Best Spyware program

[colt45er]

I need some help from the powers of INGO!

My computer is pretty new 3 months or so, and I have the Nortan Anti-virus software for it.

I was talking to someone the other day that recommended I put an anti-spyware or anti-malwar software on here as well. They said that there are a ton out there, some free some not.

Are there any good free ones out there? If not how much will one run me? What would you suggest?

In case it matters, it is a Toshiba Satellite Laptop running Vista.

Thanks INGO!

 

[bowhunter_1978]

I have Norton 360 and I think it already has anti spyware and malware on it, you might check to see if your does also...

 

[rhino400]

I highly recommend Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Its free.
Malwarebytes.org

 

[VN Vet]

If you have Comcast as your Internet Provider you can download McAfee Security Program for free. I have it and it seems to work great for me.

 

[bigus_D]

I suggest you DON'T install any free anti-spyware on your computer unless you really want spyware on there.

Norton 360 is a fine product. Keep it up to date. Keep windows up to date. Don't install software on a whim... this is where most folks seem to go wrong (IMHO).

 

[colt45er]

I have Norton 360 and I think it already has anti spyware and malware on it, you might check to see if your does also...

I don't have 360. I have a 15mth Trial that came on the computer when I got it. When I upgrade I will look into the 360

I highly recommend Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Its free.
Malwarebytes.org

Ill give it a go!

 

[Scutter01]

Spybot Search and Destroy is an excellent free anti-spyware. It doesn't do on-access scanning, though, only on-demand. The home of Spybot-S&D!

And yes, you should be careful what free software you install. Just because it says "anti-spyware" doesn't mean it's not really "extra spyware".

Oh, and I disagree with the Norton suggestion. That software is so slow and bloated. I've seen it drag brand new computers to a screeching halt.

 

[VUPDblue]

I use Window Washer and Spy Sweeper from Webroot. I've used them for years and never had any malware problems on any of my machines.

 

[colt45er]

If you have Comcast as your Internet Provider you can download McAfee Security Program for free. I have it and it seems to work great for me.

I have Att Uverse for my Internet.

I suggest you DON'T install any free anti-spyware on your computer unless you really want spyware on there.

Norton 360 is a fine product. Keep it up to date. Keep windows up to date. Don't install software on a whim... this is where most folks seem to go wrong (IMHO).

Do you have any experience with the Malwarebytes program?

 

[bogus]

I highly recommend Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Its free.
Malwarebytes.org

This has cleaned several PC's for me when nothing else would. The free version is manual scan only. Not sure of the price of the paid but I believe you get active real-time scanning with it.

 

[MyGlockRocks19]

Spybot Search and Destroy is an excellent free anti-spyware. It doesn't do on-access scanning, though, only on-demand. The home of Spybot-S&D!

And yes, you should be careful what free software you install. Just because it says "anti-spyware" doesn't mean it's not really "extra spyware".

Oh, and I disagree with the Norton suggestion. That software is so slow and bloated. I've seen it drag brand new computers to a screeching halt.

I've used Spybot for years, it works. I also use Avast! for AV protection...saved a badly infected system with it once.

 

[dblagent]

The new 2009 versions of norton scan for viri and for malware and spyware even with just the norton Av now. USED to norton sucked pretty hardcore, now it is VERY good as much as it pains me to say it.

MalwareBytes is a great program, and so is Spyware Doctor. Spyware Doctor will slow you down some in my experiance though, but it does work well. MalwareBytes in the free version is manual scan, but it would be prefect to have as a backup utility, it is the best one of it's kind right now. I'd get it as a backup in case something gets by Norton, but I would not worry too much.

 

[KPierce]

What type of OS are you using ? As that may limit what you can use.

 

[syntax357]

I uas esst nod32 and spybot. i dont even bother with the builtin windows firewall thing or the security center thing. I use windows xp and have no problems what so ever, plus I know this pc inside and out

 

[amboran]

AVG free 8.5 is a antivirus,antispyware suite that works fine for me (have used different older versions for years that have worked great).Has free updates and doesn't slow and bog down your system like so many do-McAffee and Norton seem to be the worst. If you go to download.com, they will have the links to several free programs-but in my experience AVG free is by far the best. I use it on all the new systems I build for customers as well as my own.YMMV.

 

[Dryden]

I use Window Washer and Spy Sweeper from Webroot. I've used them for years and never had any malware problems on any of my machines.

Window Washer has worked for me. For the past three or four years, it's cleaned up all the garbage files left behind after you get off the net. When you first run it, you'll be shocked at the hundreds of cookie files and spy files that are on your hard-drive.

 

[Biohazard]

I have Norton Endpoint protection and it didn't work well.

I downloaded PC Tools, Spyware Doctor and it worked well for free, but you need to run manual scans. It picked up a lot that Norton didn't.

I bought Webroot (just Spysweeper alone, no antivirus, $30) on a recommendation and have not found anything with any other spyware programs since.

 

[edsinger]

I highly recommend Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Its free.
Malwarebytes.org

Love this program

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I use Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware.

These are set to run only when I ask them to, however. I've not had ANY problems.

I'm on U-Verse as well.

I also clean out my internet cashe ALL THE TIME when I'm surfing.

-J-