Best spyware utility?

Soldato
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Apologies for such a simple thread, but I haven't run any spyware checks for a while and was wondering what programs people use? Are spybot and adaware still the ones to go for?

TIA
 
I just use Spybot now. I decided Ad-aware (previous version) offered me nothing that Spybot didn't have. I tried the new Ad-aware and got rid of it when I realised it used services.

I also use Spywareblaster to prevent spyware getting onto my PC.
 
You should always try and use a range of Spyware scanners. Popular free scanners include:

1) Spybot - Search & Destroy
2) Ad-Aware
3) AVG Anti-Spyware (30Day realtime scanning trial, after which you only get on-demand scanning) - Thanks Div0
4) Spywareblaster (Just blocks tracking cookies!)
5) Windows Defender
 
Last edited:
Meatball said:
You should always try and use a range of Spyware scanners. Popular free scanners include:

1) Spybot - Search & Destroy
2) Ad-Aware
3) AVG Anti-Spyware (*/edit - it is also free*)
4) Spywareblaster (Just blocks tracking cookies!)
5) Windows Defender

That's what I use on XP.

(ps, AVG is free. You get a FULL trial for 30 days, then it automatically goes to a 'cut-down' version. The main difference being, that the 'cut-down' version doesn't offer real-time protection and has to be manually updated. So I editted above)

I'm also using AVG on Vista x64 and I think it is the only one that currently works in Vista.
 
You will not believe this but Spyware Doctor5 knocks the socks of those already mention but I had to delete it since it has comaptibility issues with Zone Alarm and Comodo.
 
Meatball said:
You should always try and use a range of Spyware scanners. Popular free scanners include:

1) Spybot - Search & Destroy
2) Ad-Aware
3) AVG Anti-Spyware (30Day realtime scanning trial, after which you only get on-demand scanning) - Thanks Div0
4) Spywareblaster (Just blocks tracking cookies!)
5) Windows Defender

With the now adition of No.3 on your list to my PC I have the exact same protection!! :D :cool:
 
ethan said:
You will not believe this but Spyware Doctor5 knocks the socks of those already mention but I had to delete it since it has comaptibility issues with Zone Alarm and Comodo.

I used to use Spyware Doctor and it used to be good.

Was v5 the last 'proper' free version? I remember that they pushed people to 'upgrade', but if you did, then you ended up with a 'free' version that detected spyware - but would only remove it if you chose to pay for a full version.

I ended up sticking with the last useful version (5?) for quite a while, but then they stopped providing updates.

Spyware Doctor used to be good - but IMO things like AVG (formerly Ewido)have come on a lot! Spyware Doctor is almost useless for me now. I've not looked in a while - can you now get a useful free version of Spyware Doctor again, or are they still trying to push people towards buying it?

/added - I've never had any compatibility issues with Spyware Doctor and ZoneAlarm for any of the versions that I've used.
 
I still use spydoc and it's still amazing, because i paid for it so long ago they recently gave me a free upgrade to spydoc+antivirus! and it rocks, caught a load of worms that AVG Pro Version 7.1 missed and which not only got passed both norton antivirus and norton personal firewall but managed to knock them out completely rendering all buy AVG useless. Go spy doc!

anyway, just tried that PC tools firewall too and that's pretty nifty, their software seems to be quite simple and runs smoothly like a refined sports car. and i think it's turning me into a PC tools fanboy!
 
div0 said:
I used to use Spyware Doctor and it used to be good.

Was v5 the last 'proper' free version? I remember that they pushed people to 'upgrade', but if you did, then you ended up with a 'free' version that detected spyware - but would only remove it if you chose to pay for a full version.

I ended up sticking with the last useful version (5?) for quite a while, but then they stopped providing updates.

Spyware Doctor used to be good - but IMO things like AVG (formerly Ewido)have come on a lot! Spyware Doctor is almost useless for me now. I've not looked in a while - can you now get a useful free version of Spyware Doctor again, or are they still trying to push people towards buying it?

/added - I've never had any compatibility issues with Spyware Doctor and ZoneAlarm for any of the versions that I've used.

There is still a free starter spyware doctor but I believe you have to pay a small nominall fee for presumably the Pro version or standard version. It is still very good. I mean I used all of the progs mentioned abouve and spyware Doctor easily detected the malware etc that the others did not detect. Ibelieve it has also won the 2007 award for best spyware app.:
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/
 
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