Microsoft AntiSpyware has come out well in PC Magazine’s roundup of antispyware software, tying for third place, but, more importantly, beating out perceived competitors Spybot and Ad-Aware.
The winner was Spyware Doctor, a $30 piece of software, and the second place holder was Spy Sweeper, also $29.95, so AntiSpyware was the highest rated free product in the review.
The winner was Spyware Doctor, a $30 piece of software, and the second place holder was Spy Sweeper, also $29.95, so AntiSpyware was the highest rated free product in the review.
PC Mag was not impressed with AntiSpyware’s active protection or user interface, but these “pros” were good enough for a 3.5 overall rating:
Does a decent job of spyware removal; has excellent, detailed information about specific threats; can clean surfing traces; can restore many IE settings; blocks hijack attempts.
Meanwhile, Ad-Aware loses a bunch of points do to its lack of scan scheduling and ineffective real-time blocking. Considering most people use the free version, which doesn’t have real-time protection, you can probably drop its rating from 3 to 2.5 if you aren’t buying it.
Spybot rates surprisingly low, a 2.5 overall, because of lackluster (and annoying) real-time protection, a lack of useful information, and a bad, confusing interface.
(via Craig Newmark)
Links: PC Magazine’s roundup of antispyware software
Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.
Visit the InsideGoogle blog.
