I am looking to find a list of top rated anti-spyware tools. I am currently using SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 and have not upgraded yet. I am also running NOD32 and Ad-Aware,Ad-Watch. I would like to get something more current than the 3.5.1 but is there something better than SpywareBlaster 4.1 out there? I would like to find only one of these to use. I hate having more than that running all at once.

thanks,
DjTrex

I have the U3 (subscriber) version of this application and it works very well. I'm a remote/on-site tech support associate and though I recommend AVG Free to most of my clients, I end up using XSoftSpySE U3 Edition to remove viruses & spyware that seem to "slip through." It also does complete drive scans in less than 10 minutes, though most hard drives I scan are < 80GB.

I highly recommend it, but only if you are looking to pay for anti-malware support. Try and find a trial version and take it by your buddies (the one with KaZaa) and see what it uncovers.

Good luck in your search. Let me know what you find.

One of the ones that we use frequently as a first step in malware removal is Malwarebytes' AntiMalware. Available both in free and paid versions ($25 for lifetime) the only difference is the paid version has real time protection, scheduled scans and auto-updates. Otherwise they are identical in their scanning capabilities. Updates are available several times a day usually, and it works very well for many of our members and Staff.

BTW, SpywareBlaster does not run all the time. What it does is use your OS and browser's built-in capabilities to support blocking lists. There is no real time component, and it only runs when you do updates. Blocking lists are useful to supplement real time protection, use little or no additional system resources, and do help reduce the incidence of infection, but for brand new sites with new malware, well ... that can slip through without real time protection. I use SpywareBlaster myself because it has no resource demands, but also use real time protection.

I have stuck with SpyWare Blaster and haven't run across anything I would replace it with.

I quit using AdAware and I use SUPER Antispyware as a free scanner.
I also use Win Patrol Plus and would recommend that as a preventive program instaed of a scanner.

This site lists some good ones: AntiSpyware Software Reviews, especially Spyware Doctor with Antivirus, which I think is a nice bonus, or some programs are aimed more at antivirus (but include antispyware as well like on this site: PC antivirus reviews

Hope that helps

I often do not trust barebones sites like the one listed above by JoshJohan, sorry. One i have found that seems to be trustworthy is http://www.toptenreviews.com/ . It breaks down and compares much more that 5 or 6 programs and covers a wide base of subjects. But in the end, it is ultimately up to user experience and need. You know what they say, opinions are like....everyone's got one.

I would use Spyware Doctor the Starter addition you can use it by downloading it with the google pack (it includes every thing the full version does except for the real time protection, but the scanning is the same or you could use Avira Anti-vir.