- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (15-day trial); $19.95 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
- Date added: March 22, 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 539 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 :A new antispyware tool is beating all the old ones! CounterSpy won the April 2005 antispyware comparison by PC World. They said: "CounterSpy had the highest detection rate in our tests. The most effective scanner --CounterSpy-- was also the fastest, taking only a minute to perform a complete scan of a system with 2.7GB of data. CounterSpy proved the most capable of the bunch…” It has sophisticated protection against spyware, think of it as a spy-wall. Try it out for 15 days: FREE!
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User reviews of CounterSpy 1.0.29
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 539 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 76 user reviewsSee all 76 user reviews
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8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.29
"Excellent Anti-Spyware Application"
Pros: I really like the easy interface, and the scan was very quick. I am sure there were no false positives because all the items found i could locate myself. That said this software is definitely worth a look!
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.29
Pros: This software is $20 and after that only $10/year. It detected some stuff that I didn't know that I even had on my computer. It detects more stuff than Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta. Also, it doesn't hurt to have more than 3 appllications either.
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6 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.29
"Is Cloned Software. Simliar to Microsofts Giant"
Pros: Works very well and is designed for novice end user. Although it is a clone the deinfitions seems better than the original versions.
Cons: Missed several spyware programs installed on my test and analysis PC. Only removed 15 out of 27. Not bad though, but it seemed to only removed the older files and files listed on CNET. Also Missed Several CWS variants. Don't worry even some of the best products missed these international threats. My review puts this 5th in my testing so far falling just behind Several programs with worse reviews. Should be no more than 3 to 4 stars...
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2 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.29
Pros: nice interface, nice installation, seemingly deep scans, quick scans, good real time protecion
Cons: let me start out with one question, why does this program look, and act simular to microsoft antispyware beta, formally GIANT?
this program missed several entries on a test computer, bookspaced, CWS Startpage, and Aurora/Nail.exe. three pretty serious ones that Ewido picked up, Microsoft Antispyware picked up, and Webroots SpySweeper picked up (and removed all but 1) Adaware and Spybot picked up on nothing execpt the nail start up trojan, this program which cost cheaper then most of the paid for such as spysweeper, ewido, and what not, is nothing thrilling, hense it really should be free since it does really nothing that a quality paid for program can do, and does a little of the same but better, then most free programs. it to me is not worth the money but if you want it, it may worth it to you. nothing thrilling, just good,
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4 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.0.29
"Reliable and Reasonably Priced"
Pros: Detects far more spyware than it's competitors.
- See all 76 user reviews Write review
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