Spyware Doctor 5.5.1 - What's New?

• Improved protection capabilities:

  We are continually improving our protection capabilities and with Spyware Doctor 5.5.1 we have once again increased the rate of detection & removal by seamlessly combining our anti-virus technology with our anti-spyware technology. This enhanced integration of technologies means that the Spyware Doctor detection and removal capabilities are further enhanced for both viruses¹ and spyware, in particular rootkits (the nastiest threats that elude user detection).

• Better handling of spyware using virus-like techniques:

  Hackers are now merging spyware with virus techniques to produce even more nefarious threats. Spyware Doctor 5.5.1 comes equipped with technology to better handle threats which use virus-type techniques, with the end result being better protection against a wider range of threats.

• Less alerts, greater control:

  Spyware Doctor's alert system has been revised to reduce the frequency of alerts experienced when surfing the Internet.

  Repeated alerts when blocking the same threat have been eliminated, and new options have been added to provide greater flexibility and control when deciding to block or allow a cookie, website or threat. There is also a "remember my answer" option which, if selected, means that you will never have to see the same alert again. User input for the alerts is optional and the default action for each particular alert-type is taken if you choose not to respond.

• Behavior Guard – BETA add-on:

  Behavior Guard provides leading edge protection from zero-day (never seen before) threats, built on the award-winning ThreatFire technology.

  Behavior Guard is designed to pro-actively defend your computer against both known and unknown threats solely by detecting their malicious behavior. Traditional antivirus software cannot do this and only offers reactive protection, meaning it can only protect you from new threats after the threat has been discovered and new signatures to protect against it are developed, tested, and then released for download. Behavior Guard does not rely on signatures to protect you; instead, it uses intelligent behavioral analysis to proactively hunt down and paralyze activities or behaviors that might compromise the security of your computer.

  Behavior Guard is currently available in the form of a BETA add-on at: www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/addons/

Spyware Doctor 5.5 - What's New?

• Intelli-risk levels

  In previous versions of Spyware Doctor unnecessary alarm may have sometimes occurred with threats rated as high risk. This was because inactive parts of a vicious threat were detected and may have been rated as high risk, even if the entire threat was not actively running on your computer.

  Now in Spyware Doctor 5.5, intelli-risk levels work by appropriately rating inactive traces of threats detected. For example, if only one component of a high risk threat is found on your computer (and it is not running or doing any harm), the risk level will be marked as a "low risk" threat, while if the same threat was actively running on your computer it would be rated "high risk".

• Further advancements in rootkit removal

  Rootkit removal techniques in Spyware Doctor 5.5 have become more efficient; offering maximum protection with minimal interference to the user.

  It is common knowledge that rootkits are some of the most nefarious threats to have on your computer. The new version of Spyware Doctor has enhanced rootkit detection and removal techniques to reduce the number of system reboots required to remove some of the most difficult rootkits.

• Reduced Memory Footprint

  All software installed on your computer has an unavoidable impact on memory usage and computer performance. This is especially true of security applications that must process and check every event to ensure system safety. As part of the ongoing optimization of Spyware Doctor, we have further reduced the overall memory usage and footprint to ensure minimal impact to your computer.

• Automated threat evaluation & standardized threat descriptions

  Spyware Doctor 5.5 incorporates a new system which automatically evaluates threats and provides standardized descriptions.

  This new system provides a simpler method of threat categorization so that you can easily differentiate and understand the threats that have been detected on your computer.

Spyware Doctor Key Features

• Comprehensive Malware Protection

  Spyware Doctor provides protection against identity theft, stealthy spyware, aggressive adware, browser hijackers, malicious ActiveX objects, malware Trojans, tracking cookies, keyloggers, dialers, and other malware. The optional anti-virus module also protects your computer from viruses, worms, Trojan horse threats, and other malicious infections.

• Constant Real-time Protection

  Through its unique OnGuard feature Spyware Doctor provides constant protection against malware. OnGuard works by blocking both known and unknown malware threats before they can install and cause any harm to a computer. OnGuard constantly monitors for malicious behavior involving spyware processes, tracking cookies, malicious ActiveX objects, browser hijackers, keyloggers, Trojans and more.

• Advanced Detection and Removal Technology

  By running an Intelli-Scan™, Full Scan or Custom Scan, Spyware Doctor will inspect the computer for all types of spyware and virus¹ infections. Spyware Doctor is top rated by industry experts as being extremely effective in removing particularly nefarious threats such as rootkits and keyloggers².

  The unique Intelli-Scan™ feature is specifically designed to hunt swiftly and kill active running spyware threats in as little as 3 minutes³, attributed to the intuitive and patent-pending spider scanning technology. This new technology works intelligently by using a combination of signature and behavioral scanning techniques to quickly and effectively identify internet threats.

• Protection against zero-day threats - Behavioral Heuristic Detection

  Spyware Doctor delivers effective zero day protection against rootkits and keyloggers (in both scanning and OnGuard real-time areas) by monitoring for suspicious behavior and blocking applications that exhibit signs of malicious activity.

• Advanced Rootkit Detection

  Spyware Doctor is capable of detecting and removing hidden processes and files associated with complex threats and rootkits. Using behavioral techniques, rootkits and other items that attempt to hide themselves deep in the computer operating system are effectively detected and removed.

• Works silently in the background with low CPU usage

  When in monitoring mode Spyware Doctor has been designed to work silently in the background, with little impact to the end user, threats are blocked and removed without any system impact, while only a small alert window is displayed to advise the user it has been protected against an attack. When running a scan, the CPU Priority settings allow users to lower the priority of the scanning in order to reduce CPU usage and impact to the computer while in use. Selecting this option may increase scan time but will ease CPU usage when other applications are running at the same time.

• Automatic and silent Smart Updates

  Frequent updates to detect and guard computers against new threats and viruses as well as provide enhancements to Spyware Doctor are automatically installed and downloaded through the Smart Update function. Threat signatures are updated every business day or within hours of a high risk malware outbreak to protect you from the latest online threats.

• Most internationally awarded anti-spyware product

  Spyware Doctor is consistently awarded editors choice and top rating by numerous internationally recognized and respected industry publications, making Spyware Doctor the most internationally awarded anti-spyware product. For a full listing of all our awards visit: www.pctools.com/company/awards/

Additional Add-ons:

• Virus Protection

  Available as an optional add-on to Spyware Doctor, the anti-virus component provides protection against all kinds of viruses, worms, Trojan horse threats, and other malicious infections to ensure complete protection against internet threats. It is recommended to install the anti-virus add-on if there is no other virus protection on the computer.

• Email Protection

  Email Guard provides protection against, and instantly removes, spyware and viruses being sent or received via e-mails. All popular e-mail applications (such as Outlook Express™ & Netscape® Mail and Thunderbird) that use POP, IMAP or SMTP are supported by Email Guard.

• Internet Browsing Protection

  Site Guard provides advanced protection against potential malicious websites and phishing attacks where dangerous site are masquerading as legitimate e-Commerce sites. Site Guard will detect malicious websites and block access to them, ensuring the computer cannot be infected.