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.

Topics:: Security and spyware,; Windows Software

Tags:: First Look,; Spybot,; antivirus,; howto-security

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spybot no longer good enough?
by bsvols July 17, 2007 12:15 AM PDT: if you believe that spybot is all washed up, then you must know and use something better. what is it? don't step on a good thing if you can't hold up something to beat it.; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot is solid software
by bogert July 17, 2007 7:59 AM PDT: Spybot in combination with Spywareblaster and Ad-aware has protected my home computer for years. The combination is extremely effective in removing or blocking malware. Spybot provides regular updates to their detection signatures, as do the other two programs. The computer software industry has pushed the idea that software needs to be released annually, which is all about driving sales and not improved programming. 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.; Like this Reply to this comment

It Is Very Good But....

by Ethan Bowen July 17, 2007 1:50 PM PDT

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There Is Only One Thing That I Do Not Like....
by Ethan Bowen July 17, 2007 1:53 PM PDT: The only thing that I do not like about Spybot Search and Destroy program is that it takes forever to scan the computer. Other than that, it is a very awesome program to use on your home computers! Ethan; Like this

The Writer of this article
by wintle July 17, 2007 2:57 PM PDT: is apparently trying to tell us that only pay-for software will do the job Spybot does? Since CNET's site is a painful menagerie of ads I assume that one of the advertisers is getting a bonus here. As another poster mentioned- tell us what you want us to BUY! If Spybot does the job and is free, I see no reason to change. You might...gasp! do a comparison of the different programs and do a legite analysis of the pros and cons!; Like this Reply to this comment

spybot- search and detroy
by charliedappa July 17, 2007 5:18 PM PDT: i agree with the first guy, ive been using it now for just under two years and i have never had a problem with it,; Like this Reply to this comment

spybot is a great program
by cjackson642003 July 17, 2007 11:35 PM PDT: spybot is a good program and i have not had any troble with it. i have tried the free to try programs, and i have not seen any other paid programs that out performs the free programs.; Like this Reply to this comment

An update is really required...?

by darkdestiny7 July 18, 2007 12:47 AM PDT

Wow, it's being quite a couple of years since I've started using Spybot Search & Destroy. It has changed a lot in terms on the types of files it detects in a computer, and the run time. I always trusted Spybot since I started using it, but now it's just a sidekick to my anti-spyware arsenal. 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.

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Ad-Aware 2007-Spybot S&D
by Ethan Bowen July 18, 2007 6:18 AM PDT: What did you meant hat Ad-Aware 2007 has cauased computers to crash and etc? I have not heard any news about that one! Where did you hear that from! I have had Ad-Aware 2007 Free Edition and it has been a lot better than the SE Edition. Spybot was great in its time, but that time has come to a end, why deal with the long scans and not enough updates. There are a lot of threats out there that are always trying to attack our computers some way or another. We should be on our best guard and use the most updated and best programs to keep our computers safe. Spybot has come to that end where it is no longer good enough to keep our computers safe unless it comes out with a update that will blow away all the other programs that are trying to take its place.....Ethan; Like this

Bogus Bogus Bogus
by agentmancuso July 18, 2007 7:03 AM PDT: There is no better alternative than Spybot. Only problem as far as these guys are concerned is that it's FREE.; Like this Reply to this comment

SPYBOT SEARCH WASHED UP??
by LMHED July 18, 2007 8:24 AM PDT: The only thing washed is Ms. Spokes persons brain! In the three years I have been using Spybot I have had no trouble what so ever! 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.; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot Search is NOT antiquated!
by mysticpain July 18, 2007 8:32 AM PDT: I have been using Spybot search and destroy for over 5 years now. This program is incredibly useful! There are updates every week. As with any of these anti-malware programs the power of the program is reliant on the end user. If you don't update and run scans regularly you might as well not have the program. 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.; Like this Reply to this comment

Total BS - spybot is great, CNET is losing it.
by Biff Donk July 18, 2007 9:21 AM PDT: CNET Editor's have always ranked spybot way below what the general population ranks it and I think its quite fishy personally. As a typical desktop support guy spybot is invaluable to me being 1) free 2) great at what it does. I for one absolutely hate the way anti-virus software is becoming more and more bloatware that tries to do absolutely everything.; Like this Reply to this comment

I never understood the big deal about it
by T.i.P. July 18, 2007 10:34 AM PDT: It has been the most mediocre program in my anti-spyware arsenal. I always get false results and it never gets anything important if I do get anything on my computer. I never knew it had an "Edge" to begin with.; Like this Reply to this comment

SPYBOT SUCKS
by rock501 July 18, 2007 12:19 PM PDT: Spaybot is not so great as publisher claims in detecting spyware. In fact, it locks to detect a lots of it. Moreover, updates are not so frequent like with Ad-aware. I see some people posting extremly positive comments about Spybot but they must be from Spybot inc. Sorry guys but get your act together and improve search engine. Also, it could help if it loads faster.; Like this Reply to this comment

Antiquated: Not likely
by aflores717 July 18, 2007 12:25 PM PDT: Like the rest of the comments left, I too have used the program for years. Though a single program alone is not a good defense, this program is the main gunner in my line of defense. Asking a program to do everything and then some is like asking a rifleman to drive a tank and pilot an airplane at the same time. I've always thought it was strange that Cnet ranked the program low when it is powerful and the consensus is as such yet rank other programs like Hackthis! highly when it does jack squat and didn't help a thing. The Cnet editors should review this and the slew of comments against the program to reconsider. If I had to, I would pay for the program; its just that good.; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot works for me!
by EdCnb July 18, 2007 7:40 PM PDT: I use Spybot and Tea Timer along with Spyware Blaster and Adaware. I think there is always room for improvement but Spybot will be on all my computers until I see a better "FREE" alternative. Not using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express was the best move I made. These other programs don't have to work nearly as hard with Firefox and Thunderbird. JMHO; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot deserves more respect.
by tgsmith July 18, 2007 7:59 PM PDT: Spybot, used in conjunction with AVG Free, AdAwareSE (forget 2007 for now), Windows Defender, and Windows Firewall will keep your system protected. Spybot and AdAwareSE must be updated manually, that's the only drawback, but what did you expect for free? The Immunize function should be used after each update. The beauty of this combo is that they don't suck the life out of your processor. If you really don't care about actually using your system then load it down with Norton, McAfee or AOL. Especially useful on older PIII and early P4 systems with 256Mb RAM. If you think memory is cheap nowadays, check out the price to upgrade a Dell 8100 to 1Gb. If you think Spybot is not a powerful anti-everything, just check out its advanced options.; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot is good as an adjunct
by arpy12003 July 18, 2007 10:11 PM PDT: While I agree that Spybot is no longer effective as the only anti-spyware program on anyone's pc, I think it is still useful and has it's place. I use it in addition to Webroot SpySweeper and they work fine together. In fact, Spybot catches stuff that the other doesn't, most notably DoubleClick. I don't think having to manually search for and download updates is a big problem, either. After all, Spybot is a FREE program, although donations are accepted. I wonder how many of the people whining about it's effectiveness have ever sent a few bucks?; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot is good as an adjunct
by arpy12003 July 18, 2007 10:13 PM PDT: While I agree that Spybot is no longer effective as the only anti-spyware program on anyone's pc, I think it is still useful and has it's place. I use it in addition to Webroot SpySweeper and they work fine together. In fact, Spybot catches stuff that the other doesn't, most notably DoubleClick. I don't think having to manually search for and download updates is a huge inconvenience, either. After all, Spybot is a FREE program, although donations are accepted. I wonder how many of the people whining about it's effectiveness have ever sent a few bucks?; Like this Reply to this comment

Spybot, depends on your taste
by battleborn1 July 18, 2007 10:46 PM PDT: I long ago stopped using Spybot, though it served OK for the year or so I used it. The 'teatimer' (I think it's called) was a real memory hog as I remember. Have since switched to paid software that I have more faith in. Some people are allergic to paying for good software and to them, have at it. But I think there's better freeware out there than Spybot. It used to miss a LOT of junk that I no longer have to worry about. Ewido the first time I installed it uncovered dozens of things that Spybot missed. What's the big problem with paying $15 (which you can frequently find it for on sale) for Spysweeper, a thorough dependable program? That and a good Security Suite, that usually has a malware unit works for me. If you want to add a freebie Spyware Blaster is a much better investment of your memory.; Like this Reply to this comment

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. 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.; Like this Reply to this comment