« Return to: Best Defenders
| Spyware components removed | Actively running processes removed | Changes to start and search pages reversed | BHOs and toolbars removed | Registry run keys and start up links removed | Windows services removed | ||||||||
| Paid Stand-Alone Program | Number Found | Percentage Found | Number Found | Percentage Found | Number Found | Percentage Found | Number Found | Percentage Found | Number Found | Percentage Found | Number Found | Percentage Found | Comments |
| Best Buy Webroot Software Spy Sweeper 4.0 $30  |
66 | 90% | 23 | 88% | 5 | 100% | 14 | 100% | 21 | 88% | 3 | 100% | Had the highest overall spyware removal among stand-alone apps; it eliminated tough Look2Me variant. |
| McAfee AntiSpyware 2006 $30  |
58 | 79% | 25 | 96% | 0 | 0% | 14 | 100% | 19 | 79% | 0 | 0% | Cleanup was significantly improved over previous version, but program can't launch from the system tray. |
| PC Tools Spyware Doctor 3.2 $30  |
45 | 62% | 16 | 62% | 4 | 80% | 10 | 71% | 14 | 58% | 1 | 33% | This middling performer did not excel in any area aside from BHO and toolbar removal. |
| Sunbelt Software CounterSpy 1.029 $20 |
48 | 66% | 17 | 65% | 1 | 20% | 13 | 93% | 15 | 63% | 2 | 67% | This former Best Buy exhibited weak cleanup; a version with a revamped engine is due out soon. |
| Trend Micro Anti-Spyware 3.0 $30 |
42 | 58% | 22 | 85% | 0 | 0% | 7 | 50% | 12 | 50% | 1 | 33% | Showed poor performance in removing toolbars and other browser-based changes installed by spyware. |
| Free Stand-Alone Program | |||||||||||||
| Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta 1.0.615 Free |
48 | 66% | 16 | 62% | 3 | 60% | 11 | 79% | 18 | 75% | 0 | 0% | Scored the highest of the free apps in spyware; offers comprehensive behavior-based prevention. |
| Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition 1.06 Free |
47 | 64% | 17 | 65% | 4 | 80% | 9 | 64% | 14 | 58% | 2 | 67% | The free version of this program lacks real-time prevention but has a well-designed interface. |
| Safer Networking Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4 Free |
40 | 55% | 13 | 50% | 1 | 20% | 10 | 71% | 15 | 63% | 1 | 33% | Its behavior-based spyware prevention was strong, but it also had the lowest spyware-cleanup score. |
| Internet Security Suite | |||||||||||||
| Best Buy Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005 $50 |
63 | 86% | 26 | 100% | 0 | 0% | 14 | 100% | 21 | 88% | 2 | 67% | Easy-to-use product was top-notch in removing spyware, but it didn't reverse browser page changes. |
| Symantec Norton Internet Security 2005 Anti-Spyware Edition $80 |
58 | 79% | 22 | 85% | 5 | 100% | 11 | 79% | 18 | 75% | 2 | 67% | This suite ranked third in overall spyware removal, but it missed one infection of new spyware. |
| Zone Labs Internet Security Suite 6.0 $70 |
54 | 74% | 22 | 85% | 0 | 0% | 12 | 86% | 19 | 79% | 1 | 33% | Zone Labs' permission-based alerts are far better for experienced users than for the less savvy. |
| CHART NOTES: Street prices are as of 8/19/05. Star ratings based on spyware component removal, real-time spyware prevention, and ease of use. | |||||||||||||