Spybot Search & Destroy Problems

Spybot - Search and Destroy is a free program designed to seek out spyware and adware on a computer and eliminate it. Spyware and adware are small computer programs downloaded without the user's knowledge while viewing the internet that can play havoc with any machine. At best, they simply bog down the computer by using system resources, and at worst, they can send private information to a third party. Though Spybot was developed with the best intentions, it does have some problems.

Viruses

As Spybot - Search and Destroy is a freeware program, the only way a user can download it is via the internet; Spybot can't be found in a retail store. As a result, certain viruses that infect a user's computer take the steps to block Spybot's official website from being accessed. This means that in certain cases, unless Spybot is already installed, by the time it is needed it will be impossible to get. The only way around this is to download it onto another uninfected computer, move the file to the infected computer via a flash drive or floppy disk, and install it.

Criticisms

Certain reputable information sources have heavily criticized Spybot as having "mediocre" system cleaning skills, especially when it comes to malware. In January 2008, PC Magazine did a test with the newest version of Spybot, having it and another program clean an infected machine. Spybot was given an overall rating of just a 1.5 on a scale of 5.

Automatic Cleaning

Spybot has an option built in for the automatic cleaning of a computer system; the program itself will scan the computer, find any abnormalities, and dispose of them itself without any user input. Even Spybot's makers recommend against using this feature, and instead recommend cleaning the system manually. A manual system clean can be both time consuming and confusing for novice computer users.

Norton

Spybot and Norton Internet Security have long been known to be incompatible with one another. Often times important Spybot system files will be flagged as spyware or viruses when a user does a system scan in Norton. As a result, it is recommended that you uninstall Spybot, perform your Norton installation, and then reinstall Spybot so that the two programs can work in conjunction with one another; this can be time consuming and irritating.

Kaspersky

Similar to its compatibility issues with Norton Internet Security, users installing Kaspersky Antivirus and Internet Security will be forced to uninstall Spybot while installing these other programs. This is an added downside to the process, and can be confusing to newer computer users.