AVG Anti-Spyware features most of the common functions available in modern antivirus and Internet security programs, including periodic scans, scans of sent and received emails (including adding footers to the emails indicating this), the ability to "heal" some virus-infected files, and a "virus vault" in which infected files are held.
AVG Anti-Spyware is a sleek-looking program recognized, on average, the largest percentage of adware, spyware, and rootkits. During tests performed by AV-Test.org, AVG Anti-Spyware did a good job of finding known adware and spyware. It detected 19 of 20 active samples (ones installed on the test PC)--missing only the Banbra Trojan horse, which attempts to collect online banking credentials.
The AVG package is also by far the best at recognizing large stable of inactive adware, keyloggers, bank-related spyware programs, and rootkits--a testament to the breadth of its signature database. But it failed to detect additions to HKLM Run keys, changes to the default Internet Explorer Start and Search pages, and alterations of our test system's Hosts file.
AVG Anti-Spyware is easy to use, with self-explanatory icons clearly marked at the top of the main interface window and with one-click buttons. On the downside, it lacks several features such as antiphishing protection to prevent a user from going to known fake financial Web sites. If you opt for AVG Anti-Spyware, consider purchasing it through a third-party U.S. distributor that offers phone support.