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Four free antispyware apps |
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 Robert Vamosi Senior editor |
Updated February 16, 2006 You'll need more than one antispyware app to clean your system. Here are four antispyware apps that won't cost you a dime. Currently, there's no standard definition of spyware. What one company considers a malicious intrusion upon your system might go unnoticed by another vendor's antispyware app. That's why we recommend you run more than one antispyware app to make sure your system is clean. Here are four free antispyware apps that work well--with a twist. We've partnered with our colleagues at Download.com, who performed a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of these apps. Our first surprise is that our former Editors' Choice favorite Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4 has fallen from glory. Ad-aware SE now claims the top position. Battling for position in the middle are two relative newcomers--Microsoft Windows Defender beta 2 (formerly Microsoft AntiSpyware) and Tenebril SpyCatcher Express.
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| Remove from list | Remove from list | Remove from list | Remove from list | |
| Product name |
Spybot Search and Destroy |
Microsoft Windows Defender beta 2 |
Lavasoft Ad-aware SE 1.06 |
Tenebril SpyCatcher |
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| Review date | May 4, 2005 | February 14, 2006 | February 13, 2006 | February 14, 2006 |
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Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained) |
6.7
Good |
6.5
Good |
7.6
Very good |
7.2
Very good |
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| Product videos |
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| Review summary | Spybot is both free and adaptable for both beginning and power users, but it left behind several known spyware apps. | With Windows Defender beta 2, Microsoft beefs up its free antispyware app with a new name, engine, and tools. | Ad-aware SE is your best option for keeping spyware and adware under control on your PC. | An easy-to-use interface and effective handling of spyware make either the free or paid version of Tenebril SpyCatcher an excellent addition to your PC's defense arsenal. |
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| My Products | ||||
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| User comments | 7.3 Very good (from 327 users) | 7.0 Very good (from 114 users) | 6.8 Good (from 53 users) | 4.8 Mediocre (from 13 users) |
| Basic Specs | ||||
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• Utilities • Utilities - data security Full specifications |
• Utilities • Utilities - data security , Utilities - antivirus / PC diagnostic Full specifications |
• Microsoft Windows NT , Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition , Microsoft Windows XP , Microsoft Windows Server 2003 , Microsoft Windows 2000 , Microsoft Windows 98 • Security applications • License • Security - adware & malware removal tools Full specifications |
• Microsoft Windows 2000 • Security applications • License • Security - intrusion and vulnerability detection Full specifications |
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