PC Tools Spyware Doctor
| Screenshot of Spyware Doctor 5 Screenshot of Spyware Doctor 5 | |
| Developer(s) | PC Tools |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 6.0.0.386
/ October 13, 2008 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Spyware removal software |
| License | Shareware |
| Website | PCTools.com |
Spyware Doctor is a spyware removal product for Microsoft Windows developed by PC Tools.
Features
Spyware Doctor scans a PC for spyware, examining files on the hard drive, objects in memory, the Windows registry and cookies, and then attempts to quarantine or remove recognized threats. It also includes real-time protection which attempts to block threats from being saved to the disk, set to startup automatically, suspicious programs running and other detection including new toolbars and add-ons for web browsers. [citation needed]
Spyware Doctor is designed for Windows 2000, XP and Vista 32-bit editions. It will not install on 64-bit operating systems, although a 64-bit version is in development for Windows Vista and is currently in beta testing.
License
It is normally purchased as a yearly subscription which includes new versions and updates, and is available online as well as in retail stores. PC Tools, like other security companies[1] such as McAfee, Symantec and recently Microsoft with OneCare, has now implemented an automatic renewal system whereby customer's subscriptions are renewed every year automatically until cancelled.
Spyware Doctor is not free, but a free scan version is offered, providing real-time protection and scans for spyware. Only the full version is capable of removing spyware (though a user can use the free version to locate where the spyware is and then manually remove the files and registry entries themselves). Spyware often includes both files located on the hard drive and entries in the Windows registry.
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition was included in the Google Pack in March 2007,[2] this version allows scan and removal of threats, limited real-time protection, but a limited database, which does not include some viral threats. [3][4]
Awards and Reviews
Spyware Doctor received the PC World Best Buy award in the October 2007 issue of the magazine saying "PC Tools' Spyware Doctor 5.0 was the clear winner, outperforming the competition at detecting and removing our test set of adware and spyware samples."[5]
Spyware Doctor has also received several Editors' Choice awards from PC Magazine,[6] including one for Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 5.5 in 2008.[7] The product has also received numerous other awards from around the globe.
Not all reviews have been positive and early versions of Spyware Doctor 5.0, which the company rewrote from scratch, received some negative commentary.[8] CNET's Download.com reviews, justifies the 3-star rating by saying " in our trial scans, Spyware Doctor repeatedly flagged several dozen harmless cookies as potential threats, more than any other antispyware product we tested. We were also unable to learn more about each threat or why Spyware Doctor flagged each."
References
- ^ McMillan, Robert. "Antivirus software now a subscription situation", Computerworld, November 21, 2006
- ^ Savage, Jesse. "Google Pack cures the PC blues", Official Google Blog, March 27, 2007
- ^ http://windowssecrets.com/support-alert/2008/02/21/12-Spyware-Doctor-Starter-Edition-has-smaller-signature-database
- ^ http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54885 Reply from PC Tools Forum Moderator
- ^ Naraine, Ryan. "PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.0 Review", PC World, August 21, 2007
- ^ Rubenking, Neil. "Weeding out the spys - Editors' Choice: Spyware Doctor 3.2", PC Magazine', June 19, 2005
- ^ Rubenking, Neil. "Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 5.5 - Editors' Choice Review", PC Magazine', January 22, 2008
- ^ Vamosi, Robert. "Nettlesome glitches sink Spyware Doctor 5", CNN', March 29, 2007
External links
- Official Spyware Doctor website
- PCWorld.com "Best Vista Antispyware", PC World, August 21, 2007.
- Rubenking, Neil J. "You Need Antispyware - Spyware Doctor 4.0", PC Magazine, July 20, 2006.
- Rebbapragada, Narasu. "Spyware Doctor Review", PC World, August 23, 2006.