A newer version of Spyware Doctor Starter Edition is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
Features
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
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Downloads:
334,515
- Operating Systems:
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Additional Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Limitations:
No limitations
- Date Added:
July 01, 2007
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Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
From PC Tools:Spyware Doctor has been downloaded over 100 million times; with a million more downloads every week. Millions of people worldwide use Spyware Doctor to protect their identity and PC security. Spyware Doctor has consistently been awarded Editors' Choice, by leading PC magazines and testing laboratories around the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Australia. Spyware Doctor is advanced technology designed specially for people, not experts. It is automatically configured out of the box to give you optimal protection with limited interaction so all you need to do is install it for immediate and ongoing protection. Protection against: spyware, adware, spyware trojans, keyloggers, identity theft, hijackers, tracking threats, spybots, rogue anti-spyware, unwanted software, phishing, pop-ups, and bad Web sites. Starter Edition is a free version of Spyware Doctor, with full scan and remove, some real-time and no time limit. Version 5.0.1.201 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
Note: This software comes with Google toolbar for Internet Explorer, that can be installed or uninstalled at the user's choice.
Editor's review of Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
stars
- "Consult your doctor"
- Version reviewed: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
Spyware Doctor is well-respected enough to get included in Google's software roundup, Google Pack, but like many of its ilk, its effectiveness has as much to do with your surfing habits as it does with how many threats can be picked up by the detection file.
This free app includes limited real-time protection--competitors usually hamstring their guards until you upgrade to the paid edition. Here, the OnGuard protection is limited to the File Guard, which says it prevents unsafe e-mail attachments and other malicious files already hiding on your system from being accessed.
Basic features include two kinds of scans, an "Intelli" scan and a "Full" one, as well as a third, customizable checker. There's also a scheduler, a rootkit component that can be turned off, and the usual links to other antimalware programs by the same publisher.
The Doc has control tabs on the left and the main interface panel taking up the rest of the real estate. It probably has the most intuitive layout of them all, so when you click on a tab, more options appear just next to it without cramping the main screen. Some users have complained that it's a resource hog, although this wasn't our experience. As far as its effectiveness goes, though, Spyware Doctor did us no harm.
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User reviews of Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
- Average user rating: 3.2 stars out of 134 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 25 user reviewsSee all 25 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
"Limited spyware and malware database."
Cons: Only limits a number of spyware and malware database. Only shows common ones, not those risky and new virus.
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4 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
Pros: large database helps with identifying trojans and the like. The detection rate isn't bad either, and it's rather easy to use.
Cons: This little app is such a resource hog. It slows down my pc to a crawl even with this as the only anti spyware running. it provides some protection but not enough to suffice. there are better security programs then this, so stay away.
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4 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Version: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
Pros: Effective.
Cons: Eats resources absolutely too much.
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
Pros: Well it looks great, nice and clean, easy to install and understand for rookies.
Cons: Ah here we go, IT IS A TOTAL RAM EATER. This program slows your pc to a crawl! I have tried it on my XP and Vista pc's and no go, way to much of your drive gets swallowed in this heavy program. After installing on my spanking new pc i noticed a big difference in lack of speed. As we all know when buying a new pc NORTON seem to have a grip of pre-installing itself in the way of a trial security suite. If your like me you rip it out and grab much better free security programs including trying this , well sorry folks but it sucks! I wrote a review of AVG anti-spy and didn't rate it much, well i do apologise to AVG as i use it on my vista pc and it's way much better than the last time i grabbed it and way better than this hog of a program!
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5 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Version: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201
"Not for an average computer."
Pros: If you have a powerful computer and depend on freeware, this isn't a bad choice. It has the usual solid scan engine and detection rate, and removes the detected items for free. Runs good on "Vista" but I can't say about "XP". I tried it before I reformatted my new computer and found it a decent choice in a specific, free anti spy application. It also has good detection of trojans.
Cons: It's heavy, slow and comes with the "PC Tools" nag screen. One "PC Tools" product and it wants you to have all of them. Not for an average computer with anything less then 2GB ram and a good processor. Not for those who can afford paid products. I no longer use any "PC Tools" software.
- See all 25 user reviews Write review
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