CNET Editors' review
The trial version of Spyware Doctor offers solid real-time protection for your system, but without removal capabilities. Users with infected computers will need to purchase a registration code or look elsewhere.
With quick scanning and multiple tools for stopping malware before it infects your computer, the paid version is a solid spyware remover. The well-designed interface makes getting started a breeze. The program can perform a number of scans, including Quick Scan, which blazes through common trouble spots such as Internet Explorer cache files. We found scan times to be fast; even the Full System Scan took under five minutes on our test machine. The app displays scan results clearly, showing file and registry locations, threat level and a concise description of the threat.
The trial features include real-time protection, a pop-up blocker, a browser monitor, and a keylogger guard. The Live Update feature works smoothly, letting you know at start-up if there are significant updates. New features in this latest version include the option to see detailed scan results, Spider scanning technology, rootkit scanning, alternate data streams (ADS) threat detection, kernel-level malicious-process detection, and minor enhancements to the graphical user interface. It also has a fairly liberal definition for cookies and other threats, so be sure to examine your results carefully.
The full version is one of the better antispyware tools available, but without the ability to remove threats your computer will remain infected. Although we consider the full Spyware Doctor one of the most effective anti-malware available, the anemic trialware makes it hard for users to fully realize its potential.
Watch the CNET video review of Spyware Doctor:
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
Spyware Doctor is a spyware remover and provides real-time anti-spyware protection against spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, and phishing attacks. Additionally it actively protects Web browsing using Internet Explorer with a built-in popup blocker and malicious site guard. Spyware Doctor is easy to use and low on PC resources and its scanning speed is delivered by multiple specialized scanners. Almost any function of Spyware Doctor can be updated through the Live Update process. The OnGuard feature is designed to provide real time protection and deploys several tools that actively monitor and protect the PC from spyware attacks.
Version 5.0 is a major update, featuring optimized application performance, complete Modular design, and total Spider technology. It introduces new Intelli-Scan technology, new Site Guard functionality, and AntiVirus protection.
Note: This time-unlimited trial version does not remove existing threats during scans, but real-time detection and removal of incoming threats is enabled.
What's new in this version: Version 5 includes unspecified changes and fixes.
More Popular Spyware Removers downloads
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
487,020 downloads
- SpywareBlaster
59,723 downloads
- Anvi Smart Defender
38,347 downloads
- Ad-Aware Free Internet Security
35,876 downloads
- Spybot - Search & Destroy
29,317 downloads
-
All versions:
3.2 starsout of 2,804 votes
-
Current version:
2.0 starsout of 186 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Automatic renewal without notice"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
Product worked well but I didn't need it anymore as I have free access to mulitple options.
Cons
Didn't need it or use it for well over a year and noticed an automatic renewal this evening without notification. Stay away. There are better services and you won't have this renewal issue!
Summary
Automatic renewal without notification.
-
"not happy jan"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
nothing at all
Cons
this is a message I sent the makers of spyware doctor after installing it on a clean xp pro os.. your product completely screwed my brand new pc.... just looking for some good protection and instead I get this,.... whats the go. you say this is for removing spyware.... I have not been on the net till now with this machine... its the first software on since windows xp pro all upto date... and its useless blout ware .. that causes more harm than good...
-
"Disappointed"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
It identified many threats.
Cons
I immediately noticed my Virtual memory being very low. Task Manager showed Spyware doctor using 400MB of VM. This is too much and slows the system.
-
"STAY AWAY OR STICK TO VERSION 4"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
-
"RAM HOG"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Cons
I tested this program thinking that it would be one of the better spyware killers offered but unfortunately for Vista users this program requires too much of the system's resources to use and is a pain to try to disable while working in Windows. Only use it if you have over 1GB ram or higher otherwise it will slow your computer down
-
"read on"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
Okay well now this is a virus, torjan,spyware, and stuff like that if u want your comp broken i suggets u got for osmething else ... beacuse 5 of my spyware things say this is a LOAD OF CRAP!!
Cons
Okay well now this is a virus, torjan,spyware, and stuff like that if u want your comp broken i suggets u got for osmething else ... beacuse 5 of my spyware things say this is a LOAD OF CRAP!!
-
"DAMN its the BEST."
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
its really an amazing product!!
why??
simply because its the only one who removed the infected file on my computer!! knowing that i have my own anti-virus "bitdefender", who cant delete that file.
-
"GoOoOoOoOOooD PRO"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
-
"AWFUL"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
I hope it uninstalls cleanly.
Cons
I don't know how much PCTools is paying the reviewers who rave about this program, but it completely blows. System crashing, eating HUGE amounts of memory for sometimes 15 minutes, etc. I had to restart 4 times this evening, and I finally just shut SpyDoctor off and I'm just using Spy-bot. Awful, Awful, Awful-- I wouldn't recommend this software to my worst enemy.
-
"The best antispyware but with to much RAM consumption"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5
Pros
I like the good spyware and adware detection, perhaps the best in the world. Good, nice and also user friendly interface, fast scanning, more scanning options, more than 90% efficient malware removal. I personally feel safer when using this program as far as the spyware and adware protection is concerned! Buy it, I didn't regret.
Cons
The installation takes to much time and you can not switch off the autoupdate and autoscan during (after) the installation even though the option is there. The startup option is missing in the settings menu so the only thing you can do about is to switch the program off with right-click on the quick launch icon. If you want it running and use the realtime protection it will slow down the computer to much!
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
