Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.5.2

Publisher's description of Spybot - Search & Destroy

view larger

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 1.5.2 improves the program starting time as compares to the version 1.5.1.

See more CNET content tagged:

SpyBot,

adware,

malicious program,

anti-spyware

Editor's review of Spybot - Search & Destroy

Spybot - Search & Destroy has been in the antispyware game for a long time offering features we've come to expect in the best apps in the category, but its bugginess makes it difficult to recommend.

The program checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders. It also features several interface improvements, including multiple skins for dressing up its appearance. Scan results now appear arranged by groups in a tree, and a sliding panel lets you instantly view information about a selected item to help you decide whether to kill it or not. The Immunize feature blocks a plethora of uninvited Web-borne flotsam before it reaches your computer. Other useful tools, including Secure Shredder, complement the program's basic functionality for completely destroying files. Hosts File blocks adware servers from your computer, and System Startup lets you review which apps load when you start your computer.

Unfortunately, the program has the tendency to lock up at times and even during the install process for this review, we encountered several errors. The ambitious feature list and functionality make Spybot - Search & Destroy a good choice for those in search of a second antispyware program, but there are others in the category that do a better job without all the bugs.

User reviews of Spybot - Search & Destroy

• Average user rating: out of 4464 votes
• Your rating: Write your own review

This software version | All versions

• [+] Expand review

  Spybot - Search & Destroy

  Very Good

  by: mb208 on 15-Feb-2008 02:58:21 PM

  Pros: Same easy to use interface. In my opinion this beats other pay-for programs like Superantispyware because it found stuff I never knew existed on my Vista machine. After running it my internet spped increased noticeably. Cannot praise it highly enough. Excellent immuniser ensures continued protection against known threats.

  Cons: Manual update, not automatic, but it's a small point.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (10 of 13 users said yes)

  Flag for offensive content Reply to this review (0 replies)

• [+] Expand review

  Spybot - Search & Destroy

  Dependable Antispyware

  by: BMENON on 14-Feb-2008 08:01:20 AM

  Pros: I use this Antispyware for over 2 years.This old program has protected my pc alongwith Ad-Aware SE Personal with their On-demand scanners.This new Vn.has come after a long time,but it regularly updated its detection rules and did its job.The start-up delay is reduced in this new Vn., but the scanning time is still long--it took about 45 minutes to complete(earlier it took about 20 t0 30 minutes).May be I've too many files to scan.;but the detection & removal are somewhat comprehensive. I thought the new Vn. would give options for Quick-scan,Smart-scan & Full-scan(as in other new Antispywares),but it did not give such renovations.Any-way, as requested by the developer,Patrick M.Kolla, in its License Agreement, I pray to my God to Bless him always.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (9 of 11 users said yes)

  Flag for offensive content Reply to this review (0 replies)

• [+] Expand review

  Spybot - Search & Destroy

  good software

  by: saleh_duwahi on 03-Apr-2008 03:12:39 AM

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (1 of 1 users said yes)

  Flag for offensive content Reply to this review (0 replies)

• [+] Expand review

  Spybot - Search & Destroy

  had any issues with spybot you wanted fixed? these are fixed in this new version

  by: yprtb on 05-Feb-2008 03:20:59 PM

  Pros: Fist off, I had the original version 5, then i did beta testing for the next 2 beta's that happened. Over the time with people participating in the forums, I am glad to see they released this new version. This new version fixes all the known issues that you may have encountered using the original spybot. There is now a separate updater system, and it works alot smoother then the first version 5 they released. updating now takes less time, and i have dial up! I can update on a dial up connection in about 1 minute. (if there is for example, 3 updates to download.) Scan time has improved on my machine, teatimer (spybots resident protection) takes less system usage then before. There is improved crash performance. When i killed the spybot process, it starts up just as fast as if it was never killed, compared to version 4. The Major slow startup bug has been fixed, takes only exactly 3 seconds on my machine to load, Even with 5 other items on your taskbar. Also, if your running vista, it fixed several known bugs in there to. I participate in there forums, thats why i have all this info. I do not work for spybot, I just take part in there forums which you can reach at the spybot home page. I rly like this version, and i believe this is finally the best spybot version that has ever been released, by far the best, compared to the older ones. I am very happy with this product, good job spybot team!!

  Cons: You cannot download new spybot versions within the program. You have to go to there website or sites like download.com

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (13 of 17 users said yes)

  Flag for offensive content Reply to this review (0 replies)

• [+] Expand review

  Spybot - Search & Destroy

  Very Good

  by: Old jazz lover on 07-Apr-2008 05:41:03 PM

  Pros: this sofware are great, and the new version better, are more fast than the others oldest versions!

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  Flag for offensive content Reply to this review (0 replies)

Submit your review for Spybot - Search & Destroy:

You must be 13 years of age or older to submit personal information to CNET Networks. In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, CNET Networks does not accept name and e-mail address information from users who are under 13 years of age.

All submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submission.

CNET Networks is not responsible for the content of the publisher's descriptions or user reviews on this site. We encourage you to determine whether this product or your intended use is legal. We do not encourage or condone the use of any software in violation of applicable laws. CNET Download.com does not sell, resell, or license any of the products listed on the site. We cannot be held liable for issues that arise from the download or use of these products.