Wikipedia defines spyware as a program that surreptitiously monitors and reports the actions of a computer user.

There are many popular programs that will help you get rid of unwanted and intrusive spyware and keep your system running smoothly. A lot of these programs are also FREE, which is always a plus.

Our 2011 FAQ from Poll results made Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware the victorious program by a landslide with 33% of the votes, more than twice the amount of votes the second runner-up Spybot Search & Destroy received with 16% of the votes. SUPER Anti Spyware Professional (11%) and SpywareBlaster (10%) followed not too closely.

Though Spybot Search & Destroy used to be the favorite, it would seem our members have adopted a new love child in Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. It comes in a free and professional version ($24.95) and operates under Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 on both 32bit and 64bit platforms.

Though there were many more options in the poll, only a few other choices garnered votes. In contrast to previous years, the disparity between program uses seems to be diminishing and more and more of our members are gearing towards the more proven and popular choices. Here is the breakdown of those results:

Windows Defender - (8%)
MVPS HOSTS File - (5%)
Other - (4%)
Ad Aware AE 8 - (2%)
None - (1%)

A wide number of respondents noted that they used a layered approach when it came to fighting spyware. Running many of these programs is the most effective way of cleaning out spyware that may be missed if just running one program. But the best way to start is to install Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spybot Search & Destroy to keep your system safe!

Full list of software we explored:

Spybot Search & Destroy - »www.safer-networking.org/index2.html
MalwareByte's - »www.malwarebytes.org/
Windows Defender - »www.microsoft.com/windows/produc···ult.mspx
MVPS HOSTS File - »www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
SUPER Anti Spyware - »www.superantispyware.com/
Ad-Aware AE 8 - »www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/supp···tion-808
BOClean - »www.comodo.com/home/internet-sec···ware.php
A-Squared 3 / Emisoft Anti Malware - »www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/
ZoneAlarm Anti Spyware - »www.zonealarm.com/
Vipre Antivirus + Antispyware - »www.vipreantivirus.com/
SpywareGuard / unsupported - »www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
Webroot Spy Sweeper - »www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-p···per.html
McAfee Internet Security Suite - »www.mcafee.com/us/
Spyware Doctor - »www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/
Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner - »www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/
CA Anti Spyware - »www.ca.com/us/products/detail/ca···ise.aspx
IE-SPYAD/IE-SPYAD2 - »www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm
Spyware Terminator - »www.spywareterminator.com/
STOPzilla - »www.stopzilla.com/products/stopzilla/home.do
Ad-Aware Pro/Plus AntiSpy - »www.lavasoft.com/store/index.php
Advanced System Protector - »www.systweak.com/AntiSpyware/
Ashampoo AntiSpyWare - »www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pca/11/S···Software
CounterSpy - »www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Hom···Spyware/
Spywareblaster - »www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

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by TigerLord edited by lilhurricane
last modified: 2012-01-31 06:44:20