Anyone know a free spyware remover?

[Ferox]

My computer's in a bad way. Blue screens of death, altered functioning, hyjacked internet and a big blue desktop that says I have spyware.

However, AVG doesn't detect it. I downloaded a few 'free' anti-spyware programs but they wont remove the spyware unless I pay for them and register.

Does anyone know any free ones that will save me?

[MynameisJJ]

Well my top 2 would be Spybot - Search & destroy and Ad Aware nonetheless I have removed Ad Aware after 4 years of using it. The new version of Ad Aware was so bloated and fancy that it froze my computer. I'm still using Spybot - Search & Destroy. How could I forget ... I'm also using Spyware Blaster. Love Spyware Blaster.

You should visit

Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews - Download.com

Cheers,

JJ

[Ferox]

I had already tried spybot search and destroy- it can't find its own updates so it wont function.

Neither will ad-aware, ad-watch, xoftSpySE or Spyware doctor. I think i'm buggered.

[Skolor]

God no. I wouldn't touch anything from download.com, I've got so much spyware from them.

Most likely the problem is with the spyware, a lot of the newer stuff will hijack your anti-virus/spyware software and not let it do any scanning at all. Its a big problem if you're trying to do a scan, but the program which does the scanning has been taken over by what its looking for.

I'm working on a bootable CD which will do a scan without loading windows, so that that kind of stuff can't happen. I'm just evaluating what anti-virus software to use right now, so once I do that I'll send you all the details on making it.



EDIT- Well, forget about that. I was planning on basing it off of Bart PE, but decided to look into UBCD, which is supposed to be an offshoot of it. Turns out UBCD has 10 different anti-spyware programs and 5 different anti-virus tools. I think that that is more than appropriate, and should do just about anyone good. You'll need a cd-burner, and a cd for Windows XP (plus a product key), but most computers come with those now.


EDIT-EDIT- Just make sure to do this when you build the CD.

[sukosaki]

Do you have a system restore point set on your computer? maybe you can just "reset" back to that date and all will be well.

[The1337]

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - AntiAdware, AntiSpyware, AntiMalware!

It's considered the best AS program by mostly everyone that knows about computer security.

[Skolor]

Originally Posted by The1337

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - AntiAdware, AntiSpyware, AntiMalware!

It's considered the best AS program by mostly everyone that knows about computer security.

Not saying I don't trust you... I just don't trust any software, especially in the volatile Malware market. Considering that SuperAntiSpyware has been out for over 2 years, and no one has bothered to do a real benchmark of it. My 10 minute Google search turned up posts from 2006 claiming it was good software, but, strangely, no one has done any significant benchmarking, its just people saying "Yeah, this is good stuff."

Personally, I'd want to see some numbers before I trust them.

[CaffinePhil]

I also use SUPERAnti Spyware along with Spybot S&D and AVG.
Not much they don't catch between them.

Why not try one of these:

I’m No Electrician | Tech Blog » Blog Archive » Gadget of the Week - #1 Yoggie Gatekeeper

[Bloggeries]

Pretty sure Ad-Aware is free but only works when you run it. Have to buy premium for all protection. Unless you got majorly seedy sites; chances are it's just cookies that it will find.

[Strongbow]

Had an attack myself recently and surprisingly windows defender seemed to do just as well as some of the solutions i paid for.