In Defense of Spybot Search and Destroy
I recently came across an article on Cnet questioning the advantage of using the anti-spyware freeware Spybot Search and Destroy. I definitely have to take exception to her position. This is my opinion on this great software.
I have been using Spybot search and destroy for over 5 years now. This program is incredibly useful! There are updates every week. As with any of these anti-malware programs the power is reliant on the end user. If you don't update and run scans regularly you might as well not have the program. Certainly this program on its own is not a final solution, but one very important item in the arsenal.
The practice of being on defense against malware is in itself antiquated. However, until a decent reliable proactive alternative comes around the best protection is defense… however, that being said…
When you have the program updated (as of this writing) you can immunize your system against 30,668 known malicious programs. Also I use Spyware Blaster to work with Spybot Search and Destroy as a front line defense. Spyware Blaster adds an additional 8,057 known malicious programs to block in its database.
Sure the so called "security suites" now include anti-spyware support but who was the originator? I have trusted Spybot Search and Destroy since its inception. Bottom line it works and it's free.
Mysicgeek's Tech Lingo: (Malicious Software) This is software code created to cause intrusive and hostile actions on your computer. While this is new terminology malware refers to spyware, virus, adware, and grayware. Examples are cookies that gather private data, pop up advertisements, and keylogging programs.
Amen to that… Spybot is a great utility, and the author gives it away for free instead of charging for it. I'm sure he could easily become rich by selling it instead, but he chooses to help people instead.
Interesting side note - if you read the license agreement for Spybot S&D, the only stipulation is that you pray for the guy who created it… first time I've ever come across that in a license agreement. At work we've got about 10 computers, that I have setup to Run As a domain admin, a .JOB that runs Spybot in the morning before everyone shows up to work. With a few command line switches, you can automate an update, scan, immunization and cleaning. I think it's something like /AutoUpdate /Autoimmunize /AutoScan /Hide. I love Spybot!
Agreed. Outside of the clunky interface and somewhat/sometimes slow performance, this has done wonders on some computers that have been spyware infested. And works on Firefox cookies too, which many others do not.
I had it for a long time,I used it every couple days to scan.I also have spywareblaster.I had to uninstall spybot because it would interfear with the Trend Micro PC-illian that I had paid for. I wish I could of done something else. Spywareblaster updates keep showing up in my spyware scans from TM. I wish I knew how to make them coexist.
In Spybot S & D you can purge the archives in "Recovery" so your anti-virus program doesn't pick them up malware. Same thing with Adaware.
I use Trend Micro at our company and I install Spywareblaster on certain "trouble" workstations and have not had any problems. You should be able to go in and make an exception rule for Spywareblaster.
I never did understand why - all of a sudden (well, not so sudden) - everyone is beating on Spybot Search & Destroy (SSD for short), while many of the same are busily praising Spywareblaster (SWB - my abbreviations). I think it a case of 'me too', jumping on the bandwagon of condemning SSD and calling it outdated etc etc, just because someone had done so in the distant past. I was stupid enough to buy it and unload it… I am back to using SSD now, AND SWB, and using other free antispyware software. One cannot be too careful nowadays on the 'net. I thank the makers of SSD and SWB for making them available to the public for nothing. And though I don't use it, also the makers of Adware.
Amen…. from here too…
I've been using spybot for aout 3 years now and it's the best, a really good app to have in the favorities apps folder