July 16, 2007 9:10 AM PDT
Spybot Search & Destroy: Past its prime?
Spybot Search & Destroy has for years been a household standard in free antispyware protection. Originally winning respect for offering comprehensive malware-slashing features that competing software lacked, Spybot Search & Destroy has lost this advantage, as most reputable antivirus programs have added similar features. This First Look video takes you on a features tour, and hits upon the pros and cons that may have you standing by the sought-after program or searching for a spyware-busting alternative.
Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter. 
Spybot is solid, stable and does not cause any problems with my system. Highly recommended, and you can't beat the price as a home user.
Well, I would agree that an update is REALLY crucial if Spybot wants to catch up with other softwares. But what I really do not hope to see is the overhaul in design. Look at how Ad-Aware had caused crashes and lags when it moved from SE to 2007. But surely it can become more user friendly, a lot more understandable (in terms of its TeaTimer), and way better in detection rates during scans. If Spybot is really able to do that WITHOUT causing any problems with the use of system resources, I think it'll be way better than Ad-Aware 2007.
But in my opinion, a frequent updates in Spybot's list of malwares is just about necessary to keep Spybot working better. That I believe makes it worth keeping in our computers as part of our arsenal in the times ahead.
Easy updates and fast scans; do not care about skins if it works what difference does it make - plumbers snakes are never pretty but they do the job. And as for catching every thing none of them do! If it works do not fix it! Maybe Ms. Snide should wash what seems to be a freshly greased palm.
The practice of being on defense against malware is in itself antiquated. However, until a decent reliable proactive alternative comes around the best protection is defense... however, that being said...
When you have the program updated (as of this writing) you can immunize your system against 30,668 known malicious programs. Also I use Spyware Blaster to work with Spybot Search and Destroy as a front line defense. Spyware Blaster adds an additional 8,057 known malicious programs to block in its database.
Sure the so called "security suites" now include anti-spyware support but who was the originator? I have trusted Spybot Search and Destroy since its inception. Bottom line it works and it's free.
I for one absolutely hate the way anti-virus software is becoming more and more bloatware that tries to do absolutely everything.
- Come on, let's be fair!
- by Truckles July 19, 2007 1:40 AM PDT
- The kudos earned by SpyBot S&D over the years is thoroughly deserved. Had it been a paid-for product, it would've beaten the heck out of carp like McAfee Bloat. As a freebie, it's been remarkable.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (34 Comments)I still use Spybot -- but in tandem with the freeware "Spyware Terminator". I was really skeptical about this latter as I'm wary of loading anything onto my PC. But I've now been running Spyware Terminator for six months and have to say it's been excellent (especially the "real time shield": I don't think any other freeware of this type includes that kind of protection.)
But surely, the point is that there's no single solution to protecting a PC, any more than there's no single solution to protecting a house -- no-one with any sense bolts the doors but leaves the windows unlocked!
In my case, SpyBot continues to find the occasional threat which Spyware Defender misses. . . and vice versa. I also have Spyware Blaster. And AVG Free and ZoneAlarm Free. Taken together, all these free progs provide the equivalent of window locks, door bolts, interior and exterior alarms, and Closed Circuit Television in every room.