Spyware removal programs

[Will]

I've recently noticed that my comp is running more slow, I'm getting tons of ads and my browser keeps crashing so I'm beginning to think that Spyware is causing all of this.

Are there any good free removal programs? I'm sort of low on cash and this problem is annoying the hell out of me.

[epmode]

ad-aware

[Will]

Thanks ep. Funny thing is I actually went to that site before, tried to download the spyware removal program and all the sudden my computer came to a complete halt.

Jinkies......

[Videodrone]

I'm all about Spybot: Search and Destroy

link

[Nomi]

On a similar note, are there any Macintosh spyware removal apps out there? My brother's used this machine for too many insecure site (yeah, porn) and it's been increasingly sluggish since he moved back in. I figured it was worth a try.

[Jeremy]

Nomi, this might help you - http://www.unwantedlinks.com/removespyware.htm
http://www.unwantedlinks.com/macsupport.htm

[Rumpy]

Spy bot > ad aware

[Jeremy]

I use both of them to give spyware a nice one-two punch, it's worked pretty well so far.

[lithium]

This is a very effective spyware killer

Just be careful. Don't install crap on your machine. Actually read end user license agreements (you can skim them, if they're going to install any peripheral software it's easy to spot). If it's free and from a for profit institution, be weary. If it's open source, you're almost certainly in the clear.

The same common sense applies to viruses and trojans. Extend that to don't use IE and Outlook Express and you'll do just fine.

[stormy]

i also use the combo of spybot and ad-aware. works great