Software for the Removal of Trojans and Spyware
Spyware and Trojans share similarities, and the term "spyware" is sometimes used for both. They both install themselves without your knowledge and gather information for unauthorized individuals. They are not quite the same, however. Spyware typically collects information on your browsing habits for advertising companies. It can slow down your computer and cause pop-up ads or other undesirable effects. Trojans, also called Trojan horses, are disguised as ordinary software but can steal data, such as bank details.
Other People Are Reading
-
Detecting Trojans and Spyware
-
Spyware may be picked up by your regular anti-virus software, but it's a good idea to install dedicated anti-spyware software as well. Trojans can be incredibly hard to detect and are often missed by anti-virus scans. You can find malware detection tools that are better at spotting hidden Trojans than standard anti-virus software.
SpyBot Search and Destroy
-
SpyBot Search and Destroy is a utility that scans your system for spyware and unwanted adware (programs that can automatically download or display advertisements) and then removes it. It is free to download, simple to use and tackles many common threats. It does not detect or remove some kinds of malware, however, so it's best used in conjunction with other utilities.
-
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
-
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is available in a full commercial version or a more limited free version. MalwareBytes has a scan option that can detect threats. It can also remove both spyware and Trojans as well as dealing with other kinds of malware, such as viruses.
HijackThis
-
HijackThis is a tool for analyzing your system if you have an advanced knowledge of how your computer works. It compiles a report of certain critical file and registry settings that are often affected by malware. If you're an experienced user, you can use this report to remove infected files or repair registry settings. If you are not experienced with your computer's registry or critical files, you could cause damage to your own system by attempting to do this.
Ad-Aware Free Internet Security
-
Produced by Lavasoft, Ad-Aware Free Internet Security can detect many kinds of spyware, adware and Trojans, as well as viruses and other kinds of malware. It features a tool called The Neutralizer that can clean up your computer if it's infected, removing threats and undesirable software.
Windows Defender
-
A free package produced by Microsoft, Windows Defender can detect spyware, Trojans and other threats. It also offers options for removing malware if your computer is already infected.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
