RemoveIT is a free trojan, adware and spyware scanner that searches and destroys dangerous viruses, trojans and spyware.

However, the effectiveness of it is open to debate. The developers claim that it's so good, it "locates and removes many new dangerous files including spyware, malware, virus, worms, trojans and adware that other popular AV programs do not find." This program therefore is NOT a real-time scanner - it's based on cleaning-up after something has installed itself on your PC rather than real-time protection which I always think is a dangerous approach.

There's nothing flashy about this program - the interface is based on Windows Explorer shell which also includes a slightly more advanced and expanded version of Windows Task Manager (to stop and block illegal processes) and the same with a Service Manager which gives you an overview of the services and program currently running on your PC. With these tools, you have more control over what runs on your PC both during startup and day-to-day operation. The Services Manager is recommended for beginners as you can see clearly the actual names of the programs running while the Process Manager only shows those files that are running as parts of programs and as a result, you may shut something down that you didn't mean to.

For a free and light malware scanner, this is a solid program although it does not seem to detect anything that other scanners (such as Ad-Aware) can't so it's maybe not as effective as the developers claim.

Download RemoveIT Pro 4 SE 25.9.2008 in Softonic

In the ever increasing battle against malware, you can never have too many good malware removers and detectors. Malwarebytes Anti Malware scans disks and devices connected to your PC and removes all types of malware.

The program is constantly updated with a list of the latest known malware threats across the net so you'll always be fully covered although the update prompts can be annoying and should be switched off. They may also slow down your PC momentarily but it's worth it to keep up to date. The program cannot be schedule to offer real time protection bit it can scan your system at any time. There is also a list for the files in quarantine and one for those which can be ignored. If an infected file is detected, the programs "Fileassassin" can be launched although use it with caution because it is potent and you may end up deleting essential drivers and files.

If you want realtime protection, you can register online although you'll have to pay for this service.

A powerful and quick scanner but it's a shame there's no realtime protection with it.

Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.28 in Softonic

Anti-Trojan Elite (ATE) is a malware remover. Malware is software designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a trojan horse, spyware or a keylogger. Anti Trojan Elite contains a real-time Firewall, monitors system processes and cleans any malware immediately. It is also a system security tool, allowing you to view and control processes and TCP/IP network connections.

Anti Trojan Elite is a trojan/keylogger remover. When the trojan horse will run, Anti Trojan Elite can find out the trojan and stop it in time. Anti Trojan Elite is also a system security tool, it can view the informations of network and process. Anti Trojan Elite can monitor any change of important registry keys and values.

Download Anti Trojan Elite 4.1.3 in Softonic

When it comes to securing your PC nothing is enough. All right, you've already installed an antivirus tool, a firewall and a antispyware solution, but if you still feel unprotected, then maybe this app is for you.

Comodo BOClean is a security tool that prevents any kind of malware from infecting your computer. This includes Trojan horses, keyloggers, rootkits, hijackers and other nasty creatures. The program stays out of sight most of the time, asking for user intervention only in case it detects any threat.

Comod BOClean features pretty self-explanatory configuration settings. On the downside, it doesn't include the option to analyze the system in search of any malware that could have already infected your PC.

Download Comodo BOClean 4.27 in Softonic

We're always being bombarded by warnings about the dangers of malware and although the level of threat is probably not as high as the antivirus companies make out, it's still essential to take precautions. Although it's far from a complete antivirus tool, DriveSentry does a very thorough job of preventing certain applications trying to access the Internet without your knowledge.

A good thing about this program is like, unlike many of its rivals, it doesn't bombard you with pop-up messages warning you whenever a program is trying to access the Net. Instead, you have an easy-to-manage list of programs that are automatically granted permissions, which you can quickly add to at any time.

What's more, permissions can also be applied on a Registry level, meaning you can give writing access to certain common processes. With an instant access System Tray icon thrown in for good measure, this is a great no-frills firewall app for those who want their system protection to be done in the background.

Download DriveSentry 3.1 in Softonic

PC Tools Firewall Plus sits between your computer and your Internet connection, controlling both downloading and uploading traffic and warning you whenever it detects unexpected Internet access or traffic in either direction.

This firewall is surprisingly easy to use; you can start right away, without having to configure anything, something that beginners will be grateful for. These novice users will also be happy to see that the basic functionality of PC Tools Firewall Plus can be tweaked in terms of approved or blocked programs, in the Applications area. However, if you prefer to have more control over the program, you can always use the Advanced Rules section. There's also the possibility to switch between Normal user and Expert user, either during installation or in the program's configuration menu. In this way advanced users will get more detailed messages from the firewall and will also be able to tweak it further.

The program logs all network activities, as well as the number of packets and bytes blocked. But there's one thing I missed: the possibility of having several security levels (like in ZoneAlarm, for example) with which you can quickly change the program's settings.

All the functions in PC Tools Firewall Plus are easily accessible in the firewall's eye-catching interface, just by clicking on their correspondent buttons on the left side. The main window features direct access buttons to the most important areas in the program as well.

With PC Tools Firewall Plus both novice and advanced users can effectively protect their computers by choosing which apps should access the Internet and also blocking any unauthorized attemps to break into your PC.

Download PC Tools Firewall Plus 4.0.0.35 in Softonic

It can sometimes be incredibly frustrating to uninstall programs that have managed to illegally install themselves or don't have a proper installer.

FineUninstall 1.1 is a quick and easy uninstaller which provides an alternative to the Windows Add/Remove software dialog. It's especially useful in cases where Windows uninstaller can't get rid of a program or find the appropriate program to get rid of. In particular, it picks up just about any software installed on your system, even those that have hidden themselves. This is particularly important in detecting keyloogers that remotely install software on your PC and monitor your key strokes from a distance. However, you must be very careful when selecting what to uninstall from the list that FineUninstall gives you as some of them may be essential components. If there are any names or programs listed that you're not sure about, do a Google search to check what it is first otherwise you might end up uninstalling essential drivers or components!

If you're having problems getting rid of pesky software or suspect that you've got malware installed, FineUninstall could help you search and destroy it.

Download Fine Uninstall 1.1 in Softonic

In the never ending battle against spyware and adware that infects Windows with alarming regularity, Spy Emergency is a comprehensive security option.

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 2008 5.0.305.0 in Softonic

The battle against trojans and spyware is a constantly ongoing one but there's no need to spend big money on expensive solutions.

a-Squared is a free anti-spyware/anti-malware scanner that can pick up just about anything that's illegally installed itself on your system. It frees your PC from malware after a simple and fairly quick scan to improve your PC performance and reduce any performance or internet related problems. However, this is one program that does so with caution which is a refreshing change. Instead of just wiping anything off your system, it places those components that are critical to system performance in quarantine meaning that there is less chance of your system becoming unstable after a scan. The program is regularly updated although unfortunately not automatically - you have to instruct it to perform an online update at periodic intervals. The program has clearly been designed with beginners in mind - there are no complicated scanning functions or strange components to deal with. It reminds me somewhat of CCleaner and in a way, performs a similar job but with a focus on malware instead of temporary files.

An extremely simple and affective malware scanner, it should pick up any illegal software that's attached it self onto your system in a safe and secure way.

Download a-squared (a²) Free 3.5.0.25 in Softonic

Boss Everyware monitors computer usage for security, troubleshooting and time tracking purposes. The package includes a highly flexible monitoring program, powerful report tool and configuration utility.

Monitoring program records user activity down to each open window, visited URL and typed keystroke. It is designed to take minimal system resources and does not affect system performance. Activity logs are written in common database formats which enables easy integration of Boss Everyware with a larger IT management system.

Features:

• Detect inappropriate computer and internet use
• Track employee time and attendance
• Collect and analyze data on software use

Report Manager enables log analysis at each level of detail. With a few clicks you get answers to the questions like:

• who is searching job on work time?
• who first ran that malware?
• how much time is spent on email, internet, or working with a specific software?

Configuration utility controls every aspect of computer monitoring and enables easy deployment of monitoring program across your network.

Download Boss Everyware 2.92 in Softonic

Tackling Spyware is an ongoing task that sometimes seems to neverend. Firefox and IE have improved vastly in dealing with them but a lot still gets through.

SuperAntiSpyware is a surprisingly powerful Spyware detector and scanner that ensures that anything that you've downloaded is clear of any nasty software or spyware that might slow down or harm your system. The program 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, it has a special repair utility that tries to fix broken internet connections that have been damaged due to spyware or malware. It's not just a scanner though - it also protects in realtime to ensure that you are constantly protected before malware gets a chance to root itself onto your hard drive.
It also carried out a "pre-emptive" scan which scans 50 critical points of your system during system start-up and shutdown.

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 4.1.1046 in Softonic

The problem with third party firewalls is that sometimes they just simply become a nuisance. Blocking traffic that you want, and rejecting those you need such as daily updates and P2P software. I was therefore pleased to find that Comodo Firewall falls into none of the above categories – simple, effective and discrete, this is definitely one of the better firewalls out there.

Like all firewalls, this program basically filters ingoing and outgoing traffic to your PC. However, in the case of Comodo, it also monitors components such as driver files that are used to initiate network connections as well as other running processes to check for problems. Of course, it also features standard options like port scanning, adjustable security levels and trusted networks etc. The interface is not particularly attractive but it’s easy to find your way around which is the most important thing.

One outstanding feature of Comodo is that you can set it as part of your PC’s boot sequence which means that it’s activated before any pesky program or intruder can access your network connection. It also does not seem to slow down connection speeds like some firewalls do – ZoneAlarm is particularly guilty of this. Many users report on forums that they changed to Comodo for this reason alone,. It’s also much lighter on CPU resources than the former and you won’t find it hogging your RAM.

On the downside, it doesn’t seem very efficient at remembering permissions. On several occasions, it kept asking whether to grant permission to connections that I’d already authorised just seconds earlier. Better to be safe than sorry but this did get a bit annoying.

Overall, Comodo Firewall is easy to use for novice users, but includes enough advanced TCP options for advanced users to customise it for specialised networks. Considering it’s absolutely free – you only need to complete a free registration after 30 days use – this is an excellent firewall.

Download Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.25.378 in Softonic

Words such as "backdoor", "spyware" "worm", "rootkit" or "keylogger" have become increasingly common, and its not pleasant to realise that you have one on your computer. Mamutu (a combination of the words Malware and Mutu together) is designed to stop the malware from spreading.

In effect this is simply a process killer. Thanks to the easy to use interface you can see what processes are running on your system and close those that seem suspicious. In addition, Mamutu controls real-time worms, Trojan horses, spyware, backdoors, dialers and handling programs and so on. The only obstacles are the need to register (you just need to give your email).

This is a useful choice for anyone concerned that their current malware protection system is not picking up harmful threats.

Download Emsisoft Mamutu 1.6.0.0 in Softonic

Ad-Aware is one of the most popular anti-spyware tools, with millions of downloads worldwide, and I bet this number will be increased with the release of Ad-Aware 2008.

Though the interface in itself hasn't changed that much, the new Ad-Aware 2008 includes a few interesting enhancements such as a noticeable improvement in stability and performance, which makes the program a lot lighter on system resources. The rootkit and threat detection tools have also been enhanced for a more efficient protection, together with an all new integrated anti-virus functionality.

Ad-Aware is very easy to install and use, especially if you've been using the previous version, because the program features a similar design. It's constantly updated with new definitions, so that you keep up with the latest online threats and also includes a system restoration point to help you recover your system from a virus or Trojan attack. I especially liked the fact that Ad-Aware supports multiple browsers, which enables you to manage web browsing traces and control your privacy online in Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera.

The program still keeps some functions as exclusive to the Pro and Plus versions (like the customizable scans or the real-time monitor) but still, Ad-Aware 2008 Free is a reliable, effective anti-malware tool that will keep your system safe and sound without disturbing your daily workflow.

Ad-Aware 2008 features an excellent package of security tools with which you can efficiently protect your PC from virus, Trojans, spyware and other undesirable elements.

Download Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8 Free in Softonic

According to the developers, even with the latest anti-spyware protection, 88% of new scans uncover a new malware detection – often after just 24 hours.

With new threats and variants emerging daily, SpyEraser has been designed to keep up to date with the latest threats and provide powerful detection and removal technologies, including Live Guard real time online protection.

Sophisticated scanning technologies and threat analysis tools even detect new variants of existing threats, as well as new ones, as they evolve. With its intelligent alert warning system and full quarantine, backup and restore features, SpyEraser is an excellent defense from malware pests.

Download SpyEraser 2.0.1.1531 in Softonic

How many times have you wanted to know exactly which programs run at Windows start-up, but couldn’t find a way to discover them? Yes, there is a folder in the Windows’ Start menu, where you are supposed to be able to see them, but for some reason it doesn’t state all the applications and even if you delete a program displayed there, this doesn’t assure you that the file will not be loaded the next time you restart your machine. Unless you use a specific application, there is no control on what Windows should load and that’s why StartEd comes in very useful.

The program’s main interface is very simple and clear. You have a list of all programs running at start-up, so finally you can get red of the ones you don’t want anymore. This operation will also free a considerable amount of RAM, making your computer faster. You can also discover programs you didn’t know about and actually remove them yourself such as malware or spyware.. Speaking of which, it would have been good if StarEd could link the DLL files loaded, to the specific applications they refer to. This would have eased things enormously.

StarEd lets you have full control over which program Windows should run at start-up. You might want to tailor what to run to have all those you need open when you start working and, on the other hand, remove what you don’t need, making your computer more efficient.

Download StartEd 4.2.1 in Softonic

If your computer's performance suddenly starts to get worse and the whole system behaves in an abnormal way, you're likely to have some kind of malware in your hard drive. Anyway, just to be sure, you can launch this program and see for yourself.

RunScanner analyzes your system (with two possible alternatives, quick or full scan) and displays all running processes in Windows file system and Registry. Each one of the elements has some icons to its left that provide you with more information about it, although you'll have to check that online as the program doesn't include a help file.

Scans are very quick (even the full one) and can help you discover what's wrong with your system. Just bear in mind that this is not a definitive solution and that you need to be sure of what you're doing before actually deleting anything. Just in case, the program includes a backup option to unroll unwanted changes.

RunScanner also features a process killer and a hosts file editor.

Download RunScanner 1.6.3.0 in Softonic

Free Online Armor detects and removes spyware, trojans and attacks Phishing threats. It works by studying the behaviour of programs running on your system and if it detects something suspicious, immediately blocks it from operating or warns you. The program then verifies this behaviour alongside its own database of threats to identify exactly what it is.

When Free Online Armor detects a potentially dangerous program it displays a warning message. However, it avoids overwhelming the user with a large number of alerts because on first use, it asks you to define a white list of safe programs. In addition to this basic function, Free Online Armor also includes a firewall and tools for detecting trojans, unauthorised executable files and protection for e-mail and browsing etc.

This is an all-in-one protection suite although don't be surprised if it doesn't detect all that it promises because it is free and as such, is not designed for those that need very high protection levels.

Download Online Armor Free 2.1.0.130 in Softonic

Use one centralized system dashboard to automatically perform all vital PC maintenance by diagnosing, reporting, and resolving computer problems and performance bottlenecks.

This award-winning utility suite is trusted by millions worldwide to secure, optimize, repair, and tune-up their systems.

System Mechanic® 7 provides a wealth of tools to keep PCs running in peak condition. This versatile and easy-to-use product allows you to:

Run system analyses to stay informed about your PC’s condition. View any system problems detected by System Mechanic and decide which ones you want to repair. Enable ActiveCare™ to perform the automated housekeeping tasks that you specify.

Select the exact repair and optimization tools that suit your needs, and run them when you want and how you want. One-click Power Tools and guided wizards allow you to eliminate performance drains and adapt settings to boost PC and Web speed, repair hard drive errors that cause computer crashes and lock-ups, and recover from disaster if your computer ever becomes severely damaged.

Erase temporary and other junk files to reduce clutter and increase drive capacity. Eliminate dangerous spyware, block hidden malware from altering your system settings, and repair security vulnerabilities that leave your system open to attack.

Monitor, control, and fine-tune settings so that your PC is tailored to your specifications. Diagnostic tools provide detailed system reporting and allow for advanced troubleshooting.

Download System Mechanic 7.5.8 in Softonic

BitDefender Antivirus protects your computer from all the latest viruses and spyware with 24 hour protection and regular updates.

On installation BitDefender Antivirus performs an immediate check on your system for viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spyware. The software also scans all incoming internet traffic - whether they are Web pages, e-mails, instant messaging programs or file-sharing software. Once BitDefender has discovered a dangerous intruder, the program removes the malware or moves the pest into quarantine. Hourly signature updates provide constant protection from new digital threats although these can slow your system down and become rather annoying. The program features anti-phishing protection to stop you getting sucked in by malicious sites and it also features 24 hourr support if you upgrade to the full version. This latest release also features a Gamer Mode which temporarily modifies protection settings so as to minimize their impact on gaming performance, maintaining a safe, fun gaming experience.

This is a complete anti-virus protection system that's constantly updated and an ideal application for gamers, especially those that play games across the internet and are worried about breaches of security.

Download BitDefender Antivirus 2008 in Softonic