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- Average user rating: stars out of 1292 votes Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
Full user review
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10 out of 15 people found this review helpful
4 stars
Version: Spyware Terminator 1.7
"Still a good free program"
Pros: This is still a very good product that offers rare Realtime protection for a free product.
Cons: Despite the nice Realtime Shield, ST has taken a step back in its HIPS component for its recent release. I tested the ST HIPS using the Spycar and Advanced Process Termination tests. In those tests the ST HIPS was not effective in stopping termination of ST, autostart or IE Configuration changes. The Realtime Shield is still a viable component but it is recommended that users not rely on the ST HIPS. Instead try running ST with HIPS disabled and concurrently run a free HIPS program such as Dynamic Security Agent, System Safety Monitor or Prosecurity.
Also, I would recommend that spyware scans be done using another program (or two) as well. ST still produces a fair amount of false positives. Free on-demand scanners would include Ad-Aware, SuperAntiSpyware and AVG's Anti-Spyware. Actually AVG should be considered a "must have" as it scans for malware other products do not.
I would also not recommend using the ClamAV enabled. It is alright as a #2 scanner but other free anti-virus programs such as AVG, Antivir or AOL's Active Virus Shield provide much more protection.
- 3 replies to this review
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i dont like avg antispyware it slows the pc down way too much and its more for antitrojan that for antispyware so the real-time isnt needed. as for antispyware i would take spyware doctor over spysweeper cause again spysweeper slows the pc down too much
of free and paid would go like this for me
spyware doctor
*superantispyware
*comodo firewall
bit defender
*dynamic security agent
all free
spyware terminator
superantispyware
comodo firewall
aol antivirus shield
dynamic security agent
i find comodo antivirus having a chance to b a top 5 antivirus overall, its in beta and i already c it as better than norton, avg and avast.im also still trying to figure out ppl's obsession with avg antivirus and ad-aware since their detection rate is poor. cookies and comon spyware and viruses with false positives dont make for a great product.
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Don't short change me. I did not give negative ratings to this program because of its ineffective HIPS. I also gave negative ratings because of the ClamAV and false positive detections. The HIPS component of ST is not at all effective and there are many free HIPS programs that are available. Even you have a different HIPS so, for some reason, you do not use the HIPS of ST. Have you ever tested the ST HIPS? I have and it provides very little protection. If the HIPS is not viable at providing security then it should be mentioned.
Same goes for the ClamAV which consistently provides the least virus detection of pretty much any major testing site. It is probably made part of ST because it is a free, open source program and ST has to pay nothing for its use. But again, if the ClamAV does not provide viable protection then it should be mentioned.
ST's detection has many false positives which can possibly lead to disastrous. I don't think there is any doubt about that. And it should be mentioned.
I believe that ST's realtime shield is a high quality component and outdoes many, if not most, realtime shields of paid programs. That is ST's true calling card- its realtime shield. It is a gem and I grade the program very high because of that even if the HIPS, ClamAV and false positives are not so great.
Essentially, ST should probably just ditch the HIPS and ClamAV components because they provide users a false sense of security. They are window dressing, nothing more. But, like I said before, the realtime shield is something everyone should be utilizing if they are not using a paid program such as SpySweeper or AVG Anti-Spyware paid version.
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thats stupid, get cyberhawk or get neoava guard and dynamic security agent like i have. u only use the hips and clam win if u dont want to use another av or HIP. make this only ur anti-spyware and get better HIPs and AV.
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