Spyware is "one of the most dire threats facing the internet"

Anti-Spyware Coalition, Definitions and Supporting Documents, Working Report,
October 27, 2005 (www.antispywarecoalition.org)

Experts report that 9 out of every 10 computers are infected with some sort of spyware. A spyware infection can slow down your computer’s performance, or can even put your personal security and privacy at risk. A good spyware removal program is essential to you and the security and safety of your computer.

Are there free spyware removal instructions on the internet?

There are many free spyware removal sites on the internet. Many sites offer free spyware scans that give a report of what spyware and adware programs are installed on your PC, but don’t offer the tools you need for free to remove the spyware from your computer. In these cases, you’ll need to keep a list of the spyware programs infecting your computer and search the internet for removal instructions.

One option open to you is to go to a free anti-spyware forum or web site where you can get information on how to manually remove spyware from your computer, free of charge. Here are a few popular sites you can visit:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php

http://www.2-spyware.com/forum/

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/index.html

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/

http://forums.spybot.info/

Sometimes you’ll find the information you need quickly on these sites. Other times you might have to make a post to the site with your specific request on how to remove the spyware from your computer. It might take a day or two before you get an answer on how to remove the spyware. While you wait for an answer, your computer is still infected.

Another option is to go to your favorite search engine to search for free spyware removal instructions. Often you’ll find the information you need, but the steps required to remove the spyware are complicated. In some cases if you incorrectly remove the spyware you can cause even more harm to your computer than the harm caused by the spyware program.

How about free spyware removal programs?

You can find free spyware removal programs online. Many do a good job at removing most spyware from your computer. However, it is critical that the program you select gives you updates frequently for new spyware programs, as new ones are being created and deployed all the time.

Some software companies allow you to download a free trial version of their spyware removal software. Sometimes you’ll find it’s a modified version of the original software and doesn’t include all the functionality you need to fully remove spyware from your computer and protect yourself from future spyware infections.

Is there really any free spyware removal?

It depends on your definition of free. Your time has to be worth something – is it best spent surfing technical forums looking for answers that are complicated? The suggestions made in this article might not cost you any money, but they can cost you time, effort, and possibly a headache.

Webroot Software offers a free 14 day trial of their spyware removal program, Spy Sweeper. It’s a fully functional version of the software available for purchase. Since it’s a fully functional version, you can accurately evaluate the program and whether or not it meets your needs for spyware removal and spyware protection.

Free spyware removal might sound good in theory, but in practice it will cost you time and effort. How much do you value the safety and security of your computer and the personal information stored on it? This isn’t a scare tactic – spyware is a very real and dangerous threat. One year of real time, constantly updated spyware protection will cost you $29.95. Is that too much for you to pay for spyware protection? Only you can decide.