None of the other antispyware apps mentioned that. (Files quarantined by one antispyware app remain on your hard drive and could be viewed by a second antispyware app as potential threats, although they are not.) And Spybot, like Ad-aware, warned us that removing some spyware could prevent us from running associated freeware and shareware. For example, Spybot is the only spyware-cleansing program we tested that detected other antispyware programs installed on our system, and it properly warned us about false-positive results caused by running multiple antispyware programs. In our informal tests, Spybot performed the most thorough job of finding and removing these pests. Like all antispyware applications, Spybot scans your computer’s active memory and hard drive for pesky programs that add unwanted advertising or track your online moves. It’s the extras within Spybot that won us over.
Protection not found in other antispyware software includes displaying your windows Hosts file (often the target for phishing scams), a built-in data shredder, and a fairly long list of opt-out addresses so that you can stop getting spam. A highly configurable advanced-mode interface is available for power users who like to schedule their scans, manage cookies, add skins, and even customize Spybot’s operation, such as deciding whether to launch at start, to log files, or to display warnings.
Spybot has an easy-to-use interface: From the main window, you can scan your system for spyware, update the program, and recover your system to a previous state, if needed, thanks to the backup copies that Search and Destroy makes of everything it changes. Simply select your language preference, and you’re ready to go. Spybot has wide international appeal, with its support of more than 30 different languages.Īfter downloading the 4.8MB file, installation is smooth. Its default mode is easy to use and perfect for home users its advanced mode offers features that will please most high-end users. Of the antispyware software we tested, Spybot was the best, finding every possible pest in our tests, with very little impact on our system’s performance.
Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4 is free, fast, and proactive, and it offers automatic updates and doesn’t require you to provide an e-mail address (or any other information about yourself), plus it does an excellent job of wiping your system clean of spyware and adware. The functionality makes Spybot – Search & Destroy a must-have for all Internet users, and this version is a worthwhile upgrade. Hosts File blocks adware servers from your computer, and System Startup lets you review which apps load when you start your computer. Other useful tools, including Secure Shredder, complement the program’s basic functionality for completely destroying files. The Immunize feature blocks a plethora of uninvited Web-borne flotsam before it reaches your computer. Scan results now appear arranged by groups in a tree, and a sliding panel lets you instantly view information about a selected item to help you decide whether to kill it or not. It also features several interface improvements, including multiple skins for dressing up its appearance. The program still checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders, but it works much faster now. The latest version of Spybot – Search & Destroy adds some truly useful features to an already excellent application. Version 1.4 has the first native multi-installation scanner, is noticeably faster than version 1.3 during scans, and has improved the tools and updated the interface. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Spybot – Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot Search & Destroy – Spyware Remover