Spyware Detection
There are numerous spyware detection and removal programs. With so many choices, how do you decide which product to use to protect your privacy?
Many adware, spyware, malware detection and removal products offer a free download and scan of your computer to detect spyware but you must purchase the software to remove privacy threats. Some products offer a limited free trial before you must purchase the software to continue using it. The average cost is $30.
These are the three most popular FREE spyware detection and removal products.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition
"Ad-Aware
Personal remains the most popular anti-spyware product for computer
users around the world, with nearly one million downloads every week. Our
free anti-spyware version provides you with advanced protection against
spyware that secretly attaches and takes control of your computer, resulting
in aggressive advertising pop-ups, sluggish computer activity, even identify
theft through stolen bank details, passwords, and credit card account numbers.
If you want real-time scanning capabilities, consider upgrading to Ad-Aware
SE Plus for real-time protection against spyware, all the time!"
"At Lavasoft we believe that every individual, regardless of economic status or geographic location, should have the power to control their individual privacy and security. Lavasoft is the original anti-spyware company, and we are still delivering the best protection today. After all, over 200 million computer users around the world can’t be wrong!"
--Quote from Lavasoft
Free for noncommercial use only.
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GRISOFT AVG Anti-Spyware Free
"AVG Anti-Spyware Free is a free anti-spyware protection tool developed by GRISOFT for home use. We invite you to join the millions of satisfied customers worldwide who have downloaded the software and now enjoy the benefits of AVG Anti-Spyware Free."
The download contains the free as well as the paid version of AVG Anti-Spyware Free. After the installation, a free 30-day trial version containing all the extensions of the full version will be activated. At the end of the trial, these extensions will be deactivated and the program will turn into a feature-limited freeware version. You may continue using the freeware version or you can purchase and enter the full version license code at any time.
--Quote from GRISOFT AVG
Free for noncommercial use only.
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SpyBot - Search & Destroy
"Spybot
- Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware which silently
tracks your surfing behavior to create a marketing profile about you that
is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising
companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't
intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your
home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your
computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the
symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is
emerging. Spybot is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something
has invaded your computer."
--Quote from Spybot
Free (donation appreciated but not required).
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