CNET Editors' review
The latest release of PCTools Spyware Doctor 5.5 addresses a number of nettlesome software glitches we experienced with version 5.0. However, the free trial version is not fully functional--a fact you will discover only after downloading, installing, and then running a complete system scan.
In our trial scans, Spyware Doctor repeatedly flagged several dozen harmless cookies as potential threats, more than any other antispyware product we tested. We were also unable to learn more about each threat or why Spyware Doctor flagged each. Clicking each threat opened our default browser to a generic threat page on the PCTools site.
Should you decide to remove the Spyware Doctor trial, the uninstall process isn't clean, leaving behind traces of PCTools software in both the directory and in the system registry.
Click here to read the review of the full version of Spyware Doctor from CNET Reviews.
Watch the CNET video review of Spyware Doctor:
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
Spyware Doctor is a spyware remover and provides real-time protection against spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, and phishing attacks. Spyware Doctor is easy to use and requires few PC resources. Its scanning speed is delivered by multiple specialized scanners. Almost any function of Spyware Doctor can be updated through the Smart 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. This version of Spyware Doctor includes an installer for Google Toolbar. The installation of this toolbar is optional. Version 5.5 includes a faster engine, uses less system resources, and enhances detection.
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 5.5 includes a faster engine, uses less system resources, and enhances detection.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 2,804 votes
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Current version:
2.4 starsout of 125 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Do Not Download"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
No positives- would not recommend
Cons
Causes serious problems with other applications. Slowd down computer and came with a Trojan clicker which did not show up with my original anti-virus scan.
Have now uninstalled.Summary
No positives-download at your own risk.
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"Not impressed - got my money back (the good thing)."
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
Excellent customer service. Quick responses to questions. No questions asked on refund of full program.
Cons
Despite the glowing reviews on ridding PC of "Cyber Security" issue, it didn't work. I did everything I was told to do and the 'virus' persisted. Wasted most of a day (2 hrs per scan) to find out nothing worked.
Summary
Product did not work as advertised. While I'm not a PC zen-master, I know what's involved in cleaning a virus. If the claims are "It's Great!", I expect great. However, customer service was extremely good so I would not give the company a black mark for not meeting 100% of their obligations. I'm sorry that it didn't work out and that the Anti-Malware software from MALWAREBYTES.ORG (the free version) worked (especially since it took several more hours of my time to get to that point), but that's what happens sometimes. Overall, I'm not please with the outcome of the product, but am completely satisfied with the promptness and professionalism of the the PCTools company. The product I bought didn't work - that happens. The 'service after the sale' did work - I won't shy away from PCTools because of this experience.
Wish I had seen these reviews before I wasted time with it. Oh, well. Live and learn. The application gets a 1; but the customer service (absolutley NO questions when I asked for my money back) is a 5. However, customer service AFTER the sale doesn't really make up for a product that doesn't do what it says it will do. Downgrade to 1.5 stars for me (must be good for something other than taking up HDD space).
Updated on Oct 29, 2009 -
"Good detection/cleanup after I've surfed "iffy" places."
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
-3 user license in retail box
-easy installation
-easy updates
-good shielding
-reasonably pricedCons
-none so far. This app has not caused any problems with any of my 3 PCs that it is installed on. Has never caused any BSOD, nor removed files needed by the OS for XP operation.
Summary
I have both Spyware Dr and webroot spysweeper. They co-exist quite nicely.
Both after scheduled to scan when I am not using my PC; one in the late night, and the other in the early AM. -
"Excellent and Thorough Search!"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
I have Symantic Anti-virus and had been using Ad-Ware for Spyware. I made a mistake of opening a file that contained "Your computer is infected" virus. Ran both Symantic and Ad-Ware - nothing. I ran Spyware Docter and it found 150+ apps!
Cons
This is not a free ware trial! You install and it will identify all the spyware on your computer HOWEVER you can not remove them unless you pay the money. I hate it when they do that!
Summary
I rarely buy applications. (I'm too cheap!) However, I was desperate to rid my computer of the "Your computer is infected" virus. When researching this virus there were lot's of recommendations that I should get into the registry and make the changes. (I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of messing with the registry) Prior to installing Spyware Doctor, I also downloaded other "freeware" and they too came up with nothing. Everything was saying I had a clean system however the "Your computer is infected" kept popping up in the task bar. Why did I buy Spyware Doctor? It was the only application that identified spyware once I ran it. The other applications said I had nothing whereas Spyware Doctor said I had 150+! I reluctantly bought the program - ran it - and it took care of everything!
I don't know about the other reviews, but this application worked well for me! Oh, once you buy the app. you can install it on 3 computers. I installed it on the other computers in my house and the applications found numerous spyware instances on them as well. Everything is running much faster now my house. -
"Can't even demo this anymore."
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
None, I couldnt even run the updater (which is required to start the program)
Cons
DRM deathtrap. I couldn't even run the update to start the program. Lots of hidden files left behind after uninstall. Company is overprotecting their software, which means you lose in the end.
Summary
I once owned, used and liked Spyware Doctor some years ago, but I have since moved onto different programs. So I wanted to try this again to see if it could catch any spyware that my current protection offers. But after installation it tries to update itself, then immediatly tells me my subscription has expired and need to renew it (from when I used it some time ago.) So I couldnt even try this if I wanted to without first buying another subscription.
This tells me the program leaves behind all kinds of DRM junk, since it can somehow tell that I had used it before and even knew the key that was used so long ago. I tried uninstalling it with Revo uninstaller to hopefully remove these hidden files, then reinstall to try again...but alas the files still remained somewhere on my computer. And I was still unable to try the program.
This is the age of 'digital distribution' where there is all these limits and annoyances. I can't stand companies that over-protect their software, because in the end it only makes those actually paying for it suffer. I recently went through this same thing with Ad-Aware, where I had to buy several different licenses because their DRM restrictions wouldn't even work on a dual-boot computer. Or any other computer except the original one that purchased the software on. -
"giant piece of crap"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
perhaps a nice interface... perhaps
Cons
bad uninstaller, massive load of false positives, very long loading and shutdown times, slows your pc enormously, ...and everything else
Summary
don't use it, don't use anything from pctools. Viva spybot-S&D and Spywareblaster! thanks for your attention
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"Wouldn't buy again."
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
Easy to install and understand, seems to do a good job removing spyware.
Cons
Slows my computer to a crawl, can't play games or watch videos, and don't tell me to buy a newer laptop because I'm a pensioner and my computer is only 4 years old. Also don't like the fact that they will automatically bill you at the end of the year
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"A pian in the A**e"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
nothing really.
Cons
Its to heavy on the cpu, I would never buy this. also I don't like the way that spydoctor tries to make you think that your computer is badly infested when it isnt, its just a con to try to get you to buy this crap stright away.
Summary
It slows my computer down far too much when it is running.also I hate company's trying to con me into buying their software.
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"A complete failure."
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
There is nothing i liked about this software.
Cons
The program is heavy on your pc.Smart updates takes a long time to complete and sometimes hangs the computer.Blocks other spyware programs. I had brought the key for one year but my subscribtion ended in128 days.
Summary
Waste of money.
I would rather thrash my computer than buying this piece of crap.
Updated on Oct 15, 2008 -
"Good product, most bad reviews are too subjective"
Version: Spyware Doctor 5.5
Pros
Does what it says. Gives infection and path details. Spots tracking cookies as well.
Run-time blocking of bad websites works well.Cons
No free trial of full version, not even for 15 days is pretty lame...
Their "doctor" icon looks like a duck, I like the duck better than a "Dr." with an orange face anyway...Summary
Deriding a product for conflicts, slowdowns and crashes is USELESS without giving your system info!
I have an 8 year-old machine (Celeron 600MHz,512RAM,XP SP3 running SpywareDr, Avast!, SG, SGliveupdate SpywareDet. SuperAS,and COMODO firewall and have NO conflicts and no major slowdown. Admittedly I am at my limit running Firefox with a dozen extensions if I get too tab-happy..
.SpywareDoctor tells me the specifics of the infections, so I can put the adware addys and tracking cookies into Avast! for blocking, and knowing the paths allows me to regedit out infections manually if I do not have the time to run an automatic removal tool such as Dr.Web's CureIt.
I don't see flagging tracking cookies as false positives either, I like to know where they come from so I can block them in the future, and they are easy enough to delete with CleanUp.
I believe in the layered approach to malware fighting, and SpywareDoctor is just one more important tool in my arsenal. No one product can do it all.
People who b**ch without optimizing other aspects of their system or resolving/preventing conflicts should not bother writing software reviews. It helps no one.
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