Detect and Remove Spyware

The HijackThis program, owned by Trend Micro, works differently from other anti-spyware programs. The program works by tracking down the vulnerabilities your computer has to outside forces changing your settings, like autorun items, registry keys, and browser helper objects. The items are logged and flagged, and they are presented to you by HijackThis explaining the reasons for the flag, then you decide whether or not to delete them. If they are, you can check them off, click on “Fix Checked,” and they are fixed.

The great part about this program is that it’s not going to search for already existing spyware programs. What it does instead is locate the types of activities and entries that could possible find their way onto your computer and infect it. There’s a difference there, one that doesn’t require having to be aware of every single possible bit of malware that’s ever been created.

Looking at CNET.com’s reviews, it’s not hard to see that they love the program, with its five-star rating from the editors. There was a slightly lower score with the SnapFiles review, and it only got a three of five score from PCWorld. It isn’t that they don’t like how the software works; they call it “a great malware removal tool,” but immediately add that “it’s not for the average user.” The reason is that the average computer user doesn’t know that much about registry keys, or what is malware and what isn’t.

Each time updates are developed for existing programs or a new program is downloaded onto your computer the registry on the computer changes. While HijackThis generates the lists you need, it doesn’t evaluate them; after all, there are perfectly legitimate items on there. If a computer user does not really understand what they are doing, they may make a mistake and get rid of items that should not be touched and ruin their computer. However, these lists can be a useful tool for users to research, to find out what’s on their computers and how things work. All you have to do is just avoid hitting “Fix Checked” until you’ve gone through every item and eliminated the good ones.

In general, this software is very highly regarded. Exercised with great care, HijackThis appears to be very useful for helping to get rid of most spyware and other malware installed on a computer.

Spyware removal software should be a priority to ensure the security of your computer and your personal information. The good news is you don’t even have to pay for it if you use freeware spyware remover software, which you can download from numerous websites that offer freeware spyware removal tools.