Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Anti-Spyware Products Don't Live Up to Promises

Posted by michael on from the take-off-and-nuke-it-from-orbit dept.

John Wells writes "In the December, 2004 issue of PC World, the author of an article titled Poor Defenders concludes that most commercial anti-spyware software is ineffective. In tests using a fresh install of XP and 6 typical spyware infections the commercial software failed to stack up against freeware competitor Spybot Search and Destroy. Four out of seven commercial products failed to remove any of the infections. One product even installed 57 spyware files itself! Conclusion: Use freeware products like Spybot and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Personal."

2 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. Who should be making spyware removal software? by telbij · · Score: 1, Troll

    Microsoft should be making spyware removal software. After all, they've got the budget to stay on top of it, and the knowledge to cut crafty spyware off at the pass.

    You'd think they'd have a pretty good reason to make sure that (at least the latest version) of Windows is performing well for people. Sheesh.

  2. No shit by oexeo · · Score: 0, Troll

    Commercial software never lives up to it's hype, did you really expect anything better?

    Drug companies don't want to cure you; they want you ill; so you can continue swallowing their crap, commercial software sucks to ensure your displeasure with what you've got; and to encourage you to purchase the deluxe suit or next release.

    This is hardly news.