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Anti-spyware software review

Anti-spyware means

Let us introduce you to the brief description of the most popular solutions of anti-spyware market. This review doesn’t claim to be a complete one (taking into consideration the amount of products available for users) and particularly is not a recommendation for purchasing of a particular commercial product. All the trademarks mentioned below are the property of their respected owners.

Ad-Aware SE from Lavasoft

It is one of the first and well-known anti-spyware solutions, which up till now is on the top of personal protective means market. Among the capabilities of this program one should mention its flexibility: the possibility to broaden its capacities due to plug-ins like LSP Explorer and FileSpecs.

Ad-Watch monitor that works in real time mode protects computer from adware and spyware infection during work in Internet. Besides, there is support of skins and language files, which makes the program interface flexible and can be easily tuned according to user’s taste.

Microsoft AntiSpyware

This product is currently at beta testing stage. The product appeared following the acquisition of Giant company by Microsoft. In one’s time MS AS fell a victim to a worm that disabled the program during attacks. This vulnerability was fixed in the present version. Microsoft was subjected to criticism for the «too gentle policy» of MS AS concerning some spyware components like Claria (Gator, GAIN). In that situation a user of the program was offered to ignore presence of those components. Now Microsoft is planning to include in the project ability to detect rootkits. This functional capability is already included in Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool and in a less known research project Microsoft Ghostbuster Strider.

Spybot — Search & Destroy

Is also a well-known anti-spyware solution. Besides common functions of scanning and removal, there is Secure Shredder tool that helps to delete files safely; Immunize tool, which is analogous to SpywareBlaster for preventive blocking of spyware. TeaTimer — a real time tool that views different components of operating system. Among the above-mentioned features the program has protective means for Internet Explorer and Opera browsers. The program also supports different design styles.

SpySweeper from Webroot Software

It is an anti-spyware scanner, which can also work in real time mode. The company that created this program is known for its researches in spyware. Opportunity to receive and read news concerning spyware can be marked as a distinctive feature of this product.

SpywareBlaster from Javacool Software

In contrast to the above-mentioned solutions, SpywareBlaster is not a scanner but a preventive blocking means, which protects Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers. Is recommended to use with Ad-Aware for users who prefer Mozilla Firefox. Accordingly, Spybot — Search & Destroy will help followers of Opera.

iKnow Process Scanner

It is a diagnostics means that helps to discover suspicious processes and to get their description from the constantly updatable base. If you suspect there is spyware and you don’t have time or possibity to carry out check with the help of such scanners like Ad-Aware and Spybot-S&D, then this program appears to be an excellent one.

RootkitRevealer from Sysinternals

It is a means of detection of the most stealthy and potentially dangerous programs — rootkits, which penetrate deep into operating system and serve as cover to spyware. SONY spyware rootkit was detected with the help of RootkitRevealer. The information about that was reported to the general public, and that forced SONY to stop using its dangerous copy protection means.

Article Source: http://www.iKnowProcess.com/

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