Spybot Search and Destroy

 

OUR 2008 TOP PICK
BEST ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE

SPYWARE BOT - DOWNLOAD HERE

Our choice for the best anti-spyware software.

Spybot Search and Destroy History

Spybot Search and Destroy was originally written by Patrick Kolla, a German software engineer. Development of Spybot started in 2000 when Kolla wrote a program to fight of two early versions of adware: Aureate / Radiate and Conducent TimeSink.  Kolla dedicated Spybot to "the most wonderful girl on earth." Legend has it  that she is Kolla's girlfriend.  However, others believe it to be one of his close friends, who does not love Kolla back.

Spybot Today

Spybot is currently provided by Safer Networking Limited, Kolla's own company.  Spybot is still offered as freeware.   However, the license does say that there is a commercial distribution is maintained by Safer Networking Limited.  It is one of the all-time most popular anti-spyware programs.  As of November, 2007 there have been almost 100,000,000 downloads registered on download.com.

Spybot About

SpyBot Search & Destroy is one more tool in the fight to defend our own privacy against all types of spyware, created by unscrupulous people who may steal your bandwidth or take over your hard drive or leave you with no Internet connection.

SpyBot Search & Destroy detects and eliminates almost a thousand different forms of this type of virus called spyware that, although in most cases not regarded as a virus, can be more devastating than the latter.

As if detection and removal were not enough, Spybot Search & Destroy also allows you to immunize your computer against future infections.

For the same price (free) it also detects incorrect entries in the register, which identifies them as such, and allows you to act on them individually.

Spybot Review

Spybot used to be highly touted for its easy installation, free updates and top-notch features. Spybot has won many awards (including the World Class 2003 Awards, PC Magazine Editors Choice, PC User Top Buy #1).  Spybot has been recommended by ZDNet, MSNBC, the Wall Street Journal, CNN and others. However, Spybot was rated by PC World at the bottom of its anti-  spyware chart, receivin a 59/Poor.  It only detected under 2% of inactive spyware.  In addition, CNet Reviews rated Spybot version 1.4 a 5.8.

Our personal choice is SpywareBot over SpyBot Search and Destroy.

We downloaded the software and found the download and install process to be rather easy. Of course the nicest part of the download is that it is a free download. However as most things that are free ... you get what you pay for. If you want a basic anti-spyware program then this is for you. When put head to head against other software such as Norton Symantec, McAfee and Spywarebot the difference is clear. These more advanced programs will add greater protection and remove more threats then Spybot will.

In summary, if you want free then SpyBot is the clear choice. If you want security, protection and spyware removal then you may want to look elsewhere. We strongly recommend that you do some further research on your own and get yourself a product from a reputable company. Anti-spyware software is a small price to pay for to protect your computer and your personal information.


Features within SpyBot

  1. Update function - integrated
  2. Updates performed weekly
  3. Email & forum support
  4. Automated scan, removal and update
  5. System reports to locate even unknown threats
  6. Adjustable skins interface to the users liking
  7. Removal of keyloggers
  8. User-extendable database
  9. Save removal of threats by shredding them
  10. Backups of every removed problem
  11. Exclude option for specific problems
  12. Permanent blocking of known tracking cookies for IE
  13. Permanent blocking of threating downloads in IE
  14. Command line parameters to automate tasks
  15. Over 600 targets
  16. Over 10,000 detection files and entries
  17. Detailed information about problems found
  18. Strict criteria to define targets

Spybot Operating Systems Supported

Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows XP AMD64
Windows XP
Tablet PC Edition
Windows 2003
Windows Vista
Windows PE
Mac OS
Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Symbian
Windows Mobile

 

Download | Review | About Spyware | Safety Tips | Glossary

© 2007 Spybot-Free.com All Rights Reserved.