The best way to remove spyware is to run anti-malware software, through which you can manually scan your computer to find and delete malware (malicious software), including spyware. The software you need depends on whether your computer is a PC or a Mac. If you have a PC, it varies according to whether you are running Linux or Windows.

If you are running Linux, you need not currently (September, 2010) worry about spyware infections. However, this can change; pay attention to your favorite Linux websites.

If you are running XP, Vista, or Windows 7, you can choose from among many free and commercial anti-malware programs, including:

  • Microsoft Security Essentials, a free anti-malware program that might be your best choice because Microsoft continually updates the malware definitions in Security Essentials, including those for spyware.

  • Malwarebytes, an anti-malware program, for which you can download a free edition. If you want realtime protection and scheduled scans, a full version costs approximately $25.00.

  • Norton Internet Security, an anti-malware program that costs approximately $70.00.

Before downloading any anti-malware software, make sure it is a legitimate program. Any deal too good to be true is usually false, and often and hazardous. If you do not download from a reputable website, you risk infecting your computer with various types of malware. For example, you might download scareware that tries to sell you ‘fixes’ for ‘problems’ you do not have. If you download any of those fixes, you risk downloading serious malware infections.

You should install at least two anti-malware programs, such as Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes. In case one program cannot clean a particular spyware infection, the other might. However, to avoid software-conflicts, never run more than one anti-malware program in realtime protection mode.

If your computer is a Mac, available anti-malware software includes:

  • MacScan, an anti-spyware program that costs approximately $30.00.

  • Virus Barrier X6, an antivirus and anti-spyware program that costs approximately $50.00.

If you would like to try an award winning anti-spyware tool then STOPzilla offers a free download and also a free scan to see if your computer is infected with spyware.