Is Your Personal Information at Risk?

To put it simply, yes. Every time you go online unprotected, cookies and tracking devices are installed on your computer. Spyware and malware can be used to track your internet behavior or can be employed for more threatening activities like recording your keystrokes to obtain passwords or pulling information from your personal files. So what can you do to avoid spyware?

• Install a powerful Anti-Spyware program that works well with your XP or Vista security.
• Avoid downloading free software without investigating the site’s privacy policy first.
• Don’t open emails from unknown sources.

Here at TopTenREVIEWS you'll find unbiased reviews plus great articles like "How Did Spyware End Up on My Computer?" and other spyware-related articles. And of course, our industry-recognized side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision about which software is best for your security needs. At TopTenREVIEWS, we do the research so you don’t have to.™

What Makes a Great Antispyware Solution?

Below, we've highlighted the primary factors you should consider when selecting a program to protect your system and personal information from spyware, adware and malware.

• Ease of Setup/Use – Can you get it up and running without consulting a book or a tech support person? How easy is the product to use? Can you quickly find the features you are looking for? Are the descriptions easily understood or do they assume you know all the jargon and terminology?

• Detection Effectiveness– How well does the product detect spyware, keyloggers, malware, anything bad-ware? Does the product provide real-time protection from spyware —preventing its installation—not just removing it afterward? Is the product effective at finding and removing the many different types of spyware and adware?

• Removal Effectiveness– This gauges the anti spyware product's ability to actually remove spyware that it finds, and whether or not the harmful parts are removed.

• System Performance – After installation, does the anti spyware slow the system to a crawl? If so, the product  receives a lower rating here.

• Scan Performance – How long do full or "quick" scans take? Is the computer still usable during the scan?

• Help / Support – Is there a help section installed with the product? Is it easy to find answers to your questions? Is there someone you can call for support? How quickly does the support staff respond to your email questions? With the right solution for removing and detecting spyware in place, you can keep your privacy protected and your PC running smoothly.

If you want to cut to the chase and get the details on our #1 pick for anti spyware software, read our Spy Sweeper review. It received our Gold Award for outstanding features and performance.