User Reviews

  Not as good as 1.4  

• Interface: 2
• Features: 2
• Ease of use: 3
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Slow... startup lags on 1.5.1 and there has been a promise of a fix for a while now. It works but lags my Core2Duo and AMD X2 systems on startup. I recommend it, but if you have 1.4, hold onto it for a while until the next release comes out.

  Very good!  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Get this you need it bad. Catches almost everything. However on older computers it will slow things down to a crawl. So not a good idea to browse the net or play computer games while this is running. (If you have an old comp)

  Essential  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Never depend on just ONE spyware tool. get this one and select one or two more to form a suite of non-conflicting tools. only use ONE memory resident shield out of your suite and disable the others. don't mess with advanced features you don't understand. if you don't like the default look, find a skin you do like or design one on your own. update as often as possible and make donations if and when you can. You are a good man Patrick, and you seem tireless. Keep up the wonderful work and don't be a sell out.

  Works great  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I use it to get rid of annoying bots. I works great and is easy to use

  What a beauty  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I've been using Spybot SandD for years, and it's never let me down. They've gotten better with new features, and the TeaTimer is a godsend. I always recommend it, coupled with something like Spyware Blaster you're pretty much covered. The interface isn't the prettiest, but does that really matter? Get it--you'll be safe. It's as good as the big commercial guys. Five stars all around.

  Use it with...  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

You need this program! Use it with A-squared and Ad-aware and u are pretty safe! And a virus program..

  Great program but falling a bit behind.....  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 3
• Value: 5
• Overall:

For years Spybot has been one of the big dogs of free anti-spyware programs and it still is but it's slipping. It has one of the best spyware blockers available but its scanner misses a lot compared to Adaware SE or most of the commercial programs. Signature updates are infrequent. Spybot should not be used as your only anti-spyware tool. Use it with another quality freeware program (Adaware SE or Tenebril's Spycatcher Express) and you will have a combination as good - or better than - most commercial programs. Needed? A less clunky interface and more frequent signature updates. Beginners should stay away from the EXPERT menus. Fooling around in here can cause you grief. If you don't know what a menu item or program choice does - leave it alone! I congratulate the author for a fantastic free program but hope a program upgrade is in the works.

  The after care is fantastic.  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

The after care is fantastic. As they rely on donations its in their interest to see you are satisfied. Possibly the best anti-spy program. Put it this way when looking for something to solve the problem in your computer, Spybot must be considered

  This one gets the job done  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Very recommended to everyone.. a mandatory software that must be installed in our PC

  Doesn't find keylogger  

• Interface: 2
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 3
• Value: 3
• Overall:

Run the free Actual Keylogger, run Spybot it won't find or alert, wussup with that?

  Simply excellent  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I really amazed that a person is in this world who is dedicated to serve people without any type of expectation from them. I really wish him good health and future. Thank You very much.

  Spybot search and destroy works  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I've been using Spybot SandD for years. I had some trouble when I first started using it but it has become very simple and effective over the years. If used along with other software recommended on the Optimize Xp page you can count on it being effective, I've downloaded it for other people and after the first scan they were always impressed. It's unbelievable how much crap this program weeds out. I usually run it 1x wk letting it update automatically when it is opened. I immunize and run the scan which finds a few items once in awhile. After the initial scan and immunize it only finds a few items because it keeps the bad stuff out fairly effectively. I, of coarse, use other protections as well. If you have the means, I recommend sending the developer a donation and a note of thanks for a great program that has made weblife safer. Excellent Program / Very Effective

  I think that this program is just outstanding ...  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I think that this program is just outstanding. It protects realy good, easy to use, and has many great features. I'd recamend this to everyone!

  Eclectic - this may help  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Not sure if this was your problem but try changing the download server. I was Bad Checksum errors {meaning the file came down corrupted.}Once I change the server the file came down fine. I have been using this software and have recommended it highly.

  Past and current issues  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 2
• Value: 3
• Overall:

I had Spybot on my PC spring 05 with the same Internet service I have now on my new laptop. I loved the product on my PC. It was very easy to use and did a great job. No problems. Currently, I am getting an error about installing detection updates using integrated or manual updater. I have research Spybot help extensively which took me to LAN settings. Help for my computer says this is for dial-up only as did my Internet provider. They both say if any proxy settings are entered it will prevent my ability to use the Internet (I have the box checked to not allow dial-up tried it both ways). Spybot help says I have to have this information entered in there proxy settings for it to work. This was not an issue on my PC. Perhaps a program change. I do not know. I have not been able to get past this issue as of yet although I suspect if I do I will be once again very happy with the product.

  Get product  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

This is a great freeware anti-spyware application. Every PC should have it installed. Be sure to use the immunize feature. Also make sure that you also install anti-virus software.

  Works fantastic for a freebie  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I have used Spybot-Search and Destroy for a few years and for a product that is free, it works GREAT! If you download Spybot and also download the SpywareBlaster which can be found on this website, on the same page as Spybot, your PC will be very protected. They work well with each other.

  Another must have!  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Everybody who has a computer with internet connection or installs software should use this just to be safe

  Very good scanner  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 3
• Value: 4
• Overall:

Have been using this program on and off for over 3 years now. Scanning capabilities are very good to excellent. The added features are another big plus. However the program does have a large footprint,does use system resources,is not laid out as well as it could be (i.e.confusing),scanning is somewhat slow,results are not always explicit and stability is sometimes an issue.

  Best program ever  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

This is the most outstanding and greatest program ever! A friend recommended it to me a few years ago and I've been recommending it to everyone who has a computer ever since. This is an absolute must have. Even though Mr. Kolla does not require any money for this program, I've sent him a couple of donations in the past just because I am utterly ecstatic over how his program has improved the security and performance of my computer.

  A must have.  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Simply one of the best program too remove spyware. I've used it for years now and never given me any trouble.

  Really, really good  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

A great tool that after a period of update inactivity is now back in the saddle and stronger than ever. I don't use the skins or the resident protection, but its core is solid and effective. Kinda slow, updates fail once in awhile and it complains when you disable certain XP SP2 security features. Scanning and removal are thorough and unobtrusive, Ive yet to have it fail to excise a detection. Advanced mode offers some neat tweaks, but it's still simple enough to be used by nearly anyone. Best used in conjunction with other similar tools, but still really, really good.

  Excellent stuff!!  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Good program got some things installed on my computer that [..] and [..] didn't get; doesnt compete with any other programs; whats the harm in getting it?

  No permanent solution  

• Interface: 2
• Features: 1
• Ease of use: 2
• Value: 5
• Overall:

It finds and removes a lot of spyware and is easy to install and uninstall. It causes annoying pop-ups, that are not easy to stop, about register changes, when you change a setting of your Windows or install/uninstall a new program.

  Spybot has serious flaws  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 3
• Ease of use: 3
• Value: 4
• Overall:

I agree that its scanner is very useful and trustworthy,but I can't say the same about Startup Scanner.I've been using SpyBot for 3 years and when run it first time Prog managed to persuade me that one of Norton startup files was a fake and recommended to delete it.After removing it,e-mail check stopped working.Each Prog has bugs,but amazing thing is that this fault hadn't been corrected until v1.4 (nearly for 2 years) and even v1.4 still has another one which I reported to their Forum long time ago. Entry in question is "ctfmon.exe" in system32 folder,which according to SpyBot favorite "Paul Collins Startup list" is "CoolWebSearch parasite related virus/spyware".But actually it's very important System file which is responsible for switching between Keyboard languages and it's very easy to check,'cos you'll have this entry just after clean Windows install as soon as you configure second Language.

  Don't forget "tea timer"!  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Spybot also has an excellent real time monitoring feature that's optional and free, but not well explained when you download! You can't add it on later.You have to opt-in during set-up by checking appropriate boxes (look for "Tea Timer" box). At installation it's also wise to click on "System Snapshot" and "Immunization". CAUTION: Of the malware programs listed in Spybot's "Products" list of malware, there are 4 that have checkmarks in their boxes. This means those 4 will be IGNORED by Spybot, instead of you being alerted to them! The 4 to be unchecked are CDilla, CDilla, New.Net, SideStep. To uncheck these, do these steps: Click MODE at the top > ADVANCED MODE > YES > SETTINGS (on the left)> IGNORE PRODUCTS > ALL PRODUCTS > then scroll through the list.Uncheck any pre-checked ones > MODE.Click DEFAULT to Go back to DEFAULT MODE.

  Don't rely solely on spybot!  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I like this program, but no one program catches all malware. I use 4 free programs: Spybot, Adaware,A- Squared, and MS. Spybot finds stuff missed by others and vice versa.eg. Spybot misses tracking cookies from "Realnetworks" which you get if you use Realplayer.In fact of the 4, only Adaware nails it.This week MS found "VCatch" spyware, all 3 of the others missed!My A-Squared has found junk Adaware and Spybot missed. I don't have a specific example of malware Spybot found that others missed but I know it's occurred. The Moral: The more scan programs the better! For me, even 4 is not too many. Sometimes 3 out of 4 find nothing. and the 4th will nail something. And it can be a different 4th each time! I agree that MS deliberately allows certain tracking cookies through. Don't forget, MS itself installs t.cookies on occasion.I recently got an MSN cookie after browsing MSN radio stations. I think Spybot nailed it.

  Spybotsnd  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I have used this excellent free application on advisement of many users in a 50 plus computer group who don't have patience trying lots of different solutions when something simpler exists. They use both 98SE and XP systems and many still continue to use Spybot after installing Sp 2 and MS Antispy. Understand that SPybot leaves bits of "broken spy apps" n registry so some clean up is required. Personally I distrust MS product alone as it is "selective" about which spy cookies it will tell you about. SPybot might be more effective with a better interface, simpler and autoupdates since these are important to keep tabs on to prevent new threats. What more can we expect for free? A good combo is like others suggested with AdawareSE which is also very effective. Suspect those who don't like this dislike informative popups of any kind - even from their firewalls which try to help the user.

  Spybot - search & destroy  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

I like Spybot because it: works nicely, Is very thorough and updates frequently the spyware definitions frequently. Whereas, _I dislike_ it because: It should have one-button disk scan, Setup for Default Definitions Server, Remove all setup files and folders after it is being removed, by not leaving its restore folder.

  Still one of the best  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

S&D has apparently left Ad-Aware in the dust at this point in time, because they are updating definition files more often to keep up...

  Add this to your list of spyware utilities  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

This thing does it all. Of course, be sure to use a few other anti-spyware utilities to catch anything spybot doesn't get: Spysweeper is another good one. EvilGenius mentioned that spybot has an "immunize" feature that no other program has. There is a product called SpywareBlaster that has very similar functionality by preventing the ActiveX controls of known spyware from being installed into IE. Check that one out too. Cheers

  Free and powerful  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

A free program that does the job. Has a lot of other powerful features. Should be called powertoys II.

  Easy and free  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

It works very fine for me, its free, no 'full version', tha free version got all you need.

  Must have  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Any and all computers that connect to the internet for browsing purposes should have this.

  This is simply the best!  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Forget about getting ... this thing is so much better! Does everything anyone could ever need and its all free!

  My spybot  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

No one can obtain so much for so less, its incredible that a freeware have so exquisite software. Congratulate you all. Thanks.

  Good choice  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 4
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

This is a good choice when used in conjuction with Ad-aware, and used frequently.

  There's a beautiful feature to Spybot...  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Value: 5
• Overall:

There's a beautiful feature to Spybot S&D that doesn't exist on other programs I'm familiar with (namely AdAware, M$ Anti-Spyware, HijackThis, and Bazooka) and that is the "Innoculate" tool. I don't know why other products aren't doing this, PREVENTING known infections from happening rather than waiting 'til they do and removing them again and again. Personally, while not perfect, this is still my first line of defense. I've been using Spybot for about 3 years now and I have almost no complaints. There are a couple of concerns that bear mentioning: 1) If you're not using Windows XP use with caution--registry backups, etc. An earlier version (1.1) pretty nearly hosed a WinME system I used it on. 2) If you're badly infected this and almost ANY removal tool might break valid programs, forcing you to reinstall Win. Put SpyBot and AdAware on a CD-R, then reinstall your Windows and put these on before you ever connect.

  Props  

• Interface: 4
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Free and Extremely Useful.

  Not bad for freeware  

• Interface: 3
• Features: 3
• Ease of use: 3
• Value: 3
• Overall:

Not a bad program although lacks detection rate and left quite a few spyware threats that Spysweeper and Adaware picked up on. The interface is easy enough and there are a few features. There are much better programs out there, but is still good if you don't have any money and works well with Adaware.

  Fails to remove some gator and coolwww  

• Interface: 2
• Features: 3
• Ease of use: 2
• Value: 5
• Overall:

This is mostly some software for the price. It failed to remove variants of Gator and CoolWWW after repeated attempts. Biggest concern was speed. The main search is slow, but the search before full boot is extremely slow. It would be much better if the boot scan only tried to remove malware it found in the previous system scan. Purchased Spy Sweeper 3.5. Works much better, and I like it so far.

  My favourite recommendation for anti-spyware  

• Interface: 5
• Features: 5
• Ease of use: 5
• Value: 5
• Overall:

Possibly the best freeware anti-spyware program on the market .. 10 out of 10

  Should be part of every pc's "toolbox&am