Antivirus software has become a commonplace addition in the majority of home and commercial computers; however, many people are still unaware that periodic maintenance and removal of spyware from your computer is just as important as the removal of viruses, as they can present equally dangerous threats such as identity theft and economic loss. Here are a few great tools which do a great job of clearing spyware from your computer.

1. Microsoft Defender

Included right off the bat with your Windows installation, Microsoft Defender actually does a pretty decent job of keeping your software clean from infections. It may not have the same level of reputation as third-party software providers which cater directly towards spyware prevention, but Microsoft’s clout does offer decent assurance that it works the way it’s supposed to.

Users should take note, however, that while Microsoft Defender is turned on by default, it has been found to be turned off on some computers, perhaps due to automatic changes resulting from software or accidental tweaks manually made by users. It can be toggled on or off in the Control Panel, so it pays to occasionally check if the program is actively running and keeping you safe.

2. Spybot Search & Destroy

Spybot Search & Destroy has been around for a long time, having a presence since 2003 when Windows XP was still making its rounds. It’s gained quite a following among professional and amateur tech circles, and has won numerous awards from prestigious names such as PCWorld and Softpedia during its run.

Spybot’s key features shine in its SDHelper and TeaTimer components, which actively prevent spyware which may inadvertently leak into your system from installing itself onto your computer. It has a simple and uncluttered interface to facilitate the user experience, and works on all systems up to Windows 7.

3. LavaSoft Ad-Aware SE

LavaSoft’s Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition is a free anti-spyware module which has been Spybot’s effective competitor since the beginning – which means that it works quite well. It offers real-time protection against malware and spyware threats, so if a rogue program tries to enter into your system, you’ll be notified immediately and be given the chance to clear it before it can perform any lasting damage.

Ad-Aware comes fully packed with protection against obscure but significant terms such as rootkits, trojans and malware, and their support team updates frequently to provide effective protection against potential new threats. In fact, if you want the best of both worlds, it’s recommendable to install both Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D and run both programs at regular intervals.

4. ThreatFire

ThreatFire is another fantastic example of how good things can come in free packages. The award winning software has garnered positive reviews from reputable sources such as PCWorld, and has an Apple-like personality in that it is designed with the average user in mind. In addition to providing the standard protection functionalities, it also has some nifty tricks such as a real-time display of software threat detection around the world.

Thanks to its nature as a spyware removal program, ThreatFire can work together with regular antivirus software such as AVG or Avast without putting an extra burden on your PC’s resources. Since these types of programs are generally never turned off, this can translate into faster speeds on your PC, especially if you’re running an older model.

5. Comodo Internet Security

The antivirus software industry is a saturated one, and only the very best actually stand out enough to be noticed. Comodo Internet Security is the latest variant which has recently actually gained attention from the tech community, so it speaks for itself in being efficient in removing spyware from your computer.

Taking a page from the cloud, Comodo’s scanning methods are somewhat different from the other more established companies; most antivirus download the latest updates periodically to stay recent, whereas Comodo actually scans your system against their servers in real-time. This gives you the peace of mind that your system is protected against the same level of threat as their company servers are, as recently as they are made aware of them.

This post was written by Aaron Pek.  If you want to become a Friedbeef’s Tech writer, just contact us here.

Do you scan for spyware on your system?  Tell us more in the comments :)

As people try to get more things done using computers, the demand for better security has never been greater. In this day and age, antivirus programs alone may not be enough. Here are 15 essential tips to help you secure your PC.

1. How to password-protect folders for free

Have some private collections of files you want to keep from prying eyes? The most convenient way to do so is through password protection, and MyLockBox does its job well. Just select the folders you want to be passworded and voila! Even system administrators are not spared the lock.

2. How to get free anti-virus software

No matter how clich© installing antivirus software may seem, this method is undoubtedly still the easiest and most effective means of protecting your PC. A huge chunk of internet threats out there are viruses and Trojans, so having one will effectively shield you from this majority. AVG is a free antivirus that has won the accolades and hearts of computer users worldwide. It has real-time protection, daily updates, and email scans among other powerful features.

3. How to truly hide files on a computer

Those who use a sharing system may find the occasional snooping habit of your computer partner annoying or even harmful. Sofonesia Folder Protector hides selected files so that it remains hidden from all users as long as the software is installed.

4. How to get free anti-spyware software

Viruses may be the age old nemesis of computer users, but a new villain has emerged in the scene – spyware. Spywares hogs major system resources while performing its malicious acts. This is where Spybot Search & Destroy comes in, a free Windows tool designed to ward off these invaders. True to its name, all spyware on Windows systems dating back to 95 will be searched and destroyed.

5. How to do a registry backed up spyware scan

Combofix is a free spyware removal tool that works on a much lower level. It backs up the registry before scanning away, and a technical log file will be created which can be used to identify system problems. Alternatively, it can also be used by more technical users to manually remove spywares.

6. How to encrypt files and folders

For those perilous and treacherous times when even hiding and locking does not do, TrueCrypt steps in to save the day. Offering advanced data encryption using 256-bit AES algorithms, users can choose to hide files inside virtual encrypted disk volumes. All this military-sounding features should be useful for power users.

7. How take advantage of cloud computing in virus detection

Panda Cloud Antivirus is an antivirus software utilizing the concept of cloud computing. Lightweight is the word to use here, as Panda does not take up heavy CPU resources while scanning. There is no need to update virus definitions frequently either, as data are stored on the Panda servers.

8. How to seek free professional help to combat spyware

Hijackthis is a comprehensive scanner which scans the software-state of your system. While the huge log file created does not remove spywares or change your system, it does offer precious technical info to those in the know. If you’re not a advanced user, you can show the log file to expert spyware veterans over at the BleepingComputer or SpywareInfoForum and get some personalized anti-spyware instructions. Alternatively there is an automated online scanner at Hijackthis.de to run through the log file.

9. How to get free firewall software

Comodo Firewall is a free firewall software that will help shield your computer from unwanted intruder and hacker access. Comodo is one of the lightest firewall software in terms of resource usage and it stops intrusive applets and software from the internet before they can do any harm to your system.

10. How to secure your wireless network

If you are running on a home wireless network, have you made sure that it is secure? If left unsecured, sneaky neighbors may be in for the free internet access, or worse, phishers may be out there waiting for you to take the bait. Always make sure that your wireless connection is password-protected using WEP or WPA encryption. To do this, enter your router’s settings page  (by typing the router address in your browser’s address bar, usually 192.168.0.1) and proceed to work out necessary security settings.

11. How to NOT run scripts in Firefox, so you can be even safer

NoScript is a Firefox plugin that blocks any script from running on your browser – be it JavaScript, flash or other script-based content. The catch here is you would have to add your favorite sites on the trusted list one-by-one, so initial discomfort may be present.

12. How to surf only websites which are deemed safe

Yet another Firefox add-on, Web of Trust warns users about a website’s safety-level through color-coded icons. With over 21 million sites on the rating list, you can now be sure of treading on unfamiliar territories.

13. How not to fall for fake anti-virus software

There are some malicious software out there which poses as genuine versions. Among them are the infamous Antivirus 2009, Spyware Protect 2009, PC AntiSpy. The Web of Trust is a good way to detect these bogus websites, apart from your own intuition.

14. How to remember your Internet passwords AND keep them safe

LastPass is a IE/Firefox add-on/online password manager for all your passwords so that you wouldn’t need to worry about losing your password along with your local data. All passwords will be encrypted locally before being uploaded to their servers, so that even folks from LastPass won’t be able to get to your precious.

15. How to create disposable e-mail addresses

Have you ever registered in a forum just to post a single question? Or fill up forms to download a trial application? Maybe giving away your email address for a newsletter? In many of these cases, you give out your real e-mail and all you get in return are junk mails. Meet Melt-mail, a website where you can create temporary e-mail accounts just for those quickies. E-mails can be set to expire in 3, 6, 12 or 24 hours.

This article was written by Chan Huey Hoong who also dabbles in art which is viewable on his blog at Fig.Ech.

What other measures do you take to protect your PC?  Tell us in the comments!