Spyware Dr. Review

Spyware Dr. Review

Spyware Doctor Review: Can This Product Do the Job?

Spyware Doctor 5.5.0.212 a software provided by PC Tools was the version put to the test during this review, and 5.5 is the most recent edition on the market during testing.

PC World, referring to Spyware Doctor, gave the compliment, “The highest rating ever awarded to an Internet Security product.” Our quest was to test PC World's claim.

If you are experiencing slow computer problems, are redirected to websites that you didn't want to visit, or have pop-ups and toolbars loaded without request, Spyware Doctor was created to rid of problems like these among other threats.

Some of the issues addressed are Spyware, Adware, Spyware Trojans, Keyloggers, browser Hijackers, tracking threats, Rogue Anti-Spyware, Undesired software, Phishing, Pop-ups and off-color websites.

Summary

Overall Score: 9.50/10.0

Positive Attributes:

Addresses Microsoft Vista issues (most competitors don't)
Massive number of options and information within a mouse click
Real-Time Feature, which catches issues and disables each before they attach to your PC
Option to order anti-virus protection for an add-on fee of only $10
Lots of protection without dominating system memory and hurting performance
You can trust Spyware Doctor since they have over 100 million downloads to date
Unlike others, scanning can be paused if needed

Weaknesses:

Online help only
Not among the fastest scanning, but definitely effective
A sampling of cookies detected did not require quarantine and were not harmful

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Complete Spyware Doctor Review:

The PC utilized for the test was a 2006 Dell Inspiron with XP Home Edition.

From start to finish, the first "Full Scan" took 47 minutes and 18 seconds and scanned 256,948 objects.

Ease of Use/Download:

Downloading Spyware Doctor was simplistic and was fast. Once downloaded, a pop up appeared that announced new updates being available to add to the definitions database.

The user window was very easy to comprehend and utilize. A status window displayed to advise whether or not your version was current. It also showed when the last scan took place, the most recent update, whether it is a trial or the full version, and shows if you have the anti-virus engine as part of your package.

Each of the software navigation options on the left side of the user window open and offer complete information about each option. The user window in easy to look at, navigate and simple to comprehend.

Features:

Detailed Solutions Database – At the time of testing 217,596 items existed in the definitions (solutions) database that matches solutions to threats.

The Software Interface Contains:

Status – refer to information above.

Start Scan – When accessed, this option gives three scanning choices. The first option is referred to as "Intelli-Scan" which does scanning of running processes, startup locations, browser cookies, browser settings, the Windows host file, Windows registry folders, ActiveX items, and layered service providers (LSPs). The "Full Scan" is the most extensive feature and adds scanning of all drives on your computer. The "Custom Scan" offers custom choices of what you prefer to have scanned.

On Guard – Eight guards protect your system:

Browser Guard – Prevents harmful changes to your browser and keeps browser hijacks (redirects without your permission) from taking place and prevents malicious add-on issues.
File Guard – Observes your computer for any malicious files and keeps from gaining access to each. Also blocks attempts to open attachments in e-mail files that are not safe.
Network Guard – Prevents your network connection from being attacked.
Process Guard – Prevents hidden harmful processes (like rootkits) from operating on the PC.
Startup Guard – Prevents hurtful applications from installing to your startup process on the computer.
Immunizer Guard – Protects against the most recent ActiveX issues.
Cookie Guard – Monitors browsers, finds and removes both harmful advertising cookies.
Keylogger Guard – Blocks keylogger applications from installing and monitoring your keystrokes (which causes identity theft).

Settings – Offers customization of different features in the product. For example, scan settings can be changed to create restore points (every time) or to locate rootkits. Files can also be quarantined before being removed. An option named “Secure Community” permits customers to report potential new threats to PC Tools in order to add to the solutions database.

Smart Update – By choosing "Smart Update" you will be confident that you have the most recent version Spyware Doctor's protection that is offered.

Help – Help files are comprehensive and simple to follow. The files are not held locally and can only be found via the website. The positive aspect of this is that it takes up less of your system resources to store them online.

Support:

Spyware Doctor provides 24 hour support seven days a week and has detailed help files. The need for such support not common due to the simple nature of products like these. It still installs confidence in the product when such help is offered.

Effectiveness:

Of the 20 malware files we installed on the test PC, Spyware Doctor found all 20 and eliminated 19 of them without evidence that any ever existed. A second round was needed to achieve getting them all removed.

The first Full Scanning found 11 threats and 94 infections which includes the ones we planted. Out of the 94 infections, 59 were classified as high risk.

The test PC had a quantifiable increase in performance and speed after the scan and fix.

Recommendation:

Our team was impressed with both the thoroughness and options provided in this product. The real-time protection is fantastic and the additional bonus of having the ability to add virus protection is great. This will eliminate having to run two real-time applications simultaneously, which can kill system performance and speed.

Spyware Doctor is an incredible product and we offer a huge recommendation of it to people seeking effectiveness over quickness.

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