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- 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: July 19, 2006
- 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 :Remove spyware and protect your computer from pop-up ads, browser redirects (hijack), lagging performance and other malicious threats. Counterspy's Active Protection system employs dozens of online 'guards' who continually monitor your PC for suspicious software attempting to install. CounterSpy is antispyware that gets its updated spyware definitions from three sources, including our own research team, Microsoft's own spyware research group, and directly from users, like you.
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User reviews of CounterSpy 1.5.82
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 538 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 9 user reviewsSee all 9 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
2 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
Pros: removes several nasty variants.
Cons: Does not remove everything, and is a huge memory hog.
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2 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"Best resident anti-spyware program out there"
Pros: Superior to all the rest(one must know how to compare). Frequent up-dates, toll free phone support, email support, allows users a trial period prior to purchasing (not everything in life is free), works on almost every operating system, and more extras for those wishing to give it a try, Mindblower!
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"IT takes lot of memories than the previous version"
Pros: Works fine.Identifies almost spywares, keeps computer clean.
Cons: It takes about 60-80Mb Ram (I use WinXp SP2),may be it depends on the new technology of the new version. It's really too bad incomparison with the previous version 1.0.299, if you want it work stably in winXp SP2, you should have more than 256Mb Ram.
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5 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"Version 1.5 is a useful adjunct to the CPU Privacy Roster"
Pros: Works fine on Win2000ProSP4. Interacts perfectly with ZoneAlarm and Avast! Antivirus. Finds a few more cookies than Ad-Aware and SpyBot. Interface is simple and intuitive.
Cons: Uses significantly more memory than other programs like Ad-Aware and SpyBot.
Only has a 15-day trial.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"A poorly written piece of software that can damage your PC."
Pros: Absolutely nothing.
Cons: Adobe. Java. Google. Sit down at any Windows PC in the world, and the overwhelming odds are software from one of those giants will be present.
When I scanned my PC (XP Pro) with Counter Spy, however, Counter Spy RAPED and ATTACKED my machine's ability to run those popular software giants I mentioned above.
That is because Counter Spy is overly intrusive in what it does. It casts a net so wide, it is like a clumsy giant. Its poorly written definitions of spyware mean that Counter Spy mistakes common PCs functions as malware.
Specifically:
1) Lost the ability to download ANYTHING. Was able to fix this, after about an hour or so of snooping around. Basically, just restored everything that Counter Spy took off.
2) Couinter Spy determined Google Earth was spyware. Guess your company's ego can't handle a large, more successful company than yours.
3) Adobe Reader was unable to call up PDFs through IE, Firefox and Netscape anymore. Had to reinstall Adobe.
4) Despite restoring ALL the changes Counter Spy made, Java functions no longer worked well, and still don't.
As an example, can no longer delete my junk mail in Yahoo with one click; typical chat programs requiring Java signal Java void (0) on occasion, and on other occasions work.
BTW, reinstalled Java several times.
Oh well, such is life. Maybe I should swtich to Linux or Macs, then I wouldn't have to worry spyware, so they say.
Until then, I'll take Spysweeper or Spyware Doctor anyday as my choice of primary paid anti-spyware protection.
(With Spybot, Ad Aware, and Microsoft Anti-Spyware as backup, of course!)
- See all 9 user reviews Write review
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