Whats a really good spyware removal program?

Question

I need a really good, free spyware removal program. I've tried spysweeper, and adaware. They didn't fix the problems. Pop ups are locking up my computer, I get 12 of them right away as soon as I open internet, plus its making my computer run super slow. Its my work computer so I need it running at peak performance. I know its some sort of spy program that was installed to my computer through the net somehow, but I can't find it. Please help!

Answer 1

Free programs such as Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE used to be at the top of the heap, but have fallen lately in effectiveness due to slowness in keeping up with the latest threats, and also somewhat inferior technology compared to some of the latest programs.

I prefer these:
1. A-Squared -- free version of it does scans only (no shield) but it is very effective
2. Windows Live OneCare (no, really, it's an MS product but it's pretty slick) -- has a very nice antispyware component
3. Spy Sweeper (commercial product) -- one of the top products out there
4. AVG Anti-Spyware (as opposed to AVG Antivirus) -- has a 30-day free trial; enough time to clean your system
5. Spyware Doctor -- a commercial program

Also to a previous answerer here, AVG is NOT stopping free service in January for AVG Antivirus (which is the product you are obviously referring to -- and which won't help the question asker since it is not a virus problem, it's most likely spyware). But AVG Antivirus 7.5 still has a free version. It's on Grisoft's site. I just installed it the other day.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Here is a top list of free antispyware

Spybot S&D
Windows Defender
Ad Aware Se Personal
AVG Antispyware 7.5
SuperAntispyware

If you don't have any antispyware protection,use Windows Defender for
real time protection.

If you need a firewall,use ZoneAlarm Firewall free.It is good.I
tested against Norton(paid) and this is better.

Download Spyware Doctor(Trial version) and do a scan to see what is
on your PC and try to remove as many as possible with the free
antispyware i listed.Spyware Doctor WILL produce false positives
to encourage you to buy it but is not a rogue antispyware program.
Clean your PC as much as you can.And run Spyware Doctor's scan again.
If it detects 3 or less,you are clear.Those are false positives.

Go to www.ewido.com for free scan and removal.

Remember,just like antivirus,run only one antispyware's real time protection and
not both at the same time.

Firewall:RUN ONLY ONE
Antivirus:RUN ONLY ONE
Antispyware:As many as you want,but i recommend 2 is enough.But if
you are a paranoid like me,install as many free software as you can.
But it may slow down your PC.


Merry Xmas!

Answer 4

Unlike anti-virus programs, you can have more than one anti-spyware apps on your pc. Here's my recommendation: spybot search & destroy, Spyware blaster from Javacool software, A-Squared free from Emsisoft and if you want to download the Microsoft Defender. All all free. They will get rid of all spywares on your pc but there's another step you need to take. Go to Start, control panel, Internet options, click on it to open, select the privacy tab and put a checkmark on the box that sai Block pop-ups near the bottom. Next to that is a box that say Settings, click on that and choose a website you want to unblock like Microsoft,..etc...Because if you put a checkmark on Block pop-ups ALL pop-ups will be blocked unless you give a site permission. Some website won't work right if you block the pop-ups.

Answer 5

Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months. More information at http://fixit.in/slowcomputer.html

Answer 6

it could be anything.

to clean it up

run spyware blaster
spybot s & d
teatimer in the spybot s & d program
immunize computer from spybot s & d

ccleaner to clean up cookies and everything
ad-aware
avg free
online scans at kapersky and panda

this will fix it. note: it may take awhile to install and run these programs since the computer has to deal with the spyware at the same time.

Answer 7

Popup blockers will only stop web based popups. They can help somewhat, but if you are getting excessive popups, and popups even when you are offline, it means you have trojan downloaders on your machine that are calling out to deliver the pop up ads.

Try a full cleaning and dis-infection routine.

This is the one I use (it will take some time).

1. Scan for virus and remove (free online scan) with BitDefender

http://www.bitdefender.com/site/home/

2. Scan for trojans and remove (free online scan) with Ewido

http://www.ewido.net/en/

3. Scan for ad/spyware and remove (free download) with Spybot Search & Destroy

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html


If you are using an older version of Windows (pre XP-SP2) you may also be getting "Messenger Service" popups which are caused by Microsoft leaving the almost never used Windows Messenger Service enabled by default. This was corrected in Windows XP- Service Pack 2.

Understand that the Windows Messenger Service is completely different from, and not in any way related to, "MSN Messenger", "Windows Live Messenger" "yahoo Messenger", or any other well-known instant messaging system. Therefore, disabling the Windows Messenger service will have no effect upon your use of any other instant messaging applications. They will continue to work without trouble.


To disable this service in older versions of Windows use the free, Shoot The Messenger from:
http://www.grc.com/stm/ShootTheMessenger.htm

Good luck.

Answer 8

Hi there,

One program I would strongly recommend is Prevx1. This has recently been proven as having the strongest protection and cleanup capabilities of ALL security solutions available today so should hopefully fix the problems your current protection has failed to.

Download the Free Trial of Prevx1 which will scan your PC and remove this and any other infections free of charge:

Answer 9

test your laptop with Spybot and Adaware. No single application can hit upon and do away with all spyware. it particularly is superb to apply assorted courses, i opt to recommend utilising advert-conscious and Spybot that are between the superb (they are unfastened). different great unfastened anti-spyware courses could be AVG Anti-spyware (formally Ewido) and great Anti-spyware. Webroot secret agent Sweeper is the superb, in spite of the undeniable fact that it is not unfastened (see the patron seek source for comments of the superb anti-spyware courses). working those courses in secure Mode (faucet F8 after powering on the laptop and choose besides to secure Mode) would properly be greater effective.

Answer 10

Try this it worked for me. Plus its fast.
1. Click the start menu
2. Click Run
3. Type in msconfig and press "OK"
4. Click on Services top right, next to start up.
5. Click on "Hide all Microsoft Services" (Programs needed to run windows)
6. Click on "Disable all"
7. Now click on Startup (top right)
8. Disable All(Disabling all Stupid programs not needed to run windows.
9. Click Apply then close.
10. It will ask you to restart for changes to take effect. "RESTART" You will notice the difference as it boots. If no Difference. More than likely Hardware issues.