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Spyware Doctor 6.0 Review

Product: Spyware Doctor 6.0
Price: $29.95
Company Info: PC Tools
Editor Rating:

Review of Spyware Doctor 6.0

Although Spyware Doctor is adept at winning countless awards and accolades, the true heart of this program is near-perfect computer protection. The best offerings by Spyware Doctor 6.0 is the same great user interface, exhaustive information about the threat nature, and a reliability factor other spyware programs are still struggling to attain. As wonderful as these benefits are, they are detracted from by Spyware Doctor's lack of inclusive services and higher price point.

Spyware Doctor's developer, PC Tools, offers a free trial version from their website. The free trial version will scan the computer and detail any threats located, but will not automatically remove them from the system. Due to the prolific nature of rogue anti-spyware programs offering sham scans and requiring a "licensed" or "full" copy for removal, this free-trial manner may not be the best way for PC Tools to advertise their product. Spyware Doctor would remove any doubt about its legitimacy in the mind of the user by employing a more professional and shorter trial period with full functionality. Customers would then feel more confident and experienced in the program's ability to fill their security needs.

Installation was painless and it is nice to see a completely polite installation sequence. During the installation, the user is prompted with the options to create a desktop icon, create a quick launch in the system tray, and allow the program to auto-update to stay ahead of emerging threats. Too many programs assume a forward position by automatically creating a desktop icon. This user control over installation is a preview of the same control offered by Spyware Doctor during normal operations.

Spyware Doctor performs about the same as other top names in spyware removal; it is able to detect and remove the overwhelming majority of spyware threats. The very nature of spyware removal prohibits the statement "all threats" because the world of computer nasties is ever-changing. The next removal-resistant strain of code for aggressive advertising or market research is always in development. One area where Spyware Doctor most certainly surpasses other comparable spyware removal tools is the price. Not only is the software sold in Euros, a currency on the rise against most of the world's denominations, but at €29.95 for only the basic package it is one of the most expensive anti-spyware solutions.

The good news is the €29.95 covers licenses for up to 3 computers, but the price jumps drastically to €99.95 for 5 computers. This is some curious math: three times the price for less than twice the licenses. Also, the product is advertised as now offering anti-virus protection, yet this is a feature customers must pay extra to own. The anti-virus feature is another €10.00 . Users can save €10.00 off the regular price (€29.95) of Registry Mechanic and Privacy Guardian if they choose to purchase it as an add on to the purchase of Spyware Doctor. Overall, this computer protection suite by PC Tools is very piece-meal and prohibitively expensive when all is said and done.

Interface

Accented by bright blue and intuitively laid out, the interface of Spyware Doctor builds on the industry standard of a graphically navigated home base or page. Every picture and heading operates as a jump or link to the next area. There are four main areas plus a Register link for trial users. The four main areas are a Status screen, Start Scan, Intelliguard, and Settings.

The Status screen offers users the snapshot view of the computer's protection against spyware. The top section offers users a quick click to the three main actions of the program: scanning, auto-removal, and ongoing protection through prevention. The bottom section of Status gives the vital stats on the version of Spyware Doctor currently running on the right. On the left, the bottom section gives the status of Version, Last Scan, and Last Update with a positive or negative feedback icon to denote user action required. There is also a clear warning for Trial Version and a lack of the additional feature Anti-Virus Engine.

Start Scan is the dashboard for users to select a scan type and execute it. The right side shows all the areas for the scan, but to change these settings takes a visit to Settings. The thoroughness of the Spyware Doctor's database and ever increasing hard drive storage space can make a scan last for several minutes. One very nice feature of the interface is once a scan is started, an overall progress meter shows the trek of the entire scan and another progress meter represents the scan's current action status. This is far more comforting to the user than a simple graphic with animation since whenever we must wait for our computer to do anything, we all think "How much longer?"

Intelliguard is the protection-by-prevention measure offered by Spyware Doctor. Users can really learn more about the various spyware threats out there, what types of threats have attacked the computer in the past, and toggle guards and exceptions for specific threat types. For example, if an advanced user knows a favorite website utilizes cookies, this website could be listed as the exception in Cookie Guard.

Users can find the brain of the operation on the Settings screen. The options here are nearly endless. There is the ability to schedule a scan upon start up, or at a designated time for continuously running machines. There is the ability to set global rules. There is the history of every action Spyware Doctor has taken, and all the threats found for future reference. For any setting or option that sounds unfamiliar to the user, the Help area is extremely robust.

Performance

The successful performance of Spyware Doctor does not come from only its spyware removal act, but rather from the complete control that remains entirely with the user. Spyware Doctor is the actor, the user is the director. Too many spyware tools automatically remove threats without the user even fully understanding what the threat was, or how it arrived. Constant control and a strong information source about each threat improves overall protection from spyware. After all, the best layer of spyware protection is a smart Internet user with the experience and common sense to avoid the seedier parts of the World Wide Web.

Spyware Doctor was installed on a just-wiped machine that had only installed printer drivers and updates from reputable sites. Surprisingly enough, the scan did pick up on a handful of threats: Tracking Cookies. It was a real shock to see problems so quickly on a "clean machine." A keylogging application and attack on the homepage was also tested, detected, and removed.

The best part was when the threat is clicked on, the severity of the threat is listed (in this case it was Low) and the website or web company it originated from is also listed. If the user doesn't know what a Tracker Cookie is, a quick click on the Threat Name will bring up a definition and explanation. Also, a link to Threat Expert will give additional reports about the specific threat, such as the tracker cookie from doubleclick.net. This useful information can be used in the event Spyware Doctor is unable to remove the threat, or users simply desire to manually remove the threat themselves.

Pros and Cons

+ Control over scans, exceptions, and enabled features stays where it belongs: with the user.

+ Great system to educate users about the nature of spyware threats.

+ Wide variety of threats detected, including ActiveX attacks, key logging applications, rootkits, and even lowly cookies.

+ Intelliguard prevents most of the most dangerous spyware programs from even installing.

- Far more expensive than other products out there offering comparable service and features.

- Free trial system is mimicked by rogue anti-spyware, even though Spyware Doctor is a legitimate spyware detection and removal tool

+/- Available for 32-bit Windows Vista, XP, and 2000. Not available for 64-bit Windows Vista.

Summary

PC Tools did an exquisite job balancing the hand-holding for beginner users and the functionality demanded by more advance customers. Every facet of Spyware Doctor's protection and removal of spyware is completely controlled by the customer. Overall, the performance exceeds the expectations of industry standards and certainly places Spyware Doctor in the top tier of anti-spyware software. Unfortunately, the price is a little too expensive when compared to other top titles in the anti-spyware game. Also, it is certainly frustrating advertised features like the Anti-Virus Engine costs extra.

If symptoms of spyware attacks are readily apparent, such as incessant pop-up attacks and changing home pages on the default browser, an anti-spyware program is imperative. Spyware threats are becoming more sophisticated, and the increased use of the Internet for personal business grants even more potential private data will make its way to the hands of a third-party. Spyware Doctor is a top quality choice for anti-spyware solutions, but the same services can be found at a more affordable price.