- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/NT
- Date added: January 26, 2009
- Total Downloads: 111,484,333
- Downloads last week: 112,894
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 5249 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 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 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. 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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User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.2 stars out of 5249 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 306 user reviewsSee all 306 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
"Probably the best considering its FREE! It works!"
Pros: Found all the adware that others left. Easy to use. Again it is free so this is major kudos and it works the way it should.
Cons: The only bad thing was that it is takes too long to scan. I am talking about ten minutes or so.
Summary: Used to have the malware-something which was a major disappointment because it never found one single adware (This is one of the top ten most downloaded programs) Many people use malware-something and don't realize their computers are still infected... read more >>
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
"Great software. You can have it FOR FREE"
Pros: You do not have to spend lot of money for software licenses.
It's great to find a fully featured software that doesn't cost.
Visit our site and use full versions for free.Cons: No problems found.
Summary: Follow this link:
www fullsoftwaredownloads info
Of course ... replace spaces with dot -
Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
"Great job of removing spyware"
Pros: Easy to use. Updates easily.
Cons: Installs "Tea Timer" automatically even when you tell it not to.
Slows the system down.Summary: Good job of detecting and removing spyware.
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Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
"This is the best spyware prevention I have ever used."
Pros: I had several spyware in my home computer. After I downloaded this program, the spyware was destroyed & now my system is functioning better than before.
Cons: I haven't seen anything that I dislike about this software.
Summary: In my limited experience with this product, I have noticed increased speed in my computer. After I downloaded this program, it began searching for any spyware in my system. When it found spyware, it was detroyed. I haven't had anymore spyware pro... read more >>
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Version: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.2
"does the job very well as good as though you pay for"
Pros: through and good
Cons: alittle slow
Summary: get this it's worth it
- See all 306 user reviews Write review
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