Best spyware/adware remover?

[GodandRock]

Hello guys. I'm looking for a good spyware/adware remover! I have spysweeper right now, but is there other spyware removers that are better? I also want the remover to have a "startup shield". A startup shield alerts you when any program tries to load at startup, then you can allow or deny the program.

[Shift]

I'd have to say Spybot search & destroy, definently the best.

[DaRkStAr]

Id suggest Ad-Aware and Spybot Seach & Destroy

[Tool]

Spybot sucks. Windows Defender, Ad-Aware, and Zone Alarms are what I use.

[wm_hunter]

Windows Defender comes second to a combination of Spybot and Adaware SE.

Note: If you want to pay, Webroot SpySweeper is very good.

[chicken24]

I'd suggest spybot S & D also.

[Tool]

Windows Defender comes second to a combination of Spybot and Adaware SE.

Note: If you want to pay, Webroot SpySweeper is very good.

Did you even read the first ****ing post? He says he has it. And Spybot, again, sucks.

[wm_hunter]

Spybot and Adware work wonders together. They catch what each other miss. Spybot has the best registry guarder and IE immunize functions. It also has the best advanced tools such as start-up\BHO listing.

And I really don't care what you think; we each have our own opinion. For some reason I thought he had said he was using Spyware Doctor, sorry that I did not re-read

[Om3gA]

I use Webroot Spysweeper (1 year licence ^^), ad-aware plus and Microsoft Anti-Spyware(a great prog) and my pc is running spy/ad ware free for like 2 months now ^^ so i suggsest that you should just get ad-aware and Microsoft Anti-spyware and your pc will works spy/ad were free.

[Irrelevant]

Google spyware search & destroy. IMO its the best free spyware removing program.

[GodandRock]

Ok, i noticed you guys mentioned using multiple programs for the spyware purpose. I'm using Norton AV/firewall/systemworks and my computer would prefer that I stop putting so many startup programs on it, since those Norton proggies already slow it down. Also, some good spyware removers don't have startup shield, so does anyone know about a standalone startup shield program to control startup applications and so I get an alert each time a program puts itself in windows startup list? Thank you.

[wm_hunter]

Spybot has a startup program that monitors the registry but, it is disabled by defualt (very small anyway). AdAware does not run at all during startup. Microsoft AntiSpyware has a guard that loads.

Note: If spybot encounters a problem when removing a file, it may request a run at the next startup (in case the file were in use). That will run BEFORE any other startup program loads, and none will load until it is finished. So, no need to worry

Any others you are wondering about?

[Mr. Chambers]

There is no "best". You need to use more than 1 to be 100% sure you're clean, however I will say that common sense + good surfing habits + spywareblaster + AVG Free + router; is what I use and I've never had a problem.

Also, SpySweeper will probably pick up the "most" out of any single program. Definitely worth the money if you have spyware problems.

Here's a thread that I posted at another forums:

Programs:
Download AdAware SE
Download SpyBot Search & Destroy
Download X-Cleaner
Download SpySweeper
Download CWS Shredder
Download HiJackThis!
Download TDS-3
Download Spyware Doctor

Microsoft has released a beta of it's new Spyware tool, called AntiSpyware. Here is a link to an overview of the beta, and you can download it here: Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta). Please be aware it is in BETA form - it may have bugs, use at your own risk for now!

Quick Instructions:
Disable System Restore first. Then download and run the programs, get the latest update files for each of them, then restart into safemode. Do full scans with each of them, deleting any spyware/adware found. I find X-Cleaner (which also cleans some temp files out), then Ad-Aware, with Spybot next, and finishing with SpySweeper and Spyware Doctor, and TDS-3 for good measure - cleans 99% of infections.

Finish up with CWShredder for good measure, and finally HijackThis if nessecary.

Please be aware, that if you are using shareware or other programs that are supported by ads/spyware, they may not function correctly, or possibly not at all, after removing spyware entries from your system with these programs.

Other Helpful PC Computing Tips:
If you're having trouble with long boot/load times/slow system response times, try some of the following:

Make sure that you dont have any unnecessary programs running in the background. WindowsXP is a resource hog anyway, you definately dont want/need more programs slowing you down, especially if you dont need them running all the time. type "msconfig" in the run box, and disable any programs you know you dont need in the "startup" tab.

Do a virus check, with the latest definitions if you havent already done so. Trojans and Virii run rampant on the 'net. Below are links to free, online virus scanners.

If you're running Windows 2000/XP, disable any unnesessary services. check out www.blkviper.com - for a great guide on which services you dont need, and how to keep them from running.

If you're running Windows XP, download and run the BootVis.exe tool from MS. you can find it by doing a search on their site, or on www.google.com. This program can improve your boot and restart times considerably.

Download RegCleaner from www.jv16.org and use it. It cleans up your registry and removes unnessecary file fragments.

Using HijackThis:
Here is a great guide for how to read HijackThis! log files (Thanks to Kendan for the link!):
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/jrmc137/hjttut...torial.htm

Online Virus Scanners:
Trend Micro Housecall
Symantec Security Response
Panda ActiveScan
BitDefender Online Scan
Computer Associates eTrust Online Scan

There are also stand-alone virus removal tools - if you know which infection you have, available here. (Thanks Cowboy X)

Other Useful Programs:
KazaaBegone
LSP-Fix

Deleting Temporary Files:
I highly suggest downloading and installing the freeware application Crap Cleaner to delete unnecessary temporary files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster, more efficiently and giving you more hard disk space. The benefit here is that alot of malware resides in these temp folders.

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Cleaning Up Your System:
Go to Start -> Run, and type: "cleanmgr /sageset:1" (without the quotes) this lets you choose what is to be cleaned up. I recommend selecting everything except the last two. Then go to Start -> Run again, and type "cleanmgr /sagerun:1" (again, without the quotes), to run the Advanced Disk Cleanup.

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Prevenative Maintance Against Spyware:
Download/Install/Update/Run the latest version of SpywareBlaster, a great little freeware program that prevents spyware/adware from ever installing! Be sure to keep it updated, and to "Enable All Protection".

You can also block adware/spyware by editing your HOSTS file, or by using a program which does all the work for you, such as NoAdHOSTS.exe - which is available for free. (Thanks to UnseenMenace for the link!)

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Switching Browsers:
Firefox

[[Ghost]]

Why can't everyone be like you? Someone tell me why.

By the way, http://www.blkviper.com is down

[wm_hunter]

Why can't everyone be like you? Someone tell me why.

By the way, www.blkviper.com is down

VERY NICE GUIDE!

I take my time when posting tutorials on a subject, or helping people with something very important (such as a HiJackThis log)

If you want to post a HiJackThis log, I will be more then happy to help you through what is bad, what is good, and what steps you need to take.

I was talking to Mr. Chambers on the guide, GodandRock about HiJackThis. Just so there is no confusion

[ggkthx]

i'd recommend Zone Alarm. I also use Adaware and Search&Destroy

[Karant]

Spybot sucks. Windows Defender, Ad-Aware, and Zone Alarms are what I use.

C'mon Tool! It's a great program. (Good to see you still around by the way)

Use the latest version of all the following software and spyware shouldn't be a problem, remember to frequently update...
Mozilla Firefox
Anti-Vir
Spybot S&D

However, if your using LimeWire or any other mainstream P2P application, viruses and spyware will come in all the time. I reccomend using FrostWire and uTorrent as an alternative for LimeWire if you must use a P2P program.

[GodandRock]

Wow thanks for helping me out so much guys, much appreciated. Btw my internet got ƒucked recently and I'm on temp dialup for now...