Does Spyware Doctor work?

[Geopla]

Hi all,

I’m not trying to add fuel to what is an already a seemingly blazing fire, but I am now beginning to wonder if Spyware Doctor IS actually working. As a test, I have recently (and intentionally) attempted to download files that I KNOW are harmful, and are simply loaded with spyware, but I have yet to receive a warning message, or ANYTHING, from Spyware Doctor cautioning me of it. In particular . . . one file I downloaded actually started to install itself, but it was ultimately blocked, and cancelled, by my Norton interface. Yeah, Norton did its job, but what of Spyware Doctor?????

Call me a cynic, but I thought Spyware Doctor was intended to block that kind of stuff. If not for Norton . . . well, let’s not go there!

George

[XR6]

Do you have the PC Tools real time protection on? (OnGuard)

Which version of SD are you running?

[Geopla]

Yes, OnGuard IS installed and turned ON, and I update my version 5 each and every day without fail. I can't answer precisely WHAT version am I running without looking, but I am a paid subscriber who once again, updates EVERY DAY without fail. I did it again today just prior to posting this.

George

[Geopla]

Try this link instead:

http://www.pdqforensics.com/images/sd.jpg

[misery]

Yes, OnGuard IS installed and turned ON, and I update my version 5 each and every day without fail. I can't answer precisely WHAT version am I running without looking, but I am a paid subscriber who once again, updates EVERY DAY without fail. I did it again today just prior to posting this.

George

You might want to go back to 4.0 ...

[samual]

Hi all,

I’m not trying to add fuel to what is an already a seemingly blazing fire, but I am now beginning to wonder if Spyware Doctor IS actually working. As a test, I have recently (and intentionally) attempted to download files that I KNOW are harmful, and are simply loaded with spyware, but I have yet to receive a warning message, or ANYTHING, from Spyware Doctor cautioning me of it. In particular . . . one file I downloaded actually started to install itself, but it was ultimately blocked, and cancelled, by my Norton interface. Yeah, Norton did its job, but what of Spyware Doctor?????

Call me a cynic, but I thought Spyware Doctor was intended to block that kind of stuff. If not for Norton . . . well, let’s not go there!

George

hi from my testing norton is the bigest cpu drainer around,iv got sd5 and spy terminator on the side to back it up so far im clean, and avast

[mjq424]

Hi Geopla
That is worrying. Please submit those samples to PC Tools Malware Research here (http://www.pctools.com/mrc/submit/) so that all SD users can benefit.

[notE]

Hi all,

I’m not trying to add fuel to what is an already a seemingly blazing fire, but I am now beginning to wonder if Spyware Doctor IS actually working. As a test, I have recently (and intentionally) attempted to download files that I KNOW are harmful, and are simply loaded with spyware, but I have yet to receive a warning message, or ANYTHING, from Spyware Doctor cautioning me of it. In particular . . . one file I downloaded actually started to install itself, but it was ultimately blocked, and cancelled, by my Norton interface. Yeah, Norton did its job, but what of Spyware Doctor?????

Call me a cynic, but I thought Spyware Doctor was intended to block that kind of stuff. If not for Norton . . . well, let’s not go there!

George
Congratulations on your courage to test SD. I think you may have found the answer. It would be nice to hear from pctools on this.

[padi]

Well version sd4 did but version SD5 yes and no.

[Ashby]

I've been running SD5 for some weeks on my machine and my wife's laptop. Whenever we run a scan, it is clean. However, I ran Adaware yesterday on both machines, and it found 6 critical files on my machine and 25 on my wife's. I understand that different programs rate spyware files differently, but 25 seemed like a mighty high number of things for SD not to block or find on the scan. It makes me wonder if SD5 is functioning.

[tvaz]

hi from my testing norton is the bigest cpu drainer around,iv got sd5 and spy terminator on the side to back it up so far im clean, and avast

Interesting line of logic. SD 5 missed it, Norton did its job and stopped it, but Norton gets the criticism.

[mjq424]

Hi Ashby
It is normal for Adaware to call each item "Critical". Were they cookies, or actual adware/spyware infections. If they were, please run the Malware Detective tool and submit the log so that all SD users can benefit.

[tvaz]

Hi all,

I’m not trying to add fuel to what is an already a seemingly blazing fire, but I am now beginning to wonder if Spyware Doctor IS actually working. As a test, I have recently (and intentionally) attempted to download files that I KNOW are harmful, and are simply loaded with spyware, but I have yet to receive a warning message, or ANYTHING, from Spyware Doctor cautioning me of it. In particular . . . one file I downloaded actually started to install itself, but it was ultimately blocked, and cancelled, by my Norton interface. Yeah, Norton did its job, but what of Spyware Doctor?????

Call me a cynic, but I thought Spyware Doctor was intended to block that kind of stuff. If not for Norton . . . well, let’s not go there!

George

I noticed that SD 5 will block the EICAR test file. This is a "simulated" virus that most virus scanners can identify and is intended to test scanners. For me, the "File Guard" also blocked it (I only use the spyware only version, not the version with anti-virus). If you decide to try this, you will need to turn off the Norton Anti-Virus for a few minutes while you do the test. Make sure you read the whole page, including the disclaimer. You can do this at
http://www.eicar.org/

[Ashby]

Hi Ashby
It is normal for Adaware to call each item "Critical". Were they cookies, or actual adware/spyware infections. If they were, please run the Malware Detective tool and submit the log so that all SD users can benefit.


Thanks for the reply. I just checked the 6 "critical" objects that were found on my machine. They were tracking cookies. Is that why SD didn't note them?

[mjq424]

Hi
This is quite normal, I regularly find tracking cookies with Adaware SE which SD doesnt detect (SD OnGuard is always on). Different companies have different definitions of what is/isnt a tracking cookie so they detect different things.
Hope that helps

[socrfan]

hi from my testing norton is the bigest cpu drainer around,iv got sd5 and spy terminator on the side to back it up so far im clean, and avast

I'm running Norton 360 on a gaming rig and I'm not seeing any slow down. They've done a great job of tweaking down the resource use.

[sprintman]

My new free AS is finding tracking cookires SD4 isn't. Trialled SD5 but it wrecked PC. When they convince me it has been properly tested with Panda Platinum Internet Security then I'll retry SD5

[Flame]

This thread may assist you http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47313&page=2 :D

[vecchio]

hello to all
please be aware SD will remove only tracking cookies .
not all cookies are tracking cookies