spyware software vs. registry cleaner

[jedwin37]

What is the difference between spyware software and a regsitry cleaner?  Should I have both?
Thanks.

[evilfantasy]

Spyware software looks for malware.

Registry cleaners look for empty or broken registry keys.

They do two completely different things.

Registry cleaners/optimizers should be treated with extreme caution. They remove whatever they find. With no warning many users find their system unbootable after using a powerful registry cleaner. If you are not 110% positive what is being removed is safe to remove, then don't do it. You really will have no noticeable increase in performance by cleaning the registry anyway so don't worry too much about it. Defragging the registry from time to time should be enough.

Auslogics Registry Defrag - http://www.majorgeeks.com/Auslogics_Registry_Defrag_d5668.html

[jedwin37]

Thanks for the info on the differences.  Now what is an excellent spyware software program?
Thanks again.

[evilfantasy]

It's best to use a mix of at least two on-demand scanners. I will switch up their use, using a different one weekly or so.

http://www.superantispyware.com/ <<The free version
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-spyware-free
http://filehippo.com/download_spybot_search_destroy/

Also use SpywareBlaster.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
    * Guide:  How to use SpywareBlaster to secure browser
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html

[jimpl]

  ? to evilfantasy,
  doesn't the system defrag do that?(defrag the registry)
 what about ccleaner?
   Jim

[evilfantasy]

  ? to evilfantasy,
  doesn't the system defrag do that?(defrag the registry)

The system defrag works over the whole system (every file and folder) Registry defrag just does the registry.
 

what about ccleaner?

CCleaner just rids the bloat that windows is in-efficient at taking care of itself. Running CCleaner prior to a defrag is a good idea as it will remove all of the files no longer needed and therefore speed up the defrag time.

[pcsourcepoint]

Ad-Aware 2007 and Spyware Terminator seem to do a reasonable job for detecting and removing spyware. They can be found at snapfiles freeware:         
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwantispy.html