By CNET staff
(March 1, 2006)

For many, spyware has replaced viruses as the most serious threat to your online identity, not to mention your PC's health. A tiny program, downloaded often without your direct knowledge, can collect information about sites you visit or, worse, record the keystrokes used for logins and passwords. Often, you don't suspect anything's wrong until you sense your computer is getting slower, and slower, and slower. Fortunately, many antispyware apps are on the market today. For this roundup, CNET Reviews teamed with CNET Download.com, with CNET reviewing the apps' feature sets and Download.com testing each product's ability to remove specific spyware.

 How we tested

CNET rating 7.6	1. Lavasoft Ad-aware Ad-aware SE is your best option for keeping spyware and adware under control on your PC. Read review  Download now
CNET rating 7.4	2. ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware 6 catches most spyware and provides a deep level of protection but requires more user intervention than its competitors. Read review Check prices  Download trial
CNET rating 7.2	3. Tenebril SpyCatcher An easy-to-use interface and effective handling of spyware make either the free or paid version of Tenebril SpyCatcher an excellent addition to your PC's defense arsenal. Read review Check prices  Download now
CNET rating 7.1	4. Webroot Spy Sweeper Spy Sweeper 4.5 is a good choice for protecting your PC against spyware and shielding it against future infections. Read review Check prices  Download trial
CNET rating 7.1	5. PC Tools Spyware Doctor Spyware Doctor is easy to use and fast, and it detects and removes an impressive variety of malware. Read review Check prices  Download trial
CNET rating 6.7	6. McAfee AntiSpyware McAfee AntiSpyware 2006 is a good antispyware choice if you're already using the other parts of McAfee's security suite. Read review Check prices  Download trial
CNET rating 6.7	7. Spybot Search and Destroy Spybot is both free and adaptable for both beginning and power users, but it left behind several known spyware apps. Read review  Download now
CNET rating 6.5	8. Microsoft Windows Defender beta 2 With Windows Defender beta 2, Microsoft beefs up its free antispyware app with a new name, engine, and tools. Read review  Download now
CNET rating 5.9	9. Trend Micro Anti-Spyware Trend Micro Anti-Spyware 3 is a solid and easy-to-use choice for your antispyware protection. Read review Check prices  Download trial
CNET rating 5.6	10. CA eTrust PestPatrol eTrust PestPatrol offers fast spyware protection, but you can find better protection with Lavasoft Ad-aware. Read review Check prices  Download trial