If you're looking for a free scanner/remover [which can search for already existing problems and remove them], the current recommendations are MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti-Malware) and SAS (SUPERAnti-Spyware).   However, neither of these programs [in their free versions] offer "resident" (preventive) protection.

for links to these (and other) programs, see http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19244953.aspx

[we are NOT a fan of Spyware Doctor]

Okay your two recommendations are MBAM and SAS but I don't understand what you mean by neither program offering "resident" protection?  Which one would you recommend I get then?  I just want an extra security for spyware that won't conflict with my McAfee Security and if I can get a free version that's fine but if I have to pay for a good one well then that's fine also.

RESIDENT protection refers to a program that's running continually, monitoring your system "in real time", to try to prevent an infection from getting into your system in the first place.

ON-DEMAND SCANNERS only run when you explicitly invoke them, and their goal is to locate and remove already existing infections (that have managed to get through your resident protection).

While you want adequate resident protection, you have to be care not to run two (or more) programs that try to do the same thing... doing so will slow down your system, and/or result in outright conflicts.

I was trying to stress that the FREE versions of MBAM and SAS each offer only on-demand scanners.   If you want to extend these to include resident protection, you'll have to opt for the paid versions.

By McAfee "Security", I'm assuming you have a complete "suite" of products (anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall) --- especially since you indicated it conflicted with Webroot SpySweeper.   I don't know the answer to the question of whether resident protection of MBAM or SAS might conflict, in any way, with a McAfee suite.   (however, each should be compatible with (just) McAfee's anti-VIRUS).

I suggest MBAM and SAS. Spybot and Ad-aware leave too many remnants IF and when the find something.

Okay your two recommendations are MBAM and SAS but I don't understand what you mean by neither program offering "resident" protection?  Which one would you recommend I get then?  I just want an extra security for spyware that won't conflict with my McAfee Security and if I can get a free version that's fine but if I have to pay for a good one well then that's fine also.

I run Spybot S&D. It seems to work pretty well, has a resident engine, and doesn't conflict with either McAfee or avast! spyware.

I've also run AdAware free, it's a scanner only but does provide for removal of anything it picks up during a scan.

I have Comcast cable and the have McAfee Security free for all their customers which I save $60 a year on.  I haven't had any problems

with this so maybe I should just leave well enough alone and probably don't need anything more to add to it.  Whats your opinion?

If you use only McAfee, you get only McAfee's definitions. It's good to have a second opinion in case McAfee misses something. If you don't want to add 2 new programs, I'd suggest at least MBAM. You will need to keep the free version updated manually. MBAM is so on top of things that they post updates almost every day.

Hi.  Okay I will install MBAM in additon to McAfee Security Suite to get extra protection.  I'm going to hope that this will not conflict with my McAfee right?  I hope not.

Hi again.  I installed MBAM and did a complete scan and it came up with 0 infections so that tells me that my McAfee Security is doing a very good job in keeping all the unwanted files off my computer.  I will continue to use the MBAM along with my McAfee anyways just to make sure.  Should I just stay with the free version of this or should I buy the paid version?  What's the difference?  Thanks again.

I would stay with the free version.

As was already pointed out, the free version is only a scanner/remover, whereas the paid version provides real-time protection against malware.

But you only should run one anti-malware in real-time to prevent conflicts, and your McAfee Security suite already includes a real-time anti-malware component. If you run MBAM (the paid one) in real-time also, it will likely cause conflicts.

If there were some way to disable McAfee's anti-malware component (not its anti-virus) independently, then you could use the paid version of MBAM. But as I recall, this is not possible with the McAfee suite.

Okay so I will just keep the free version and do the updates manually.  I do a McAfee scan once a week, usually on the weekend.  Now should I do the MBAM once a week also like on the weekend?  Do I have to shut down my McAfee when I do the MBAM scan?  I didn't when I did the first scan and it seemed to be okay.  I just want to make sure I'm doing it right, don't want to do anything wrong.  Thanks for all your help.

Joe's mousefinger is faster than mine, so I'll delete my duplicate post. :emotion-2:

Once a week for routine MBAM and McAfee scans is a good schedule.

I always shut down all running programs, and close all browser windows when running any security scans. Leave your firewall on, of course. I shut down my antivirus while running MBAM (and stay offline during the scan) as it allows MBAM to run faster. I'm not current with McAfee, but if you have no problems with both running, leave it on.

A word of caution:
All scanners occasionally detect infection where none exists: so-called false-positives (FP). Quarantining or deleting these FP files can damage a program, or (rarely) even your system. Therefore, if your system is running well, and a routine scan detects something, be careful what you quarantine or delete. If in doubt, check back here first.

Okay will do, thanks for all the info.  If something should come up in a scan like you said and if I quarantine it, doesn't the quarantine just quarantine the files until I actually delete them?  In other words, if I quarantine a file because I'm not sure what it is and if I find that I need that file then I can just go in and take it out of quarantine yes?  Or no?  Not really familiar with all of this so I'm thinking that's the way it goes so am I right or wrong?  If I'm wrong let me know so I know what to do.  Thanks.

when a scanner (MBAM, or any other scanner) makes a legitimate detection, it should be safe to quarantine the item(s).  

however, there are occasionally instances of FP (False Positive) findings by a scanner.   That means it's erroneously detecting a good/safe file as being malware.   If this false detection happens to pick on a critical windows system file and you quarantine it, it's possible that your system will not be able to start-up again!   Granted, such a major "goof" is quite rare... but it can happen.    If memory serves me, it happened to AVG anti-virus "recently"... and a few years before that, with Spyware Terminator.    For more details, see Joe's comments here:  http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19241770/19388213.aspx#19388213 ; and my own comments here:  http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19241449/19368699.aspx#19368699

MBAM itself maintains a forum page for suspected [and confirmed] FP's here:  http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=42