Free Spyware Removal Tools & Other Useful Utilities

The programs below are free to download from the internet. They are widely considered to be the best available for eliminating files and programs secreted on your computer without your knowledge.

BEWARE! There are many programs claiming that they are as good or better than those listed here - some even masquerading as these programs with similar sounding names, these duplicitous programs will actually install unwanted programs and files into your computer and then report they have found them there, then ask you to pay for the program before they actually remove any infections.

If the links on this page do not take you to the correct websites, please let me know.

Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)

Did you know that many of the hacker attacks and security threats today exploit software vulnerabilities and code flaws? Keeping your PC and especially your 3rd party programs updated requires you to search the Internet for updates and patches on a regular basis - for all the programs installed on your PC. The typical user has 30-60 programs installed - do you know which programs you have installed? Do you know which programs expose you to security threats?

Security patches are usually free and available for download from the program vendors. Secunia PSI pinpoints exactly which patches you need to secure your PC. The Secunia PSI is a free security tool designed with the sole purpose of helping you secure your computer against vulnerabilities in programs.

http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Spybot - Search & Destroy from Patrick Kola

Here is the link to the developer's home page:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Although Spybot is free, the developer welcomes donations

For an excellent tutorial on downloading, installing & using this & other programs
Click here for "OK, Teach Me!"

Ad-Aware Free from www.lavasoftusa.com

Here is the link to the developer's home page: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

WinPatrol

This is my all time fav spyware tool. Unlike traditional security programs, WinPatrol doesn't scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. Instead a snapshot is taken of your critical system resources and WinPatrol alerts you to any changes that occur without your knowledge. You'll be warned immediately!
Here is the link to the developer's home page: http://www.winpatrol.com/

AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5

Ewido started life as an anti-trojan scanner but has been repositioned as an anti-spyware scanner. It has emerged as one of the few products that can detect polymorphic and process injecting trojans that were totally missed by many anti-virus products.  Unfortunately the free version of AVG Anti-Spyware doesn’t have a memory monitor and this omission significantly reduces the level of active protection provided. However the on-demand scanner is excellent.

It is recommended that all average PC users who don't have an anti-trojan scanner download AVG Anti-Spyware and scan their PCs weekly. I suspect you may be surprised at what you will find. AVG Anti-Spyware is also pretty good at removing some spyware infections so bear that in mind next time you encounter a spyware product you can't remove with normal anti-spyware products like Ad-Aware.

High risk PC users such as P2P file sharers and frequenters of hack sites, should consider Trojan Hunter or the full version of AVG Anti-Spyware both of which offer the active protection they need.

Here is the link to the developer's home page: http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Hijack This - for expert computer users only!

Hijackers detector and remover. Initially based on the article Hijacked!, but expanded with a lot of other checks against hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs/URLs, just the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites.
As a result, false positives are imminent and unless you are sure what you're doing, you should always consult with knowledgable folks before deleting anything.

The official HijackThis QuickStart for posting on the SpywareInfo forums is available here.

PLEASE NOTE - I DO NOT OFFER FREE SUPPORT for these programs

I have no affiliation with the program maker and cannot vouch for or guarantee the results you may experience. Iif you choose to use them you do so at your own risk!