Free anti-parasite software

• LavaSoft Ad-Aware is the original anti-adware tool. It has a good database of adware and spyware.
• Spybot Search & Destroy is an impressive one-man effort from PepiMK Software. Its large database targets premium-rate diallers as well as adware and spyware; it can also remove usage records and keyloggers.
• SpywareBlaster by JavaCool takes a different, complementary approach. Instead of detecting or removing its targets, it inoculates your computer by telling it never to execute certain software. This stops you downloading some types of parasite, and stops others from working. However, like the script on this page, it can only target ActiveX controls, so it is not a complete solution.

Commercial anti-parasite software

• Aluria’s Spyware Eliminator aims to remove parasites cleanly. Free trial available.
• Webroot’s Spy Sweeper is a newer application. Free trial available (no updates); there is also a limited scanner-only 'SpyAudit' download which is not worth bothering with.
• PestPatrol is an established anti-trojan application that now targets unsolicited commercial software as well as more traditional hacker tools. Free trial available.
• ITCompany's SpyRemover is a commercial program based around code from Spybot.

This page last updated 08/06/08

Since July 1, 1999