Free Spyware and Adware Detection & Removal Software

Ad-Aware SE Personal
Ad-Aware SE Personal is a tool freely available for personal use on Windows platform machines. It can scan your computer for stealthy spyware programs and help you to determine what they are doing and whether they are a threat to your system. At the push of a button, Ad-Aware will delete these insidious programs from your PC. Ad-Aware has been downloaded more than 68 million times in the past year. For a review of the software you can go to Product Review: Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove spyware of different kinds from your computer. Spybot S&D is exceptionallu popular and very effective. It can be used in conjunction with a program like Ad-Aware because they will often catch a handful of spyware that the other did not detect. Spybot S&D is available completely free of charge.
IE-SPYAD
IE-SPYAD is a Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) that adds a long list of known advertisers, marketers, and spyware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer to block those sites from being accessed.
SpywareBlaster
Rather than detecting and removing spyware after the fact, SpywareBlaster proactively protects your system to block spyware and adware from infiltrating in the first place.
HiJack This
Despite all of your security and protection you may still get infected with spyware or a web browser hijacker that the other tools are unable to detect for some reason. HiJack This will generate a report of all browser add-ons, buttons and start-up items to help you determine rogue items and remove them.
XP-AntiSpy
XP-AntiSpy does not detect or disable spyware in the traditional sense. There are services running by default on many Windows XP systems which some may consider a privacy or security concern. You can disable them on your own, but using XP-AntiSpy you can view and disable these services much quicker and allow you to re-enable them just as quickly if you choose.
X-Cleaner
X-Cleaner performs cookie cleaning, Internet cache cleaning, scans for many popular spy software packages and performs permanent file shredding. This version is available for free, but the developer also offers a Professional version with more functionality for purchase.

Free Spyware Remover

If you've ever had weird pop-up windows that just won't go away, hijacked browser settings, internet preferences inexplicably changed, or a very slow web search experience, than you've most likely been the victim of spyware, adware, or malware. All three of these terms mean pretty much the same thing: a program that monitors your actions, generates unwanted ads, and is installed on your computer without your explicit permission or knowledge.
If you are not careful, spyware, adware, and malware can take over your system, causing it to slow down and even crash. Here are a few programs that you can download for free from the Web that will remove spyware and adware from your system.

Free Spyware Removers

• Adaware. I use this myself almost every day. It cleans your computer of adware and spyware, and is updated frequently. If you are on the Web for significant amounts of time (which I am), or have a constant uninterrupted connection such as cable or DSL, I suggest you sweep your computer using this tool at least twice a week. More would be better.
• Spybot. Another good adware removal program that I use almost every day as well. SpyBot Search and Destroy is a great way to remove adware and spyware from your system.
• Spyware Doctor offers a free trial and then is available for purchase for $29.95. Although I haven't tried this particular spyware remover, it has received high ratings from C-Net.

More Free Spyware Removers and Information

• Free Spyware Removal: If you're not careful on the Web, you can pick up some spyware. Here are my favorite free spyware removal tools. These are the sypware removal tools that I myself have tested out, and best of all, they are all free.
• Ten Ways To Keep Your Search History Private: Most of us have no need to hide our search history, but there's no harm in more cautious Web surfing. Here are a few ways you can keep your searching history private.
• Anonymous Surfing 101: Are you concerned about privacy on the Web? Then anonymous surfing, the ability to surf the Web without being tracked, is for you. Here are some frequently asked questions about anonymous Web surfing.