While not as sophisticated or user-friendly as SpywareBlaster, IE-SPYAD is still a useful tool. It is simply a registry import file that adds a huge list of known sites and domains that are associated with spyware, hijackers, advertisers and other malicious programs that can affect the privacy and security of your computer. Of course, this protection only applies to sites on the list, so it's important that you check for updates regularly.

IE-SPYAD works only with the following Internet Explorer versions:

• Internet Explorer 6.0 (Including Service Pack 1)
• Internet Explorer 5.5 (Including Service Pack 1 & Service Pack 2)
• Internet Explorer 5.01 (Including Service Pack 1 & Service Pack 2)
• Internet Explorer 5.0
• Internet Explorer 4.01 (Including Service Pack 1 & Service Pack 2)
• Internet Explorer 4.0
• AOL Browsers (AOL uses embedded Internet Explorer Browsers)

Please be aware that if you do not use Internet Explorer as your browser, IE-SPYAD will be useless to you.

Microsoft Antispyware

For active, real-time spyware protection, nothing beats Microsoft's free antispyware software . It only works with Windows XP/2000 and Windows Server 2003, but it works very well! Currently in beta form, it has proven to be exceptionally stable and very easy to use. It auto-updates and performs as well as, or better than, any other anti-spyware software we have tested at any price.

At the February 2005 RSA conference, Bill Gates announced that the personal version of the Windows antispyware software will continue to be available free of charge to licensed Windows customers when the finalized version is released.