Super Anti Spyware Pro

Computer technology is constantly moving forward. Machines are built to be faster than their predecessors, hard drives increase in size, and connecting to the Internet is faster now than ever. Unfortunately, in parallel with leaps in computer technology, spyware and virus writers are constantly working on creating deadlier and more difficult to detect malware.

Thankfully, there are a variety of choices when it comes to defending against malicious programs. Symantec, McAfee, and Computer Associates, to name a few, are just three companies producing software solutions protect against malware. However, their products are costly, and typically take up a bit of system resources (processor use and memory) while running on your computer. These programs usually require an annual fee to keep the software registration current.

There are other products on the market that are not only less expensive, but have free counterparts as well. Companies like Grisoft (AVG Anti-Virus), Avast, and AVIRA give away free versions of their software, with reduced functionality, but still the same core components. It is left up to the individual whether they are content with the free version, or desire the premium, paid for, version. These premium versions will typically have a yearly paid subscription, akin to the previously mentioned companies.

One such program that has a premium and a free distribution is SuperAntiSpyware (found here

). Once you can get past the unimaginative title, the software itself is excellent. This is one anti-spyware program that has a tendency to find malware that other programs, even the big names ones, fail to find. While the free version of SuperAntiSpyware works well, there are practical reasons to consider upgrading to SuperAntiSpyware Pro.

One of the bigger draws to SuperAntiSpyware Pro is real time scanning. The free version does not have this feature. Pro will monitor your computer for anything that is listed in its database of harmful programs as well as watch you computer for changes in behavior. SuperAntiSpyware Pro provides an easy method to toggle the real time scanning on and off. Simply right-click on the Start bar icon, then left-click on Enable Real-Time Protection.

From this menu, you can access SuperAntiSpyware Pro’s preferences area. Upon entering this section, you can click on the Real-Time Protection tab to see some extra choices for active scanning. In addition to the scanning while you computer is running, there is the option of having your computer scanned during startup and shutdown.

Another advantage that the Pro version has over Free are Automatic Updates. To access this feature, click on the Updates tab while in the preferences area. Here you can tell SuperAntiSpyware Pro to check for updates periodically, check for updates when you start the program itself, and how often to remind you about program updates.

I have used both the Free and Pro versions of SuperAntiSpyware. Through the website claims to the contrary, both versions have a special Repairs tab. The Repairs tab allows you to make specific repairs to things like the Task Manager, the Start Menu Run tool, and repairing your Internet Security Zones. The Repairs section was designed in mind to fix the aftermath of malware that hurts Windows functionality.

While this would not be considered an advantage over the free version, the Pro costs less than the major competitors. At $19.95, SuperAntiSpyware Pro is inexpensive and contains similar functionality to offerings from Symantec, McAfee, and the like. Of course, the Free version wins in this category though.

What it all boils down to is if you have the need for more automation with your copy of SuperAntiSpyware. The Free offering is more manual, with respect to updates and scanning. The Pro version is more “hands off” when it comes to what the user needs to accomplish. SuperAntiSpyware.com is nice enough to give out a timed trial of the Pro version to let the end user try before they buy.

AntiVir Personal 9.0.0.407 (Non-Commercial Freeware)

Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus is a reliable free antivirus solution, that constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs such as viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, hoaxes, worms, dialers etc. Monitors every action executed by the user or the operating system and reacts promptly when a malicious program is detected.

• Detects and removes more than 150,000 viruses
• Always among the winners of comparison test featured in computer journals
• The resident Virus Guard serves to monitor file movements automatically, e.g. downloading of data from the internet
• Scanning and repair of macro viruses
• Protection against previously unknown macro viruses
• Protection against trojaner, worms, backdoors, jokes and other harmful programs
• AntiVir protection against viruses, worms and Trojans
• AntiDialer protection against expensive dialers
• AntiRootkit protection against hidden rootkits
• AntiVir protection against viruses, worms and Trojans
• AntiPhishing protection against phishing
• AntiSpyware protection against spyware and adware
• NetbookSupport for laptops with low resolution
• QuickRemoval eliminates viruses at the push of a button
• Easy operation
• Internet-Update Wizard for easy updating
• Protection against previously unknown boot record viruses and master boot record viruses

Spyware Terminator 2.5.9.223 (Freeware)

Millions of users worldwide rely on Spyware Terminator, winner of many awards and high ratings from industry experts and users. Its free comprehensive protection is comparable to competitors' paid versions!

Spyware Terminator includes:

• Fast spyware scanning
• 100% real-time protection
• HIPS protection
• Antivirus protection
• Multilanguage Support
• Free automatic updates
• Free scheduled scans
• Free support

Spyware Terminator will scan your computer for known threats and report findings in a manner that is easy to read and interpret. Every entry is given a rating and a classification, which makes it very easy to decide if a detected item should be removed. Unlike some free software titles, Spyware Terminator will remove all threats for free.

Spyware Terminator is licensed for free for both home and business use.

Norton Internet Security 2009

Norton Antivirus stops viruses, worms, spyware, bots, and more—Keeps your system protected against all types of malicious threats. Norton Insight delivers innovative intelligence-driven technology for faster, fewer, shorter scans. Rapid pulse updates every 5 to 15 minutes provide you with up-to-the-minute protection. Norton will also prevent virus-infected emails and instant messages from spreading, so you can feel secure while you keep in touch. Lastly, Norton blocks browser exploits and protects against infected Web sites. Surf the Internet with confidence.

Key Technologies:

• Antivirus software
• Spyware remover
• Bot protection
• Browser protection
• Internet worm protection
• Intrusion prevention
• OS and application protection
• Rapid pulse updates
• Recovery tool*
• Rootkit detection
• Norton™ Insight
• SONAR™ behavioral protection

Avast 4.8

All-inclusive, comprehensive protection: avast! 4 Professional Edition includes anti-spyware protection, certified by the West Coast Labs Checkmark process, to protect against the latest spyware threats and anti-rootkit detection based on the best-in class GMER technology, built into the scan engine.

Simple to use and fully automated: Automatic incremental updates provide real-time protection of your system, including web surfing. We've made avast! antivirus as simple to use as possible, while allowing full control of your computer's security.

Tried and Trusted: With over 80 million users of avast!, you can rest assured that you are using one of the most tried and trusted antivirus products in Windows security. avast! supports more MS Windows versions (from Windows 95 to Vista 64-bit) than any other anti-malware product.