Removing Spyware

Featured Article:
May 20th, 2012

The Best Programs For Removing Spyware
By Raven X
As a former employee in a computer repair shop, I was often asked what the best programs were for removing spyware. Well, to be honest: what would my boss think if I told all our customers not only the best programs for removing spyware from their PCs, but also programs that would keep spyware off for good? Yes, the answer is I probably would be my customers’ best friend, but wouldn’t be getting a promotion to anything other than the unemployment line!

So when recommending the best programs for removing spyware, I would first list the criteria as to what makes for a“best program”. In other words, what makes a program so effective at removing spyware, and what should you look for? In all my experiences with looking at how jacked up all the spyware-ridden PCs were that came into our shop (and there were some bad ones), I’ve put together a list of 5 things that the BEST spyware programs should have:

#1 – A good detection rate – this is essential, and it may or may not surprise you to know that not all anti-spyware programs are created equal. They all have their own lists that they use in order to detect spyware on your computer. In several programs that I have tested, I have seen some that range from catching 100% of the spyware on my computer, to ones that only catch 1 out of every 4-5…and even worse. Unfortunately, the best way to determine the best software here is to test all of them – or read reviews from someone knowledgeable who has.

#2 – A good anti-keylogger – Keyloggers are programs that detect everything that you type out on your keyboard. Every time you tap a key, that letter, number or symbol is recorded by the keylogger program. You can imagine the uses: everything from stealing your password, to capturing valuable banking or credit card information. The best programs for removing spyware eliminate these pests.

#3 – A good drive-by blocker – Drive-bys, or “drive-by installations” are computer programs that your PC downloads without your knowledge. How does this happen? Simple: just go to an infected website, and the author of the site downloads the nasty spyware program onto your computer. How do you know which websites to avoid? You don’t. Your protection? That’s right: a good anti-spyware that detects when your computer is downloading a program, alerts you to it, and gives you the option to proceed with the download, or block it.

#4 – A good trojan blocker – Trojans are code that it placed on your computer that gives the perpetrator FULL access to your PC. That’s right: anything from opening files to deleting them, sending out email in your name, even turning your PC off – the trojan is a nasty demon indeed. The best programs detect and remove these critters.

#5 – A good user interface – The best programs for removing spyware don’t confuse you with complex screens and needless options. They offer you a method to easily set up a scheduled scanning session (most of them do this by default, without you having to touch a thing), and will inform you of the scanning results. If there is spyware found, you are notified accordingly. The scan should be quick and easy, with little to no slowdown of your PC.

And those are the basics. Some of the best programs for removing spyware will feature extras, such as the option to block programs that start up with your computer, or “active protection” that screens every single site you go to before you actually visit it. But these are advanced options, and the best programs ultimately are the ones that perform all 5 of the criteria above. If you find two similarly ranked “best programs” which are equally good at removing spyware, then the choice is usually up to the user as to which “best program” seems the easiest to use and deploy for them. Pricing is also a consideration in those situations. But overall, when searching for the best programs for removing spyware, you will want the program that helps remove spyware from your system completely and efficiently. Take it from a tech: look for programs that fit the 5 criteria above and you will get the best protection for your investment.

Raven X, writer and PC technician

For more information, and a list of some of the best programs available for removing spyware, go to:http://www.squidoo.com/best-programs-for-removing-spyware

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