Spyware Doctor Review: Is it Worth Consideration?

Spyware Doctor 5.5.0.212 by PC Tools was the version put through the paces in this review, and is also latest version available at the time of testing.  

PC World, referring to Spyware Doctor, mentioned, “The highest rating ever awarded to an Internet Security product.” We wanted to find out if PC World was right.

When you are faced with slow computer problems, are forced to visit websites you didn’t request, or pop ups and auto load toolbars are consistently taking over, Spyware Doctor is designed to rid of such issues and more.

Some of the threats addressed are Spyware, Adware, Spyware Trojans, Keyloggers, Identity Theft, Hijackers, Tracking Threats, Rogue Anti-Spyware, Unwanted Software, Phishing, Popups and Bad Websites.

The Bottom Line

Overall Score: 9.50/10.0

Positive Attributes:

• Works with Microsoft Vista (many others do not)
• Has a large amount of features and information at your fingertips
• Real-Time Protection, catching problems and disabling them as they arise
• Can add anti-virus protection for a small add-on fee
• Tons of protection without weighing down system resources and performance
• Trusted product with over 100 million downloads worldwide
• Allows user to pause scan

 Weaknesses: 

• No local help system. Must go online to reach help files
• Not one of the fastest scans, but certainly effective
• Some of the cookies detected were not harmful and didn’t need to be quarantined

Free Spyware Doctor Scan

 Complete Review:

The computer tested was a 2006 Dell Inspiron with XP Home Edition.

The time from start to finish of the initial Full Scan was 47 minutes and 18 seconds with 256,948 objects scanned.

Ease of Use/Download:

The download of Spyware Doctor was quick and easy. Upon download, I was instantly notified that new updates were available to the threat database (definitions).

The software user interface was extremely simple to understand and use. It opened with a status window that shows you whether or not your version is current, when your last scan was, the latest update, whether you have a trial version or the full version, and whether or not you have the anti-virus engine installed.

Each of the feature navigation buttons to the left on the interface open and give complete details about each function. The user window in uncluttered and is easy to understand.  See the Spyware Doctor Screen Print page for pictures of every step of the review process.

Features:

Extensive Definitions Database – At the time of review there were 217,596 items in the definitions (solutions) database used to determine and remove threats.

The Software Interface Contains:

Status – see description above.

Start Scan – When opened, this feature offers three scan choices. The first choice is called Intelli-Scan which scans running processes, startup locations, browser cookies, browser settings, the Window hosts file, Windows registry files, ActiveX objects, and layered service providers (LSPs). The Full Scan is the most complete option and adds on scans of all possible drives on your PC. The Custom Scan gives you a choice of what you would like scanned.

On Guard – There are eight guards protecting your system including:

1. Browser Guard – Blocks malicious changes to your browser to prevent browser hijacks (redirects without your permission), or malicious add ons.
2. File Guard – Monitors your system for any harmful files and prevents access to them. Also blocks any attempt to open unsafe attachments in e-mail files.
3. Network Guard – Keeps your network connection from being compromised.
4. Process Guard – Keeps hidden malicious processes (like rootkits) from running on your system.
5. Startup Guard – Keeps damaging applications from being attached to your startup mode on your PC.
6. Immunizer Guard – Protects against the latest ActiveX threats.
7. Cookie Guard – Monitors browsers and detects and removes malicious and advertising cookies.
8. Keylogger Guard – Blocks keylogger programs from loading and tracking your keystrokes (which is a huge reason for identity theft).

Settings – This is where you can customize different available options in the software. For example, you can change scan settings to form restore points (each time) or to search for rootkits. You can also choose to quarantine files before removal. A service called “Secure Community” allows you to participate in reporting potential new threats to PC Tools so that they can continue to have an extensive solutions database.

Smart Update – By clicking on Smart Update you will ensured of having the most up to date version of the Spyware Doctor protection.

Help – The help files are extremely detailed and easy to follow. Unfortunately, the files are not local and can only be accessed through the web. The good part is that it takes up less of your system memory to have them online.   

Support:

Spyware Doctor offers 24/7 support and extensive help files. It is rare that you will need such support with such a simple products, but it is still a good feeling to know it is there for you.  

Effectiveness:

Of the 20 malware samples we placed on the test computer, Spyware Doctor detected all twenty and removed 19 of them without any evidence that they were ever there. It did take a second repair round to get all of them removed.

The initial Full Scan detected 11 threats and 94 infections including the ones we planted. Of the 94 infections, 59 of them were considered high risk.

The test computer had a measurable increase in performance after repair.

Recommendation:

We were impressed with the accuracy and features of this software. The real-time coverage is impressive and the added bonus of being to add virus scan to the top is terrific so you won’t have to have two real-time applications running at the same time (which can slow your system greatly).  

Spyware Doctor is an impressive product and we highly recommend it to those looking for effectiveness over speed.

Free Spyware Doctor Scan

Return from Spyware Doctor to Best Anti Spyware

Spyware Doctor Screen Prints During Review

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