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As a professional computer technician, I spend a lot of time chasing down malicious spyware and adware on other people's computers. Needless to say, I've used just about every legitimate spyware removal tool on the market, but there are only a handful that I turn to consistently. Spyware removal can sometimes require skills and knowledge beyond the average user, but more often than not I am able to clean up infections using nothing but free commercial scanners. So even though I might be putting a dent in my monthly income by letting you in on what tools the pros use, I'll take my chances if it means making computing a safer more enjoyable activity. Next time you've got serious malware problems, try out the following tools.

MalwareBytes
(http://www. malwarebytes.org)

MalwareBytes is an amazingly tidy and quick malware scanner that I've seen locate and remove infections other scanners never even find. I use to use this one as a last resort, but lately it has become my go-to scanner. The free version will scan, destroy, and do most everything else you want a scanner to do when you've got a bad infection, while the pay version provides real-time protection.

Spybot Search and Destroy
(http://www.safer-netwo rking.org/en/home/index.html)

S till the king of free malware scanners, Spybot certainly does deserve the honor. It runs smoothly, but I find takes an inordinate amount of time to get through its database of over 300,000 malware variants. Certainly very thorough, and it even provides real-time protection for no charge.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
(http://www.microsoft.com/ security/malwareremove/default .mspx)

As always, Microsoft has to jump in with their own version of everything, including malware scanners. This one seems to work well for a handful of the latest variants, but is very basic and must be downloaded monthly. If you think you've got that worm or virus you heard about on CNN last night, then this might be the tool to start out with. It's updated the first Tuesday of every month.

HiJack This
(http://us.trendmicro.com/ us/products/personal/free-tool s-and-services/index.html)

Not a malware scanner per se, this is an advanced tool for those of you willing to take a dive into the convoluted innards of Microsoft Windows. Run the tool and it will spit back at you a list of registry keys that are the most commonly affected by malware. Not everything you see listed is a problem. As a matter of fact, none of the entries may be a problem, but if you know what you're looking for this tool could really save you. If you have to get down and dirty and start deleting registry keys to get your computer back on its legs, this tool is invaluable. Recommended for the knowledgeable or brave only.

These tools will be able to take care of most nasty infections. However, if you find they don't do the job then it's recommended you seek out a professional to finish the job. Malware programmers design their malicious software to outwit scanners and people and they come up with new tricks to do so everyday. No scanner will ever be a guaranteed solution. Be on your toes while surfing the net, stay away from sketchy websites, and take care in what you download. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Learn more about this author, Jason Garland.
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