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CNET Editors' review
Spybot - Search & Destroy has been in the antispyware game for a long time offering features we've come to expect in the best apps in the category, but bugs and false positives make it difficult to recommend.
The program checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders. It also features several interface improvements, including multiple skins for dressing up its appearance. Scan results now appear arranged by groups in a tree, and a sliding panel lets you instantly view information about a selected item to help you decide whether to kill it or not. The Immunize feature blocks a plethora of uninvited Web-borne flotsam before it reaches your computer. Other useful tools, including Secure Shredder, complement the program's basic functionality for completely destroying files. Hosts File blocks adware servers from your computer, and System Startup lets you review which apps load when you start your computer.
Unfortunately, the program has the tendency to lock up at times and even during the install process for this review, we encountered several errors. The ambitious feature list and functionality make Spybot a good choice for those in search of a second antispyware program, and recent updates have made it run faster. It still makes errors in flagging spyware that isn't, and overall there are others in the category that do a better job.
Watch the CNET video review of Spybot - Search & Destroy:
Publisher's Description
From Safer-Networking:
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.
What's new in this version: Version 1.6.2 features support for the latest Opera releases, support for Google Chrome, and improved support for fast user switching while Spybot is running.
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- Trend Micro HijackThis
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 5,582 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 709 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Excellent!"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
All good and none bad
Cons
None that I can think of
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"Good FREE product! Vistaprint.com issue"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
A good free product to block many unwanted sites!
Cons
there have been a a issue with it adding Vistaprint.com in hostfile on my computer preventing it from accessing it! An Error on spybot's part! hopefully that will be corrected soon! If not, you need to edit hostfile to access!
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"Works quietly in the background."
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
Prevents crap from getting onto the computers.
Cons
None that I know of.
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"Very good spyware remover"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
IF u set it up properly, {using the advanced mode & run as Administrator} it works great!I've used it,since '07 & won't b without it,what M/W Bytes & S/Anti Spyware miss it has found{such as rogue links}
Cons
Not having auto-immunizing or updating as a choice 4 users, is merely a small drawback.
Summary
Really great freebie when properly set up.
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"IT SEEMED TO WORK WELL FOR A WHILE"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
it found some things and removed them that others missed. seemed to work very well
Cons
made my computer freez up and it was using 99% of my cpu.
Summary
if it does not freez your cpu i recommend it.
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"How do you get this to work?"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
Says it will do great things.
Cons
But they don't seem to play well with my rig. Immunization has to be "applied" each time and cannot alter HOSTS. Problems once "found" apparently cannot be cleaned, they are checked in green and the button to fix has no effect on the screen. Takes forever to scan.
Summary
Uninstalled my copy.
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"Not bad but a little slow"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
Not bad, fast, free and works. I have used this for years.
Cons
A little slow and complicated to use.
Summary
My recommendation, use the new Beta on their website. Runs fater and is easier to use.
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"Waste of time!"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
Scans your computer for infections, and alerts you when there is some weird activity happening.
Cons
It takes forever to scan, and it comes out empty even when there are problems in the registry. Something is definitely fishy about these reviews. It is not as excellent as people claim it to be.
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"Excellent!"
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
-What Major Antivirus Miss, The Spybot S&D Does The Job Well Done.
-Freeware
-Fast
-Deeply Scans Trojan Registry Keys (While Some Antivirus May Miss Of It)Cons
-Nothing Yet.
Summary
This Is By-far, My Primary Anti-spyware Programs I Found. Nothing Complaints So Far.
NOTE: If You Complain About The Features And Pricing, FYI, The "Real" Spybot S&D Is FREE For Personal Use. Otherwise, You're Downloading A Clone Rogue Software Of Spybot S&D, Known As "SpywareBot" Or Whatsoever, Which Made By "SpySheriff".
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spybot_%E2%80%93_Search_%26_Destroy#Malicious_clones -
"Simple, gets the job done."
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
None that I've seen.
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