti-Spyware programs below but please do it one at a time and not simultaneously.

1. AVG Anti-Spyware Free
AVG Anti Spyware Free
Notes: AVG Anti-Spyware is previously known as ewido. Ewido was very famous in removing spywares and AVG has acquired ewido. No doubt it’s one of the best but unfortunately Free version doesn’t allow automatic online-update, no Real-time monitoring of the entire system and no Self-protection at kernel layer guaranteeing gapless monitoring. It’s good to scan and remove spywares.
[ Download ]

2. Spybot – Search & Destroy
Spybot Search and Destroy
Notes: One of the best free Anti Spyware! I have it with me all the time in my USB thumb drive!
[ Download ]

3. Microsoft Windows Defender

Notes: Don’t like the online update. Have report saying that it’s a resource hog. Well, don’t expect too much from Microsoft.
[ Download ]

4. Ad-Aware SE Personal
Ad-Aware SE Personal Free
Notes: Another one of the best FREE anti spyware scanner. The newer version 2007 is still in Beta and believed to be the best when it’s out!
[ Download ]

5. Doctor Alex
Doctor Alex Anti Spyware
Notes: I rate this one 5 out of 10. It’s not that good but it’s not that bad either. The database is around 5MB and it only has updates once in a while. I also carry this around my thumb drive because it’s portable.
[ Download ]

6. SUPERAntiSpyware
SUPER Anti Spyware
Notes: Looks superb! Real time protection is only available for PRO/paid version. Scanning and cleaning spywares is still available for FREE version.
[ Download ]

7. Spyware Terminator

Notes: Quite good antispyware program. Able to integrate FREE ClamWin antivirus and has powerful real-time protection.
[ Download ]

8. Semellone
Semellone AntiSpyware
Notes: From the interface, it doesn’t give me a sense of security. Looks like a novice programmer did this. Don’t know why the author decide to use a skull icon to terminate a process.
[ Download ]

9. 1-2-3 Spyware Free
123 Spyware Free
Notes: Update function is not smart. Every time you click on the Update button, it will just download the latest signatures. It doesn’t identify if you already have the latest signatures. Easy to use but full of ways trying to promote their other sharewares.
[ Download ]

10. Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner

Notes: Takes seconds to complete scanning with Bazooka. Bazooka doesn’t scan all your files as it only scans for 603 known objects.
[ Download ]

11. EMCO Malware Destroyer

Notes: Very BIG file size. 28MB to download. Has over 10000 target signatures. Able to scan spywares, adwares, dialer, virus, trackware, worms and trojans. Scanning takes not more than 20 seconds. A bit bulky program for what it does but still a good one.
[ Download ]

12. Arovax AntiSpyware
Avorax AntiSpyware
Notes: Release date on 24-Jun-2006 which is quite old. Ran the LiveUpdate and detected no new signatures. Totally outdated and I suspect that this project has been stopped. It’s a waste because I like the clean interface. No harm trying. Might remove old spywares but of course not the newer ones.
[ Download ]

13. Evonsoft Advanced Spyware Remover Free Edition

Notes: Just like what the software says, it’s pretty advanced! It has liveupdate, and lots of tools such as Active Ports, Net Sniffer and etc incorporated in it.
[ Download ]

14. Flobo Free Anti Spyware Clean

Notes: Have to wait 30 seconds for the program to launch. It is fully functional but you can remove the 30 seconds waiting time by paying USD19. Very basic interface.
[ Download ]

15. ~~ZoneProtect AntiSpyware~~

Notes: Tried updating but got an error message saying “Invalid Update, please check our customer support”. Might be temporary problem. I don’t have a good impression on this antispyware.
[ Download Link Removed (contains adware) ]

16. a-squared FREE 2.1

Notes: FREE version doesn’t contains background guard, auto updates, scheduled scans and hijackfree. Contains only the basic scanner. Easy to use and able to scan more than 600,000 malwares! A very good one, thanks to Teddie for suggesting.
[ Download ]

With 14 of the free anti-spywares, any tough ones are bound to be removed! After trying all the above free Anti-Spywares, I have to say that some are good and some are bad.

The worst one is ZoneProtect AntiSpyware. I said that because after trying out all the anti-spywares, my computer got infected by AdBlaster adware! Every few minutes I would get a popup bringing me to www.adblaster2.info website. I was able to manually remove the adware and I checked each anti-spyware program again. Right after I install ZoneProtect AntiSpyware, I found that there’s “adprot” values injected into my registry and it’ll autoload when Windows is booted up. Why would a software developer include adware into a antispyware freeware? Just doesn’t make any sense! I’ve created an auto cleaner for AdBlaster.

Remove HotBar – Adware Spyware Removal Instructions

Auto Removal Spy Sheriff Spyware

FREE Anti-Virus Protection: AOL Active Virus Shield for EVERYONE!

Internet Explorer browser auto popup ads “/normal/yyy65.html”

http://www.no.com max the min
spybots isn’t really portable. it’ll leave some registry keys on a pc. arovax antispyware isn’t as popular as aravox shield that includes a real-time scanning. in fact arovax shield is updated frequently. spyware terminator is gaining a lot of recognition lately however i’m still a bit skeptical since it was once listed in the rouge antispyware website.
the best imho, is spybots, good detection and got real-time scanning.
arachel
arovacs suck from beginning but rest is ok
for spybot there is a supplement app called spyware blaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
arachel
@max the min
no one said about spybot portable, however installer it must have on any pc power user pendrive
http://theegyprogrammer.blogspot.com the programmer
hi rey is this your browser
man how can you read the contents of the pages
http://www.raymond.cc/ Raymond
Spybot CAN be portable. Install it on your computer, then copy the whole Spybot directory at your Program Files to your USB thumb drive. It works when you plug in your USB thumb drive on other computer and run the executable.
max the min
@Raymond
yes, you are right spybotsd is portable. my apology cos i was trying to say it isn’t stealth cos it leave registry traces on the guest pc. i just have a different view about software portabality.
well done on your testing, people should be wise enough now stay away from the rogue ZoneProtect Antispyware.
@arachel
“no one said about spybot portable”?
raymond just said it can. just do a google search on “spybot portable”, you’ll see how MANY people contradict you.
“however installer it must have on any pc power user pendrive”?
i wonder how many pc power user pendrive carries INSTALLERS with them? i wonder if you carry the whole Windows XP installer in your thumb drive in case of a pc re-format. if you don’t, then can i call you a pc amateurish user? if you just wanted to backup your software, go buy a new hard disk or get an external enclosure.
arachel
@ max the min
spybot my mistake and lack of knowledge, sorry
@max the min flame
have fun & bite me… harder, you will probably feel much better
Teddie
How about a-squared free?
645.736 malware signatures so far, and I have noticed that it can detect stuff that spybot & ad-aware (which I also use) can’t.
I’ll give a try to some of the other scanners suggested by Raymond, cause you can never be too careful these days.
http://www.raymond.cc/ Raymond
Added a-squared FREE to the list. Thanks Teddie.
pvg
thx man!!!
Muahahaha
Thnx raymond
coolneer
why dont u suggest spyware doctor its an award winning application for removing spyware + u can download a serial for it from GREATCRACKS
http://www.raymond.cc/ Raymond
coolneer, this article is about FREE antispywares. The topic states very clearly.
josh
yo im havin trouble on vista ultimate right now have tried all the spyware removers and still problem persists i get a message in system tray saying “WARNING: Your Computer is infected” and when i click this shield in the system tray it takes me to a website saying winantivirus can’t remove it for shit if anyone can help e-mail or add me on msn at speedydiv@msn.com
barry eyt
Hello I saw yet another three rogue antispyware scanner in you’re list:
1-2-3 SPYWARE FREE, SPYWARE TERMINATOR AND THE FREE EDITION OF SUPERANTISPYWARE!!!
thes scannners give false positives and install malware themselfs!!!
greets, barry
barry eyt
Hey Raymond I’ve got some new free spywarescanners to ad to you’re list:
SPYWARE DOCTOR 5.0 STARTER EDITION…..
this version allows you to update and remove malware, also scans for rootkits, but it has no shields in to comparrison to the commercial version, you don’t need any serials or other crap! just go on and download via google pack.
WINCLEANER ANTISPYWARE
also a thurough scanner, I don’t know if it updates that much, but it’s worth a try!
EVERESTLABS SPYDEFENSE
free and lite spyware scanner for free…..give it a shot!!!!
hope these will be a fine addition to you”re list!
Kersus
Be certain that you are sure when you label a product as Rogue.
Adaware is my favorite and the 2007 Beta is wicked. I just hope many of the new features will be available in the free version.
Superantispyware is very popular amongst techs, so ‘barry eyt,’ I’d like to see some information to support your diagnosis of it as Rogue?
I really want to know though is Spyware Terminator is Rogue. The program does seem too good to be true.
Nothing will really beat out just using process explorer and autoruns.
Anyhow, sweet list, and I hope it grows.
barry eyt
@ Kersus I did some research about spyware terminator and SUPERantispyware and I can report that SUPERantispyware is notorious for giving a lot of false possitives, but it’s clean for the rest, so my appologies for that!
spyware tereminator on the other hand has been cooperating in the past with affiliates who where known for spreading malware and other stuff, so it was on the rogue anti spyware list of spywarewarrior, the de- listed it, because they don’t work with those affiliates anymore…but I’m still not trusted it!
and why the hell do put so much effort in convincing people to install there product with testimonials??
another freebee is boclean by COMODO it sort of works simmilar like stopzilla and the good news it’s free!!!!
also there is: Adware spyware scanner deleter, dr web cureIT ( wich is an on demand malware trojan scanner), norman ngen fix also a free malware trojan scan tool. spycatcher express from tenebril is also free and has a powerfull scan engine.
remover.exe from gdata ( the guys of anti viren kit ) is a tool to remove backdoors, trojans, like beagle, sasser, mydoom, lovesan and such….it’s free…also there are some good free antivirus scanners on the market:
avast 4.7 home edition, avg antivirus free, clam antivirus, comodo antivirus 2.0 beta, pc tools antivirus 3.1 free, bitdefender antivirus free, aol active virus shield ( the company that makes kaspersky…..this one uses the same scan engine ) notice: clamwin av and bitdefender av are on demand scanners and have no active shields…..I hope this info will be usefull to antone who uses this site, if i find more I willl definitly let you know!
but the best spyware scanner on the market is SPYWARE DOCTOR wich has a starter edition, wich is TOTALLY FREE it also has a rootkit detection feature!you can also update this!!! regards, barry!
barry eyt
SUPERantispyware also has problems with removing the whole malware and spyware and askes many times to reboot your system ande when you scan agin the problems remain.
Liliput
Hey Barry,
You were saying about affiliates, spycatcher express if you want to upgrade, you can use TrialPay( their partners products) don’t you think that is also “affiliates” dude. do you trust them with the one without upgrade. I think ray is recommending base on his experiences. you shld @ least appreciate……
nabin
hey raymond
last week while download something i get infected with spyware and other malicious code…and i have bit defender 8 internet security it found some spyware and adware but couldnt delete the file.. it make my whole system very slow and there is lot of change in ie some of them are it take lot of time to load and there is unknown toolbar called toolbar update and in the top of ie its says your comp is infected with spyware click here to scan when i click there it like nightmare to me the whole system is totaly mess up and pop up cames from the icon tray that your computer is infected click here to scan and some unknown icon in desktop. i try most of the spyware but non of them help to totally clean the system…. hope i get some suggestion from you
rere
thanx ray ur the man
barry eyt
got some good FREE antispyware scanners…
1.) MALWARE BYTES ANTI MALWARE….
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
2.) PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR STARTER EDITION…
http://www.download.com/Spyware-Doctor-Starter-Edition/3000-8022_4-10704508.html?tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10816516
3.) AVAST 4.8 HOME EDITION, with antivirus, antispyware and rootkit detection, good programme, but uses up computer cpu….
http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
you can also dowload a lot of cool skins for this one.
4.) THREATFIRE FREE EDITION protection againts zero day spyware, virus and rootkit attacks…great adition to your antivirus program ;)
hope that you can all use these programs for your computer sanity!!
barry eyt
here is the link for threatfire free edition:
http://www.threatfire.com/download/
JAMES
BTW My antivirus -Nod32- detected your auto cleaner for adblast as \’Win32/PrcView\’ trojan….
BrollyLSSJ
Ad-Aware got updated to Version 2008. Maybe you could do another test. Also your Arovax AntiSpyware released an updated setup, but definitions are still outdated. Is the Advanced Spyware Remover good? It found a redirect.dll, which weren\’t found by SUPERAntiSpyware, Ad-Aware 2008 Free and Spybot – Search \’n\’ Destroy. a-squared doesn\’t seem to find it also. Could it be a false positive? Spyware Terminator is the worst app i\’ve ever seen. Mayn false positives. FlashGet Update.exe is a trojan? AccessDiver is a backdoor? I definately won\’t use it again, especially it also uses ClamWIN, which isn\’t good in detecting viruses either. But thank you for the reviews about Advanced Spyware Remover Free and a-squared Free. I added them to my spaware tools.
BrollyLSSJ
I forgot to mention that AVG AntiSpyware isn’t available anymore from Grisoft. You have to use google to find the latest version, which is still able to download updates. It got a record of 1,440,413 signatures.
BrollyLSSJ
I use Advanced Spyware Remover, Ad-Aware 2008, a-sqaured Free, Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, Spybot – Search ‘n’ Destroy and SUPERAntiSpyware as on demand scanners. They work well together. I don’t use Spyware Doctor Free, because it takes too much resources, finds less than the other programs and is damn slow in scanning.
LLoly
what about Iobit 360…free and its very good…no1 on cnet
fanboy01
Raymond,
This article is horribly outdated and contains a lot of misinformation.
For starters; Dr. Alex, 1-2-3 Spyware Free, Evonsoft (Advanced Spyware Remover), and Flobo are rated as rouge/dangerous applications according to SiteAdvisor and Web of Trust. I wouldn’t touch these four apps with a ten-foot pole even if people say any of these apps are “safe”.
Many people probably already suggested this by now but MalwareBytes should be really be added to this list.

Raymond.CC Blog

Comprehensive List of FREE Anti Spyware Scanners

Posted By Raymond In Category: Computer // Downloads

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