<p>OK, all my computer savvy friends in CC land: it is my understanding that there are some good spyware programs out there available as shareware.</p>
<p>Any good programs I can get off the internet? Or do I need to stop by Best Buy in the near future? Bottom Line: which one do you like?</p>
<p>I use AVG–there is a free version, but I bought the pay version. Works against viruses, etc. also. You have the program run a scan and then delete the spyware. You would be surprised how many tracking cookies your system runs up in just one day of internet use. It’s been a while since I’ve had an actual virus/Trojan horse, etc.</p>
<p>I think most people will tell you to run more than one program, as different programs pick up different things.</p>
<p>Spybot works well.</p>
<p>Use Microsoft’s Windows Defender (free): [Windows</a> Defender - Spyware Protection for Free](<a href=“Cloud Security Services | Microsoft Security”>http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)</p>
<p>Avast antivirus (includes anti-spyware and anti-rootkit) is excellent. Probably the best I’ve used. See: [FREE</a> avast! antivirus 4.x Home Edition, anti-spyware & anti-rootkit for Windows](<a href=“http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html]FREE”>Download Free Antivirus Software | Avast 2024 PC Protection)</p>
<p>Of course, if you use a Mac, you have a bit less to worry about. It’s not Windoze. ;)</p>
<p>If you check out cnet.com they have reviews of current free spyware. Download.com is part of the same company and you can review and ownload pretty easily there. Also, I’ve read lots of recommendations that say you shouldn’t run more than one spyware program because they can interfer with each other, but I don’t know enough about it to know what the truth is in that.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the advice! Once again, my friends at CC have come through!</p>
<p>I use Adaware, which is available free. It seems to work pretty well.</p>
<p>I like Spybot (which is free).</p>
<p>Hijack This is great. But it takes a lot more skill and effort to use.</p>
<p>Adaware and Spybot are both free and work wonderfully. I might also consider Webroot Spysweeper, which isn’t free, but is very good.</p>
<p>Bullet:</p>
<p>I assume you mean an anti-spyware program (to protect against spying software) as opposed to a spyware program (to see what users of the computer are up to).</p>
<p>I also use Adaware and Spybot. I haven’t found that Windows Defender has ever found an infection - when I know they are there.</p>