Here are the best free spyware detection and removal software programs
It’s not always immediately obvious that your computer is infected with spyware and malware. By the time you realize it, it might have already spread and done the damage.
Here are the 5 best free anti-spyware removal tools that you must have in your arsenal.
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What is Spyware?
Spyware is basically a general term. Used to describe for software that performs certain behavior’s on your system without your knowledge. For example, Advertising, collecting your personal information’s without your consent.
Spyware is sometimes associated with software also. You must have seen them in a demo or trial version of the software that displays advertisements, called Adware. These could track your personal and sensitive information.
Knowing these facts, we must also know that it’s very difficult to detect the presence of spyware.
Spyware is designed to be difficult to detect and remove from the system. Anti-virus software is not designed to detect and remove spyware.
In case you missed: How To Remove Virus And Malware From Infected Computer
5 Best free Spyware removal tools
1: SpyBot Search & Destroy
This is a FREEWARE and highest voted free Spyware removal and protection tool by users around the world.
Spybot- search and destroy (let’s call it SSD) is a highly effective spyware removal software. It targets adware, malicious code, and other threats.
It can detect and remove a relatively new kind of threat not covered by common anti-virus programs. Spybot search and destroy is great in what it does, that is to find and remove spyware and adware.
Immediately after installation of Spybot search and destroy, you are given the choice to update. By default, SpyBot Search & Destroy checks for updated malware signatures at the first launch. Updating is a manual affair unless you subscribe to a paid edition.
You should update to deal with the latest forms of spyware. I have observed that during the update, the process can sometimes seem to stop for no apparent reason, but it finishes within a few minutes.
The program also prompts you to create a system registry backup– let it, even though the risk is too low. This should not scare you. Just an added safety feature that I have seen in this otherwise very efficient free Spyware removal software.
Finally, you can immunize your system with Spybot search and destroy it from the ever-growing database of malicious processes.
License: FREE
Language: English
OS : Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
Download the latest version of Spybot search and destroy.
2: SuperAntiSpyware
This is one anti-spyware tool you must have in your arsenal if you want to get rid of spyware that’s already on your computer.
Regular updates are available, installs, and scans quickly, and gives you complete control over what gets scanned.
What makes SuperAntispyware stand out is that it can be set up to only scan files that have been changed within the last so many days (1 day, 5 days, etc.). Set it to ignore System Restore and Volume Information data.
You can allow it to use more of the CPU for a faster scan (called Scan Boost).
You can scan anywhere you want, including the system memory works from Explorer context to scan any folder/file at any time
SUPERAntiSpyware works with Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
Download the latest version of SuperAntispyware
3: Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is another very popular anti-spyware, tends to find a lot more malicious items than similar programs.
It scans Windows Registry values and keys, files, and running processes.
Malwarebytes can also scan individual files and folders with the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer, as well as whole hard drives.
The scan report is easy to read, and easy to tell where the spyware was found, and selecting the ones to quarantine is just a click away.
Automatic update and quarantine are not available with the free version, but that’s not a big issue I feel.
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes
4: SpywareBlaster
SpywareBlaster is different from other tools. It can not find spyware that’s already on your computer.
But protects your computer from new spyware threats and true to its name it does blast new threats before they can reach your system.
Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software.
Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
One notable feature is the Snapshot option. It creates a backup of various system settings so that if spyware does happen to make changes, you can restore the backup to get your settings back to normal.
Download SpywareBlaster
5: Avast Free Antivirus
Avast is not only a very popular free Antivirus but also detects and removes spyware before you even know it’s on your computer, it’s always on and always watching for new threats
Designed for effortless security, checks your applications for malware keeps an eye on their behavior to make sure they don’t suddenly go rogue.
A new easy-to-use interface checks everything from your passwords to your home network security.
Avast also has a paid antivirus program but also offers this free one, all of which provide anti-spyware protection.
Download the latest version of Avast Antivirus
Conclusion:
Those were the top 5 best free Spyware removal tools. Anti-spyware software is a must-have tool for any PC owner apart from Anti-virus and firewall software for that extra layer of protection.
Hello! I am Ben Jamir, Founder, and Author of this blog Tipsnfreeware. I blog about computer tips & tricks, share tested free Software’s, Networking, WordPress tips, SEO tips. If you like my post /Tips then please like and share it with your friends.