- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (15-day trial); $19.95 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: February 18, 2005
- Total Downloads: 1,346,144
- Downloads last week: 1,445
- See full specifications
A newer version of CounterSpy is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 538 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
CounterSpy 3.1 continues the strong series of releases for this basic yet powerful antispwyare software. The program makes it simple to schedule and customize spyware scans or run scans on demand, while also offering an adjustable level of real-time protection.
Installation is quick and easy. A configuration wizard walks users through the basic settings options for the program, including necessary proxy info, the frequency of risk-definition update checks, the level of real-time protection, and the initial scan schedule. Oddly enough, the default scan is 1 a.m. and can't be edited in the wizard. It's easy to change scheduled scans from the program interface later, but why not offer an hour choice at setup? It should also be noted that CounterSpy strongly recommends that Windows Defender "should be disabled," in case you are a fan of that software.
In addition to the standard Quick Scan and Deep Scan (full computer), CounterSpy has a fully customizable option that lets you specify which areas of your machine are scanned and what the scan is looking for. CounterSpy also throws in a few extra tools, including a file eraser and a history cleaner, which are becoming more standard on security apps, and a PC Explorer tool, which is cooler. Click "Explore" and you'll see a drop-down menu and a display that provides quick access to system information like running processes, hosts file, LSPs, Downloaded ActiveX controls, start-up programs, and browser helper objects (when bad, they're called browser hijackers). Nifty.
CounterSpy claims that the latest release has faster scans and uses less system resources, so it's worth looking at both. Based on our limited testing, scan times seem a bit faster than comparable programs, but not the type of instant satisfaction. Quick scans, however, which examine specific vulnerable areas of your machine. Also, the endless options for customizing the area of your scan and how the scan works are impressive. As for resources, while deep scanning, the CounterSpy Service used about 30MB of internal memory, while the user interface took up about half that. The Service did occasionally jump up in RAM usage and CPU, but we managed to run (and use) Outlook, Photoshop, and Firefox with no snags while the full scan was running.
All in all, the feature set (a smooth, quick spyware scanner, comprehensive logging, helpful bonus apps like the aforementioned PC Explorer, well-organized settings, and intuitive interface); the fully functioning 15-day trial that gives users plenty of time to test, scan, and most importantly, remove threats from their PCs; the smart design; and the strong stability and performance are all major factors that contribute to the top rating for this antispyware app.
Publisher's description
From Sunbelt Software :CounterSpy is an antispyware tool that detects, deletes, and protects your personal computer from a broad range of malicious software. CounterSpy searches and destroys existing spyware on your computer, but it also has sophisticated protection against recurring spyware threats, reducing the chances of getting new spyware. Think of it as a spy-wall. Version 1.0.26 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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User reviews of CounterSpy 1.0.26
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 538 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 18 user reviewsSee all 18 user reviews
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60 out of 84 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.26
Pros: I test every spy removal program that download.com offers,and this one has many good features and scans at a fairly quick pace. But to test it fairly, I downloaded some programs that came with spyware. 180 search,bargain buddy,Gains, new net dot,etc. Counter spy cleaned all but one,180 search. It missed it after two full scans. I then ran Webroots Spy Sweeper,which found 180 first thing. I'm thinking Counter Spy is still in beta, and needs a little more fine tuning. But it still better than alot of the others that are out on the market
Cons: needs work
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5 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.26
"Great protection, but is actually MS AntiSpyware!"
Pros: The program is one of the best on the market. It scans your computer quickly and thoroughly, and provides real-time protection, all while using few system resources.
It successfully identified and removed all of the spyware installed on my computer, and even blocked a trojan horse from running. (Surprisingly, my firewall and virus scanner hadn't noticed it!)
Cons: The product is in actuality MS AntiSpyware! The interface is almost identical, with only a few icon adjustments. The rules and databases Sunbelt uses are supplied primarily from Microsoft, which a slight supplement of their own "research." This is because Sunbelt and Giant Software were partners before the MS buyout. The Sunbelt-Giant agreement means that Microsoft must provide product updates to Sunbelt through next year, at which time the two products will head in their own directions.
Also, Microsoft recently announced that their AntiSpyware will be FREE to all legitimate users of Windows 2000/XP/2003 server when it is released this summer (currently in public beta).
Thus, the only people who should download this product are those running Windows 98/ME. Anyone else will simply be wasting their money.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.26
Pros: I've been using this software for only a day, but so far I'm very impressed! For those reviewers who have stated that this is an exact replica of MS Antispyware, you're wrong. It is close in many ways, but not the same. This one actually scans for cookies and, maybe more importantly, it uses only about half the system resources of MSA and Webroot's Spysweeper, for that matter. The interface is first rate as well.
Cons: Nothing yet.
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5 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.26
Pros: found viewpoint
Cons: this product is okay, but spysweeper is better.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.26
Pros: Well, it has one pro I can see.. it's easy to use.
Cons: I installed the demo to give it a try. and have 2 days left of the trial. I have been testing it out and it missed a LOT of spyware.. most recent example is. I downloaded Netpumper to test it out.. and sure Counterspy removed some of the spyware.. and after it was done, I scanned with Lavasoft's ADAWARE.. It found 1 registry key, 10 registry Values and 14 files... I agree that no anti-spyware program is perfect, but thats pretty bad.. I think I'll stick to Lavasoft and Spybot for my anti spyware needs.
- See all 18 user reviews Write review
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