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Best Free Adware-Spyware-Scumware Remover
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Introduction
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The internet is a dangerous place to be in the 21st century, with many people using increasingly ingenious ways to part you with your hard earned cash, whether it be by exploitation, surreptitiously harvesting your credit card and bank details for their own nefarious purposes, or tempting you to spend money on products and services that you neither need nor want. During the latter years of the 20th century, and the early years of the 21st, Spybot S&D and AdAware were kings, protecting you from all manner of malware that tried to infect your computer with the sole intention of parting you from your wallet. But as technology improves, so do the malware writers, and the kings of yesterday in terms of protection may no longer be up to the job. With every new generation of malware, there will be a new generation of software to combat it, and in my own tests, these are the best free products I recommend. |
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Discussion
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Top of the list is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free (MBAM). MBAM is a top notch and reputable product. A fairly lightweight download (just over 10 MB) and simple installation means this is not a burdensome product. In my testing, even when the PC was severely infected with many nasties running, it started without any problem and scanned and removed those nasties effectively. The interface is very simple, the scans are very fast and detection is first class. A reboot to complete cleaning was still required for some malware, though this is a minor inconvenience, and required by most programs of this type. The only downside is it has no portable version, and if there is no working network connection in the infected PC you won't be able to download the latest virus definition updates. Second is SUPERAntiSpyware (SAS). Once upon a time this was a good product but recent releases have not been up to the mark. The interface is simple, updates are speedy but it still installs a start-up item which doesn't actually do anything at all. The scan speed is twice to thrice that of MBAM and the detection is less than half of it. The removal also left a lot to be desired. It left a few nasties running even when it showed them as removed. SAS also requires a reboot to complete the removal process. The upside is, it has a portable version which will help with the removal of infections from computers without a working network connection. I hope version 5 brings improvements. ~~~~~ Below is the old review which is still going to be updated ~~~~~
Top of the list once again is SuperAntiSpyware, which successfully detected and cleaned 121 threats on my test system. A fairly lightweight download and simple installation (5.99 MB) mean that this is not a burdensome product. If anything the general package whilst aesthetically similar, has improved, managing to detect and clean after a single scan rather than the two scans required previously. A reboot to complete cleaning was still required, though this is a minor inconvenience, and required by most packages. If I had to raise a criticism, it's that the freeware version still installs a start-up item which doesn't actually do anything at all. In the paid version, it loads the always on protection which is not available in the freeware version. This minor annoyance aside, it remains my top recommendation.
Promoted this time to joint second place is Emsisoft Anti Malware free edition, and let me be very clear that it is ONLY the free edition that I am able to recommend. Emsisoft Anti Malware was able to identify just 43 infections; though some of the more serious threats identified by SAS were included in these. If we disregard tracking cookies, then the margins narrow. However, detection rate is only half the battle, and unfortunately EAM was unable to automatically clean some of the more virulent infections found by itself. Nevertheless, it helpfully provides a link to forums for manual removal instructions.
The downside of EAM is the download size, being a huge 91.69 MB, immediately followed by further updates. Anyone on restricted bandwidth or dial up may be advised to look elsewhere, but for an average broadband connection this should not be a factor.
Separating A2 and MBAM is almost impossible. I found them to be on a par with each other regarding their scans, but both require a technical proficiency that many may not possess; A2 requires manual removal of many threats, whilst MBAM forced me to jump through hoops to get it working.
PCTools SpywareDoctor SE also performed well in scanning, finding 24 threats (excluding cookies). Unfortunately, cleaning the system proved more problematic. Despite reporting successful cleansing, SD failed to terminate processes already running, and did not in fact clean some of the more annoying infections. It would also be useful if SD prompted a reboot after cleansing, though it did not do this, and only experience dictated that this would be a good idea.
SD does, however, include real time protection, which most other products don't, and this protection did block those infections that it had failed to clean. Nevertheless, a further scan and clean with SAS was needed to fully clean my test system. A fine effort, but sadly falling short of the mark. Do note that the free version is no longer available from the PCTools website. It can be obtained as part of the Google pack, or from *here. *Warning: This is a Cnet download link. Downloads from Cnet (Download.com) now require the use of a proprietary installer.
Old timer Ad-Aware, coming in at 35.7MB performed reasonably, if not exceptionally, finding a further 24 infections even after cleaning with A-squared, 4 of which represented real threats, whilst the remaining 20 were cookies.
Doing less well in on demand tests were Spybot S&D, and The Cleaner 2010. Spybot was the other program that was actively blocked from running, and nothing I tried could overcome this. It does come with an on demand file scanner which can be run from the command line and set to scan your entire drive. However, after letting this run for over an hour and noting that progress had barely touched my relatively small installation system (2.1 GB) I cancelled. It would take an age to complete the scan, and would only examine files. Registry entries and services would be left untouched. The Cleaner 2010 found absolutely none.
Arovax Shield is still in development, and starting to mature, though there are still bugs to be ironed out. For example, once installed, and after the obligatory reboot to enable it to start it's services, it immediately complained that it could not find Firefox. This is no surprise since FF was not installed on the test system, though I fail to see why it should prevent it from doing its job. Maybe as time progresses this will become more viable, but in my opinion it isn't quite there yet.
And so that leads us to my standard "other recommendations". Internet Explorer has now reached version 8, which I am sure will become the most prolific web browser before too long, and as such will be the most heavily targeted. I stand by previous recommendations that an alternative browser (of which there are many free ones these days, including Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome and Safari) will offer a safer browsing experience.
And in order to shut the door after the horse has bolted, there are few more useful than HiJack This, which is still a tool requiring expert help, but can be invaluable in helping to clean an infected system. Fortunately, the expert help is still only a forum away.
And as always, let common sense guide you. Don't run a program from an untrusted source, and don't visit websites where infection is likely. You should also beware of popups from programs that you haven't installed, some of the fake anti-spyware I managed to pick up in my browsing sessions was surprisingly convincing. Remember, sometimes malware will scream into your face that it is there (see pic, not a genuine window amongst them). It will just not tell you what it really is.
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Related Products and Links
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Some issues have been reported on 64 bit systems
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Editor
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This software category is in need of an editor. If you would like to give something back to the freeware community by taking it over, check out this page for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here |
The comments section below is so lengthy that it has become difficult for our visitors to read. Future posts will now be edited for length and repetition, and personal attacks deleted. You are all welcome to join our Security Forum which is much better-suited for intensive debate.
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Comments
Cool, but it still looks pretty good.
Hi Linda,
With regard to Avast I think it's a very good anti-virus especially if you install it in a clean copy of windows. Personally I use Avira Personal Antivirus but I have friends who use avast and are quite satisfied with it. The programme gets better with every new release. It has a very strong protection, it's light on resources, it's not intrusive and the latest version includes an antivirus + anti-spyware engine and it also detects rootkits on your system.
Cheers
Mark
Well I did a lot more research on both Threatfire and Drivesentry and tried both out for myself and now I have absolutely no idea. They both seem to be different but equal and judging by all of the supposed vulnerabilities I read about each of them, I'm not sure if either is enough.
From what I read in the respective product page, the free version of SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware do not have realtime protection. Doesn't it mean low protection level?
For realtime protection, should I use Comodo BOClean or Threatfire instead? I am currently using Spyware Terminator (with realtime protection) that was previously recommended here.
Hi
It doesn't mean it provides low protection. But if they had real-time it can block malware before it activates.
I think you should use ThreatFire with SAS and MBAM.
Hi
I think DriveSentry is mainly file and registry protection, while ThreatFire monitors process for suspicious activity.
I've heard that DriveSentry currently still has quite a few bugs though.
I've heard that Threatfire now contains a keylogger, and it cant be detected because it uses the keyboard filter method, the old product, cyberhawk detected threatfire as a keylogger itself when i went to upgrade it!
Yes, and i still have a copy of Ginat anti-spyware, guess what? it found trojans that windows defender missed and i almost executed a horrible virus and windows defender did nothing, then giant anti-spyware popped up warning me it was trying to destroy my system, MICROSOFT!! WHY DID YOU MAKE WINDOWS DEFENDER SUCK SO BAD!!! GIVE US BACK GIANT ANTI-SPYWARE OR WE WILL GET RID OF WINDOWS AND MOVE TO LINUX!!!
Thanks for the tip regarding virus total. At this point I am having problems uploading the file. Any ideas. Thanks in advance.
Superantispyware and Malwarebytes antimalware have free on-demand scanners, but the real0time protection is only available in the paid versions.
For free real time protection, you can use Boclean (a signature based program that detects all kinds of malware), or Threatfire (mainly a blocker of malicious like behavior), or both (for those that are ultra paranoid). Note that neither of these obviates the need for a real-time antivirus program (which should be used in even if you use Boclean and/or threatfire).
This comes from an old post:
Commonly used real-time protection that is free:
Commodo Boclean (http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.html) - no on demand scanner, only real-time protection against trojans, worms, keyloggers, spyware, rootkits, adware, etc. Very user friendly and has daily updates.
Threatfire (http://www.threatfire.com/) - has real-time protection and monitors your system for suspicious activity to catch new unknown malware. If your firewall (or other security program) has HIPS, then you do not need threatfire.
I use both of these and they complement my antivirus and firewall protection.
Some programs that require you to pay for real-time protection: Malwarebytes antimalware, A-squared, super-antispyware. I have not used these for real-time protection, but they come highly recommended on many forums.
Has anyone checked out Hitman Pro? It combines different anti-spyware programs to effectively get almost all of the spyware on your computer.
Hi
I think it works similar to a keylogger to detect them.
Hi
Does it just install a bunch of anti-spyware programs?
Thanks
I tried out Hitman pro, and I noticed they use old, outdated anti-spyware programs.
I can't say this often enough. There are many free options out there for detecting malware, and what works well for one person, may not work so well for another. To some degree, the effectiveness of anti malware will be dictated by your browsing habits.
I have tried to round up the best all rounders here, but some of you may more success with one particular set of tools than another. Short of inatlling every anti-malware you can lay your hands on, you have to find the balance that will work for you.
The point I am trying to make is - choose your own, and use what works best. Don't rely on someone else's choice and leave it at that. I grow suspicious of packages like Hitman when the original may be based on commercial interest.
Steve
Awesome. You do a great job managing this constantly changing category of products. I'm personally getting tired of some of them coming out with new builds every day, SAS has come out with a couple Betas in a very short period of time and I'm just going to wait for them to settle down.
I'd also like to see some comment about immunization programs, such as Spywareblaster or Advanced WindowsCare. Are these helpful at all if you use something like Firefox? I personally rely on just Avira and Comodo Firewall and SAS, and then if I get a single detection I download more stuff, not that I have gotten any detections in awhile. I like how the article gives a good commentary on strategy, but maybe it could break down different competing strategies in a similar way that Gizmo does on his article on protection.
Thanks again!
Yeah, that is true. Fortunately, they are coming out with Hitman Pro 3, where you don't have to install those sluggish programs.
Yes, the deal is finished, I try to download the page and it took me to a free download page and is going to be good only for 30 days, and it is the downgraded spydoctor ware
Hi
I saw this great website talking about Safe Web Practices - How to Remain Safe on the Internet.
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/safe_web.html
I just wonder why a-Squared is mentioned in the chapter anti-trojans as the software of choice against Trojans when SUPERAntispyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware are supposed to do the same job and more !!!
Different editors point of view ?
Very good for begginers.
As I've mentioned before, some products are more effective against specific threats than others. My own testing was non-specific, and this is represented by my own recommendations with SAS and MBAM being the best all-rounders.
It is equally possible that in more specific testing, A-Squared may have performed better.
Steve
Windows defender is the most hopeless product from Microsft ( or is it vista hmmmmmm...)
Now running:
Browser: Opera.
Firewall: Comodo.
Active protection: Avira, Comodo BOClean, Sandboxie (for web surfing).
Immunization: Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search&Destroy (only immunization, resident shield is disabled), Advanced Windows Care Personal.
On-demand scanners: Spybot Search&Destroy, Ad-Aware, SUPERAntispyware, Malwarebytes Anti-malware.
Lightweighted "suite" and so far running without any conflicts ;)
(Windows XP SP3, Pentium 1.60GHz, 512MB RAM)
Yep. That should keep you safe :)
Steve
Is Spyware Terminator any good? The antivirus integration (optional) seems like a good idea...
I have to be honest and say that it's been a while since I tried SpywareTerminator, but that's simply because I got frustrated by the lack of updates. As with other protection, it's real value is difficult to gauge, purely because you don't know if it's doing it's job, or you are simply employing safe browsing techniques.
ST is a blocker, rather than a scanner, and I can honestly say that whilst I was using it I had no serious threats on my system. Having said that, I haven't had any since I stopped using it either.
I'm seriously considering a further re-write of the article above to try to alleviate some of the paranoia that security software induces. Whilst there are undoubtedly threats out there, my own testing going in hunt of them shows that you practically have to be searching to find them. I would bet good money that the worst threat most people encounter (well, those who take sensible precautions) is the odd tracking cookie, which is no threat at all.
Having said that, there will always be a need for on demand scanning. I'm just becoming less convinced that there is a real world requirement for real time protection from spyware/adware.
For the record. I deliberately exclude viruses from my comments, since they pose a different, and potentially fatal (for your system) threat. Recommendations for anti virus can be found here.
Steve
I hope that Defender SKEPTICS see this post. In a recent on-demand test with 94,291 (yes, that's correct!) spyware and ad-aware samples, Defender scored 97.1%, better than AVG, Bitdefender, Dr.Web, Mcafee, Rising, and just slightly worst than the paid version of Antivir and the free or paid (?) Avast. I can hear the screams already...
AntiVir Premium 99.0%
Avast! 98.3%
AVG 87.0%
BitDefender 2008 87.8%
BitDefender 2009 88.0%
Dr Web 89.6%
McAfee 94.5%
Microsoft/Defender 97.1%
Rising 77.5%
http://www.virusbtn.com/news/2008/09_02
That result concerns to Windows Live OneCare (payed software), not to Windows Defender (freeware).