I have used this program to protect my Windows machines from adware, viruses, and rootkits for many years and am a highly satisfied customer. Detection Rate Once, it did not detect a trojan that I was told that I had, but oddly enough, actual trojan detection programs did not find it either. Other than that, the program has kept my Windows machines clean for years. Ease of Use I was able to use this program as a newbie, and its instructions are straightforward. Scan Speed It's not all that fast, but not so slow that it takes a half hour. But I do use large hard drives, so i expect the program to need time, and I do want ti to do the scan correctly, so I don't mind a few minutes of necessary time. Availability of Updates I seem to get updates pretty regularly, which i take as a good sign that the program will continue to recognize new threats. Compatibility I have not as yet heard of a version for my Macs and definitely none for my Linux computers, but if I use WINE, I could then run Spybot when running Windows programs under Linux. Spybot runs on Windows XP through 8. I have since upgraded to Windows 8.1, and did not at that time find a version that runs on that system, but I hope to soon.

MoiraWhitlock

USA

I have been using Spybot Search and Destroy for several years.  I absolutely love it because it is free, easy to use and it works!  I like the fact that I can immunize prior to going online and prevent some problems before they have a chance to wreck havoc on my computer system.  If you check for updates several times a week, immunize before you go online (every time) and perform regular scans as Spybot recommends, you will save a lot of money and be spyware and malware free.  I have never had a lot of money to spend on preventing and/or getting rid of spyware or malware, so for me, this has been a life saver.  If I ever do make a lot of money, I would not hesitate to donate to Spybot so that other people who cannot afford good spyware/malware protection can keep benefiting from this great program.  I am glad that the company hates spyware and malware as much as the rest of us and is showing goodwill by offering it to others, free of charge.  I hope that, some day soon, I will be able to donate to Spybot because I have a great deal of gratitude for their program.

Casey111

Ashland, OH

Spybot search and destroy is an okay antiviruss software. The good thing I like about this software is that it gets rid of malware and cookies. It doesn't get rid of the virus pups or pupsc and it doesn't get rid of trojan viruses. This is why I rated this only four stars. I use this software on my HP laptop. If you download this, the software won't take that long(unless if your computer is filled with viruses). The scan usually takes about two to five hours on the computer. It took about three hours for me since my computer had twenty counts of malware on my computer. Spybot doesn't take a long time to update. the updates range from 300kb to 9mb. They are usually called= i most up to date protection. You can download the updates from a data base on the spybot software. The updates come from all around the world. I mostly get it from file share from the United States. So download the software,

justintylerwashere

Santa Clara, CA

I have been using this program for at least ten years already and I think I'll continue to stick to it. I've tried various other spyware programs before such as webroot spysweeper or adaware but I always come back to spybot because it's reliable and it doesn't hog the system resource as much as the others do. It also doesn't annoy me as much as webroot spysweeper with all their notifications that I didn't have the option to turn off. Adaware is the second best but I'm not sure if it's as reliable as spybot. One other thing I like about spybot is the immunization feature. It makes me feel safer. What I don't like about it is that sometimes immunization takes FOREVER to finish. I think it took like five hours at one point. I'm not sure if that was because I hadn't immunize in a long time but that was such a pain. I also hate the tea timer feature. I'm sure I'll be safer with that but again, I hate the constant notifications. Luckily, unlike spysweeper, I have the option to not install that. Overall, best free spyware program you'll find in my opinion. It might even be the best spyware program, period.

lazyturtle

San Diego, CA

This is one of those products that does what it supposed to and does it well.  A friedn told me about S & D about a year ago.  I downloaded it for free.  I had been using the security suite provided by the cable company for online security.  When I ran Spybot, it found over 40 items of spyware, viruses, and adware on my computer.  I ran 2 more times immediately until it idn't find anymore. Since that time, I uninstalled the cable security and have only been using Spybot on my computer ever since.  I run weekly and it always finds things.  I am certainly not any kind of a computer guru and Spybot is very easy to install, update and run.  I have heard that it can be set to run automatically but I have not investigated that.  I has a feature called Immunize within the program, that I am not sure that I understand completely, but it is supposed to help protect your system.  I have been keeping an 8 year-old computer running using Spybot and will never use another security suite.  Did I mention that it was free??

jneuhouser

Portage, MI

After having some problems with some tracking cookies and spyware, I was told to get SpyBot search and Destroy.  I went to a Cnet's website to make sure it was trusted and then I downloaded it.  Wow!  It's an amazing free anti-spyware program that will really find and get rid of malicious spyware on your computer.  It is simple to download and easy to use.  It goes through your computer with a scan and eliminates all known spyware and tracking programs.  It then protects your computer from known threats with the Immunize feature.  It also has updates that you can get so you know you have the latest protection.  It doesnt take up a lot of room on your computer, so you dont have to worry about it causing any performance issues or slowing your system down.  So if you have any concerns about spyware, or just want an addition to your regular anti virus program, Spybot is free software that will add peace of mind to your computer.

midnite12

Beaver Dam, WI

After searching the net to clean up my PC for annoying pop ups and for slow internet performance, I read about Spybot cleaner. I was lil hesistant, but then thought why not.. since I had tried the following already to clean the system: - installed McAfee Antivirus - Superantimalware -Adware antispyware Nothing worked on resolving the issue. I then downloaded the Spybot program and followed the instructions. Did a scan and selected the Optio to Fix the issues. On completion, it asked for a reboot, I did that and then it continued with some scanning and completed. Just to be on a safer side, I rebooted the PC again and scanned again in safe mode. Nothing found. Rebooted it normal mode.... and lo and behold... no more annoying popups... and the website pages were loading faster... Its been more over 6 mnths now and have not seen any other issue after this clean up. Would definitely recommend this to any hard to remove spyware/malware/virus etc.. And more so.. its free..!!! Thanks.!

btzhingi

Herndon, VA

i have a loyal Fan of Spybot Search & Destroy ever since it was introduced. it Searches your hard disk and Registry for threats to your security and privacy. not only does it detect and removes malicious spyware from yopur pc by with the inmunization feature it protects your computer from harmful sites automatically best of all its completely Free

dealcatcher

Casselberry, FL

This is a great shareware software package. These guys, based in Germany, are constantly adding new spyware detection codes, and you can update it constantly for free. Also includes immunizations! The programmers have a very unimposing page requesting that the user make a monetary contribution, but there is no discernible limitation on the functionality of the software for those that do not donate. If you use the software often enough (I recommend once per week!), you should strongly consider donating though.

ahiller

Newark, DE