I have been battling spyware [Mal-ware of all sorts] for over 1 1/2 years now.
I started with the free and demo versions of software, like spybot.

It can be hard to find out what WORKING products are actually available out there.

Today, if you do a search for Anti-spyware reviews, you will find way too many that are simply ADVERTISING PLOYS and apparently NOT real side-by-side comparisons.
I looked long and hard to find some useful anti-spyare reviews.

My first full [purchased] version of an anti-spyware package was Xcleaner by xblock.
I like it's other utilities better than it's spyware catching abilities. I rate it a middle-of-the-road, as far as detection goes.
2nd, I read about Spysweeper by webroot, as a high rated software, in several reviews.
NOTE: They actually give you a FULLY functional, working demo. How they keep you from infinitely using it for free, is that they give you only ONE spyware definitions update, which is only available DURING setup/installation.
You can scan network drives with it too.
I give spysweeper a 2 thumbs up!

3rd, a friend had picked up an UGLY browser hijacker. She used the Xcleaner demo and the spysweeper demo and neither could clean it.
So I remember that Pestpatrol was rated rather highly in the past, so I went looking for a demo.
I discovered that STOMP [www.stompinc.com]
has a re-packaged version of Pestpatrol called Spyware X-terminator.
The thing about it vs. the original pestpatrol is that Stomp's version appears to function identically, yet costs 10 to 20 bucks cheaper. [Note: found it being clearanced at OfficeDepot stores for only 12 or 14 bucks, as of June 20th, 2004]
I bought 2 copies of Spyware X-terminator and installed one at home, one at work.
When I ran it, I found a few softwares/cookies that Spysweeper had missed. Plus, it cleaned my friend's pc, hte one who picked up a browser hijacker.
You can scan network drives with it too.
This one I also give a 2 thumbs up.

**4th, FREE SOFTWARE
[if you meet the terms]
Until sometime in June or July 2004, MCAFEE is giving all users of VIRUS SCAN 3 or 4 some fREE software,as part of a
class-action settlement.
Details at:
- http://software.mcafee.com/lcas/
-
I chose their version of an ANTI-SPYWARE software.
It did not seem to find anything.
My impression of it, middle-of-the-road.

4th, Okay. So I now own 4 different FULL versions of anti-spyware software.

5th, Then I found another company called www.aluriasoftware.com and they have a product called spyware eliminator.
This product seems to do a good job detecting spyware. It rated #2 in one anti-spyware review.

6th, I really didn't find anyway around buying several of these packages.
BUT, one way to sometimes get pricebreaks is to go to each company's website and sign up for their newsletter.
After a few weeks, some companies will knock off 10 or 20 bucks, a special offering to their newsletter customers. When a product goes for 25 or 30 bucks, a 10 or 20 dollar pricebreak can make it worthwhile.

Below are details on the mcafee settlement, which could qualify you for free software:
--------------------------------
http://software.mcafee.com/lcas/
--------------------------------
Class Action Settlement for VirusScan version 3 and 4 users
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit over McAfee VirusScan versions 3 and 4. If you are a U.S. resident and you bought a retail version of McAfee VirusScan version 3 or version 4, then you are a member of the class. As a member of the class, you may receive a free download version of your choice of one of the three McAfee perpetual products: (1) VirusScan version 8, (2) AntiSpyware version 1.0, or (3) QuickClean version 4.01 (collectively "Software").




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