Spybot Free

Spybot Free is a free anti-spyware scanner and remover for Windows PC that helps protect your privacy by detecting and removing spyware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs from your hard disk.



Spyware is a type of software that can collect information about your online activities without your consent and can even change the configuration of your computer. This information can then be used for targeted advertising or for redirecting you to certain websites without your permission.

Spybot Search & Destroy is designed to search your hard disk for known types of spyware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. The software is equipped with powerful features that can automatically detect and remove adware networks, registry modifications, unwanted changes to your browser configuration, and attempts at host redirection. If your computer is redirected to a different name server without your permission, it can detect and stop this from happening.

One of the ways that Spybot Free Edition protects your privacy is by removing “Usage Tracks”. Usage tracks are records of your online activities, including the websites you visit, the web pages you open, the documents you read or edit, and the programs you run. While this information can be useful for speeding up access to data, it can also be used for identity theft or to compromise your computer. It can remove usage tracks that could potentially cause problems if used by an attacker.

The software also includes a team of “Forensic Detectives” who constantly monitor the internet for new threats and attack vectors. Regular updates to the signatures for Spybot Free are provided once a week to ensure maximum protection against spyware, adware, and other uninvited system residents.



It can detect and remove a wide range of adware files and modules from your computer. It also offers the ability to clean program and web-usage tracks from your system, which is particularly useful if you share your computer with others. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, the software can also fix registry inconsistencies related to adware and malicious program installations.

The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot Free Edition always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents. Overall, Spybot Free Edition is an effective tool for protecting your privacy and keeping your computer free from unwanted software.

Highlights

• Removal of keyloggers
• User-extendable database
• Save removal of threats by shredding them
• Backups of every removed problem
• Exclude the option to ignore specific problems
• Permanent blocking of known tracking cookies for IE
• Permanent blocking of threatening downloads in IE
• Command-line parameters to automate tasks
• Detailed information about problems found
• Strict criteria to define targets
• Integrated update function
• Settings to automate scan, removal, and update
• The system reports locating even unknown threats
• Skins to adjust the interface to the user's liking
• Anti-Spyware
• Anti-Virus
• Live Protection
• Anti-Beacon
• System Immunization
• Startup Tools
• Rootkit Scan
• Automatic Signature Updates
• Task Scheduling
• Protected Repair Environment
• System Registry Repair
• Priority Support
• Secure Shredder
• Script Editor
• Command Line Tools
• FileAlyzer
• RegAlyzer

Features

On-demand scanning: The program allows you to perform on-demand scans of your PC to detect and remove any spyware or malware that may be present.

Immunization: This feature helps protect your PC by preventing certain types of spyware and malware from being installed in the first place.

Rootkit detection: It can detect and remove hidden rootkits, which are often used by hackers to gain access to a user's PC.

Usage tracking: The program can remove usage tracks, which are records of your activity on the PC, including websites visited, documents opened, and more.

File shredding: It includes a file shredding feature that securely deletes files and folders to prevent them from being recovered by unauthorized users.



How to Use

Using Spybot Search & Destroy is fairly straightforward. Once you've downloaded and installed the program, you can launch it and start a scan. The program will scan your PC for any spyware or malware and provide you with a list of threats detected. You can then choose to remove any threats found or quarantine them if you're not sure whether they're malicious or not.



FAQ

Is Spybot Search & Destroy FREE?
Yes, Spybot Search & Destroy is available for free download. However, there is also a paid version called Spybot Professional that offers additional features.

Does Spybot Search & Destroy work with Windows 11/10?
Yes, the app is compatible with Windows 11/10, as well as earlier versions of Windows.

How often should I run a scan with Spybot Free?
It's a good idea to run a scan with Spybot Free at least once a week to ensure your PC is free from spyware and malware.

Can Spybot Search & Destroy remove all types of spyware and malware?
It can detect and remove many types of spyware and malware, there is no guarantee that it will catch everything. It's always a good idea to have a backup antivirus program installed as well.

What is the difference between the free and paid versions of Spybot Search & Destroy?
The paid version of the app, called Spybot Professional, offers additional features such as real-time protection, automatic updates, and priority support.



Alternatives

Malwarebytes: A popular anti-malware tool that can detect and remove a range of threats, including spyware, adware, and rootkits.

Norton Power Eraser: A free tool from Norton that can detect and remove difficult-to-remove malware and spyware.

Avast Free Antivirus: A popular antivirus program that includes anti-spyware and anti-malware features.

Pricing
    
Free
Anti-Spyware, System Immunization, Startup Tools, and Rootkit Scan.

Home - $15
If you need straightforward yet efficient protection for your computer, Home Edition is the right choice. It provides comprehensive security against viruses and malware.

Professional - $26
With additional tools and features, it empowers you to have a higher level of control over your computer.
    
Corporate - $33
With the Corporate Edition, you have the flexibility to tailor the software's configuration to meet your specific needs. You can either manually utilize all of its advanced features or opt for an automated setup that runs in the background.

System Requirements

It requires a Windows operating system, including Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, or 11. It requires at least 1 GB of RAM and 200 MB of free hard disk space.

PROS

• Free to use with powerful anti-spyware capabilities
• Removes adware files and modules
• Cleans program and web usage tracks
• Fixes Registry inconsistencies related to adware and malicious program installations
• Constantly updated to detect and protect against new threats

CONS

• Only available for Windows operating systems
• Free version does not offer antivirus protection
• Can be complex for beginner users

Conclusion

In summary, Spybot Free is a powerful anti-spyware software that is free to use and offers a range of features to protect your privacy. Its ability to detect and remove adware files and modules, clean program, and web-usage tracks, and fix Registry inconsistencies make it a valuable tool for anyone who wants to keep their computer safe and running smoothly.

However, it may not be the best choice for beginners as it can be complex to use. The FileHorse review team highly recommends this outstanding antivirus desktop app.

Overall, Spybot Search & Destroy is a reliable and effective anti-spyware program that is worth considering for anyone looking to protect their computer.