CNET Editors' review
Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable is a free security program that scans for and removes malicious or unwanted adware, malware, spyware, and other threats on any compatible Windows PC without requiring you to install it. That's because it's been portable-ized by PortableApps. Its download contains everything you need to run Spybot without the program making any changes to your PC, beyond purging junk, that is.
Spybot's portable application installer (.paf) can save the program's executable to virtually any directory, including a USB thumbdrive. Spybot's interface consists of a two-paned main window and a navigation sidebar accessing the program's main features: the main Search & Destroy tool, a Recovery tool, an Immunize feature that protects Web browser, and Update and Donations buttons. Before we initiated a scan, we clicked the Help button, which not only offered a good manual but also a tutorial that walks new users through the program's various steps, complete with illustrations. Under Search & Destroy, we clicked Check for Problems. The scan is thorough and took several minutes; it turned up some minor issues that we could check out by expanding the scan display's tree view. We selected those items we wanted to remove and clicked Fix selected problems, which Spybot did after double-checking our wishes. The Immunize tool adds sites known to be bad to your browser registry's Restricted Zone, if you're running IE or Opera. It blocks such sites from running executable code on your system.
Spybot also offers an Advanced mode that can potentially remove things you want to keep, so use it with caution. It offers a ton of interface language options, too, on the Languages menu. Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable is a great tool for your portable PC toolkit, the one you keep on a USB drive for when friends and relations need help with a PC problem.
Publisher's Description
From PortableApps:
Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 9 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 9 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-9 of 9
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"A good program, but not much different from others."
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
Spybot did a good job finding and removing trackers, but it also missed a few that another program picked up.
Cons
It did miss a few spies that another program found.
Summary
It did a good job, but it doesn't distance itself from other Spy catchers.
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"with age comes experience, spybot is old and wise"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
spybot has been around a while, it is one of the tools i use to do standard cleanup's and immunizations on pc's. i find it general will find more than most other free cleanup tools. is easy to use, and gets the job done.
Cons
remember to run as admin for vista or windows 7. as it will not automatically have admin authority.
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"Repaired mouse errors."
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
It repaired my mouse 'right click' & 'double click' problems.
Cons
None that I know of.
Summary
I thought mouse clicks don't work because of hardware problems. But spybot repaired them amazingly. When it shows 'right media' 'left media' etc, you just have to see the top & click the 'fix selected problems' to repair the mouse problems instantly. Update whenever you have mouse problems. I'm having 'Malwarebytes' for spies. I'd strongly recommend this for mouse problems.
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"found viruses and spyware"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
It did get the job done.
Cons
Had to scan it more than once.to get my p c cleaned.
Summary
Overall it worked good for me.I would recommend it.It is a little slow.But it worked okay.Had to restart my computer.And then I ran a full scan with anti virus program.After these were done ,ran a repair on the registry.
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"Smooth running, thorough, and user friendly."
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
Updating and running the program is very simple.
Cons
Does not update automatically.
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"Long awaited"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
does everything it says
Cons
really slowed down Win 7 64bit and Google
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"It Didn't Work"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
Easy to install.
Cons
Unfortunately not effective.
Summary
Find something else instead.
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"works as advertised"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
easy of use and also the depth the programs goes into.
Cons
I didnt find any
Summary
As good as the rest of the best if you not what that means lol
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"SpyBot is always Good."
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy Portable 1.6.2
Pros
It does what they say it does.
Cons
I have not found any.
