Spybot-S&D searches your harddisk for so-called spy- or adbots; little modules that are responsible for the ads many programs show. But many of these modules also transmit information about your surfing behaviour and more to the net. If Spybot-S&D finds such modules, it can remove them - or replace them with empty dummies in case their host won't work any more with its bot removed.

This application is great for those who want to know exactly how their computer is infected and the best ways to get rid of particularly nasty spyware components. Spy Cleaner Gold stands out in the spyware-removal field, but you'll have to pay for the quality. A slick interface sports controls similar to its competitors, offering options for scanning your drives and Registry, updating online, and saving the last, best system set-up as a backup.