Best Anti-Spyware Programs

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By By Herb Weisbaum

Summary

In PC Word Magazine's latest test, Sunbelt Software's CounterSpy and Microsoft's Windows AntiSpyware Beta came out on top.

Story Published: Mar 15, 2005 at 12:05 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:53 AM PDT

Best Anti-Spyware Programs
SEATTLE - The Internet is a fabulous tool, but it's also a dangerous place that's filled with people who want to gain access to your computer.

A growing threat is what's called Spyware that sneaks onto your machine when you download a program or visit a Web site.

Spyware is not only annoying, it's a potential safety threat. Once it installs itself on your computer, Spyware can slow down your machine or track everything you do on the Web. It can be darn hard to remove.

For its April issue, PC World Magazine tested 10 anti-spyware utilities; some new and some familiar favorites and it found big differences in performance.

And the winner is: CounterSpy from Sunbelt Software. PC World says it "had the highest detection rates, cleanest interface and fastest scan speeds."

CounterSpy found and fixed 85 percent of the test Spyware. The magazine named it a “Best Buy” because for just $20, you get a year's worth of updates and tech support.

Webroot's Spy Sweeper, which sells for $30, was rated "almost as effective" as CounterSpy, finding 81 percent of the infections.

Why buy anti-spyware software when you can download it for free? Because, as these tests showed, you might get better protection.

Ad-Aware (available for free) only detected 65 percent of the infections. Spybot Search & Destroy (another free favorite) caught just 54 percent of the test spyware.

By the way, PC World also likes the new Antispyware program from Microsoft. It's a beta version available for free download on the Microsoft site.

“It's fast, easy to use and effective,” they say, adding it has a 91 percent success rate. This software was developed by Giant Software, the company Microsoft bought in December. That might explain why it's so easy to use. The interface is very intuitive. I was able to figure it out in no time.

Microsoft's AntiSpyware will ignore your cookies as it scans your system. That's nice for users who like automatic log-ins and personalized website features you get from cookies.

For More Information:

Spyware Stoppers (PC World rates the latest crops of anti-spyware software)

Read Herb's other recent story on Spyware