SpyWare removal Tools

Personally I use Spybot Search and Destroy. I have also tried Ad Aware, but I prefer Spybot.

If you want more information - discussions, background etc. I highly recommend you check out www.cexx.org - it is a site dedicated to "Counter exploitation".

James

I Spybot search and destroy as my primary and ad-aware as a backup. One may catch something the other doesn't

Hope this helps
Tim

I personally wud never prefer to download any spyware removal tools and have an extra startup item to delay my logins... For spyware.. i wud recommend an online scan from www.spywareinfo.com/xscan that does a wonderful job of removing all the wares. and for scumware and BHO's i wud prefer and advice BHODeamon from
www.definitivesolutions.com

Alternating between Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy works well. I also use Pest Patrol and Spysweeper.
See the following articles:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1522416,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1523357,00.asp

SpySweeper from Webroot costs a little, but is excellent.

Adware 6.0 seems to work the best for me. If you want to try others, look up spyware on www.profusion.com (this is a GOOD search engine). If you want freeware spyware removal programs, try www.all4you.dk/security. (They have 35000 freeware programs.)

I have used both Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware. I think they both do a good job, and on usually can remove something the other can't.

I've used spybot search & destroy, it is good for most the problems out there. However, it will not rid some of the newest malware. Important thing is watch what you download and execute on your computer, also obtain disk imaging software to image or ghost your drive for back-up. Good one to use is Acronis TrueImage or Symantec's Ghost, however Ghost is harder to use. I use spywareblaster as my anti-spyware protector at the moment.

I run the following on a regular basis.

Spybot:
http://tinyurl.com/ziar

Ad-Aware:
http://tinyurl.com/tek5

Stinger
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
This item will not update through the program. You have to download the new version.

CWshredder:
http://tinyurl.com/2bzef
Or
http://tinyurl.com/2k642
Look for the file in English CWShredder.exe

StartUpList:
http://www.mac-net.com/576482.page

StartUpList is information only. Startup, Registery, and others. You can?t fix anything from within the program.

Hijack This:
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

Hijack This is useful in that it shows what is currently loading on startup. You must know what is good and what is bad. Once you check it and fix it is gone. So be sure. Items you are not sure of do a Google search for them.

Lee

Here is a checklist I use with downloads for utilities at the bottom. For serious infections, I will sometimes also use commercial products like Spy Sweeper, Pest Patrol, and GiantAntiSpyware.

Also, remember that spyware removal isn't enough. You should also use spyware prevention utilities. Search Tech Republic and you'll find posts on spyware prevention.

Spyware Removal Checklist

1. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking (some spyware can only be removed in Safe Mode).
2. Open Add/Remove programs and remove any application that both you do not recognize.
3. Install Spybot Search & Destroy, update it, and run it on the infected system.
4. Install Ad-Aware, update it, and run it on the infected system.
5. Launch HijackThis and click the Scan button. Make sure you run this after other malware removal apps. (WARNING: Reference the HijackThis tutorial at http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/htlogtutorial.html before removing anything.)
6. Reboot and run both Ad-Aware and Spybot again until the system is clean.
7. Launch Internet Explorer and browse the Web to verify Winsock was not broken while removing
spyware. If you cannot browse the Web, run the WinSockFix utility and perform another Web test.

Ad-Aware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com
CWShredder - http://cwshredder.net/bin/CWSInstall.exe
Spybot Search & Destroy - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
WinSockFix - http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html

I have evaluated many products from top to underlying subsystems. www.scanspyware.net Is a fairly decent one. When you find a spyware program that can truly remove all the versions of the Gator specifically the 'wtoolsa.exe' and the like, you have found a winner.

Its best to have at least 2 of these spyware nabbers, one prog will catch what another misses, some using different engines and the like.
Except for spysweeper, i have heard many instances where spyspweeper caused a lot of system crashes and such, its noted on several fora. One such issue is "right-clicking on some folders causes a crash", things like that.
Good luck to all.

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