Do you know what is a spyware, or simply assume it is another form of virus or Trojans? Actually, Spyware is a malicious software that intercepts actions or take partial control of a computer without the user consent. According to the Wikipedia, the name refers broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.
Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate.
Some of these programs are found on webpages or installed without user knowledge as part of another software package – generally free ones.
These programs can collect information about users, computer usage, shopping habits and more and transmit this data to a server that will then use it for commercial purposes (like collecting e-mail addresses to sell to spammers) or to present unwanted advertisements on the user’s PC.
There are quite a few solutions in the market, and some are spyware too – promising to clean up the user’s computer but actually providing false positive results so that the users is pressed to purchase the software.
Other software are quite well known (like Lavasot Ad-Aware or more lately the Microsoft AntiSpyware program) but there are options that work well and sometimes users feel comfortable with.
I recently received the Spyware Doctor, from PC Tools, for review and it certainly feels like one of these. It has an easy to use interface and above all it works as promised.
I run the Microsoft AntiSpyware in two of my computers, mainly because it is currently free – but the product is currently being distributed as beta, and at this stage there are rumors that it could be incorporated into Microsoft OneCare, a subscription-based service to be offered later this year, including anti-virus, backup and other tools. So I used this software as a benchmark.
To test the Spyware Doctor I created a couple of virtual PC running Windows XP Service Pack 2. In one of them I had Microsoft AntiSpyware installed and the second one had the Spyware Doctor software running.
Installation was simple with an easy to follow wizard. After the installation I used the LiveUpdate feature to download updates for the program and new signatures for the detection engine.
My first test was running a full scan on both computers, and although the difference was not very big, Spyware Doctor was the faster product to scan the whole disk.
Users that like more control over their programs will enjoy Spyware Doctor. It has a very complete set of monitoring features and a high level of control over each feature – but it will run just fine using the default configuration.
The software provides manual and automatic system scans, plus an OnGuard feature. When enabled the OnGuard will monitor different parts of the system and inform the user of any change, or block changes if needed. The OnGuard list includes Cookie Guard Startup Guard, Browser, Immunizer, Keylogger, Network Guard, Popup Blocker, Process Guard, and Site Guard.
Click any image for a larget screenshot
The interesting ones are the Startup Guard, Keylogger, Process Guard and Site Guard. These will prevent new programs initiating automatically with your computer, block programs that collect your keyboard input, stop known malicious programs running and prevent access to malicious sites, like the ones used for phising.
The cookies control is an interesting feature, and it constantly monitors the data folders used by the main browsers, removing cookie files. But I find it interesting that people want to remove these text files from their computers. Most websites rely on using these files to manage shopping carts for example, or automatic login. I actually turned this feature off, otherwise I could complete a purchase on a software store.
On the Browser Guard settings users can check a list of Browser Helper Object (BHO), programs that add functionality to web browser, and sometimes vectors of malware software. Spyware Doctor highlights the possible spyware on the list and the user can, as an option, unregister any unwanted program from the list.
I did try to install some programs and toolbars and the Spyware Doctor prevented this to happen, or found and successfully cleaned up the files from my test system during a manual scan.
The software has a very good user interface, and it is easy to find options and settings. The notifications come up in a way quite similar to that used by MSN Messenger.
Some users will be safe enough with this software, while others may want to add it to the collection of security tools in use. I think this software fits well in both situations.
Pros
Good user interface
Subscription service offers one year updates
Does not slowdown the computer
Good default settings for non-power users
Phishing sites blocking list
Cons
Power users will feel some of the default settings too restrictive.
Not for enterprise if the company requires centralised settings management
I've used PC Tools Spyware Doctor for 3 years and recently upgraded to the latest version. I'm running XP Home Edition, SP2, current updates on a 2.8 GHz Dell.
The new Spyware Doctor, while active and enabled, has slowed application startups to a crawl. Outlook Express takes 30 seconds to open. About the same with Word. It takes almost 20 seconds to bring up the audio menu by double-clicking the speaker icon. If I exit or disable Spyware Doctor, it's back to full speed ahead. The prior product wasn't nearly this bad.
I'm sorely disappointed. Now, I keep Spyware Doctor disabled and load it once a week, update it (which requires a reboot each time) and then run an intelli-scan.
I added memory to my computer on 3-16-2007 and everything speeded up. I upgraded to Spyware Doctor 5.0 on 3-17-2007 and everything slowed down dramatically. I just saw these comments and wanted to share my experience. There have been a number of updates to Spyware Doctor since I got it. It is either improving or I am getting used to the slower response times - probably a bit of both. I rationalized that I should be willing to accept some degradation in performance in exchange for the functions performed by the program. Since I am not technically proficient, perhaps I need to find out about keeping the program, but not letting it run in the background. Is this an issue someone could address in reply?
I too have used Spy Doctor for a few years and have in that time used Windows 2000 and XP Professional with the program. I have found that XP Pro. slows down in itself, and crashes, if you don't keep on top of the clean-ups and defragmenting etc. In despiration, I use a Registry Cleaner program (once in a blue moon) and only then did XP get back to original speed but sad to say that didn't last. Windows 2000 with the same harddrive space never once slowed down, or crashed. May I suggest that Spy Doctor is not the problem and yes I'm presently looking at the latest Windows 2007 program because XP Professional is a very frustrating program.
I tried it, and impulsed bought. BIG mistake. This version, 6.0.0.362 is a resource hog! When booting computer, it takes 119mb of RAM and 97% CPU for a few minutes when starting up!!! So, basically, you have to wait for it to free up resources befor you can use your computer. Otherwise, doing things will be very slow. I am sure previous versions were better. But it seems the norm of software makers to "make improvements" when may improve the functionality of the program, at the expense of your computer usage.
They also overcharged me for it on my debit card. I am in the process of getting my money back (seeing if they make good on their "money back guarantee" The only pctools product I had luck with was "Registry Mechanic"
All the other applications are junk. File Recover cannot find files deleted from the recycle bin.
Stick with other companies, despite the reviews, Spyware Doctor is JUNK.
Same slowdown problem here. One commentator speaks of disabling PC Doctor and doing an install/run once a week. I also heard the same idea from a "computer guy", saying that live monitoring is unneccessary. Can I get comments on the ADVISABILITY OF THIS APPROACH? Thank You!
Spyware doctor freezes both XP desktop and Vista Laptop. Im no expert but the software seems a bit buggy when left on its own to scan. Ive turn it off on both machine a feel releived!
I finally gave up on SpyDoctor, even after upgrading my 1GHZ Pentium II machine to a full gig of ram is STILL slows evertything down to a crawl. It also causes regular system FREEZES and CRASHES!
Most recently, they gave up thier lame outsourced (outhouse) off shore customer support.
If you have an older machine AVOID THIS LIKE THE PLAGUE! These people should be ashamed of themselves, maybe even BEAT severely for being such major pains to the online community. Did I mention my displeasure?????????? if you have an older machine, AVOID this at ALL costs. Ortherwise it will turm your machine into a piece of crap and have you banging on your keyboard like you're trying to use an old 286! AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
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