- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (15-day trial); $19.95 to buy
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: April 22, 2009
- Total Downloads: 1,376,326
- Downloads last week: 866
- 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: Seth Rosenblatt on July 29, 2009
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.
In addition to the standard Quick Scan and the full computer Deep Scan, 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, a history cleaner, and a useful process exploring tool 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).
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. The 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 use Outlook, Photoshop, and Firefox with no snags while the full scan was running.
All in all, the feature set, the fully functioning 15-day trial, 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 a powerful spyware and malware remover that treads lightly on system resources. It's a powerful Antispyware tool that does not bog down your PC. Long, "heavy-CPU" spyware scans are a thing of the past. With CounterSpy's small memory footprint, you don't have to choose between PC security and PC performance.
Note: If you are running another security product with its own real-time protection, and see an impact on system performance, we recommend you disable CounterSpy Active Protection.
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User reviews of CounterSpy 3.1.2710
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 538 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 8 user reviewsSee all 8 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: CounterSpy 3.1.2710
"Promising, but suffers from annoying flaws."
Pros: Works well and fairly light on system resources (used w/AMD 64 3000+)
Cons: Lots of false positives. Not enough program control options. Can't uninstall software.
Summary: Trial program is a pain - you can't easily disable it at Windows Startup, and the version I installed (latest V.3) had no "uninstall" option in Add/Remove Programs. I had to use CC Cleaner to get rid of it.
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Version: CounterSpy 3.1.2710
"a all round spyware program for the normal user"
Pros: very easy to use does not slow up the pc great for mum and dad users and kids
Cons: have not found any yet
Summary: great free spyware program for the average user you dont know its on
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Version: CounterSpy 3.1.2710
Pros: it delete the suspected material and you can retrieval it whatever you want
Cons: when the update cut out sometimes all the definition removed
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: CounterSpy 3.1.2710
"It is a great product, but the price"
Pros: I have been using Norton Internet Security for some time, currently version 2009. CounterSpy was able to identify and remove two Trojans in my C: drive and also copies in my external drive used for backup.
Cons: The price. I am already paying for antivirus, anti-spyware and phishing protection. Now I have to pay another to do this part right.
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Version: CounterSpy 3.1.2710
"Still like and still improving despite past bumps."
Pros: Scans fast, finds problems, good interface, has all needed features, excellent support, still improving in all areas, fixed pass problems.
Cons: They have been solved.
Summary: I am a intermediate computer user and form my six years of experience using many differant spyware programs I find CounterSpy the best on the market.
- See all 8 user reviews Write review
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