Spyware Reviews | Top Spyware Review, Removal, and Malware Tips
Spyware Doctor has made some major changes to virtually every aspect of its operation. The changes to its general scanning and protection mechanisms, interface, and feature set have resulted in a number 2 rating in our top spyware reviews for 2005. Let's go over these changes now.
Spyware Doctor Version 3.2 incorporates four major enhancements to version 3.1:
1. A behavioral Keylogger Guard (patent pending): The advantage of behavioral protection over signature based protection is that it is capable of detecting and stopping new Keyloggers NOT yet known to the Signature database. Please note that Spyware Doctor performs both behavioral and signature based detection. Catching keyloggers is of extreme importance as having them running on a users PC, even for few hours can cause a significant amount of damage to the privacy of the user. Keylogger Guard can be turned off or keyloggers can be added to the white list if the user wishes to run a keylogger on their PC while Spyware Doctor is operational.
2. Process Guard: A real time protection against a broad range of Spyware threats. Process Guard monitors all attempts to execute a file and if the file is found to be malicious then Process Guard will block it from executing. This prevents malware from running or installing on a users PC.
3. Startup Guard: This OnGuard function monitors all additions of files to auto start locations such as run keys in the registry, Startup Folders, etc. If the file is found to be malicious then Startup Guard will remove the auto start entry. This prevents many malicious programs from starting up each time the user boots or logs in.
4. Multi-browser Cookie Monitor that supports four browsers; Mozilla FireFox, Mozilla/Netscape, Opera and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. Version 3.1 supported only Internet Explorer
Aside from these changes worth mentioning is the interface itself which was actually perhaps the best of all our tested applications. The GUI has been completely revamped from earlier versions (pre 3.0) and now features a continually available sidebar which makes sure the program's main functions are always accessible. You never feel lost among a myriad of pointlessly redundant tools and explanations. Everything is always immediately obvious. All programs should be as easy to use as Spyware Doctor.
The user is now greeted with 3 main scanning options: quick scan, full scan, and a custom scan. This seems to be the trend with the top utilities as spyware educated users are often familiar with what malware they are scanning for, and don’t always need a full scan. Regardless of this a full system scan ran in under an astonishing 8 minutes, a very fast performer indeed. Additionally the scan turned up 82% of the spyware we installed indicating PCTools has made extensive progress with their utility in virtually every way.
Scans are now much less CPU dependent and we were able to work on other applications with ease while they were being completed. There is even an option to only run a scan if your CPU is below a certain performance threshold thus allowing it not to run if you are playing games or doing some heavy computing. This demonstrates great attention to detail and is a very welcome addition.
Spyware Doctor’s best feature is “OnGuard;” which is a Real-Time protection centre. Some of the real-time protection tools included in OnGuard are Cookie Guard, Startup Monitor, Browser Guard, Immunizer, Keylogger Guard and Process Monitor. For OnGuard to be operational it first must be turned ON as it is “opt-in” functionality. OnGuard also includes a Scheduler for scanning and live updates. In addition you will find a Popup Blocker and Site Guard to protect users from Malicious Sites and Phishing attacks. I found Spyware Doctor's real time scanning implementation both thorough and non-intrusive.
The scanner, while one of the best, did make some weird selections on the test system. It didn't remove every related file and registry entry (including parts of BroadCastPC and VX2), but nothing that ultimately hindered performance in any way (NOTE: This has been corrected with version 3.2). Spyware Doctor also has a handy roll back feature in case you remove something that is required for another application to run. Kazaa is an example of a program like this. Another welcome change.
Previous versions of Spyware Doctor were not particularly option rich but the new version has improved in this area as well including all the features of a top contender. Thankfully the utility now includes a much needed scheduler to run either scans or updates at a time or date you specify. The program also is able to effectively disable browser helper objects and includes much better in-memory spyware monitoring.
Like all of our reviewed programs Spyware Doctor is capable of receiving frequent live updates to detect and guard against new threats. This feature is available from within the application itself and updates are always quick. The team at PCtools is really on the ball and I know from personal experience that they answer emails and support issues promptly and effectively.
PCtools website is also equipped with a free scan utility as well as several other popular utilities like Registry Mechanic and Privacy Guardian. I would highly recommend you check out their whole suite of products. If you’re looking for an eye pleasing, feature rich spyware scanner, backed by an excellent staff, Spyware Doctor is an obvious choice.
For more information visit Spyware Doctor's Homepage .
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