Labs

Spybot-S&D, or Spybot Search & Destroy, is a free anti-spyware utility beloved of computer techies, magazines and websites. Many people feel that, combined with Ad-Aware and HijackThis, you have all you need to get rid of spyware. Although it lacks full real-time protection by default, it does include a couple of resident protection tools.

The first real-time tool, enabled by default, is the SDHelper system. This prevents Internet Explorer downloading known spyware files. The optional TeaTime system monitors the computer and tries to identify

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and block spyware processes. We left this disabled, which is the default setting. A setting called Immunize changes Internet Explorer's settings to block bad sites known to contain spyware.

The program has an advanced mode with extra settings, including a screen that lets you find details about Winsock LSPs; see the ewido anti-spyware review on page 123 to find out about LSPs. There is even a file shredder included.

The default real-time protection levels didn't detect any spyware during their installation. A system scan found traces of all the programs, except the rootkit. Some files and settings could not be removed without a reboot. Spybot-S&D loaded up before the other programs to delete them. The rogue anti-spyware program remained on the system but no longer ran properly. Ad-Aware found five Registry keys related to one piece of spyware.

Despite not providing anti-virus-style real-time protection by default, Spybot-S&D does a reasonable job, particularly when paired with Ad-Aware. It's free, and although we'd prefer to pay for a faster-reacting program it's a sensible choice for those on a zero budget.