The best anti spyware software detects existing malicious spyware and effectively removes it from your system, preventing it from getting caught. Most antivirus programs have an integrated protection feature, but some spyware exists on the edge of legitimacy, and the antivirus may miss it. Installed anti spyware programs will enhance your security package by blocking spyware activity from the entry point.
Top 10 Anti Spyware Software
- Norton 360 Standard - The best anti spyware software
- Bitdefender Total Security - Best for banking security
- McAfee Total Protection - Best package for protecting your ID
- Kaspersky Total Security - Tons of bonus features for their value
- Malwarebytes Premium - Best easy-to-use spyware removal tool
- Avast Premium Security - Highly customizable
- SUPERAntiSpyware Pro X - Best additional anti-spyware protection
- Avira Prime - Best protection against keyloggers
- AVG Internet Security - Best offer for multiple devices at your own price
- Adaware Total - Best toolset for protecting the contents of files and documents
Spyware is a type of malware that actively monitors and collects user data from inside the system, peripherals or browser. It tracks web browsing data, monitors keystrokes, reports information about your passwords, credit card numbers and insurance, transmits a video or conversation with you, and even holds confidential information hostage until payment is made.
There are a number of prevention tools in addition to antivirus packages: they range from free anti spyware software to proactive protection of downloadable module of the best anti hacker software.
1. Norton 360 Standard - Our Choice
- Protection for PC/Mac or smartphone/tablet
- Real-time threat protection for one device
- Secure VPN, SafeCam, Dark web monitoring, Smart Firewall
- 10GB cloud backup, password manager
- 30-day free trial, 60-day money-back guarantee for a yearly plan
- Only for one device
Verdict: Since the Norton antivirus engine uses AI for training, it is the best anti spyware software that always “knows” how to deal with new threats, malware and attacks, including spyware, ransomware, phishing and hidden parts of malicious code. Norton monitors devices and networks using integrated real-time protection modules: it monitors the Dark Web, warns about the threat of data loss and controls access to the webcam.
It offers 10 GB of cloud-based secure storage for secure copies of your personal files. You get an excellent cross-platform security package that includes a full-featured VPN, password manager and advanced firewall. Norton is the best internet security suite available on all leading platforms and for mobile devices. But for Windows users, it is the most targeted one due to considerable vulnerabilities.
2. Bitdefender Total Security
- Top-notch online banking/shopping protection
- Drag and Drop UI for individual scans
- Multi-layer ransomware protection
- Secure VPN, advanced parental controls
- Anti-tracker, microphone/webcam protection, firewall, anti-theft
- SafePay only protects the Windows user
- 200 MB/day/device for VPN
Verdict: The Bitdefender antivirus engine excels at protecting users’ financial information. When performing banking operations on the Internet, you are vulnerable to the Banking Trojan spyware. Bitdefender provides a secure browsing environment in the “SafePay” browser that protects Bank details. It boasts a drag-and-drop feature for scanning individual files within its interface. The protection mechanism quarantines files with potentially dangerous threats.
Bitdefender scans links on the Internet to detect fraud and has a proactive scan for newly discovered malware and spyware. The application can scan the download every time you start your PC. Like malware removal software, it is equally strong against phishing, malicious URLs, links and any online threats. A multi-level ransomware protection module and a reliable password manager make it an appealing purchase.
3. McAfee Total Protection
- Unrestricted VPN, firewall, vulnerability scanner
- Dark Web monitoring, social security numbers
- User-friendly, intuitive, easy to navigate
- Guarantees virus elimination
- Performance optimization
- No cloud scanning component
- Large size of the installation file
Verdict: McAfee’s comprehensive cross-platform Internet security suite offers reliable protection against identity theft with a robust set of additional features, modules and ID protection services. The ID theft package consists of Dark network monitoring and SSN (social security number). A secure browser will protect you when you buy online. An unrestricted VPN will turn you into a digital shadow.
McAfee antivirus boasts a password manager, Wi-Fi protection, encrypted storage, ransomware protection, file blocking utility and file encryption system typically available in the best encryption software. Some of its outstanding features include unlimited device protection and a user-friendly, intuitive interface. With McAfee, you will get a decent optimization toolset that can improve overall OS performance, free up your hard drive and speed up startup.
4. Kaspersky Total Security
- Web camera access control, virtual keyboard
- Comprehensive parental control
- File encryption and shredding
- Backup system
- Extensions for Chrome, Firefox and IE
- Without hosted online backup storage
- Only 200 MB per day over VPN
- Cloud protection only via KSN
Verdict: Kaspersky anti-virus consistently receives high ratings from laboratories and focuses on basic security principles. Its web filtering blocks dangerous URLs, an accurate mechanism detects and eliminates threats. Intelligent monitoring technologies track and cancel malicious actions. Thanks to its own threat database, Kaspersky prevents redirects to fraudulent sites. A virtual keyboard and top-level encryption protect online transactions from MITM attacks or data interception.
Among the outstanding features are automatic scanning, prevention of infection using crypto mining and simplified security management, a backup system and a seriously improved parental control system. For mobile devices, there is an anti-theft function. The immaculate interface has the right number of buttons and options – not too simple, but not too complex or intimidating. Besides, there are plenty of on-screen instructions explaining how everything works.
5. Malwarebytes Premium
- Efficient anti-spyware capabilities
- Endpoint protection and response
- Centrally managed sophisticated threat detection
- Adware cleaner, browser guard
- Play Mode disables notifications and updates
- Doesn’t feature a VPN, firewall, cloud scanning, self-protection
Verdict: Malwarebytes is a special tool for eliminating spyware. It can deal with adware, undesired software, Trojans and ransomware. The tool scans files, registry keys/values, processes, and includes a heuristic analyzer to search for potentially unwanted programs. Malwarebytes doesn’t rely on spyware lists, it tracks the behavior of files and applications. If it notices inconsistencies or suspicious activity (access to private parts and system files, logging activity in logs), Malwarebytes quarantines threats.
Its EDR function stands out, protecting large businesses from malicious online threats on every attack chain. Malwarebytes can scan individual files and folders, as well as entire hard drives, using the context menu. It is possible to scan in archives, ignore certain files/folders, and scan for rootkits. Malwarebytes Premium provides automatic updates, scan schedules and automatic quarantine.
6. Avast Premium Security
- Numerous settings, works from the Explorer context menu
- Blocks unrecognized files
- Frequent auto-updates, driver update tool
- Full/selective auto-scan, game mode
- Junk cleaner, VPN, Wi-Fi inspector
- No cloud scanning component
- Firewall protection is unavailable
Verdict: Avast boasts the largest threat detection center based on advanced machine learning to detect and eliminate spyware before you even know it’s on your device. Avast is always on and always monitors new threats, offering options for action.
You can use a variety of settings to adjust its performance, such as enabling enhanced mode for full security protection, blocking unrecognized files, scanning potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or from file explorer, excluding folders/files/URLs, checking Wi-Fi connections, clearing unnecessary files, protecting mailing lists, etc.
Avast includes a Wi-Fi inspector, a VPN client, a junk mail cleaner that removes unnecessary files and prevents system slowdowns, a software and driver update tool, as well as Internet and mail protection.
7. SUPERAntiSpyware Pro X
- Improves the performance of your existing antivirus
- Multiple scanning options, including system memory
- Real-time protection
- Regular updates to combat new threats
- Lightweight, affordable, low resource usage
- More suitable for extra protection
- No cloud scanning component
- Windows-only
Verdict: Here is the best anti spyware software for those who want to get rid of spyware that has entered their systems or complement their existing antivirus configuration. It quickly scans adware, ransomware, PNP, Trojans and rootkits, with full user control. SUPERAntiSpyware can be configured to scan modified files over a period, ZIP files, scan from the context menu or by shortcuts, ignore system restore files and bulk information data, skip files of unknown types and non-executable files.
You can launch a critical point scan to remove spyware running in memory, or use selective scanning (flash drives, internal/external hard drives, folder selection, etc.). This security tool can delete temporary Windows files before starting a scan and close all open web browsers before scanning. By updating databases every 2-4 days, this security tool is easily adapted to new and emerging threats.
8. Avira Prime
- Secure browser and ad blocker
- Comprehensive system optimizer, unlimited VPN
- Password manager and privacy settings
- Software update wizard
- Minimal impact on the system
- Loading and configuring takes time
- Doesn’t offer parental control, backup
Verdict: You can get all current and future paid tools with Avira Prime. The full package provides real-time protection against spyware and other malware, blocks ads, and features a secure browser for online purchases and banking operations. On smartphones, it blocks malicious URLs (phishing) and unwanted calls. Avira offers a user-friendly interface, and you will hardly notice that it protects the system in the background.
Avira anti-keylogger is one of the most effective anti spyware programs on the market. Its PUA Shield is notable for detecting suspicious software disguised as a legitimate one. In addition to standard antivirus protection, Avira provides a software update tool and scans your network for vulnerabilities and helps you fix them. There is also a system optimizer to speed up your PC, which is usually charged for in other packages.
9. AVG Internet Security
- Advanced deep cleaning and removal procedure
- Blocks unsafe links
- Full check of PC performance issues
- Improved firewall, additional protection against ransomware
- Highly customizable
- Scanning may be slow
- Uses system resources
Verdict: Here is another well-known antivirus software with the function of a full-fledged malware scanner. It automatically checks and removes not only adware and spyware but also ransomware, viruses, protecting your online activity from tricky links and email. It detects threats in real time and eliminates them at the point of entry while protecting your privacy.
You can perform full or custom scans, boot scans, and scans on removable devices. Besides, it is possible to configure AVG to recognize files by their content, not by their extension, if the spyware uses a hidden/false file extension.
Deep Scan can scan 20+ types of archived files, and is able to scan files in the order they exist on the hard disk, which can speed up the process without performing unnecessary searches. You can use your mobile phone to remotely scan your PC.
10. Adaware Total
- Email protection, web protection, parental control
- Reliable “shredding” of files by erasing and overwriting
- Multiple levels of encryption and password protection
- Real-time threat protection
- Improved firewall
- Windows-only
Verdict: Adaware was developed as a program for blocking ads and web trackers. Now it meets all the requirements to be called the best anti spyware software, which also effectively deals with ransomware and viruses. It can detect threats on the Internet and block them, as well as scan your entire system. Adaware updates itself and can perform a full system scan on a schedule.
Like most permanent programs that protect from malicious threats, Adaware supports a silent/gaming mode and exceptions. It can also scan boot sectors, rootkits, archives, processes, cookies and registry items.
