We have just finished our review of Spyware Doctor's latest version. It adds some good improvements in the scanning speed, improved spyware and adware removal, and the Behavior Guard software is now included.

Read the Full Review Here

Spyware Doctor has 3 choices when scanning. We recommend you always choose "Full Scan"

Spyware Doctor scan results screen. Notice the massive amounts of spyware detected on this computer!

• Prevents unauthorized browser home page changes and toolbar installs
• Stops malicious applications from launching
• Detects harmful email attachments
• Blocks keylogger programs (also known as "spy software")
• Detects unwanted rootkit programs

Spyware Doctor 6.0 comes with lots of extra protection features.

Steven Thomas, founder of Webroot Software Inc, has been missing in Hawaii since June 30. We at AdwareReport wish him and his family the best, and hope the situation is safely resolved soon.

Webroot is the maker of the popular SpySweeper product.

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PC Decrapifier is a helpful program you can use to remove "Bloatware" from your computer.

Bloatware is the mostly unwanted software that the computer manufacturer installs on a computer before it leaves the factory. Some bloatware may be useful, but the vast majority is unnecessary and slows down your computer.

When you run PC Decrapifier, you have the option to set a restore point. It is a good idea to do this, just to be safe. Setting a restore point allows you to "undo" your changes if anything goes wrong.

Next you will select what software to uninstall. Make sure to only select the programs you don't need. PC Decrapifier does a pretty good job of knowing what is good and what is bad, but it is not 100% accurate.

Removing bloatware will help keep your computer running fast, and reduces the time it takes your computer to turn on.

The software is a free download at http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

By John E. Dunn, Techworld

It's fortunate that Vista-specific malware is still in its infancy because a new test of anti-malware products running on the platform has found that many don't work as well as they should.

The latest independent Virus Bulletin tests looked at 37 different Vista-based security programs to see which could manage to reach the level of threat detection required for 'VB100' Certification. Out of 37 tested, 17 failed the tests, including big name products from McAfee, Sophos, and Trend Micro.

Before users rush to de-install Vista products from those companies, the VB100 sets an incredibly high detection bar of 100 percent of a subset of malware defined by a malware collection known as the 'WildList.' Programs must also, using default settings, avoid false positives - false flagging files as malware infected when they are in fact innocent.

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By Carrie-Ann Skinner

A new storm worm with an April Fool's Day theme is targeting the Web, according to security software firm PC Tools.

"The Storm worm gang has done it again. This time e-mails are being circulated, which are associated with the April Fool's Day theme," said PC Tools chief threat officer, Kurt Baumgartner.

The e-mail messages contain links that direct users to Web sites that contain malware. Once the files are downloaded and executed on the computer it sets a firewall exception rule and then attempts to 'phone home' using various outgoing ports.

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By Chris Williams

More than ten million customers of the UK's three largest ISPs will have their browsing habits sold to a company with roots in the murky world of spyware.

The deal has sparked fears over privacy, but today Phorm, the firm behind the new advertising system, strongly rejected such concerns.

BT, Virgin Media, and Carphone Warehouse have agreed to feed data on their subscribers' web activities to Phorm. Data will be fed into the Open Internet Exchange, Phorm's advertising network, where advertisers will pay to target interest groups. Frequent visits to the BBC's Top Gear site might result in being served up more car ads, for example.

In exchange, the ISP trio will get a cut of new revenue. Analysts estimate BT's cut will be £85m in 2010.

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Max Secure Spyware Detector provides an attractive user interface, a nice selection of tools, and quick scan times. It's quite effective against spyware, but its results fall short of being the the best antispyware product on the market.

Like other good anti-spyware programs, Max Secure will immunize your computer against drive-by ActiveX downloads and home page hijacking. Version 2.0 comes with the additional of real-time agents which monitor for active spyware processes and disables them. However, the software doesn't include a popup window or toolbar blocker.

Usability

Max Secure installed perfectly for us on the first try. The program has an intuitive feel to it and the interface is pleasing to the eye. The main options are easy to find and are not hidden behind menus or endless pages of options screens. The main window prominently displays buttons for scanning, quarantine, file recovery, exporting, scheduler, and real-time shields. The rest of the screen contains extended information such as scan results and statistics. Many of the interface quirks found in the prior release have been fixed in 2.0, making for a better overall experience.

Version 2.0 has addressed many of the usability quirks of previous versions.

Spyware Removal

We ran Max Secure Spyware Detector on two infected PCs running a combination of old and new spyware programs. It did not flag any legitimate applications as spyware.

In our spyware removal effectiveness test, Max Secure performed very well, coming in with an overall score of 56%. Max Secure detected 55% of the spyware we threw at it and disabled everything that it detected. It completely removed all traces of 45% of the total spyware list. Considering that this score was calculated against a random sample of all malware commonly found "in the wild" (including some obscure Chinese spyware strains), this is quite a respectable result which places it in the first tier of spyware removers.

Max Spyware Detector scan results screen

Max Secure allows you to rollback any changes it makes. This is helpful if you have wiped out spyware that is needed by an otherwise useful program (Real Player and Kazaa are typical examples of software embedded with spyware on your PC that won?t run without it).

Customer Support

As a new product on our list, we haven't yet received any feedback about customer support. However, we did notice that Max Secure currently only offers support through email at this time.

Other Options

Max Secure includes a scheduler and several real-time spyware shields. It also offers a number of advanced diagnostic tools (look under "options"). Our impression of the tools is that they are functional, but the user interface is still a bit raw at this time.

Summary

As a new entry on our antispyware product list, Max Secure Spyware Detector performed admirably in our rigorous testing. It is generally very effective and offers fast scan times, but the user interface needs a little bit of polishing. If the product continues to improve, it may become a top contender in the near future.

Purchase Price: $29.95
Free Trial: Yes

Download Max Secure Spyware Detector

Webroot Spy Sweeper is an effective standalone tool for detecting, removing, and blocking spyware.

In our spyware effectiveness test, Webroot detected 83% of spyware and disabled 79% of it, making this second only to PC Tools Spyware Doctor in terms of sheer effectiveness.

Spy Sweeper can can detect spyware running in memory, stop browser hijackings, examine your startup settings, remove tracking cookies, and eliminate registry changes made by intruding programs. It does a good job eliminating tough-to-remove spyware that often evades detection or removal with lesser products by removing it during the next boot cycle. It can even detect when new spyware tries to install itself while you are surfing.

After removing offending spyware, Spy Sweeper will immunize your computer against certain kinds of "repeat offenders" such as browser hijackings and tracking cookies. We discovered no problems on either Windows XP or Windows 2000.

Usability

Spy Sweeper has the kind of slick interface one expects with modern utilities. You interact with the program primarily through a toolbar on the left that offers you a few simple choices ? but in practice, only one, "Sweep Now", is necessary.

After starting a sweep, Spy Sweeper will perform an in-depth scan of your system. A few minutes later you?ll be shown all spyware that was detected on your system. Webroot isn't the fastest anti-spyware of the bunch, but this isn't because of poor performance. Rather, it's because it scans every file on your hard drive instead of taking hueristic short-cuts that can lead to missed spyware.

One issue that we encountered with the free trial version are frequent pop-up alerts. These alerts appear so frequently that they interfere with the operation of the program. They continue to appear even after they are dismissed and the "Do not show this alert again" option is checked. However, this problem only occurs with the unregistered (free) version. The paid version of the program works flawlessly in this regard.

Frequent alerts make scanning with Webroot a manual process

Removal

When the scan is complete, Spy Sweeper gives you a detailed report of all the spyware on your system. You can easily choose to leave certain programs installed. You might want to do this, for instance, because many free programs (such as Kazaa) will not work without their embedded spyware. If you?re the curious type and like to poke under the covers, Spy Sweeper will give you a brief description directly in the window, along with a "more details" button that will bring up an informative description of the piece of software in question.

We put Spy Sweeper through our brutal Spyware Effectiveness Test. After a 24 minute scan, it detected 83% of the spyware and disabled 79% of it. Spy Sweeper did not flag any legitimate applications as spyware. These results are higher than in our previous test, which is all the more impressive given the number of new additions we've made to our spyware test this month.

Webroot removed most of the common pests we threw against it, but did not remove some controversial programs such as Kazaa or DashMemory (presumably because these can be manually uninstalled from the control panel). It also missed the uber-baddie, CoolWebSearch. However, our machine ran consierably better and faster after using this product, but it wasn't completely free from spyware. We did find that running Spyware Doctor in conjunction with Webroot's Spy Sweeper eliminated 100% of the spyware in our test, so this will probably be a good option for those who don't mind buying two programs.

Quarantine

So what happens if you do remove spyware and find out later that it was necessary to run one of your favorite applications? Spy Sweeper quarantines spyware in a special folder in case you?d like to recover it later.

Other Options

Spy Sweeper offers a number of other options, including the requisite scheduler, the ability to scan certain drives (useful for USB flash drives), and immunization functionality.

The immunization functionality can be customized. You can activate or deactivate shields which will guard against home page hijackings, tracking cookies, and in-memory spyware. In particular, this last option could come in handy on slower computers, which need all the performance you can squeeze out of them.

Customer Support

Webroot provides excellent customer support and a "no questions asked" refund policy. We haven't received any complaints from our readers in the recent past, so we can conclude that they've streamlined their customer service operations.

Summary

Webroot's Spy Sweeper is one of the better products out there, with an good 83% removal rate. However, it failed to remove some of the more obvious threats and can be a bit of a resource hog. Also, the unregistered version bombards the user with continuous pop-up alerts that make the program hard to use (the registered version is fine, however). While we don't consider it the top program available, it would make an excellent addition to PCTools Spyware Doctor (running both together eliminated 100% of the spyware in our test).

Purchase Price: $29.95 (1 year), $39.95 (2 years - 33% savings)
Free Trial: Yes

Download Spy Sweeper

NoAdware has come a long way since our last review. With vastly improved search results and customer support, the 4.0 version is now one of the better anti-spyware products on the market and we can safely change our recommendation from "stay away" to "worth a look".

Installation

NoAdware installed without a hitch on both of our test PCs. Immediately after running the software, the program prompted us to download the latest spyware definition files.

Usability

NoAdware has a well-designed user interface that is simple to use. Even the most casual user will have no problem figuring out how to use the software. The graphics problems we experienced with previous version appear to be fixed. One problem we still experience however is that the user interface is a bit sluggish, often taking 15 seconds or more to respond to user input.

NoAdware has a simple and easy-to-use interface.

Scanning on our Windows 2000 test computer took 32 minutes. This was on the slow side, but it does indicate a vastly improved signature database.

Removal

We ran NoAdware on two infected PCs running a variety of common applications. Overall, it detected and disabled 54% of the spyware on our system. We didn't notice any false positives in the scan results with the registered version.

While these results were above average, we did notice that NoAdware 4.0 doesn't do a particularly good job of recovering disk space. Most of the spyware files, although disabled, were still sitting on our hard drive. If you have a large hard drive this probably won't be an issue, but if you are constantly running out of drive space like we are, then every little bit helps.

We did experience one serious problem with NoAdware. After a complete scan and reboot, our Internet Explorer would no longer work. We were now unable to surf the web because one of the two remaining toolbars was crippled, but not completely uninstalled.

An incomplete removal of two IE toolbars left our browser unusable.

Rollback

NoAdware does allow you to create a backup of all removed files and registry entries.

Other

NoAdware 4.0 has some new features such as scan scheduling and ActiveX shields. We found these add-ons to be rudimentary.

One notable new feature is the memory-resident spyware shield. Similar to those offered by other programs, this feature keeps an eye open for spyware trying to install invisibly in the background.

Summary

While still light on features, NoAdware 4.0 represents a significant step forward from previous versions. It now provides better protection than such industry heavyweights like McAfee and at a reasonable price. That said, the additional features are not as well executed as in other products and we experienced a critical problem with our browser after scanning.

Purchase Price: $29.95

Free Trial: Yes

STOPzilla! is an well packaged and attractive product which has seen steady improvements with each new release. Unfortunately, the protection it provides against spyware is still lacking.

Usability

STOPzilla! installed without a hitch directly from their website, even on our heavily infested test PC. After a re-boot, STOPzilla! was ready to scan for the first time.

The program kicked off a scan automatically the first time we ran it. The confusing array of dialog windows found in previous versions have been replaced with a single window that can be used to access all of the products functions. The main tab ("Home") now contains a prominent "Start Scan Now" button, along with other buttons for quick access to common features, as well as some basic statistics about the program itself (version #, last scan, etc).

Version 5.0 unified all of STOPzilla's features into a single easy-access window.

We found the interface to be very attractive and pleasing to the eye. The scan results screen in particular is well-laid out and very easy-to-understand. One problem, however, is that it tends to overstate the number of infections found. Instead of counting each malware program as a single infection, it counts each file, registry setting, and cookie. This leads to a highly inflated detection count which does not correlate to the actual health of one's PC.

STOPzilla! features a nicely laid out scan results screen.

Scanning was fast, taking 18 minutes on our first benchmark server. We tested STOPzilla! on four different PCs, each containing different types of malware commonly found on the internet. It detected 44% of the spyware in our test and disabled 26% of it. However, it only fully removed 11% of the threats on our PCs, which caused the program to detect the same spyware over on subsequent runs.

One area where STOPzilla! stands out is that it does a much better job of removing browser toolbars than other programs we've tested against. If you have a stubborn toolbar, this product may be worth purchasing for this reason alone.

Rollback

STOPzilla! allows you to rollback any changes made to your system if necessary. This feature can be found on the Scan Results screen. On the "Removed" tab, click the "Restore" button at the bottom of the window.

Customer Support

STOPzilla! offers online and email customer support. Telephone support is also available at 1-877-877-9944 during typical US business hours.

Other Options

STOPzilla! includes some additional protection features, such as memory monitoring, homepage protection, and the ability to block popup, javascript dialog windows, and windows messenger spam. Version 5.0 also introduces the much-needed ability to schedule scans to run during off-hours.

The popup blocker included with STOPzilla! is one of the better ones we've seen in any anti-spyware product. It not only provides you with a list of popups, but you can also look at screenshots of the popups to see exactly what was blocked. Neat.

Summary

STOPzilla! continues to show steady improvement with each new release. While the program stands out in ease-of-use and the ability to remove browser toolbars, the overall level of protection is still somewhat lacking.

Purchase Price: $19.99
Free Trial: Yes

iS3 Introduces Version 5.0 of its Leading Anti-Spyware Solution STOPzilla

Comprehensive Anti-Spyware Offering Raises the Bar with the Introduction of
New Advanced, Easy-to-Use Features

Boynton Beach, Fla. - July 30, 2007 - iS3, Inc., maker of the award-winning anti-spyware solution STOPzilla, today announced the availability of STOPzilla Version 5.0. The culmination of five years of experience in the anti-spyware arena, STOPzilla 5.0 offers consumers advanced detection, scanning, and phishing protection, but maintains the same ease-of-use that has been STOPzilla’s hallmark since it revolutionized computer security in 2002. STOPzilla 5.0 is available now for download at www.stopzilla.com.

"As the complexity and sophistication of online theft scams increase, consumer education becomes less effective," said Jessica Kalish, director of corporate and technical communications at iS3. "STOPzilla has always been designed to minimize user interaction and maximize protection. Now, our methods are being emulated industry-wide. With Version 5.0, we have improved upon a superior product to provide our customers with both unparalleled security and user friendliness."

In previous iterations, STOPzilla was intentionally designed with very few configurable options. Thus, the product worked well for the average user but did not speak to the more advanced user who was looking for in-depth configurability. STOPzilla 5.0 maintains the intuitiveness that has made the software extremely popular, but appeals to advanced users who want to customize the settings and see what STOPzilla is doing behind the scenes. STOPzilla is updated almost daily with the latest target definitions designed to kill new spyware and other malicious programs as they emerge, but Version 5.0 lets the individual configure how and when updates and upgrades will be performed.

Key enhancements in STOPzilla Version 5.0 include:

* Enhanced Scanning – STOPzilla 5.0 now supports four types of scanning: Quick Scan, Intelligent Scan, Full Scan or Custom Scan, with each scan examining particular areas of a user’s computer. Scans can be performed automatically, according to a user-defined schedule or manually on-demand. When the scan is complete, the user can view the results and choose the next action: remove, allow, or leave the detected infections in quarantine.

* STOPzilla's True Real-Time™ Protection – In STOPzilla Version 5.0, users can configure the Active Enforcers, which are the core of the application. Enforcers monitor all types of computer resources to ensure that it remains uncompromised by potentially malicious software. STOPzilla also enables users to configure many advanced settings of its real-time Spyware protection engine.

* SITEguard™ Protection – STOPzilla's SITEguard™ protection uses database analysis and advanced heuristics that are fully integrated into the product. SITEguard™ detects and blocks known and potential malicious sites of all kinds including phishing sites, sites distributing spyware, and sites containing exploits.

In addition to new features, iS3 offers multi-tiered support options for STOPzilla, each designed to provide its customers with a unique level of service. All customer support services are free for both trial users and paid subscribers: unlimited toll-free phone support, e-mail support and live online chat. Moreover, iS3’s highly trained customer support technicians operate out of STOPzilla’s U.S.-based call center, located in the same facility as engineering and management. This concentration of efforts enables STOPzilla the shortest possible cycle time for definition updates and product enhancements.

Pricing and Availability

STOPzilla Version 5.0 is available now for $39.95. For more information and downloads, please visit http://www.stopzilla.com.

About STOPzilla
Since 2002, STOPzilla has led the way in computer security. It has protected more than 20 million users in more than 60 countries to date. STOPzilla’s proprietary technology and free, unlimited customer support have garnered a high level of customer satisfaction, a growing subscriber base and solid long-term relationships with retail partners and online affiliates.

STOPzilla is the flagship product of iS3 (www.iS3.com), incorporated in Florida in 1991. In ten years as a consulting firm, iS3 developed powerful enterprise solutions for clients such as IBM, Kmart and Federated Department Stores. With a watchful eye on the ever-increasing risks of Internet use, iS3 set out to build a product that would enable users to surf the Web for business or pleasure without being vulnerable to threats; without having their privacy compromised; without being subject to costly maintenance by computer technicians. The result: STOPzilla.

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Contact:
Jess Kalish Doug Fraim
iS3 fama PR
1-877-877-9944 ext. 125 617-758-4176
jkalish@is3.com iS3@famapr.com