Internet security and firewall

Spies, begone: five antispyware apps reviewed

The Internet is littered with spyware, tiny apps that live on your hard drive and either direct you to advertising sites or record your Internet surfing activities to download even more advertising. We look at five antispyware products and recommend the best.

By Robert Vamosi (November 1, 2005)

Perhaps the number one reason for computer repair these days is not hardware but software, in particular, spyware. Symptoms include sluggish performance, a new home page or search engine for your Internet browser, or persistent modem activity even when you're not sitting at the computer. You can infect your computer just by visiting certain Web sites, having certain pop-up ads appear on your desktop, or from downloading free software. Fortunately, a number of apps are available that can diagnose and quarantine these pests.

Our favorite spyware killer
Once again, Spybot Search and Destroy is our Editors' Choice. It's free, without even an annual subscription for the periodic file updates, and it offers both basic and advanced modes and includes the widest variety of customization of the five antispyware products we reviewed. New in this version are automatic updates. In our informal tests, Spybot was thorough, rooting out even obscure spyware. If you're new to the spyware threat, it can't hurt to download a free (no strings attached) copy of Spybot to see whether your system is infected.

Equally good options
Running a close second is Ad-aware SE Personal Edition. Ad-aware has been around for years and isn't about to concede ground to the new kids on the block. Like Spybot, Ad-aware is free and very thorough. Also free is Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta), which includes automatic updates and scheduling options. Given that no single antispyware app can find and quarantine every piece of spyware, we recommend you run all three free apps; that way you're sure to get rid of as much spyware as you can.

When there's not one, not two, but three free solid antispyware apps, why pay? That's our dilemma with the current crop of top antispyware apps, and in particular, with Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0. We could find nothing wrong with the latest version of Spy Sweeper, except its price of $29.95 per year. Same with ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware.

Whether the app is free or not, any of these antispyware applications should remove the most dangerous spyware from your PC.

Read the CNET editor's take

Lavasoft Ad-aware SE Personal Edition 1.06

Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta)

Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4

Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.5

ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware

	Lavasoft Ad-aware SE Personal Edition 1.06 Ad-aware is the best free option for keeping spyware and adware under control on your PC. 7.6 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta) Microsoft offers its first, free antispyware app, and so far, it looks good. 6.5 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4 Spybot Search and Destroy is adaptable for both beginning and power users, and it's a great way to keep your home PC free of spyware. 6.7 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.5 If you want to set and forget your antispyware updates and scans, Spy Sweeper's the app for you. 7.1 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware ZoneAlarm joins an already crowded field of security companies offering antispyware solutions. 7.4 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices