If you ever expressed a slightest interest in what's going on in PC security software discussions on weblogs and tech forums, then you certainly know that when it comes to free antispyware programs, the Internet community falls into two roughly equal parts. Part of PC users defend the overall appealing idea of "free antispyware security", while their opponents have a bunch of arguments to shackle the free antispyware myths.

I for one am somewhere in-between the both groups. Discussing the pros and cons of free antispyware products is one thing, but before joining the heated debates, I think it's worth getting at least a basic understanding of the antispyware solutions market.

The first thing you should be aware of is that the number of really free antispyware programs is rather limited. I'm not talking about "free antispyware scans" to be found on hundreds of thousands of IT websites promoting anything but free antispyware. If you don't know the trick hidden behind the otherwise nicely looking term "free antispyware scan" that you're promised, I'll tell you about the pitfall. Most antispyware software allows for free scans of hard drives, but no matter how many dangerous spyware files are found, a user will not be able to remove them without first purchasing a license key to unlock the feature of malware removal. Obviously, a free antispyware scan is great to test if you have any infections hidden in the system, but otherwise it's pretty much useless.

Second, I'm not talking about time-limited trial versions of antispyware, which are fully functioning for a short period of time (usually for two weeks or a month), but then the free antispyware program features get locked or disabled. In most cases, neither automatic nor manual updates are available, and resident protection stops working, too. The expired free antispyware gives no protection to PC system, and the users faces the dilemma: to uninstall the antispyware and get another one, or purchase the serial key to continue using the program's potential. In my point of view, free antispyware programs in trial mode give a chance to test all the features of the anti-malware software before making the final decision as to buy the particular product or not. But these kind of antispyware are free for a short time only, and that's why I would rather not refer to them as free antispyware.

Third, and most important, is that in the whole number of programs claiming to be free antispyware, over 99% are dangerous scams masquerading legit security software. Some of them are known as scam extortion programs, others are nothing but a nest of Trojans which only wait for the moment to begin a massive invasion devastating your computer, shattering the system to the roots. In the absolute majority of cases, you will not be able to tell if a particular free antispyware program is safe to use, or is a shell hiding the malware bomb inside. Just click the Install button to instantly explode it.

With the above said, I feel it necessary to list those programs which are really free antispyware. There are actually very few of them, so you may refer to this list anytime whenever there's a need to find out if a particular free antispyware is safe for use, or is a disguised Trojan horse.

• Lavasoft Ad-aware pioneered the antispyware market and remains a serious malware removal tool. The free version contains no automatic update function and provides no real-time protection. Can be used as on-demand antispyware scanner only.

• Spyware Doctor Starter Edition. Automatic updates and real-time monitoring are disabled.

• SUPERAntiSpyware. There's a free, trial, and PRO version of this security software. Similar to the above, FREE SUPERAntiSpyware doesn't protect the system in real-time. Malware definitions should be updated manually.

• SpyBot Search & Destroy. This was the first free antispyware to offer real-time blocking of spyware intrusions.

• Spyware Terminator. This free antispyware is younger than SpyBot S&D, but rapidly gaining the popularity. Includes a real-time antispyware protection feature, as well as auto-update and scheduled scanning. Spyware Terminator is free for personal and business use equally.

• Windows Defender. Provided by Microsoft for Windows users, this free antispyware includes automatic updates and real-time protection, however many expert reviews recommend this free antispyware tool for additional layer of security only.

• AVG FREE Antispyware, similar to the above described programs, allows on-demand scan for malware, but also provides real-time protection and automatic updates of malware definitions. Scheduled scans and other advanced features are disabled in this free antispyware. No longer available as stand-alone product and comes bundled with AVG Internet Security.

• A-squared free antispyware is available in the form of its free anti-malware in both GUI and command-line version.

Next: Free Download for Antispyware