Software Reviews
Professional reviewers are evenly divided about which is the best anti-spyware program, but the most credible reviewers select one of the two leading programs, Webroot Spy Sweeper and PC Tools Spyware Doctor. We at Spyware-Gurus have also included Pareto-Logic’s Anti-Spyware and XoftSpy into the equation as we have found that it matches our criteria.
Important Features for any Anti-Spyware product to have are the following:
- Spyware detection and removal are the most important considerations
- Compatibility with other security programs is also critical
- Real-time blocking and background monitoring that occurs before spyware is downloaded or installed. It is far easier to prevent spyware from installing in the first place than to clean out an affected system after the fact
- Automatic spyware definition updates - Some products require manual updates.
- Restoration/rollback capability is a good feature if legitimate application components are inadvertently deleted. With this feature, components can be restored from quarantine so that the application will work again. Some applications may not work without their spyware components. Windows Media Player, for example, includes a mild spyware component that reports to Microsoft. Apple’s iTunes reports information to Apple.
- Automatic scan scheduling allows you to set the day and time for automatic scans. Alternatively, you can instruct the software to run scans at startup or shutdown.
- Threat level description and severity analysis in the user interface allows you to make good decisions about what components to ignore, quarantine or delete. The description gives information as to origin or function.
- Support features including online help, forums, e-mail support and free telephone support. Given the reported difficulties some users have in getting anti-spyware utilities to upgrade cleanly or play nicely with other applications - particularly security applications - good product support is crucial.
With this in mind - here are our recommendations:
Pareto Logic - Anti-spyware & XoftSpy
There a lot of different anti-spyware programs on the market today. But not all of them are effective enough. Some products can pose more threats to your privacy and security than certain parasites you want to get rid of. That’s why we have made special anti -spyware software section in attempt to help you to choose a decent spyware remover. We provide thorough program reviews, test results and overall rating. We have tested all more or less known modern anti-spyware products.
XoftSpySE detects and perfectly removes over 225,000 harmful, dangerous and likely unwanted applications. Detections include Adware, Spyware, Trojans, Worms, hijackers, toolbars, Keyloggers and many of the most prevalent and annoying viruses. If you discover an annoying or otherwise intrusive application then please let us know and we will consider adding it to our database. Xoftspy is updated twice each week with your suggestions and all the latest threats. We are your trusted PC security partner and guarantee timely, accurate updates & automatic removal of ALL intrusive PC threats!
XoftSpy detects and removes all the spyware trying to install on your PC. Key features include: complete PC scanning, including running processes, registry entries, files and folders; detects and removes spyware, adware, pop-up generators, keyloggers, Trojans, browser hijackers, and malware; automatic definitions and feature updates; comprehensive customer technical support; protects against identity theft and credit card fraud.
ParetoLogic Anti-Spyware is an intuitive anti-spyware product with helpful features. The program is simple to customize and easy to install and use. It also is priced very well. The Anti-Spyware product comes with many useful features, including a description and threat level for detected spyware and adware. The program does not offer real-time protection (which can stop spyware from ever entering your computer system), however it’s engine still provides optimal support.
When tested, the tests found that the product did miss some instances spyware and adware when compared to the two other products. The program also claimed an innocent program was spyware or adware (known as a false positive) which can be inconvenient. However the company, ParetoLogic does provide a “view details” section that takes you directly to their dictionary and explains the source, nature and threat of its findings.
ParetoLogic provides basic support for XoftSpy, including email support and a FAQs page. The help section is web-based, so you must be connected to the Internet in order to use it.
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Summary:
Ease of Setup/Use: Very Good
Detection Effectiveness: Good
Removal Effectiveness: Very Good
System Performance: Very Good
Scan Performance: Very Good
Support/Documentation: Very Good
Price: Very Good
ParetoLogic Anti-Spyware is powerful, easy-to-use and is priced well.
PC Tools - Spyware Doctor
Spyware Doctor has been downloaded over 125 million times with millions more downloads every week. People worldwide use and trust Spyware Doctor to protect their PCs from spyware, adware and other online threats. It has consistently been awarded Editors’ Choice, by leading PC magazines and testing laboratories around the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Australia. In addition, after leading the market in 2005, Spyware Doctor was awarded the prestigious Best of the Year at the end of 2005 and again in 2006. The product continues to be awarded the highest honors by many of the world’s leading PC publications such as PC World, PC Magazine, PC Pro, PC Plus, PC Authority, PC Utilities, PC Advisor, PC Choice, Microdatorn, Computer Bild and PC Answers Magazine.
Spyware Doctor has the most advanced update feature that continually improves its Spyware fighting capabilities on daily basis. As Spyware gets more complex to avoid detection by AntiSpyware programs Spyware Doctor responds with new technology to stay one step ahead. The products advanced IntelliGuard technology only alerts users on a true Spyware detection. This is significant because you should not be interrupted by cryptic questions every time you install software, add a site to your favorites or change your PC settings. Such messages can be confusing and lead to undesirable outcomes such as inoperable programs, lost favorites or even Spyware being allowed to install on the system. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
Spyware Doctor offers many good features, including Real-Time Blocking and Protection and color-coded Spyware Severity Identification. The products main screen and controls are well-designed, allowing easy navigation.
The product was very effective at detecting spyware and adware and we even use it ourselves. Its on-guard functionality is also one of the best at preventing spyware and malware from being installed in the first place. The one negative we had was that it does requires a little more power to run effectively - systems with less than 1 GB of memory will show a noticeable performance decrease. However it is worthwhile having the best protection and sacrificing some performance. Scans were relatively quick, but not as fast as the other products (especially the full scan). However you can use the scheduler feature to run scans when you don’t need to use your PC.
PC Tools offers a few different support options for Spyware Doctor including a built-in help application, email support and a FAQs page on their website.
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Summary:
Ease of Setup/Use: Very Good
Detection Effectiveness: Very Good
Removal Effectiveness: Very Good
System Performance: Very Good
Scan Performance: Very Good
Support/Documentation: Very Good
Price: Very Good
Spyware Doctor is an excellent product for detecting spyware and adware. You would have to look long and hard to find a more easy to use program that’s so affordable.
Webroot - Spy Sweeper
Webroot Spy Sweeper quickly provides maximum protection with minimal interaction. the product gives you 360 degrees of protection. Powerful Smart Shields offer real-time protect ion by blocking known and emerging spyware threats as you browse - before they ever reach your computer and personal information. If your PC is already infected, Webroot Spy Sweeper’s advanced discovery methods locate and completely destroy malicious spyware that hides within your PC - even spyware that hides using rootkit technology.
It’s targeted at defending your PC and your privacy from prying spyware with Spy Sweeper. This anti-spyware program is equipped to beat off malicious, information-seeking applications to keep your data private and safe. The product allows you to defend in realtime with email scans and monitoring and also offers a choice of three different system scans. You can also run custom scans that will skip selected folders or extensions and can be set to conduct a full sweep periodically on its own.
Spy Sweeper is extremely simple to use and the interface is well organized. It has easy to understand icons and convenient tabs for all major functions. It now also includes online backup facilities, and online access to backups so you can access your files from anywhere. And you don’t have to worry about being interrupted while watching a movie or playing a game. In Gamer Mode you can set previously scheduled scans aside, with the shield technology running in the background.
This software also includes a one-click feature that can remove adware, system monitors and Trojans. It safely removes associated registry entries, running processes and files to almost instantly improve the computers performance. This one-click feature is especially useful right after installation, to remove unwanted malicious items that may already reside on the hard drive.
There is a slight decrease in overall system performance after installing the product so be aware that this program runs best on a system with more than the minimum requirements.
Webroot supports Spy Sweeper through embedded help, online FAQs, email and telephone support. Webroot has a support program called PeakSupport that offers online and phone support free, they also offer PeakSupport Plus which includes a dedicated shorter phone line, remote desktop support and more.
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Summary:
Ease of Setup/Use: Very Good
Detection Effectiveness: Very Good
Removal Effectiveness: Very Good
System Performance: Very Good
Scan Performance: Very Good
Support/Documentation: Very Good
Price: Very Good
Spy Sweeper can ban unwanted, nasty guests from your computer and can safeguard all of your private information and Internet activity. Don’t be one of the 9 out of 10 Internet users that has simply becomes used to dealing with spyware, protect your privacy and your computers health with Spy Sweeper.
