Recommend a free Ad-ware and/or Spyware remover program to me

[mojo1701]

I've been getting an awful lot of pop-ups recently, and I think something slipped by my defenses. I need to check for these. I've already scanned for Spyware, but my Spy Sweeper program seems to be somewhat outdated, since my free licence is up.

 

[IronWolf]

I've used each one of these at some point cleaning up user's machines.

SpyBot
Ad-Aware
MS Windows Anti-Spyware (Beta)

And for those tricky ones:

Hijack This

 

[CarlZog]

I used AdAware for a while before downloading SpyBot, which found a bunch of stuff that AdAware missed.

 

[Bront]

Spybot (www.safer-networking.org)
Spybot (www.safer-networking.org)
and Spybot (www.safer-networking.org)

AdAware appears to get more stuff, though spybot fixes things that adaware misses, but Adaware grabs anything, including perfectly find cookies that sites like enworld and espn use to find out where you were on their site while you're there, which makes it look more effective, and isn't fully functional as a free service.

Also, several anti-virus programs now look for spyware.

 

[XCorvis]

IronWolf hit the big four. If those can't do it, it can't be done.

Spybot also has an immunize feature, which prevents spyware from getting a foothold. Adaware doesn't have any prevention mechanisms unless you pay for it. Windows defender is good, in my experience, and works like a virus scanner but for spyware. However, I wouldn't use it on an old, slow computer, as it seems to slow things down just a tiny bit.

On other tool that might be useful is Crap Cleaner. Mostly it's just for cleaning up your system and removing temp old files and stuff like that, but because spyware likes to hide in those places it can be a good tool for cleaning it all out regularly. Careful with it - it will nuke all your cookies if you let it. http://ccleaner.com/

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I've used each one of these at some point cleaning up user's machines.

SpyBot
Ad-Aware
MS Windows Anti-Spyware (Beta)

And for those tricky ones:

Hijack This

Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
and
Ditto (with reservations)

The first three are all must haves as far as I'm concerned, but be VERY careful with Hijack This. If you don't know what you are deleting, it can remove stuff that you need on your computer. I've only used it in a very few cases, and then only with research online to make sure I was not removing anyhting critical to my system. I've had 2 coworkers who hear about it, downloaded it, and rendered their systems unuseable because they had it clean everything, which it did. Unfortunatly, you don't want it to clean EVERYTHING. It's a great tool, but it has very specific uses.

 

[Viking Bastard]

I used AdAware for a while before downloading SpyBot, which found a bunch of stuff that AdAware missed.

See, Spybot finds a bunch of stuff that AdAware doesn't, but AdAware finds several stuff that Spybot misses as well.

I use both. And Hijack This. Covering the bases.

 

[Daijin]

I find Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy, and Hijack this deals with all my spyware problems.

Be very careful with Hijack this, though.

 

[Orius]

I'll agree with what everyone has said already. I use Spybot on a regular basis, and it's a great program. Spybot should be your friend. Adaware catches some stuff that Spybot doesn't so it's useful if you've got a stubborn problem that can't be taken care of with Spybot.

I've tried Hijack This, but you have to know exactly what you're doing for that one.

 

[ssampier]

I agree with Spybot and HijackThis. To add to the list Spyware Blaster helps block spyware from coming on your computer in the first place.

I'm a big user of Hijack This. I'm normally remove items fairly hapzardly, but you probably shouldn't:

BHO

Browser Help Objects for IE
you really shouldn't need these, but you may want these. My gut says DELETE THEM.

If it the label indicates Norton Anti-virus, Spybot, or Spyware Blaster, you can keep these.

Run

Anything that says RUN make note of what looks suspicious. Then click on Start, Run, and type in MSCONFIG. Click on Startup. Uncheck the suspicious object(s). Click Apply. Then restart when it asks. Make sure your anti-virus and other needed startup items work. If not run MSCONFIG again and recheck the item, click apply, and restart; no harm, no foul.

BE CAREFUL.

HOSTS

Hosts can be used by hijackers to keep you from running online anti-virus or spyware programs. Gut says REMOVE THEM, but if you're using Spyware Blaster or Spy Bot, it adds bad sites instead.

REMOVE ANYTHING before running Anti-spyware to start fresh.

Toolbars

You really don't need these, REMOVE THEM. Some toolbars such as Google, MSN, or Yahoo aren't dangerous, but be careful.

I remove viruses and spyware from my customer's computers and this has been been successful for me.