Spyware Doctor 5.5

Publisher's description of Spyware Doctor

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Spyware Doctor is a spyware remover and provides real-time protection against spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, and phishing attacks. Spyware Doctor is easy to use and requires few PC resources. Its scanning speed is delivered by multiple specialized scanners. Almost any function of Spyware Doctor can be updated through the Smart Update process. The OnGuard feature is designed to provide real time protection and deploys several tools that actively monitor and protect the PC from spyware attacks. This version of Spyware Doctor includes an installer for Google Toolbar. The installation of this toolbar is optional. Version 5.5 includes a faster engine, uses less system resources, and enhances detection.

Note: This time-unlimited trial version does not remove existing threats during scans, but real-time detection and removal of incoming threats is enabled.

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Editor's review of Spyware Doctor

The latest release of PCTools Spyware Doctor 5.5 addresses a number of nettlesome software glitches we experienced with version 5.0. However, the free trial version is not fully functional--a fact you will discover only after downloading, installing, and then running a complete system scan.

In our trial scans, Spyware Doctor repeatedly flagged several dozen harmless cookies as potential threats, more than any other antispyware product we tested. We were also unable to learn more about each threat or why Spyware Doctor flagged each. Clicking each threat opened our default browser to a generic threat page on the PCTools site.

Should you decide to remove the Spyware Doctor trial, the uninstall process isn't clean, leaving behind traces of PCTools software in both the directory and in the system registry.

Click here to read the review of the full version of Spyware Doctor from CNET Reviews.

User reviews of Spyware Doctor

• Average user rating: out of 2473 votes
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  Spyware Doctor

  2 1/2 stars for now!

  by: The Sports Fan on 16-Jan-2008 03:54:29 AM

  Pros: Decent program but not without flaws. Scan times are seriously increased. It did an intelli-scan on my computer in 1 minute, 34 seconds and there were no false positives, Thats nice and an improvement. It also seems that the load has been lightened it does have some nice shields. Anti-Virus warning can be turned off

  Cons: Heres the flaws the way i see them. If I wand "PC Tools" anti-virus, I would have installed the free version which tries to install on the first update after registration of "Spyware Doctor ( rubbish ). Next, It slows down my start-up by 30 seconds or so (start-up where I have full access to my PC ). On Guard protection takes to long to shut down. It tries to install site blocking guard in 16 languages, I speak one (English) I recommend "Ashampoo Anti-Spyware v2 and "Spy Emergency 2007) as much better options to this program.

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  Spyware Doctor

  PC Tools has tarnished their rep with me!

  by: Charles K on 09-Apr-2008 04:19:19 PM

  Pros: Nothing much anymore.

  Cons: I don't care for this heavy, useless free trial, difficult to uninstall, false positive finding anti-spy program at all. I find the auto-renew policy implicated by PC Tools to be offensive, deceitful and wrong. No, I'm not cheap, nor do I have an old, outdated computer. Heres a perfect example. I used to own Spyware Doctor and Registry Mechanic. Neither had been in use for months. Yet when my subscription ran out, they charged my credit card without notification or my consent. I played hell getting my credits. I just can't see the merit in using any of their software.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (10 of 12 users said yes)

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  Spyware Doctor

  Bloated Hogmaster

  by: barsteward on 11-Mar-2008 07:52:12 AM

  Pros: Not too good this one.

  Bloated slow hogmeister.

  Updates take forever.

  Heavy on CPU.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (8 of 9 users said yes)

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  Spyware Doctor

  Tainted App.

  by: shockwavesn1per on 02-Jun-2008 06:50:19 PM

  Cons: Like Registry Mechanic, they require you to purchase the software before removal. I just find that like sales pressure. What if... false positives? Sad thing is that it makes some users panic. This software is unlike other softwares. Other programs enable the user to have a full 15-30 function of the program with no restrictions. To me, SD's database it limited. SAS detects and removes MUCH more.

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  Spyware Doctor

  This was good and not that bad.

  by: Ishigamma on 24-Apr-2008 01:31:35 AM

  Pros: This software can remove most of the tracking cookies and adwares and it has a good user interface though. You can select which scanners you can use in scanning files. I like the fact this anti spy apps has an anti virus protection now. This was a good improvement comparing to my old review.

  Cons: I don't like the fact that this app can't remove Trojan.Vundo.GJ nor detected it. This was detected by some other Free antispywares and was removed. I really dont like this nasty spy and it has a risk rate of 4 of 5.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (2 of 3 users said yes)

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