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Safer Networking Spybot -- Search & Destroy 1.5
- "Immunizes" against known malware senders
- Prevents browser hijacks
- Faster than earlier versions
- Occasional "false positives"
- Not a primary defense
Safer Networking Spybot -- Search & Destroy used to be the darling of reviewers, especially because it's free. Experts now say versions 1.5 and 1.6, like any other free anti-spyware program, pale compared with paid protection and should be used as a supplement, not as a primary method of blocking, detecting and removing malware. You'll have to do frequent manual updates online to maximize the "immunization" feature that blocks malware from known perpetrators. A professional review of the more recent version 1.6 says that while it's faster than previous editions, there are more "false positives" during scans. The most knowledgeable user reviews say no one should depend on one anti-spyware program; Safer Networking Spybot -- Search & Destroy should be one of several.
We found the most current analysis at Download.com, which has a brief staff review of the 1.6 version and more than 100 written user reviews. PCMag.com and PC World review the 1.5 version, and ConsumerReports.org rates the even-older 1.4 version. Though not as fresh as CNET's coverage, their reviews do reinforce the idea that Safer Networking Spybot -- Search & Destroy's time as a primary defense is long gone.
Our Sources
1. Download.com
CNET does extensive, unbiased testing of anti-spyware software. It says Safer Networking Spybot is tolerable as supplementary protection, but "bugs and false positives make it difficult to recommend." There are more than 100 written user reviews, the gist being that the 1.6 version is an improvement but not a primary form of defense.
Review: Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6.2 Review, Editors of Download.com, Jan. 26, 2009
PCMag.com tests and rates security software. Safer Networking Spybot Search & Destroy 1.5 gets a score of 1.5 out of 5 ("poor"), and reviewer Neil Rubenking says, "Back in its heyday, it was deservedly popular, but that day has long passed."
Review: Spybot Search & Destroy 1.5, Neil J. Rubenking, Feb. 15, 2008
PC World rates six anti-spyware programs, including two that are free. Spybot Search & Destroy 1.5 places fifth -- "despite strong real-time protection, this free old favorite can't recognize and clean up many of today's threats."
Review: Die, Spyware, Die!, Ryan Naraine, Aug. 22, 2007
4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org ranks about a dozen free and paid programs, but it rates the older 1.4 version of Spybot. You must be a subscriber to view this report.
Review: Anti-Spyware Programs, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, September 2007
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