- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (Real-time protection and detection only.); $29.95 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/7
- Date added: October 14, 2009
- Total Downloads: 19,499,445
- Downloads last week: 9,474
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 2643 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on November 11, 2009
Spyware Doctor 7 offers users a superb collection of malware prevention and removal tools, but its infamously strict trial restrictions makes it difficult to evaluate. With quick scanning and multiple tools for stopping malware before it infects your computer, the paid version is a solid spyware remover.
Installing the program annoyingly requires you to reboot the computer, but as soon as Windows finishes loading, the program will start scanning for malware. Impressively, the scan took only about five minutes, which much faster than competing programs, and properly categorized problems such as tracking cookies as low-level threats. Once you remove the threats, which requires purchasing a license, the Start Scan tab will offer an Intelli-Scan, which is the Quick Scan rebranded, a Full Scan, and a Custom Scan. The Intelli-Scan shouldn't be confused with the IntelliGuard tab that provides access to the 10 subguards that the program offers. These are largely self-explanatory: Behavior, Browser, Cookie, Email, File, Immunizer, Network, Process, Site, and Startup. Behavior Guard, for example, is powered by PC Tools' ThreatFire engine for protecting against zero-day threats and malicious behavior.
This version of Spyware Doctor also lacks the antivirus engine that its bigger sibling Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus provides, and as such, it's more comparable to Ad-Aware than a complete antivirus and antispyware program like Norton. The program comes with some useful settings options, too, including a gaming mode and the option to run a scan at start-up. However, its default setting for rootkit scanning is off. While the trial version of Spyware Doctor can't remove detected threats, it does offer real-time protection--much like PC Tools' free ThreatFire program.
Watch the CNET video review of Spyware Doctor 2010:
Publisher's description
From PC Tools :Spyware Doctor is an advanced adware and spyware removal utility that detects and cleans thousands of potential spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, spyware cookies, trackware, spybots and other malware from your PC. Protect your privacy and computing habits from prying eyes.
What's new in this version:
Version 7.0.0.508 features ThreatFire Behavioral Intelligence with next-generation technology to block new threats faster than traditional signature methods.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.2 stars out of 2643 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 36 user reviewsSee all 36 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Spyware Doctor 2010 7.0.0.508
Pros: I reallly am trying to find a PRO but can't find any. Total waste of my time
Cons: I bought it to get rid of the MyFreez.com virus for which it said it would eliminate. It didn't. Even worse, it started several instances of the GUI process to the point that it bogged down the CPU to a crawl. Had to stop the application.
Summary: Sounds like there are some issues with the program as well as the claims the company makes on the web. I mistakenly installed this "MyFreeze.com" spyware program and despite best efforts I could delete it through the normal process in the "Add/Remo... read more >>
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Version: Spyware Doctor 2010 7.0.0.508
"Scareware- do not waste time or money"
Pros: None- until uninstall
Cons: Bogus alerts to scare and coerce you to purchase- there are plenty of free programs that do a better job! Not worth the time it took to install, scan, and uninstall.
Summary: Better free programs out there- how can you trust a program with bogus alerts?
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Version: Spyware Doctor 2010 7.0.0.508
"20% DISCOUNT COUPON found today"
Pros: Simply the best anti-spyware on a market. I used several anti-spy programs, but only Spyware Doctor found the keylogger that spied on my PC about 2 monthes. And I found 20% discount for this wonderful soft here:
www.softiger.com/spyware_doctor.htmCons: Slow start of application.
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Version: Spyware Doctor 2010 7.0.0.508
Pros: Simple test with trojan-downloader.bagle in my sys:all other programs dont found it but with spyware doctor a foud! thanks!
Cons: I must pay to remove
Summary: I try many time all spyware remover in my work on all my client's pc but spyware doctor foud always all spyware 20% more respect all others programs.
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Version: Spyware Doctor 2010 7.0.0.508
"Another attempt to bleed money from users"
Pros: I'm not sure, but it supposedly finds spyware.
Cons: Bait-and-switch tactic to scare users into paying for their software.
Summary: Like so many other "helpful" utilities, Spyware Doctor invariably finds some elements of spyware on any machine on which it's installed. The catch is that it won't remove anything that it supposedly finds during its scans without blackmailing users... read more >>
- See all 36 user reviews Write review
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