SpywareBlaster is free for personal or educational use, and offers a different kind of protection to many similar titles on the market.

Rather than remove spyware once it has been installed on your PC, this software prevents it being installed in the first place.

There are settings for Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, offering varying levels of protection.

Internet Explorer settings let you prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware/diallers, and block tracking cookies. It will also protect you from a number of known spyware/dialler websites that you may be directed to.

Mozilla settings are not as complex, primarily due to the browser being much more secure by default; it already prevents against ActiveX installations, for example. The only option available is the ability to block spyware/tracking cookies.

The software requires regular updates to remain effective, and these can be downloaded free of charge from within the software.

Other settings include the ability to block Macromedia Flash content.