Download.com guide to Spybot Video
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Spybot - Search & Destroy is a program that can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer.
Download.com guide to Spyware Blaster
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan for and clean spyware - it prevents it from being installed in the first place. SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It can also block spyware/tracking cookies in IE and Mozilla/Firefox, and restrict the actions of spyware/ad/tracking sites. With the built-in Check for Updates feature, you can help ensure your protection is up-to-date. SpywareBlaster also includes a System Snapshot feature, which lets you take a snapshot of your computer in its clean state and later revert, undoing many changes made by spyware and browser hijackers.
Download.com guide to Spyware Doctor
Current PC Magazine Editor's Choice Winner (June 2005), Spyware Doctor is a 5-star rated Spyware remover and provides real-time Anti-Spyware protection against Spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, Spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, phishing attacks and other Malware threats. Additionally it actively protects web browsing using Internet Explorer with a built-in popup blocker and malicious site guard. Spyware Doctor is easy to use and low on PC resources and its super fast scanning speed is delivered by multiple specialized scanners that include Windows registry, file system, processes and tasks, browser, network configuration (including LSP), cookie and an intelligent script scanner. Each scanner specializes in identification of specific traits of infections for more effective detection and removal. Almost any function of Spyware Doctor can be updated through the Live Update process and it is constantly being improved and extended to counteract the nastiest of Spyware threats. The OnGuard feature is designed to provide real time protection and deploys several tools that actively monitor and protect the PC from Spyware attacks. These include immunization, site protection, popup blocking, browser monitor and others. The Free version allows customers to perform scans and remove threats and also Live Update Spyware signatures and functionally. The registered version adds additional tools and real-time OnGuard protection
Spyware Doctor is a spyware remover that provides real-time protection against spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, phishing attacks, and other malware threats.
Download.com guide to HijackThis
If persistent spyware is bogging down your computer, you might need HijackThis. The tiny program examines vulnerable or suspect parts of your system, such as browser helper objects and certain types of Registry keys. Pressing the Scan button generates a log of dozens of items, most of which are just customizations. Don't check off an item and hit the Fix checked button unless you're sure it's malware. Clicking Info on selected item tells you why the entry was flagged as suspicious, but not whether it's actually malware. To find that out, search the Web for that item's name or go straight to a forum, such as SpywareInfo or Computer Cops. Saving the log creates a text document you can post to these forums.
The latest version adds powerful tools to the Config window. The process manager and hosts file editor help you excise virulent infections. The unique ADS Spy tool scans for alternate data streams, which some browser hijackers use to hide from spyware removers. The program still installs into whatever directory in which you unzip the file, which can make it hard to locate. HijackThis is a serious tool for any user who needs to root out a serious infestation, but wield it with caution.
Download.com guide to Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
Appealing to gearheads who don't mind getting their hands dirty, Bazooka scans for spyware and offers detailed instructions on how to remove it. However, many people will prefer an application that removes spyware for them. Installation is simple and the application includes an automatic updater for its spyware-reference database. After the lightning-quick scan, you must be online to access instructions on how to remove any spyware that is found. We would like to see an option for downloading all spyware-removal instructions at one time, making a trip online unnecessary. Online-access issues aside, Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner provides a nice, simple solution to keeping those nasty programs out of your hard drive.
Download.com guide to Registry Mechanic
Although not feature rich, this simple utility checks your registry for errors that can slow down and even crash your computer. Registry Mechanic finds a wide range of defects, including references to already uninstalled programs, missing help files, broken shortcuts, virtual devices, start-up programs, fonts, and configuration files. It also can automatically repair invalid entries at Windows start-up. If removing an entry causes problems with your system, you can restore the registry from backups. Users have a choice of Quick Scan or a more comprehensive Deep Scan, as well as a custom scan option. The aesthetically appealing interface is uncomplicated and easy to use, but Registry Mechanic is a one-trick pony. It does a great job on registry maintenance, but we would like to see other features to help keep computers running smoothly. Any computer user will find Registry Mechanic easy to run and a good way of keeping Windows in tip-top shape.
Click here to download this product from Download.com. Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download the public beta. Boot Camp lets you install Windows XP without moving your Mac data, though you will need to bring your own copy to the table, as Apple Computer does not sell or support Microsoft Windows. Boot Camp will burn a CD of all the required drivers for Windows so you don't have to scrounge around the Internet looking for them. To run XP natively on an Intel-based Mac, once you've completed Boot Camp, simply hold down the option key at startup to choose between Mac OS X and Windows. (That's the "alt" key for you longtime Windows users.) After starting up, your Mac runs Windows completely natively. Simply restart to come back to Mac.At startup, hold down the option key (alt) to choose between Mac OS X and Windows.
Are you tired of downloading multiple apps to maintain and protect your PC? Check out this all-in-one solution which seeks out and removes spyware, gets rid of junk files, scrubs your registry, and optimizes your system all with the click of a button.
HijackThis is a free utility that generates an in-depth report of registry and file settings from your computer.
