Which is the best anti-spyware/adware program?

[wengang]

Hey all. I am wondering which program does the best job at detecting spyware/adware activity on the PC, as well as anti-pop-up.

I got ad-aware from a friend's suggestion. But it seems to be finding false alarms, like McAfee and a number of XP SVCHost.


Opinions?

Thanks

Wengang

[papacorn]

Webroot Spysweeper

Try it before you but it......As far as pop ups dont use IE, use Mozilla or Firefox

[IntelSucks]

If you are using IE I would recommend Google Toolbar for a pop up blocker, every other "pop-up blocker" on the market is gay. As far as finding spyware, you sound to paranoid...but I would go with Spybot - Search and Destroy, as far as Virus Protection I guess I would say Norton, I dont really have a favorite because I dont like antivirus software but the average user does so...norton.

[DiGiTaIErRoR]

I use Stop-the-pop-up.

Which can halt all IE windows from opening, period(it even works for programs like kazaa which pop-up new windows). And is compatible with 7 major browsers.

To allow a pop-up you can use the inherent shift button(as in shift+click a link to open in new window(IE)). Control also works(useful for java scripts). And lastly the "A" key works too.

It can be a little weird at times. But only because it's too anal (looking at pics on ur HD can cause it to switch to aggressive mode, then you MUST bypass, otherwise it only terminates new windows when the browser is already open) which may be just what you're looking for.

[VisionIT]

AntiVirus: Mcafee or AVG (Heuristics are far better than most)
Firewall: Kerio or Outpost (cause it's an MMC snap-in)
Ad removal: Adaware / Iolo System Mechanic Pro or Spybot Search and Destroy

Adaware is good, for what it is... but I find it skips quite a few problematic ones, so I stick to Iolo System Mechanic. That program is superb.

The Outpost firewall is really an unknown in the industry, but my god it's good! Because it's an MMC snap-in, it's far more stable and can take more of a beating than most (especially Norton). The logging and analysis system it uses is just incredible. It's a live port sniffer (local) which can detect what programs are running, what port they are on, who they are connecting to and even how long the connection is active!

I used to use Symantec products, but once you've tried industry pro stuff like Kerio and Sygate, you'll never go back! Bye-bye tacky graphics and hello stable, reliable antivirus. Symantec are spending too much time on the pretty colours instead of focusing on the core code which makes a good AV app. That's what I like about AVG... plain, simple and secure, which is pretty much all you want from it really!

[IntelSucks]

and Kerio...yes...thats actually a good Firewall.