Spybot - Search & Destroy Video
Spybot - Search & Destroy Video Transcript
[ Music ] ^M00:00:01
>> I'm Jessica Dolcourt from CNETDownload.com. And today we're taking a first look at Spy Bot Search and Destroy. Now ever since Spy Bot joined the CNETDownload.com library in 2002, it's been a big hit. Let's take a look at what this uberous spyware detection tool can do. Spy Bot launches for the first time with a set up wizard where you can choose your language support, update definitions immediately and enable skins for that all important beautification, if you can call it that. Spy Bot's wizard also walks you through start up steps, like backing up your registry files if you want them on hand in the event of a malware emergency. The program's default mode is pretty intuitive. This is where you update definitions, scan for problems, and restore files that Spy Bot has backed up in the repair process. If anything went wrong after repair, clicking the files from the list will undo Spy Bot's changes. It's said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To that end, Spy Bot's immunize tool attempts to save you from yourself by blocking access on Internet Explorer to URLs that are either suspicious or known threats. There are more protection options in Spy Bot's advanced mode. Though the program advises that if you're not exactly sure what you're doing, some settings options may permanently affect your computer. I give Spy Bot a thumbs up for one of the settings in particular. The option is that a system point when the program runs in case there's a problem and you need to revert to a previous system configuration. You can also automate certain tasks like running Spy Bot's protection routine when the program launches or scheduling a scan. Scheduling is a feature that no security software should be without. Spy Bot attempts to completely remove each spyware file it detects. But there might be some non malware files you want permanently trashed. For this, Spy Bot offers a secure shredder. There's no recovery process for this one, so once the files are gone, they're gone. Then there's a tweaking tool for Internet Explorer that allows advanced users to configure the IE Browser against criminal hackers. For example, you can lock host files into a read only format. Yet as much of a household name as Spy Bot is in antivirus software, it owes much of its popularity to past performance. Once at the top of its game, Spy Bot now ranks among the lowest in CNET antivirus tests. In fact, it repeatedly misses threats that newer engines catch. So until Spy Bot updates its spyware engine, the program is really best used along side other antivirus apps. I'm Jessica Dolcourt from CNETDownload.com, and you've been looking at Spy.Search and Destroy. ^M00:02:27 [ Music ]
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Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents. Version 1.4 has the first native multi-installation scanner, is noticeably faster than version 1.3 during scans, and has improved the tools and updated the interface.
Spyware Doctor is a spyware remover that provides real-time protection against spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, phishing attacks, and other malware threats.
Download.com guide to Spyware Doctor
Current PC Magazine Editor's Choice Winner (June 2005), Spyware Doctor is a 5-star rated Spyware remover and provides real-time Anti-Spyware protection against Spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, Spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, phishing attacks and other Malware threats. Additionally it actively protects web browsing using Internet Explorer with a built-in popup blocker and malicious site guard. Spyware Doctor is easy to use and low on PC resources and its super fast scanning speed is delivered by multiple specialized scanners that include Windows registry, file system, processes and tasks, browser, network configuration (including LSP), cookie and an intelligent script scanner. Each scanner specializes in identification of specific traits of infections for more effective detection and removal. Almost any function of Spyware Doctor can be updated through the Live Update process and it is constantly being improved and extended to counteract the nastiest of Spyware threats. The OnGuard feature is designed to provide real time protection and deploys several tools that actively monitor and protect the PC from Spyware attacks. These include immunization, site protection, popup blocking, browser monitor and others. The Free version allows customers to perform scans and remove threats and also Live Update Spyware signatures and functionally. The registered version adds additional tools and real-time OnGuard protection
Spybot is both free and adaptable for both beginning and power users, but it left behind several known spyware apps.
Download.com guide to HijackThis
If persistent spyware is bogging down your computer, you might need HijackThis. The tiny program examines vulnerable or suspect parts of your system, such as browser helper objects and certain types of Registry keys. Pressing the Scan button generates a log of dozens of items, most of which are just customizations. Don't check off an item and hit the Fix checked button unless you're sure it's malware. Clicking Info on selected item tells you why the entry was flagged as suspicious, but not whether it's actually malware. To find that out, search the Web for that item's name or go straight to a forum, such as SpywareInfo or Computer Cops. Saving the log creates a text document you can post to these forums.
The latest version adds powerful tools to the Config window. The process manager and hosts file editor help you excise virulent infections. The unique ADS Spy tool scans for alternate data streams, which some browser hijackers use to hide from spyware removers. The program still installs into whatever directory in which you unzip the file, which can make it hard to locate. HijackThis is a serious tool for any user who needs to root out a serious infestation, but wield it with caution.
Download.com guide to Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
Appealing to gearheads who don't mind getting their hands dirty, Bazooka scans for spyware and offers detailed instructions on how to remove it. However, many people will prefer an application that removes spyware for them. Installation is simple and the application includes an automatic updater for its spyware-reference database. After the lightning-quick scan, you must be online to access instructions on how to remove any spyware that is found. We would like to see an option for downloading all spyware-removal instructions at one time, making a trip online unnecessary. Online-access issues aside, Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner provides a nice, simple solution to keeping those nasty programs out of your hard drive.
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Download.com guide to Spyware Blaster
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan for and clean spyware - it prevents it from being installed in the first place. SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It can also block spyware/tracking cookies in IE and Mozilla/Firefox, and restrict the actions of spyware/ad/tracking sites. With the built-in Check for Updates feature, you can help ensure your protection is up-to-date. SpywareBlaster also includes a System Snapshot feature, which lets you take a snapshot of your computer in its clean state and later revert, undoing many changes made by spyware and browser hijackers.
Download.com guide to Registry Mechanic
Although not feature rich, this simple utility checks your registry for errors that can slow down and even crash your computer. Registry Mechanic finds a wide range of defects, including references to already uninstalled programs, missing help files, broken shortcuts, virtual devices, start-up programs, fonts, and configuration files. It also can automatically repair invalid entries at Windows start-up. If removing an entry causes problems with your system, you can restore the registry from backups. Users have a choice of Quick Scan or a more comprehensive Deep Scan, as well as a custom scan option. The aesthetically appealing interface is uncomplicated and easy to use, but Registry Mechanic is a one-trick pony. It does a great job on registry maintenance, but we would like to see other features to help keep computers running smoothly. Any computer user will find Registry Mechanic easy to run and a good way of keeping Windows in tip-top shape.
