CNET Editors' review
Correction: Although this review was written for Spyware Doctor version 8, a typo misstated the version number as version 7. That has since been corrected.
Spyware Doctor 8 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:
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
The new Spyware Doctor detects, removes and blocks the nastiest Spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, Spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers (BHO), rootkits, phishing and other malware attacks. The powerful OnGuard feature provides real-time protection and deploys many Guards that actively monitor and protect the PC from Spyware attacks, including; immunization, keylogger protection, malicious processes, site protection, popup blocking, and browser monitor. Additionally it actively protects Web browsing with a built-in popup blocker, cookie guard and malicious site protection. Spyware Doctor is easy-to-use and low on PC resources and you'll appreciate the super fast scanning speed which is delivered by multiple specialized scanners. This unique architecture allows Spyware Doctor to outperform other anti-spyware solutions as each scanner specializes in the identification of specific traits of infections for more effective detection and removal. Almost any function of Spyware Doctor can be updated through the Smart Update process and it is constantly being improved and extended to counteract the most aggressive Spyware threats. Registered users get free updates, upgrades and new versions for a full year, so you don't need to worry about being stuck with outdated technology. Backed by 24/7 expert customer support, it's reliable, effective, and highly recommended software. So protect your PC now from spyware, adware, keyloggers, Trojans and other programs, we recommend you get Spyware Doctor today.
What's new in this version: Version 8.0 includes protection report card to keep you informed of how PC Tools has protected your PC over the last 30 days.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 2,808 votes
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Current version:
2.3 starsout of 95 votes
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My rating:
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"In additiona to the various problems above I was (cons)"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
The last program I used from PCT was the AV, and that was only because it seemed to be the only way to have a restore point set pretty much automatically. I have read somewhere MS does this, but, and I could easily be missing something (no expert here), this only happens when certain program load, if they have that feature.
Cons
told by PCT that they were bought by Symantec. Norton is very picky (perhaps with good reason) about who they play with, and when PCT used to have some half decent programs, they now get kicked off by Norton! PC Tools actually sent me some odd program that made me call in. I like to have some extra programs to check others becasue I have concluded that a. Some do not work at all B. Some have some features but not others that work and C. I have found a couple that I used for years, or are new, from eons of research$, that when check against each other seem quite close, and they work with Norton (NIS). I won't mention other names, becuase of FOL (Fear Of Lawers) syndrome! This is something more deeply entrenched into our society the more I think about it, and through experience. Bad descisions are made, at all levels of society due just to this malfunction. Win/Loss/Damages not relevant here, just staggering fees, which often crush the "Winner".
Summary
Some OS seem "cleaner" than others, but without programming knowledge, especially since GUI and the Internet (I worked with a retired Western Electric programmer setting up a Real Estate Managment system in the late 70's a few meters from huge mainframes which we plugged into by actual telephone on a DEC printer. That was it at the start and we flew into the 80' like a rocket. Then one day we found ourselves, in the second stage, on 4 8" floppy disks. Since he wrote sequentially this was like going from the Autobahn to the back roads. Our 1st WP was WordStar, which I didn't even realize was alivein 2000 or so, but read somewhere that the Creator's assistant "ported it" to Windews, I presume so it not be threat to Woid. On another totally off topic subject how is it that some programs can copy the "ribbon" with no apparent backlash? I hope Mac stays around, not that I'm a big fan, but for A. Competition and B. I haven't hit a better all in one source dictionary than what they have. I'm going through withdrawal after the LCD blew on the iMac all in one (Terrible design). Not worth fixing unless you have the tools and skill, maybe, even with everything else fines inside. I see I have 15,000 charachters left (you may want to shotren that!) si, in the spirit of saving money whay has Intel even bothered making a graphics card all these years. Most people, who know even a little (and I include myself here) will upgrade ($$$) to Nvida or ATI, and they own Nvidia! I've concluded on the cards from recent reading that each have different strengths, so I thinks the best solution is one of each! Now the upgrade path is altered gain, with one (At least I have only seen one) AMD set with NO BIOS. Bravo. At the same time we seem to have hit what call the Pentium 11/111 scenario with Ivy League arriving before the Sandy Bridge is fully built. That's tech I guess. I remember opening the box to a P11 when the P111 came blazing along and, if I recall, lasted for some time. I've seen Linux do some amazing things, but what's going on there? Next year I'll use all 15,000 charachters!
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"Good but it's not as advertised"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
It's fast
Provides easy to see results page
AccuracyCons
It's not a free to try as posted on download.com. I downloaded it and installed it. Ran it and it came back with results showing minimal issues. But when I told it to fix the problems found it said I needed to pay money. Definitely not a 30 day free trial. Should have been labeled correctly. I wanted to see it work in comparison to the program I currently use and it can't do the job without paying money for proof of performance. A joke.
Summary
Good program if you buy it first - maybe. But to label it a free trial when it does not out perform a competing product that I have already paid for and does not provide different results is a joke.
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"What once was isn't anymore."
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
It used to be a good program that was very capable.
Cons
It USED to be a good program that was very capable.
Blue Screen of death on a daily basis, verified cause to be PCTcore.sys and PCTSD.sys.
Updates do not seem to be well tested. 4 times in the past 3 years an update has caused my computer to slow to unusable. Verified culprit by disabling PC Tools.Summary
For three years I have been a loyal customer of Spyware Doctor plus anti-virus. What started out as a great option to Norton has now become nothing more than a system hog. It isn't that the program uses an excess of memory or CPU, it doesn't use an extraordinary amount amount of either. It just slows your computer down to unusable speeds.
I have a fast CPU, lots of memory and fast hard drives. There is no reason why my system should run this slowly. At times I can't even double click anything because the system is running so slow that it won't recognized a double click.
I will be changing to another malware/anti-virus program and PCtools has lost a customer.
Customer support leaves a lot to be desired as well. After initial contact they will put you on an email chain that they may or may not answer in a timely manner. It took 3 days to get a response after their first attempt to solve my Blue Screen halts and then were indignant when I told them I didn't trust I would receive a timely manner.
PC Tools has gone downhill in the past few years and they need to turn things around before the entire world gets the idea that their product is not just less than satisfactory, it does more to slow down the system than any malicious files do. -
"Don't do it! Kills everything - ESPECIALLY THE CPU!!!"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
It seems to stop everything - right down to the CPU
Cons
I bought and paid for PC Tools Spyware Doctor / AntiSpyware, etc. and their Performance module - a combined $70-$80 for the package. And between them they messed up everything on my system - my browser, my Adobe Reader, my startup time and they brought my CPU to a crawl. Everything was locking up. I uninstalled them both and then I had to do a scan disk and defrag. Now I have minimal protection again, but my laptop runs like a formula racer again. Don't bother with their stuff.
Summary
Don't download the free version because you won't get something for nothing and definitely don't pay for it because then you'll really be upset.
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"Doctor for got the Hippocratic Oath"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
Cool sounding name.
Better than nothing? Maybe.
Was good four or five year ago.Cons
Setup takes FOREVER. Big, slow and glitchy.
Very dictatorial. Like a little Mussolini.
False positives for days. After a scan, pay them & they'll fix your three real threats, plus the 794 made up ones.
Made by "PC Tools".
They never met a credit card number they didn't like.Summary
Worst, an iLivid Download Manager loaded "SPYWARE DOCTOR" to my system -- no choice, it just goes with no 'cancel' button -- that sets up an iLivid toolbar to track your browsing habits, and sets your homepage to searchqu/40. Not just so you can try it out searchqu to see how you like it, but forever. Change your homepage & it changes back. Revo Uninstaller could not uninstall iLivid. I tried to delete the protected files, and it tried to uninstall Malwarebytes, PCT's hated enemy. Surprising, malwarebytes didn't help me much. Superantispyware caught it as an "unwanted software launcher' or something like that. While this went on, Spyware Doctor itself bacially tried to take over my PC like it owned the place, making decisions (bad ones) without consulting me. I Revo Uninstalled the crap out of it. No more "PC Tools" stuff for me!
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"Waste of money"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
-Average protection against trojans
Cons
-Minimal spyware removal capabilites
-Minimal protection against new viruses
-Most features simply don't work
-Frequent crashes and errors
-Too expensive
-Lies to meSummary
So I have the stupid mediashifting.com virus and the abnow.com virus so its close to impossible for me to do anything on my internet browser, and my computer is slow as dirt right now and I am desperate to fix my computer. So eventually I stumble upon Spyware Doctor.. it said it is able to fix both of these viruses and help optimize my computer for free. So I download it, seems to be fine. I try to scan my computer for viruses and infected files, and it did. It found 17 viruses and 300 something infected files. Great. Then I press the "Fix now" button and.. What is this? I need to register to fix them? And it costs $30? ***??? Oh well, might as well do it. So I buy the damn thing and I press the "Fix now" button. After locking up for several minutes (without any warning) it says it is successful prompts me to retart my computer. So, it fixed my computer right? No more viruses? WRONG!! It actually DESTROYED my computer instead of fixing it. It had some serious errors while starting up, and I had to restore to another point. I start up my computer again, slow as ever, try to open up Spyware Doctor (which took several minutes), and find out I need to pay extra money for the virus protection. Then it suddenly locks up again, and I have to end the process via Task Manager, and now it wont start up again. It takes about 10 minutes for the window to come up. I try and run the Malware Detective to see if that works, but I have to buy that too. It freezes up again and I start it back up but everytime the window comes up its says everything is off. It's a frozen screen that says everything is off. So now I'm still stuck with mediashifting virus and abnow.com virus AND I just lost 30 bucks trying to fix it. What do I do??
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"20% DISCOUNT COUPON found today"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
Better that most of antiviruses. I tried a lot of antispyware, but this one is THE BEST on a market today. As I know this software has many awards on famous magazines. I bought this software with discount:
www.**************.info/spyware_doctor.htmCons
Sometimes - a slow start of application. But then it works fine.
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"This is a nightmare product"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
It used to be a good product. Once the product is uninstalled you will be able to use your computer again.
Cons
After it is installed your computer will be basically useless. They make it almost impossible to uninstall. It took me several hours to do so.
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"Used to be a good program."
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
Gets rid of most spyware
Cons
Crashes Computer
Removes spyware that PC tools self-engineering
Lots of bloatware features
Expensive
Bad CS
Incompatible with most modern games -even in game mode (especially with steam)Summary
I'v been a subscriber to this program for 5 years now and I've watch the company falter. It used to be great but now the company is complete profit driven.
BOTTOM LINE: DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!!! -
"Cr*pware - scam"
Version: Spyware Doctor 8.0
Pros
None, you would be better off using superantispyware
Cons
Spyware Doctor cannot cleanly remove half of what it claims. Spyware Doctor is known not to get along with a number of antivirus programs, barring its own.
Summary
Think twice before downloading anything from PC Tools.
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