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Failing Grades For Most Anti-Spyware Tools

Posted by timothy on from the or-choose-a-safer-operating-system dept.

serbach writes "Steve Gibson posted this link to a superb test of about two dozen top Anti-Spyware programs: Eric L. Howes conducted the test over a two-week period in October. The results surprised me: only 3 ASW programs had a 'batting average' of better than .500 when it came to eradicating the broad range of spyware in the test. Freeware star Spybot Search & Destroy came in a distant 7th with an average of only .376. The top three? Giant Anti-Spyware, Spy Sweeper, and Ad-Aware. These test results are well worth your time."

1 of 517 comments (clear)

  1. Re:It's interesting by cheezemonkhai · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Regardless, I don't see a problem with giving users the option to remove these things which trade their personal details.

    • Who actually reads all the agreement to use the software?
    • How many of them know their personal details are being sold?
    • How many people know what is actually being collected.
    • How many people got these "tools" from a random e-mail saying look this is cool?
    I can hear what your saying, but I think the user is allowed the right to remove the spyware.
    If the company doesn't want them to use the tool without the spyware then make it break without it and inform the user they removed the spyware which collects their details and would they like to reinstall it or remove the free "tool".

    Sure some spyware is worse than others, but the user deserves the choice.