ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS ANALYSIS
RECOMMENDATION
Trend Micro
HijackThis

Users get a compilation of all items using certain locations that are often targeted by malware in a detailed report.
Note that the reports generated are not lists of malicious programs or files.
Works quickly to generate reports and presents them in an organized fashion.
Detailed list of items found that are potentially set to harm your system.
Allows you to save your scan results to your computer as log files.
Log files allow you to compare and analyze the results across multiple scans.
This program scans very quickly.
The program is not designed for novice computer users.
There is very little guidance built in for novice users in handling the identification and removal of potential threats.
A good tool designed for experienced users who need to eliminate malware deep in their system.
SpywareBlaster

A simple program that provides protection from ActiveX-based software and unwanted cookies for both Firefox and Internet Explorer users.
By default, protection is disabled for each of these, but you can easily enable ActiveX Protection and Cookie Protection for Internet Explorer, and Cookie Protection for Firefox.
The program has a System Snapshot tool that will create a record of your system settings, allowing you to easily restore them if they are altered by spyware.
An easy-to-use tool that provides protection for people who use Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Combofix

The program is able to quickly complete deep scans to remove problem files and software.
Compared with the performance of deep scans by many similar programs, the program is very fast.
The program is very capable of intensive search-and-delete of offensive programs and files.
The program truly takes care of most of the search-and-delete details on its own.
The program can sometimes delete items you need, so you have to be able to recognize them and know what to do to stop that from happening.
Not designed for novice users.

The program is a great tool to supplement standard system cleaners for experienced.

Microsoft Windows Defender

The program helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats.
The program features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware.

A good option to have but may have trouble removing deep seated programs and files.
10bit Malware Fighter

Basic functions include Scan, Protect, Update, and Action Center.
Scanning settings and options exist as on/off switches, similar to those in Windows 8.
A “Like” button on the bottom right for social media fans; at least the option is available.
Scan speeds were also respectable given the state of our file system.
Classifies the absence of Advanced SystemCare and Smart Defrag as "problems."
Choosing to fix the “problems” results in an automatic download and installation of additional product offerings.
The program is an easy-to-use, lightweight malware scanner.
Ad-Aware Free Antivirus +

Powered by Bitdefender's core security engine
Ad-Aware does come bundled with an in-house toolbar.
Three features for toolbar: a built in search that's powered by Yahoo, a Web profile that indicates if a page is safe to visit, a toolbar remover.
The tool actually identifies all third-party toolbars installed across the three major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer).
The security bar takes you directly to the control panel to help you remove other remaining dependencies, in addition to uninstall and removal processes.
The AV-TEST Institute hasn't published individual reports for Ad-Aware 11.
Real-World Protection Test had Bitdefender scored on the highest protection rate at 100 percent.
CNET’s full scan took about 19 minutes and 12