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Features
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
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Downloads:
1,346,144
- Operating Systems:
Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Additional Requirements:
Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server
- Limitations:
15-day trial
- Date Added:
November 18, 2005
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Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of CounterSpy 1.5.82
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.
Editor's review of CounterSpy 1.5.82
stars
- "Stop spyware in its tracks"
- Version reviewed: CounterSpy 1.5.82
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.
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User reviews of CounterSpy 1.5.82
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 534 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 64 user reviewsSee all 64 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
96 out of 120 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
Pros: I like all the extra features that come with CounterSpy: Active Protection, PC Security Checkup, Hitory Cleaner, and File shredder. Also, the price is lower than SpySweeper. It even found a tracking cookie that SpySweeper and Spyware Doctor missed,(not a false positive). CounterSpy is an excellant Spyware remover and I recommend it. 5 stars and two thumbs up!
Cons: Scans a little slow, and uses some extra ram.
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55 out of 80 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"Active Prevention and Real Time Monitoring? Cool beans!"
Pros: CounterSpy offers many powerful layers of protection from outside threats. In addition it has an extensive array of what they call 'smart agents', which monitor in *real time* (even in the trial version!) an extensive list of processes on your computer, to provide you a truly deep level of security.
It also has a lot of really well thought out and very handy system tools, which I have found to be, both easy to use and effective.
Of course it also scans for and removes spyware, but my computer is clean right now apparently, and none was found. No false positives! The scan was of quite reasonable speed for being so very thorough, and I have no complaints about that at all.
I wish I could write a review which does it justice. But I only know enough about antispyware apps to feel confident saying that the people who developed CounterSpy have really made a huge contribution to internet security.
They have also presented CounterSpy in an attractive user friendly package. I feel both grateful 'and' a lot more secure. I can't believe this gem costs only $20.00.
Cons: None that I have found.
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13 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"WILL BE THE BEST FOR LONG TIME"
Pros: COUNTERSPY is most efficient spyware removal software...& not only : deep... deeper...deepest scan(reminds me old PEST PATROL , old glory) , fast & precise . Not so high in RAM using : it'll run fast even on a 256 RAM system . Great features , in particular efficient "ACTIVE PROTECTION" monitorizes whole computer standin' as a guardian beside firewall port but without blockin' any useful object or runnin' process unless is compulsory . Also monitorizes new registry entries & startup added : i think this is most useful feature (also SPYBOT can do this but not in this way) . Concernin' database : is not at the top , comparin' to latest rivals (in particular WEBROOT***** , PANDA***** , MCAFEE***) , anyway fastest & deepest search engine .
Cons: Cannot find unkown threats (only PANDA can) , little slow loadin' on startup . Grey/yellow sad interface...that's not a problem...for me !
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10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"Probably The Best But Not Perfect"
Pros: Originally designed around the "Giant" AntiSpyware (now "Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta") platform, CounterSpy has overhauled the code resulting in what is probably the best antispyware application currently on the market. It does an awesome job preventing, detecting (and if necessary) removing all forms of adware, spyware and malware, all for $20!
Cons: The latest version requires LOTS of memory. This could potentially slow down system performance for users with 256mb or less of DDR (for example, if Windows needs additional memory and is forced to pull from the swap file).
Also, even after the selecting the "always ignore" option (when the program detects "wanted" applications on my PC), the "always ignore" applications are re-detected with each scan. Not a huge problem but definitely annoying after a while.
Even so, I can easily overlook the few negatives and recommend CounterSpy for most users.
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19 out of 32 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 1.5.82
"CounterSpy = GIANT Antispyware = Microsoft Antispyware"
Pros: Same scanning engine as Microsoft Antispyware.
Same definition updates as Microsoft Antispyware.
For those who don't know: CounterSpy and GIANT/Microsoft Antispyware are all the same product. CounterSpy and GIANT built the engine together or something and had a big agreement to share antispyware definitions and updates. Microsoft bought out GIANT and obtained GIANT Antispyware. Microsoft is keeping their end of the bargain with the CounterSpy deal, until the end of course, which is later this year. After the agreement is up, CounterSpy will be left in the wind. So this program will be pretty much junk in half a year.
Cons: Its not free.
At the end of the year the agreement between Microsoft and CounterSpy will be over. No more freeloading on Microsoft's back for CounterSpy.
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