My Internet seems to have gone very slow no matter which browser I use. Online Internet connection speed test say my connection speed is fine. I’d like to check for spyware but I’m not sure which programme to use. Spyware doctor says it’s found some things but they want me to pay to remove them. What’s the best free spyware scanning and removal software out there?

microsoft security essentials… seriously.

In addition to Microsoft Security Essentials …

These are not really free but you can use them to remove those nasties before deciding if you want them for long term use.

http://www.surfright.nl/en/home/ (1,2 or 3 year fees)

http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (one time payment)

🙂

Go to download.com and look for spybot.

There’s a free version of malwarebyes too – I think the main missing thing is memory scanning. Another worth a try is superantispyware – that seemed to detect some stuff that malwarebytes didn’t when I got my work pc infected recently.

Still seemed to be slow afterwards – wound up getting the OS reinstalled, tho’ it was well overdue anyway.

i’ve been following the sage advice of Gizmo Richards these last few years – explains the pros and cons so’s even a dullard such as me can understand. well worth a look

run malwarebytes as a starting point, post the log.

These computer things are way too complicated for me!!! *walks away scratching head*

Spybot search and destroy.

Superanti spyware.

Ad aware by lavasoft.
Spy bot search and destroy
Malwarebytes

Free versions of these ^

All 3 in conjunction run once a month, then realise it’s time you owned a mac.

So does microsoft security essential negate the need for spyware blockers such as spybot which really appears to slow our PC down.

To be honest, the best defence against spyware is keeping your software up to date, switching off preview panes in your email client, and not clicking on pop-up windows when downloading porn.

Apart from common sense failure, the single biggest point of infection I’m seeing at the moment is old versions of Flash. Getting the lastest versions of Java and all the Adobe plugins, and Windows Updating the life out it, will serve you better than any ‘blockers’.

Using Firefox and noscript add on is nice protection too.

My wifes laptop ended up sith ‘System Tool’ virus Sunday night. It exploits a Java loophole to self install, no clickign required.

Avast didn’t see it and I had to download Malwarebytes on anothe rmachine, install from usb stick and run laptop in safe mode to get rid of the thing.

looking at malwarebytes or MSE now… probably try MSE first as it’s free – you need to pay for the malwarebytes ‘online’ protection.

Software wise,

Another vote here for MSE, however it’s critical that you only run one antivirus application as they will fight with each other. If you’re running AVG / Norton / whatever, it must be uninstalled before installing MSE. Note that apps like Spybot don’t count as “AV” in this sense and can be run in conjunction.

I don’t normally bother with additional protection beyond MSE for reasons as per my last post. I use Malwarebytes / Spybot et all primarily as disinfection tools. One nice little app that you might want to look at though is “Spyware Blaster” – this adds a few passive tweaks to firm things up, rather than constantly scanning and consuming resources.

My wifes laptop ended up sith ‘System Tool’ virus Sunday night.

Funny, I spent Sunday night talking someone through getting rid of the very same infection.

looking at malwarebytes or MSE now

Well, they’re different tools that do different jobs. MSE would replace Avast, MBAM would run in conjunction with it.

Have rescued a couple of computers with the free version of malwarebytes now. Virus’s that other anti malware softwares didn’t pick up! I probably only run it once a month or so, but for a windows pc it’s a life saver!

Use comodo as my main line of defence, though in beginning to find it a bit intrusive, and having used computers running MSE in my last job, I’d recommend going down that route instead for day to day protection.