Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Antispyware Shootout

Posted by Hemos on from the battle-royale dept.

An anonymous reader writes "ZDNet has published a review of 8 antispyware products from Computer Associates, Lavasoft, McAfee, Microsoft, PC Tools, Symantec, Trend Micro and Webroot. Check out the Editor's Choice. Interesting winner ...." I've used quite a number of these scanners on and on & off basis, and I think the reality is that you if you are truly to clean a machine out, you're going to need to use like three - five of these. Each of them captures a certain area, but none are the One Ring or anything.

5 of 343 comments (clear)

  1. Spyware Warrior by popechunk · · Score: 5, Informative

    This might be a little out of date, but it's still my favorite review site. It talked me into paying for Giant right before MS bought it, which is too bad, because it was the best one I'd ever used.

    1. Re:Spyware Warrior by Mitchell+Mebane · · Score: 5, Informative

      Well, then you'll be happy to know Microsoft wasn't the only one who got Giant code. Sunbelt produces CounterSpy, also based off of Giant, and they seem to have a tougher stance on spyware than MS does.

      --

      The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
      --Aristotle
  2. Enterprise vs. Personal Use by mencik · · Score: 5, Informative

    Note that the test was for enterprise versions of the products, meant for support of a 150 or so user network. Your mileage may vary if a test is done for single computer home use.

  3. Summary by Big+Nothing · · Score: 5, Informative

    For those of you who are too lazy or otherwise unable to reach the article (which in a matter of minutes should be just about EVERYONE), here's the summary:

    Scenario 1: This larger (over 150 users) company is seeking dedicated anti-spyware. It needs a solution that can detect and clean up a range of malware on its machines.
    Winner 1: Computer Associates eTrust Pest Patrol and Symantec Client Security. Once a network goes above 150 nodes the case for centralised management command and control capabilities becomes more important. CA wins here for its performance and ease of management, and Symantec for its accuracy.

    Scenario 2: This smaller (less than 150 users) company is seeking dedicated anti-spyware. It is seeking a solution that can detect and clean up a range of malware on its machines.
    Winner 2: PC Tools Spyware Doctor 3.0 for its ease of use, accuracy, and performance.

    Editor's Choice: Symantec Client Security 3.0
    It was neck and neck for the Editor's Choice Award between CA and Symantec. Had CA or even PC Tools detected more (they were both above average), they could have won, however, Symantec blitzed the field in detection which is really what you want. Note that this is at a trade-off to performance, and bear in mind that Symantec also includes antivirus, so your decision may come down to what virus scanning policy and system your business is already using.

    --
    SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
  4. Re:Were they reviewing Spybot or not? by killmenow · · Score: 5, Informative

    Click the "Print Article" button on the first page and it will present the entire article to you in one long HTML page.