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- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: May 12, 2004
- Total Downloads: 106,186,035
- Downloads last week: 187,203
- See full specifications
A newer version of Spybot - Search & Destroy is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 5205 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
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 its bugginess makes 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 - Search & Destroy a good choice for those in search of a second antispyware program, but there are others in the category that do a better job without all the bugs.
Watch the CNET video review of Spybot - Search & Destroy:
Publisher's description
From Patrick M. Kolla :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 with other users. 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.
Version 1.3 adds enhanced immunization features, an improved interface, and integration of BrowserManager for spyware detection, plus the new Hosts File feature and bug fixes.
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User reviews of Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3
- Average user rating: 4.2 stars out of 5205 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 1606 user reviewsSee all 1606 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
48 out of 72 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3
Pros: I feel Spybot is a great addition to anyone who wants a more secure pc. It catches and kills alot of spyware and it"s free. It will miss a couple things if you are a reckless surfer, like me, and should have Spyware Doctor or Webroots Spysweeper as a backup. I recommend Spybot as one of the best free programs on the internet and give it 5 Stars and TWO thumbs UP!
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6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3
Pros: This is REAL freeware! no sutch thing as "pro version" , its full functional! And works!
Cons: Its not Cute G.U.I.
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4 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3
Pros: easy to use, between spybot and ad-aware my pc is spyware free
Cons: none
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3
Pros: I love the latest version with the resident spy-bot which protects your registry. You can also shut it down anytime you like.
Cons: Crashes sometimes but no worry its just a very small bug for low memory pc.
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3
Pros: Quick scan, helpful info on most spyware/adware/malware. Loads of advanced features such as "Secure Shredder" which will "shred" your files to the point that they cannot be recovered (good for confidential documnets and stuff). "immunizes" your system, which blocks many spyware threats. You can handle BHO's for IE (such as toolbars and plugins) edit your win.ini and stuff like that. You can use it to manage your ActiveX controls (for ActiveX and BHO's it will tell you if any of them are bad) You can block hundreds of spyware homesites by using the "hosts" feature, which adds all the websites to your hosts file (the file windows uses to help navigate the web) and makes them all point to IP address: 127.0.0.1 which is your basically nothing. THAT MEANS: if i added this to my hosts file "download.com [TAB]127.0.0.1" then I would NO LONGER be able to connect to download.com, this means that those spyware sites cannot connect to your computer anymore. It has many other features that are nice to have, but arent needed. OH, its FREE. completely FREE! no nag windows, no "PRO" version, no "Trial version". FREE!
Cons: Its just plain ugly! and the advanced features could be dangerous! handle with care! it doesnt find as much as Ad-Aware and it sometimes requires a reboot to fix all the problems. Does not warn you if your definitions file is outdated. Does not warn you if you need to immunize.
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