Security Software

Spyware detection and removal

Applications that we have used and would recommend:

Often starting CWS Shreader is a good first step in any removal.

Grisoft (the makers of AVG Antivirus), have recently acquired Ewido antispyware. This is a good application that not only implements spyware scanning, but also offers realtime protection and detection.

Although once a mainstay of many cleanup operations, Spybot Search & Destroy by Patrick M. Kolla and Ad-Aware by Lavasoft, alas are now getting a bit out of date, but may still be worth a try.

HijackThis by Tomcoyote can also be very usful for working out what is going on.

Microsoft Anti Spyware also has a removal facility - see below.

Spyware infection prevention

Following Microsofts aquisition of Giant software, they have now released their own version of Giants good anti spyware tool, under the banner of Microsoft Anti Spyware. This application (currently in Beta test) is a useful addition to the armoury and provides real time monitoring anb blocking of many of the typical activities carried out by spyware applications.

SpywareBlaster by Javacool Software is a static immunisation application that will block access to know spyware sites and pages.

SpywareGuard by Javacool Software

Also worth reading from the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional web page see:
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

Startup Control

Sometimes it is handy to control what software starts automatically on your computer. Try StartupList by Merijn

Firewalls

The following links are to personal firewall programs. Each of these suppliers have at least one version that is available free of charge.

Agnitum Outpost
Sygate Personal Firewall
Zone Labs Zone Alarm

Other Resources:

There is a very good tutorial page that contains a large collection of links to online security resources here on the PlusNet web site.