About Spyware and Removal Tools:

Spyware is discrete software that is usually installed without your permission. The intention of such software is usually to obtain private data about you for various purposes ranging from stealing passwords, to displaying popup windows or advertisements that become a nuisance. They usually slow the performance of your PC. Most commonly, spyware is usually part of software that you download and install. The terms of service you may read when installing even free software may tell you you're about to install spyware, but you are unlikely to read the terms of service for every free download you install. Often, spyware is installed without any notice being given at all. Such an example is software that spawns popup window advertisements that appear though they're part of an actual website you're visiting, when in fact they're spawned from software embedded on your computer system, disguised to look like a completely different application.

Free spyware removers are available, but unfortunately they don't remove enough of the threats, and in some cases, freeware removal tools are actually spyware themselves. As such, is is important to ensure protection packages against such malicious activity is provided by a trusted source. In particularly as new threats are being discovered daily, it is extremely important that the removal tools update their databases of threats so they can readily identify and remove the latest threats.

Spyware Doctor is our #1 pick not only because it detects more threats that any other package, but also because it is easy enough to use for the novice computer user.