Labs

Grisoft, best known for the free version of its effective AVG anti-virus software, recently bought Ewido Networks and its anti-spyware software. You can buy ewido anti-spyware as a separate program to complement your anti-virus software or get it bundled with AVG Professional Single Edition for £33.

Despite claiming to offer a fully functional 30-day trial version of the software, Grisoft's website provides the package without real-time protection. You need to buy a licence to enable this essential feature.

The software comes with an interesting collection of settings, including the ability

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to prevent Windows Messenger starting automatically, disable ActiveX and enable the removal of Windows Media Player. There is a file shredder, too, making this program a mini-suite of privacy tools. It also has lists of processes currently running, and provides more details than Windows Task Manager. For example, you can tell if a program connects to the internet.

There are some advanced options available, including the Layered Service Provider (LSP) Viewer, which lets you view system drivers connected to Windows' networking system. Spyware may install itself as an LSP, or can damage legitimate ones. The LSP Viewer offers a way to solve both of these problems.

As soon as we attempted to install the main pieces of spyware, ewido anti-spyware blocked their installation routines. It interfered with the rogue anti-spyware program, stopping it from running, and detected the rootkit when we ran a system scan. It produced an impressive set of results and our test PC remained secure.

The ewido anti-spyware program is well priced, looks nice and works well, providing good protection for beginners and some advanced settings to help experts keep control of their system