Is Spybot Search and Destroy the right anti-spyware tool for you?
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search and Destroy is probably one of the most popular 'free' antispyware utilities on the market. Both Spybot S&D as well as AdAware are considered reputable free programs by most cyber security specialists who recommend free programs.
However, are these well intended free utilities (especially spybot) truly effective against all forms of spyware?
Although Spybot is a good free program, it fails to detect or remove some forms of spyware.
Unfortunately the best spyware removal tools on the market are not free. Free spyware detection and removal tools, such as Spybot S&D, are a good option if you aren't planning on spending money on an anti-spyware solution.
But new threats are discovered faster than you can blink your eyes, and sometimes spybot won't catch them all in a timely manner.
This fast paced world of cyber security requires tools that are constantly being updated to adapt to new threats.
One of the biggest weaknesses in using a free application such as spybot is that anti-spyware programs -- just like antivirus programs -- constantly need to update their definitions. And free programs simply don't have the necessary funds to incessantly look for and identify new threats.
Missing just one threat can be catastrophic.
Spybot has released updates that unfortunately may have a glitch and need to be fixed in order for the program to be truly effective.
Some users are claiming that the spybot update may contain bugs that need to be fixed. For example, many users have been getting error messages in German after running updated versions of spybot.
Experts are telling people to hold off on updates. You may want to find out about the glitches before upgrading. Older versions of spybot are working fine, but may not include the latest spyware definitions.
Replacing Spybot with AdAware or using both programs simultaneously might be an alternative.
Combining both spybot and AdAware might possibly produce good results if you don't want to pay for spyware protection.
If you have a few dollars that you are willing to spend on security software, replacing Spybot S&D with paid antispyware programs is probably your best bet. For example, we recommend you check out this article on Spysweeper.
If you've decided you want complete protection against cyber threats and have decided to switch from spybot, you're probably trying to figure out which of the many paid programs is the right choice for you.
Careful... there are many fraudulent and mal intended paid antispyware vendors as well!
Paying for something doesn't necessarily mean it's any good. Spybot, which may not be the best product on the market, is free and is much better than many paid rogue or suspect programs being offered for high prices on the net.
You may want to check out the list of Rogue/Suspect spyware vendors on other pages of this website, or at Spywarewarrior.com before making any purchases. Spywarewarrior.com is a very goodsite to consult if you're undecided about what anti-spyware product to buy.
==> http://www.spywarewarrior.com/
Although we do recommend switching from spybot as long as money permits, if you're not careful, you might end up paying for a worse product at the end. If you want to stay with a free solution, combine spybot and AdAware, and you'll have a solution that is at least effective against many threats.