Spybot - Search & Destroy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spybot - Search & Destroy | |
 Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4 running on Windows XP |
|
| Developer: | Safer Networking Limited |
|---|---|
| Latest release: | 1.4 / June, 2005 |
| Preview release: | 1.5 Beta / December 4, 2006 |
| OS: | Microsoft Windows |
| Use: | Spyware removal software |
| License: | Proprietary freeware |
| Website: | Safer-networking.org |
Spybot - Search & Destroy (often Spybot-S&D) is a popular malware, spyware and adware removal program which works on Microsoft Windows 95 and later. Like most malware scanners, Spybot-S&D scans the computer hard disk and/or RAM for malicious software.
Spybot was written by German software engineer Patrick Michael Kolla, and is distributed by Kolla's Irish company Safer Networking Ltd. Development began in 2000 when Kolla, still a student, wrote a small program to deal with the Aureate/Radiate and Conducent TimeSink programs, two of the earliest examples of adware.
Spybot - Search & Destroy is currently released as freeware.
Contents |
[edit] Spybot features
Spybot can fix problems with tracking cookies, system internals (Registry), Winsock LSPs, ActiveX objects, browser hijackers and BHOs, and can to some extent protect a user's privacy by deleting usage tracks. Spybot also includes an "Immunize" feature to block the installation of spyware before it occurs. Another tool included in Spybot is a file shredder, for the secure deletion of files. Spybot is not intended to replace anti-virus programs, but it does detect some common trojans and keyloggers.
A Tea-Timer module can be optionally enabled, which provides a level of active, real-time protection from undesirable registry changes and such; it is unusual for such a feature to be offered as part of a free anti-spyware program.
As some programs that ship with attached spyware or adware will refuse to run should the unwelcome co-programs be removed, later versions of Spybot allow it to replace the spyware binaries with inert dummies (designed to fool those programs which insist on the spyware's presence).
In order to efficiently detect recently created programs, Kolla regularly releases detection updates along with help improvements, new languages, and better heuristics algorithms. These updates are downloaded from within the software from a variety of mirrors and are then automatically installed.
Spybot is available for all versions of Windows from Windows 95, and offers more than two dozen different languages and several skins to users. Instructions are available on the website so users can design their own skins.
Support is currently supplied by means of Internet forums and support e-mails (with a response time of usually no more than 24 hours).
[edit] Support and awards
Spybot has been applauded for its ease of use and installation, free support and updates, ability to undo every step, and its excellent featureset. Spybot has won numerous awards, including the PC World Best Buy and World Class 2003 Awards, the PC Magazine Editors Choice and PC User Top Buy #1. Spybot has also been recommended by CNet, ZDNet, the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, MSNBC, CNN and other reviewers[citation needed].
[edit] Miscellaneous
In the Spybot license, Kolla dedicates Spybot to "the most wonderful girl on earth." Many believe that she is Kolla's girlfriend, but the title actually goes to one of his closest friends, who does not return Kolla's love, as mentioned in the help file (a case of unrequited love).
Many people have made Spybot 'clones' using exactly the same detection database, and sometimes the same User Interface, simply changing the name of the program (and the donation link) to claim credit for it. Some clones have been made by spyware manufacturers to make programs that pose as anti-spyware programs, but actually install spyware themselves. Kolla takes legal action against the people who make these clones, if he can find them.
[edit] External links
- Spybot-S&D's official web site
- Spybot-S&D's official forums
- Spybot Instructions This procedure shows how to configure the program to run regularly in the background without slowing down other user processes.
