Legend Ranking Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor	XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware 7.0	Spyware Cease	AntiSpyware
Features
Ease of Use
Effectiveness
Customer Support
Best Price	$39.95	$39.95	$29.95
Manufacturer Rating
Buy It Now
Screen Shots
Feature List
Video	See Video
In-Depth Review
Detects & Repairs	XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware 7.0	Spyware Cease	AntiSpyware
Dialer & Hijacker
BackDoor
Browser Helper Object
Virus
Spyware
Trojan & Keylogger
Adware & Malware
Malicous Software
Email Worms
Features	XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware 7.0	Spyware Cease	AntiSpyware
Real-time Blocking
Automatic Updates
Restore / Rollback
Scheduling
Threat Level Description
Threat Database
Technical Support	XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware 7.0	Spyware Cease	AntiSpyware
Email
Application Help File
Scan Log Analysis
Live Web Based Support
Knowledge Base FAQ's
Operating System	XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware 7.0	Spyware Cease	AntiSpyware
Window 2000
XP
Vista

First, let's really understand what Spyware is since it has many other names. Anti-Spyware software is designed to address all types of malicious and non-malicious software such as Spyware, Viruses, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Key loggers, and more. In short, all of these programs are implanted on your computer without your knowledge and consent. Often, these threats attach to your computer when you install and/or download software, music, movies and open emails with unknown attachments.

Try answering the following questions:

• Is your computer is running slower?
• Do you download movies? Music? Free Software and Applications?
• Do you notice pop-up messages while you are surfing the net or sometimes even if you are not online?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions - most likely you have some type of spyware program on your computer.

• "Best case scenario": they will simply slow down your computer, collect information on your shopping habits, and bombard you with advertisements.
• "Worst Case Scenario": these programs enable criminals to access your computer (as long as you are connected to the internet), steal information, log your keystrokes when you access your bank accounts, and then ultimately steal your money or identify, or both.

Anti-Spyware software is a multi-billion dollar business and is critical to helping protect your computer. Unfortunately, whenever there is such a huge market, the customer is ultimately flooded with hundreds of choices which are all packaged nicely.

Buyer Beware: if Anti-Spyware software is not backed by a reputable company which maintains updated protection a weekly basis, the software may be outdated and worthless. The people that want your information whether for malicious or non-malicious purposes are constantly changing tactics and therefore, so must the reputable Anti-Spyware software companies.

How do you Pick Anti-Spyware Software?

During our June 2009 Review, we found over 60 available products. In our review, we tried to narrow down the field of choices to companies that have several years of experience in this market – we did not want to evaluate companies that just released a product in 2009. With software, experience matters! Technical experts recommend that a product be released at least in two versions prior to full use. Often a product is released and it has errors or "bugs" - we did not want them to try their product on you.

What should you consider when using Anti-Spyware?

• Features: Anti-Spyware requires many features, but most importantly you want to make sure that the application is constantly updated by the manufactures. Also, the software must fight all kinds of spyware, not be limited to one type – e.g., Trojans. An application that claims that they specialize in one type of spyware is useless since you are leaving yourself vulnerable to other types of spyware. Another key feature – "threat level description" which describes the type of virus and the threat it poses to your computer – you can then decide whether you want to delete or ignore the threat. It is also critical that the anti-spyware does not utilize too much of your Computer Processing Unit’s (CPU) power. If the CPU is being overused your computer will be safe BUT extremely slow.
• Ease of Use: Most people who use Anti-Spyware are not technical. Since you run Anti-Spyware often, it must provide an easy to use interface for scanning, displaying results and most importantly enabling the user to ignore/delete found spyware programs.
• Help: No matter how easy a tool is, it is important to know that if you have a question the company stands behind the product. Companies that made our review either offer live help by telephone or email.
• Cost: Let's face, you are not going to spend hundreds of dollars on Anti-Spyware. But there is a misconception, that the more expensive the better it is. In fact, some new companies charge excessive amounts so that psychologically you will associate a higher cost with a better product. Most importantly, beware of free products – ironically, these free products often install spyware on your computer to track you buying habits. Microsoft also offers anti-spyware, unfortunately, this is not their specialty, and they have been subject of anger and outrage by providing an Operating System (XP, Windows 2000, etc.) which is susceptible to anti-spyware. Fortunately, the cost for a good antispyware program is reasonable; usually under $45.