Hitman Pro is a freeware All-In-One piece of software that combines: Ad-Aware SE, SpyBot Search & Destroy, Spy Sweeper, Spyware Doctor, CWShredder, Spyware Blaster, NOD32, Sysclean package into one download-able package. Instead of downloading and installing each program separately and running each one separately, Hitman Pro will install them all and automate most of the tasks for each individual program.

SpywareBlaster takes a bit of a different approach to preventing Spyware, Malware, Trojans etc. Most of the other anti-spyware programs scan for existing infections and attempt to remove them. SpywareBlaster takes measures to ensure that various places on the web are blocked at your computer level, so your computer never attracts the bad programs in the first place.

A-Squared Free is an extremely robust anti-spyware software package that touts the ability to remove adware, spyware and malware in addition to trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, rootkits, worms, bots and dialers. Despite the fact that A-Squared Free is, well, FREE, it is still a full featured piece of software to help ensure the security of your computer.

The main difference between the free and pay versions is real-time scanning. You will have to manually run A-Squared Free to make sure you are not infected.

AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 was acquired from Ewido Anti-Spyware, to create a very robust adware, spyware, malware removal program. The free program will allow for all of the paid functions for 30 days where it degrades to a limited 'free' version after that time period. Regardless, this is a nice tool to maintain in the arsenal of anti-spyware programs.

Keep in mind, this is not a replacement to an Anti-Virus program. You will still want to make sure you have a program that will protect you from viral related infections.

Windows Defender is Microsoft's approach to the detection and removal of adware, spyware and malware. While is is not as robust as some of the other softwares on the market, this software is a must for every Windows XP based computer and has become an included package with Windows Vista.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware is one of the pioneering companies for the removal of adware, spyware and malware. The free version of Ad-Aware allows for updates to the latest definitions and program updates. Ad-Aware is also a very easy program to use, simply install and tell it to scan. When it is finished, you can either choose what to remove or have the program remove all of the detected infections.