The key advantage of Malware Defender, however, is that it is very low on resources despite featuring a realtime protection system, process manager, kernel module manager, hooks detector, autostart application manager, file explorer and a registry Editor. Combined, these protect your from viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, spyware, keyloggers and rootkits.

Malware Detector doesn't seem to be the most intuitive program to use. The reason it is so lightweight is that it's very stripped down, meaning that the results are reduced to nothing more than a crude list of its functions and status. It does however run incredibly discreetly which makes you wonder whether it's really having an effect but it seems to pick up everything that Adaware, etc. finds.

Malware Detector is probably not a great starting app for beginners but if you need a lightweight malware scanner, it's a decent option as long as you know what you're doing.

Download Malware Defender 2.4.4 in Softonic

The interface of IObit Security 360 Pro is attractive and very clear. There are four main sections, Overview, Scan, Protection and Tools.

In the first, Overview, you'll see a summary of your system's status, based on any scans IObit Security 360 Pro has done. You can also perform a quick 'smart' scan, which will highlight any major problems with your PC.

All scans are done when you want, and IObit Security 360 Pro will not take up system resources by itself. You can do full or custom scans, and set up an automatic schedule too. Detected threats or problems can be deleted automatically, or you can check them out one by one.

As is common with security programs, IObit Security 360 Pro is very good at detecting issues, but not so good at explaining to normal people why a threat is a threat. It also marks all tracking cookies as threats, which isn't always true.

Despite these criticisms, IObit Security 360 Pro does lots of things well. Scans are efficient, the real time protection is good and the selection of tools on offer are very useful.

IObit Security 360 Pro isn't perfect, but it's still an efficient and useful security tool that will help keep your system running smoothly.

Download IObit Security 360 Pro 1.41 in Softonic

The presence of spyware is a constant threat to your computer. It's very easy to end up with it on your PC and a royal pain to get rid of, if you don't know what you're looking for. It can slow down your computer and make running programs difficult. That's why it's so important to make sure you have some form of anti-spyware program running on your computer at all times.

Double Anti-Spy Professional is responsible for detecting and neutralizing spyware on your machine. To prevent your bank details or other personal information from being disclosed, Double Anti-Spy Professional locates potential threats to your information's security and subsequently allows you to remove it from your PC in short order. The nice thing is it does this in real-time, so there's not a whole lot of waiting around once you've found the culprit.

Professional Double Anti-Spy offers three types of scans. Quick Scan finds the most common threats by focusing on the most vulnerable areas of your system. Total Scan inspects your computer from top to bottom in search of threats. Finally, Custom Scan allows you to select files and folders you specifically want to screen.

As far as performance, Double Anti-Spy Professional's full scan of your machine usually takes several minutes. This isn't much to complain about since this tool is pretty effective. Double Anti-Spy Professional allows you to neutralize the threats identified one by one. As extra reassurance, Double Anti-Spy Professional's database of spyware is regularly updated and the software offers one year warranty.

Comprehensive and effective, Double Anti-Spy Professional is a good tool to protect against spyware threats.

Download Double Anti-Spy Professional 2.1.2.3 in Softonic

Luckily there are tools like SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner that make the job easier for you. As you can infer from its name, SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner is a portable app you can run from any removable device to find and remove spyware. It's fast, efficient and really simple to use.

All you have to do is double click the executable file and select the area you want to scan (drives, memory, Registry, etc.). SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner looks for any suspicious element such as Trojans, dialers and adware, and lets you choose between putting them into quarantine or deleting them straight away.

That said, SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner has a couple of annoying features. First, it doesn't have real-time protection; and second, this free version doesn't support scheduled scans. However, being a portable version, SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner has an advantage over the standard desktop version: it doesn’t require installation, and can be stored and run anywhere.

With SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner you can easily scan removable devices and other drives in search of spyware, adware, dialers, Trojans and other threats.

Download SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner 4.41.1000 in Softonic

At first glance, it would seem so. Spyware Doctor is a simple-to-use and efficient program that scans quickly and smoothly and turns up a lot of nasty little surprises that other security tools might miss. The Spyware Doctor scan itself is fast, and plenty of detail is provided about the threats it finds. Given how speedy and subtle it is, there would be no problem running it on start-up to ensure everyday protection. It also seems to co-exist peacefully with other security programs already installed.

Spyware Doctor also hides a few features beyond scanning. The Intelliguard feature is included, although it is limited in the trial version. This tool provides real-time protection against a variety of threats and includes Start-up guard, to prevent malicious programs adding themselves to start-up, and Network Guard, to prevent changes to your network settings. Spyware Doctor also has a comprehensive configuration area where you can tweak the usual suspects such as scan schedule and update options.

There is no doubt that when we tested Spyware Doctor, it found a large number of threats in record time. It was easy to use, and worked smoothly and quietly. The only problem? The trial version only finds your problems; it doesn't actually get rid of them. Since getting rid of these threats is a major part of the program's functions, not showing us if it works or not seems like a major fail. Spyware Doctor may work wonders, but users of the trial version will never know if it's worth the expense.

Spyware Doctor - a seemingly smart program let down by an inadequate trial version.

Download Spyware Doctor 2011 8.0.0.652 in Softonic

Upon installation, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus will perform an 'Intelli-scan', which is a preliminary check of your system for bad files. This is surprisingly fast, and gives excellent results. If you want to fix the problems it finds, you'll need to purchase a registration key.

Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus can also perform a deeper, full scan, although in our tests, the Intelli-scan was thorough enough. Scans can be scheduled automatically, and after fixing problems, your computer will be rebooted and scanned again.

To reduce irritation, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus halts all interruptions if you're playing a full-screen game. On a laptop it will postpone resource-hungry tasks when on battery power. It also installs a range of effective guards, to protect against malicious websites, downloads and attacks.

If you're looking for an effective anti-spyware and virus protection application, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 is an excellent choice.

Download Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 in Softonic

Spyware Terminator includes all the options you expect to find in such a product including those to manually carry out or schedule scans as well as options to deny or allow access to certain programs to your PC.

But Spyware Terminator is not just a spyware scanner. It also includes an antivirus scanner powered by the ClamAV engine. The developers have also seen fit to include a "Web Security Guard" which carries out the the job that most anti-phishing and pop up blockers in Internet Explorer and Firefox already carry out.

Some of the features in Spyware Terminator include shields for unauthorized access, auto-start entries an, downloaded files and browser add-ons among other elements, configurable system scans with support for scheduling, and black and white list for programs you don't want to be analyzied.

Spyware Terminator is a comprehensive security solution that has all avenues of attack covered, as long as you use it in combination with a good antivirus solution.

Download Spyware Terminator 3.0.0.50 in Softonic

Most importantly, this program is completely free, simple to setup and and very straight-forward to use. It works by preventing the installation of adware and spyware by blocking them at source. In this way, you prevent attacks rather than having to scan for installed diallers, trojans and bots later with something like Ad-Aware. Of course, this is no easy task. One annoying aspect used to be that there was no auto update function but this has thankfully been solved in this latest version. Via these updates, the program is constantly updated with a blacklist of potential threats that the program monitors for. However, you do get the slight impression that nothing much is going on when it's installed. It doesn't seem to issue any update messages or warnings although it seems to be doing it's job properly. As a result, for many people, this program may seem a bit too flimsy to trust 100% but if run alongside something like Ad-Aware as a backup tool, you don't have much to lose by trying it.

A valient effort although I still wouldn't change it for the trio of Ad-Aware, SpyBot, and Spyware Terminator.

Download SpywareBlaster 4.5 in Softonic

The first Online-Armor scan is designed to make sure your computer is clean so that it can begin monitoring from a clean page, so to speak. Once you've done this initial step, you'll need to restart your computer and wait a few moments while Online-Armor "learns" about your system. The program will then ask you to allow or block any programs it is not sure about, and then it is up to you to configure it so it can keep you safe while you surf.

The main Online-Armor interface is cleanly organized and easy to navigate. You can carry out a number of commands from the taskbar, which is where you can also view the status of your firewall. From the main window you'll be able to view and modify almost every program on your system, doing things like removing them from the start-up menu and preventing them from automatically operating. For such a wide-ranging program, there are relatively few configuration options, but there is a nice banking mode especially for online personal finances.

Online-Armor's protection is real-time - very real-time. Although it minimizes to the taskbar, a pop-up window will ask you about almost every action you carry out. Obviously this is intended to stop programs that are trying to execute commands without your knowledge, but it becomes irritating very quickly.

It has to be admitted that there are options to accept certain programs outright and remember previous decisions, and after a little work configuring Online-Armor's settings, the number of times it will need to ask you about every single action will drop. Even so, you'll need patience and perseverance, as you cannot disable notifications, even for a little while.

Online-Armor feels very comprehensive, but you'll have to grit your teeth to get through the early learning stages.

Download Online-Armor 4.0.0.15 in Softonic

Security is the most worrying aspect of computers for most users. We're all afraid of having an unwanted visitor in our system, spying on us and stealing our data. But worry no longer. Spy Sweeper 2011 can take care of all those threats. It does so by using what it calls shields: security filters adapted to specific areas such as a web browser, network connections, the Windows system, start-up programs or e-mail attachments.

Each one of these shields can be configured separately according to your needs. Thanks to an extensive and constantly updated database with more than 375,000 entries, Spy Sweeper 2011 can perform exhaustive system scans and find any unwanted computer elements. You can choose between three types of analysis: full, quick, or custom.

Unfortunately, all of Spy Sweeper 2011's scan take about the same amount of time. And it's not a short time, which might be frustrating for some users. As a consequence, Spy Sweeper 2011 is not a program for users who want a quick fix before trying to meet a tight deadline, for example. Instead, plan to wait between fifteen and thirty minutes for your scan to be completed, depending on the size of your PC's hard drive and how much data you have on it.

Once the scan is finished, Spy Sweeper 2011 will move any potentially infected files to quarantine, where you can decide which action to take. Nine times out of ten you're going to want to delete the file, but it's nice to have other options nevertheless. Spy Sweeper 2011 also gives you the chance to schedule scans, so they start at the same time and on the same day automatically every time you want to run them.

Spy Sweeper 2011 is a complete spyware removal tool that protects your PC from online threats.

Download Spy Sweeper 2011 6.1.0.145 in Softonic

When you install SpyBot Search & Destroy, you are immediately given the choice to update, which is of course all important when dealing with the various forms of spyware that you want to be protected from. Unfortunately, when updating, progress can seem rapid and then stop for no apparent reason, for several minutes before finishing off the job.

Once you get over that small hiccup, you are prompted to create a system backup, just in case SpyBot Search & Destroy happens to remove something that is actually quite important for the smooth running of your system. It should go without saying that making this backup is recommended after which you may finally immunize your system with SpyBot Search & Destroy from a growing database of malicious processes.

SpyBot Search & Destroy has plenty of options for tweaking and customizing scans as well as some unrelated functions like the secure shredder and a start-up manager.

Although SpyBot Search & Destroy is a powerful piece of anti-spyware software, it may be better to see it as part of your security solution. For example, team this up with Ad-Aware SE and you should be covered from practically every form of threat to your online safety.

Download SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.6.2 in Softonic

The Malwarebytes Anti-Malware definitions are constantly updated, so you'll always be fully protected. Updates may slow down your PC momentarily, but it's obviously worth it to keep up to date. You can also allow updates to happen automatically, leaving you free to get on with other tasks.

What Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware doesn’t offer real-time protection, but you can scan your machine whenever you like. There are two scan settings with the free version – Full and Quick. If Malwarebytes detects an infection, it will alert you and you can decide what action needs to be taken – or let it make the decision itself. There’s also an Ignore list feature, so the program will know which files, if any, to skip over. The program also blocks known risky websites.

How does the program perform?

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a very solid product. It includes some useful extras, such as context menu integration, and a locked file deletion tool called FileASSASSIN (as demoed in the video above). Even so, you do have to remember to run it if you fear an infection - if you want realtime protection, you’ll need to pay for a Malwarebytes Anti-Malware license.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a powerful, quick malware scanner that’s perfect for the casual – but savvy – user.

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.61.0.1400 in Softonic

This program claims to cover just about anything - malware, spam, spyware, adware, virus, trojans, worms, homepage hijackers and much much more. In other words, it's just about the most all-round solution you can find for attacks and other nasties that try to attach themselves to your system. The program follows the regular format of most anti-spyware software but doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary options and dials. Clicking the "Start" button initiates scans and at the completion of a scan, you're asked to review the results and decide which items you want to remove. Items are ranked in order of potential threat so you can see at a glance which ones pose the biggest threat. Another plus to this system is that unlike many spyware checkers, it's remarkably light on system resources which makes it a good option for those on older machines.

Although I'm not convinced it's removing everything it should, it's still a very comprehensive product that has all possible angles of attack covered.

Download Spy Emergency 10.0.205 in Softonic

In a nicely designed interface, IObit Malware Fighter includes all the tools you need for a safer browsing experience. The Overview window lets you check the computer’s status at a glance; the Scan module offers three types of scan (Smart, Full and Custom); the Protect area includes eight real-time system shields; and finally, the Cloud tab, which allows you to analyze suspicious files online.

The eight shields included in IObit Malware Fighter protect the computer’s startup, currently active processes, cookies and other elements. Should the program find any dangerous activity going on, the potentially risky files will be immediately quarantined.

IObit Malware Fighter is generally easy to use, though having a bit of documentation and more configuration settings would have been great. Also, it seemed a bit overzealous during our tests, marking standard ads as spyware. Then again, better safe than sorry!

IObit Malware Fighter is a nicely-designed security tool that offers real-time protection against spyware.

Download IObit Malware Fighter 1.4 in Softonic

AdwCleaner is a super simple application that has one purpose: find and destroy adware on your machine. There is nothing to install since the application is self contained. This is great as it can be a portable app that you bring on a USB drive to scan multiple computers. It also means that it doesn't touch the Windows registry and makes uninstalling the app as easy as deleting it.

In use, AdwCleaner is extremely quick, and takes only several seconds to scan the entire computer. After the scan, AdwCleaner spits out a text file with a list of the potentially unwanted programs, registry files, and other files it thinks should be deleted. There is no option to change what you want to keep, unfortunately. To clean your computer, simply click the "Delete" button and AdwCleaner will close all open applications and delete the harmful files. A reboot is required after cleaning.

AdwCleaner is a simple to use adware cleaner that works effectively, with a small footprint and quick scanning.

Download AdwCleaner 1.604 in Softonic

While most of the world seems content with using free anti-virus software, many times free programs do not provide real time protection and may only pick up on malware and spyware after your machine is infected. STOPzilla is an antivirus program that works as a preventative measure, so that your computer stays protected at all times.

There are a bunch of great, easy-to-use features in STOPzilla, like a scheduler for scans and adjustments for its built-in popup blocker. Once you're done with the initial setup for STOPzilla, you can just forget about it and have it run in the background.

Performance wise, STOPzilla took a very long time doing an initial full scan of our computer, taking the whole morning. Luckily there are options for a "quick scan" and "intelligent scan." It's also nice to see a chart of what is being scanned in each mode.

Overall, STOPzilla is a great anti malware and spyware software. It's easy to use and provides real time protection. We only wish full scans were quicker.

Download STOPzilla 5.0.98.115 in Softonic

With SuperAntiSpyware you can detect and remove spyware, trojans, dialers, worms, hijackers and rootkits. At the same time, it's very light on your CPU and won't slow it down while scanning so you can work comfortably at the same time.

In addition, SuperAntiSpyware has a special repair utility that tries to fix broken internet connections that have been damaged due to spyware or malware. It also carries out a "pre-emptive" scan which scans 50 critical points of your system during system start-up and shutdown.

On the downside, although the professional version of SuperAntiSpyware protects and blocks in real time, this free version does not provide real-time blocking or scheduled scanning. Also, note that this program doesn't protect against viruses.

SuperAntiSpyware is a powerful Spyware detector and scanner that will ensure that if anything has rooted itself onto your hard drive, you have a good chance of finding it.

Download SuperAntiSpyware 5.0.1150 in Softonic