Fight Spyware, Pop-up Ads, Viruses and SPAMThese software tools/techniques are intended to help individual users from receiving unwanted email (SPAM), pop-up ads, viruses and clearing off unwanted "spyware" programs from Windows computers. The use of these programs is highly recommended for Windows-based computers.Last Updated: Monday, November 16, 2009 | |
Best Anti-Spyware Software | |
| Windows Defender | Free version available for Windows XP. Windows Vista has Defender included automatically, but may not be turned on. Cleans off almost all spyware, keystroke grabbers, etc. from a Windows-based computer. Recommended! |
| Spyware Blaster | SpywareBlaster doesn't scan for and clean spyware - it prevents it from being installed in the first place. Free tool. (I use Windows Defender, Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy on most of my computers) |
| Spybot Search and Destroy | Free version available. Cleans off almost all spyware, keystroke grabbers, etc. from a Windows-based computer. If you use Internet Explorer to surf the Internet, your computer is running slow, the home page on IE changes without your intervention, etc. then your computer probably has spyware on it. Use Spybot to find and remove it. Highly recommended! |
| Xoft Spyware Scanner | Finds more spyware but you have to remove it manually or buy the software. The scan is free. |
Best Anti-Ad Software | |
| Ad-Aware | Free version available. Cleans off the "markers" (your personal information) that popup and other type of ads use. Highly recommended for all Windows-based computers! (Select the free "Personal" version) |
Best Anti-Spam Software | |
| Email-Remover | Free software for "POP" mail accounts, but you have to run it before accessing your mail so it's a two-step process. Not normally used with web-based email programs. |
| Check out this good but incomplete review of anti-spam software for other inexpensive options. | |
Best (Free) Anti-Virus Software | |
| AVG Free Edition! | This is a free edition of the AVG software for home use. The Grisoft company has been providing this option for several years and it has a significant user base throughout the world. They sell the software to companies, give discounts to schools, churches, etc. and give the Free Edition away for home use. |
Best Browser Software | |
| Firefox! | Free, fast, blocks pop-ads, convenient tabbed browsing of multiple sites and it is immune from the countless security vulnerabilities that Internet Explorer is susceptible to. The use of Firefox has reduced the spyware and adware found on our computers by 90%. |
| Sea Monkey! | Same as Firefox but also includes a webpage editor and Email software. |
Handy Windows Utilities | |
| Wise Registry Cleaner and Disk Cleaner! | Download the "Free" versions of the Wise Registry Cleaner and Disk Cleaner. These utilities will help you safely remove unnecessary files on your disk and unnecessary entries in the main "registry" file. A clean disk and registry will enable your computer to run faster and safer. |
Recommended General Sites: | |
| ZDNET | Search for SPAM > “Anti-SPAM Downloads, Spyware or Adware”. A list of available software will appear. Select “Mac Downloads” if looking for Mac software. Most of the software available is free or shareware (try before you buy). |
| ScamBusters | |
| Getting Rid of SPAM | |
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