Please recommend a free spyware remover

[WEIRDWOLF]

Bastard spywares attacked me today. Anyone recommend a free online spyware remover software. Thanks.

[Michael Michigan]

Ad-Aware from Lavasoft

[Michael Michigan]

And spysweeper from WebRoot

[Miles]

I also suggest ad-aware

[WEIRDWOLF]

Thanks. I started a download already.

[Michael Michigan]

Thanks. I started a download already.

They both have free versions, I run both back to back.

[JazzzLovr]

Spybot Search & Destroy is another good one

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

[morphius]

Spybot Search & Destroy is another good one

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
I will second this one, it also has the ability to catch changes trying to be made to your registry if you set it up right, which is a very good thing.

I use it and Lavasoft's ad-aware to try to keep my machine as clean as possible.

[jAZ]

I have nothing to add to this thread.

[BigRedChief]

You need both Spy-Bot and Ad aware.

[theultimatekcchiefsfan]

I have only used Mozilla now for about thelast month or two. But on my old machine it is noticeably slower on some sites. So the other day I am downloading some cd covers from some internet site that has been around for a while.

Well i thiught I would just this once switch back to IE just to make things a little smoother. Well i couldnt believe it in less than 10 minutes I got hit with that stupid web search piece of sh*t. It also placed several gambling shortcuts and bargain buddy type crap on my machine.

I mean that summed it up for me. Never again will I use IE unless I just absolutely can not render a page with mozilla. This was the same exact program that caused me to reformat and switch to mozilla in the first place a while back.

Anyway I was able to do a quick system restore and amazingly was able to get rid of it. You may want to try this first. My experience though is thta usually this will not solve your problem but you may get lucky.

I like Adaware more than Spybot. But most people use both.

Here are a few more scanners (some specialized) from a very reputable site. Spyware blaster isnt bad either. Good luck.

http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/security/fwantispy.html

[Taco John]

http://housecall.trendmicro.com


Use this about once a month. It catches a lot of stuff the others don't.

[OldTownChief]

You need both Spy-Bot and Ad aware.

Agreed... Run them both, and add spywareblaster to help block it from coming in.

[wutamess]

And spysweeper from WebRoot

Nothing beats spy sweeper.
Ad-aware doesn't find and remove everything.
Neither does Spybot.

Spy Sweeper comes the closest.
If you're comfortable with the registry I'd suggest running hijackthis.
It's a utility that lets' you look at the registry to see what goddamned spyware gidgets/gadgets have been placed on your machine.

Even if you're not comfortable with the registry download it and run it and copy and paste your results in here and I/we can tell you what items needs to be removed.

Hope this helps.

[theultimatekcchiefsfan]

Some FYI

Types of malware:

Although there is no official breakdown, we can divide malware into several broad categories of malware: adware, spyware, hijackers, toolbars, and dialers. Many, if not most malware programs will fit into more than one category.

It is very common for people to use the words adware, spyware, and malware interchangeably. Most products that call themselves spyware or adware removers will actually remove all types of malware.
Adware

Adware is the class of programs that place advertisements on your screen. These may be in the form of pop-ups, pop-unders, advertisements embedded in programs, advertisements placed on top of ads in web sites, or any other way the authors can think of showing you an ad. The pop-ups generally will not be stopped by pop-up stoppers, and often are not dependent on your having Internet Explorer open. They may show up when you are playing a game, writing a document, listening to music, or anything else. Should you be surfing, the advertisements will often be related to the web page you are viewing.
Spyware

Programs classified as spyware send information about you and your computer to somebody else. Some spyware simply relays the addresses of sites you visit or terms you search for to a server somewhere. Others may send back information you type into forms in Internet Explorer or the names of files you download. Still others search your hard drive and report back what programs you have installed, contents of your e-mail client's address book (usually to be sold to spammers), or any other information about or on your computer – things such as your name, browser history, login names and passwords, credit card numbers, and your phone number and address.

Spyware often works in conjunction with toolbars. It may also use a program that is always running in the background to collect data, or it may integrate itself into Internet Explorer, allowing it to run undetected whenever Internet Explorer is open.
Hijackers

Hijackers take control of various parts of your web browser, including your home page, search pages, and search bar. They may also redirect you to certain sites should you mistype an address or prevent you from going to a website they would rather you not, such as sites that combat malware. Some will even redirect you to their own search engine when you attempt a search. NB: hijackers almost exclusively target Internet Explorer.
Toolbars

Toolbars plug into Internet Explorer and provide additional functionality such as search forms or pop-up blockers. The Google and Yahoo! toolbars are probably the most common legitimate examples, and malware toolbars often attempt to emulate their functionality and look. Malware toolbars almost always include characteristics of the other malware categories, which is usually what gets it classified as malware. Any toolbar that is installed through underhanded means falls into the category of malware.
Dialers

Dialers are programs that set up your modem connection to connect to a 1-900 number. This provides the number's owner with revenue while leaving you with a large phone bill. There are some legitimate uses for dialers, such as for people who do not have access to credit cards. Most dialers, however, are installed quietly and attempt to do their dirty work without being detected.

[KC Jones]

I have both of these installed for spyware and adware:

Ad-aware from Lavasoft
Spybot Search and Destory

In addiition I heatily reccomend:
WinPatrol from BillP Studios
Zone Alarm firewall
AVG anti-virus

Between these 5 applications and my dedicated hardware firewall I consider my windows machines fairly well protected.