The Spyware Warrior List of

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware
Products & Web Sites

Last Updated: Aug. 1,
2006

On this page...

Rogue/Suspect
Anti-Spyware Products
- Notes
- Listing
Criteria
- Special Cases
- De-Listed
Applications
- Not On the
List
- Old News

Rogue/Suspect
Anti-Spyware Sites
- Bogus Security
Pages

Legitimate/Licensed
Clones

Trustworthy Anti-Spyware
Products

If Your PC is Infested w/
Spyware...

Google &
Anti-Spyware Products

More
Information
- News Stories
- Complaints &
Enforcement

About These Web
Pages
- Linking to These
Pages
- Questions &
Contact

See
also:

Anti-Spyware Family
Resemblances
Anti-Spyware Orphans &
Outcasts

Anti-Spyware Programs:
Feature Comparison

Anti-Spyware Tests
(by Eric L. Howes)

Protecting Your Privacy & Security on
a Home PC

Ben Edelman - Spyware
Research

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These pages are maintained by:

"Rogue/Suspect" means that
these products are of unknown, questionable, or dubious value as
anti-spyware protection.

Some of the products listed on this page simply do
not provide proven, reliable anti-spyware protection or may be prone
to ridiculous false positives. Others may use unfair, deceptive,
high pressure sales tactics to scare up sales from gullible,
confused users. A very few of
these products are either associated with known distributors of
spyware/adware or have been known to install spyware/adware
themselves. Not all products exhibit the same problems,
however. Please see this "note to readers" for more information.

Users are advised to rely on the short list of Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products with deserved
reputations for quality performance.

Criteria & Testing

Criteria that we use to classify anti-spyware
programs as "rogue / suspect" are discussed below in the Listing Criteria section.

Testing was performed with most of the apps listed below, though not all of them. The notes section below contains definitions and
descriptions of some of the key terms used in the comments for the
applications listed. Be sure to consult the Anti-Spyware Family Resemblances and Orphans & Outcasts companion pages for more
information on the applications listed.

De-Listed Applications

Some applications that were originally included in
this list of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware programs have been
de-listed after the vendors for those programs took steps to correct
the problems identified on this page. For each program that has been
de-listed there is a note explaining the circumstances at the bottom of the main "rogue/suspect" list. For more
information on the process of de-listing application, see THIS discussion below.

Note: before contacting us about programs not
included on the main list below, please check the list of lesser-known anti-spyware applications that we have
tested as well as the list of legitimate, licensed clones of other anti-spyware
programs.

More Information

For additional information on "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware products, see the More Information section towards the bottom of the
page. Suzi has put together a "Top 10 Rogue Anti-Spyware" list HERE.

For reports on more extensive testing with a select
group of anti-spyware utilities, see HERE. A short list of anti-spyware applications
that are recommended as useful and trustworthy can be found on the
list of Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products below. An
extended list of quality anti-spyware products is HERE.

If your PC is already infested with spyware or
adware, see the instructions below for getting help.

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware
Products

What follows is the main list of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware
applications, none of which can be recommended for anti-spyware
protection. Be sure to consult the notes section at the bottom of the list for more
information about the list and how it is constructed. Some
applications with an entry below have been de-listed. Entries for those applications remain to
point to explanatory notes below the main list If you don't find an
application included on the main list of "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware products below, you might also consult the list of lesser known anti-spyware applications that are not
considered "rogue/suspect." And for a short list of reputable,
recommended anti-spyware, see the Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products section.

Most recent additions: VirusBlast
(8-1-06), Spyware Removal
Wizard (8-1-06), Easy
SpyRemover (8-1-06), 1-2-3
Spyware Free (8-1-06),
AdwareFinder (7-8-06),
SpyHeal (7-8-06), Xmembytes
AntiSpyware (6-13-06),
TitanShield AntiSpyware (6-13-06), Trust Cleaner (6-13-06), KillAndClean (6-13-06), RemoveIT Pro (5-24-06), SpywareBot (5-14-06), SpyOnThis (5-7-06),
Spyware Sheriff (5-7-06),
Spyware Scrapper (5-7-06)

Most recent de-listings: RemoveIt Pro
(8-1-06), CyberDefender
(7-8-06)

Most recent re-listings: SpyCleaner
(5-12-06)

Please read this note on the Trustsoft AntiSpyware application
(8-21-05).

Total applications listed: 301

Product

Domains

Comments

100 Percent Anti-Spyware

scosoft.com

crippled trial version prevents
meaningful evaluation [A: 3-31-06 / U:
3-31-06]

1-2-3 Spyware Free

smartpctools.com

deceptive
in-product advertising; ridiculous false positives;
inadequate scan results [A: 8-1-06 / U:
8-1-06]

1 Click Spy Clean

1clickspyclean.com
1clicksuite.net

Spybot S&D rip-off (1);
dubious corp. associations (1)
[A: 8-12-04 / U: 8-12-04]

#1 Spyware Killer

1spywarekiller.com
surfertools.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor scan reporting; dubious corp. associations (1); same app as  Max Privacy Protector, SpyDoctor,
SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005, SpyLax, SpySpotter,
SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 10-5-04 / U:
2-7-05]

1stAntiVirus

1stantivirus.com
innovagest2000.com

uses flawed, inadequate detections
scheme; same company as AlfaCleaner, Anti Virus Pro, Winhound
Spyware Remover; same app as KillSpy, SpyContra, SpyDeface, Ultimate
Defender, & XSRemover [A: 1-14-06 / U:
1-14-06]

2004 Adware/Spyware Remover & Blocker

adware.storesbiz.com
spy.storebiz4u.com

no trial version locatable; same app as AdDriller, ADS Adware Remover,
AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker & Removal, AdwareX Eliminator,
Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware,
Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-23-04 / U:
2-14-05]

about:blank 2005

aboutblankremover.com

no trial version available [A: 1-29-05 / U: 1-29-05]

AdDriller

addriller.com
cdmworldsoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; falsely reports updating ref database; same app as 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover &
Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker &
Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner,
Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield;
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 10-10-04 / U:
10-10-04]

Ad-Eliminator

ad-eliminator.com
adeliminator.net

spam-driven,
aggressive advertising (1,
2, 3); broswer hijacking (1);
unconscionable license terms (1,
2);
Ad-ware knockoff (1);
same app as Spy-Control - (Note: other domains associated w/ this app include:
123spywar.com, 1stspywar.com, adekit.com, adware-business.com,
adware-gator.com, adwareindanger.com, adwareisgone.com,
antiadwareco.com, antiadwarefoundation.com, antispawarechat.com,
antispywareco.com, antispywarecoer.com, antispywaredirectx.com,
antispawarefree.com, antispywarefreex.com, killadwareco.com,
myspyerase.biz, realspyerase.biz, spydestroying.com,
spyelimination.com, spywareindanger.com,
spywarmegasite.com) [A:
8-1-04 / U: 8-29-04]

AdProtector

adprotector.com
protectorsuite.com
redv.net

adware-supported by RedV Network
(1,
2);
download link broken? no trial version? [A:
6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

Ad-Purge Adware & Spyware Remover

rebrandsoftware.com

ridiculous false positives; uses
inadequate detection scheme; displays in-context banner ads; same app as Froggie Scan, Privacy Crusader, Spy
Reaper, SpyShield, SpyViper, Spyware Scrapper, & The Spyware
Shield [A: 6-5-05 / U: 3-29-06]

Ads Alert

pcprivacysoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses out-of-date reference database w/ no update function
[A: 8-10-04 / U: 8-10-04]

ADS Adware Remover

adware-remover.net

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker & Removal,
AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy
Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; early
versions were Ad-aware knockoffs [A: 7-2-04 / U:
11-17-04]

Advanced Spyware Remover
(read note)

dreamenstudio.com
evonsoft.com

(read note)

Adware Agent

killersoftware.com

no privacy policy (1);
uses ActiveX "kill bit" database stolen from SpywareGuide.com
(1)
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

AdwareAlert
(read note)

adwarealert.com
webalias.com/spybot
spywarealert.com
spywareremover.com

(read note)

AdwareBazooka

adwarebazooka.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; same app as AdwarePunisher, HitSpy, RemedyAntiSpy,
CpyCut, SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, SystemStable, & The
SpyGuard [A: 12-21-05 / U:
12-21-05]

Adware Cops

adwarecops.com
bulletproofsoft.com

front end for BPS Spyware & Adware Remover
[A: 3-26-05 / U: 3-26-05]

AdwareDelete

adwaredelete.com
qspyware.com

deceptive
advertising (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; uses inadequate
scan/detection scheme; dubious corp. associations (1);
same app as AntiVirus Gold, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon,
Spyware Sheriff, SpywareStrike, TitanShield AntiSpyware, &
VirusBlast [A: 6-14-05 / U: 1-4-06]

AdwareDeluxe

adwaredeluxe.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwarePatrol, AdwareRemover,
AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware, Doctor Adware
Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

Adware Filter
(PCSafe Security
Center)

pcsafe.com
adwarefilter.com
adaware.com
ada-ware.com

exploits name of "Ad-aware" (1); same app as AdwareX, AdwareSafe, & SpyAssassin;
same company as Adware Safe [A: 10-31-04 / U:
1-17-06]

Adware Finder

adwarefinder.com
engagemarketing.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme & detections database [A: 7-8-06 / U:
7-8-06]

Adware Hitman

adwarehitman.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as Consumer Identity, Protect Your
Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, Spyware
C.O.P., SpywareKilla,  The Adware Hunter, &
TheSpywareKiller  [A: 7-20-04 / U:
7-20-04]

AdwareHunter

adwarehunter.com
browser-page.com

report of
browser hijack (1);
no trial version locatable; dead? [A: 6-26-04 /
U: 6-26-04]

Adware-Nuker

registry-doctor.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate information about app & company; no privacy policy;
same app as AGuardDog Adware/Spyware Remover, PC
AdWare SpyWare Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster, SpywareHospital,
Super Spyware Remover, The Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware
Secure [A: 6-1-05 / U: 6-1-05]

AdwarePatrol

adwarepatrol.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database; no privacy policy; same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwareRemover,
AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware, Doctor Adware
Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-1-05 / U:
3-25-05]

AdwarePro

adwarepro.com

no trial version locatable; inadequate
information about app & company; same affiliate program as
NetSpyProtector (1) [A: 8-31-04 / U: 8-31-04]

AdwarePunisher

adwarepunisher.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising; desktop hijacking; uses flawed,
inadequate detection scheme; same app as AdwareBazooka, HitSpy, RemedyAntiSpy,
SpyCut, SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, SystemStable, & The
SpyGuard [A: 12-5-05 / U: 2-3-06]

AdwareRemover

adwareremover.ws
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware, Doctor Adware
Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus - [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

AdwareSafe

adwaresafe.com

same app as Adware Filter, AdwareX, &
SpyAssassin; same company as Adware Filter [A:
9-10-04 / U: 4-22-05]

AdwareSafety

adwaresafety.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware, Doctor Adware
Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

Adware Sheriff

adwaresheriff.com
adwaresheriff.net
sheriffcash.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising; same company as RegFreeze (1)
[A: 2-14-06 / U: 2-14-06]

AdwareSpy

adwarespy.com
spywarespy.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdWare SpyWare Blocker &
Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner,
Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield;
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 6-29-04 / U:
7-7-04]

AdWare SpyWare Blocker & Removal

adwarespywareremoval.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase;earlier versions were same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdwareX Eliminator,
Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware,
Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; earlier versions were Ad-aware knockoffs [A: 7-23-04 / U:
11-17-04]

Adware & Spyware Firewall

flyyasoft.com

eval. version expires immediately, no
trial possible [A: 8-2-05 / U:
8-2-05]

Adware/Spyware Remover

adware.storesbiz.com
spy.storebiz4u.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same company as 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover & Blocker
[A: 2-14-05 / U: 2-14-05]

Adware Striker

adwarestriker.com
bulletproofsoft.com

front end for BPS Spyware & Adware Remover
[A: 3-30-05 / U: 3-30-05]

AdwareTools

adwaretools.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware, Doctor Adware
Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

AdwareX

adware.com

same app as Adware Filter, AdwareSafe, &
SpyAssassin [A: 6-30-04 / U:
6-30-04]

AdwareX Eliminator

adwarexeliminator.com
athivision.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1);
falsely reports updating ref database; same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker
& Removal, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy Tools
2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield (1);
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-8-04 / U:
8-19-04]

Ad-Where 2005

ad-where.com
privacytools2004.com
adwarespyware.net

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses outdated ref database & falsely reports updating
ref database (1,
2); same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker
& Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy
Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield [A: 2-6-05 / U: 2-6-05]

Agent Spyware

agentspyware.com

uses outdated ref database [A: 11-14-05 / U: 11-14-05]

AGuardDog Adware/Spyware Remover

aguarddog.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate information about app & company; no privacy policy;
same app as Adware-Nuker, PC AdWare SpyWare
Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster, SpywareHospital, Super Spyware
Remover, The Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware
Secure [A: 11-6-04 / U:
3-27-05]

AlertSpy

alertspy.com
adwaredeluxe.com
adwarexterminator.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database; exploits name "hijack this"
(1); exploits name
"spybot" (1, 2); same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, Doctor Adware, Doctor
Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus; same company as MicroAntivirus - (Note: other domains associated with AlertSpy include:
adwaretools.com, nixad.com, spy-bot.com, spy-bot.net, spy-bot.org,
spybotsd.com, swipespy.com) [A: 11-10-04 / U: 4-29-05]

AlfaCleaner

alfacleaner.com
innovagest2000.com

drive-by-downloads, stealth installs (1,
2);
same company as Anti Virus Pro, Winhound Spyware Remover, &
XSRemover [A: 1-14-06 / U: 3-1-06]

Anti-Spyware Blocker

anti-viruses.net
your-soft.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate info about company & app; same company as
Anti-Virus&Spyware [A: 2-17-05 / U:
2-17-05]

Antivirus Email

antivirus-email.com

advertising supported
service (1, 2); outrageous
terms of service (1, 2); no trial
version available [A: 10-24-05 / U:
10-24-05]

AntiVirus Gold /
AntiVirus Golden

antivirus-gold.com
antivirusgolden.com

aggressive
advertising, desktop hijacks (1,
2,
3,
4,
5, 6,
7,
8);
false positives work as goad to purchase; uses inadequate
scan/detection scheme; same app as AdwareDelete, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon,
Spyware Sheriff, SpywareStrike, TitanShield AntiSpyware, &
VirusBlast [A: 6-2-05 / U: 6-13-06]

Anti Virus Pro

anti-virus-pro.com
innovagest2000.com

no trial version available; same
company as AlfaCleaner, Winhound Spyware Remover, & XSRemover
[A: 1-14-06 / U: 1-14-06]

Anti-Virus&Spyware

anti-viruses.net
your-soft.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor scan reporting; inadequate info about company
& app; same company as Anti-Spyware Blocker [A: 8-7-04 / U: 2-17-05]

ArmorWall

armor2net.com
spywarekiller.net

false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor scan reporting [A: 7-15-04 /
U: 7-15-04]

BestGuardPlatinum

bestguardplatinum.com

aggressive
advertising, desktop hijacks (1);
no trial version available [A: 3-19-06 / U:
3-19-06]

Botsquash

botsquash.com

trial version expires
immediately; uses inadequate, outdated ref database
[A: 8-15-04 / U: 8-15-04]

BPS Spyware & Adware Remover

bulletproofsoft.com
spywarecops.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; company is known adware distributor (1);
exploits name SpywareBlaster (1) &
SpywareGuard (1);
Ad-aware rip-off (1,
2);
Spybot S&D rip-off (1,
2,
3);
old version was same app as Real AdWareRemoverGold, Spyware Nuker,
& TZ Spyware Adware Remover; new version uses "Spyware Cops" or
"Spy Striker" front end [A: 6-26-04 / U:
12-19-05]

Brave Sentry

bravesentry.com

aggressive
advertising, desktop hijacking (1,
2);
false positives work as goad to purchase; inadequate scan reporting;
same app as PestTrap, PestWiper, SpyDemolisher,
SpySheriff, SpyTrooper, SpywareNo, & Spyware-Stop [A: 3-9-06 / U: 3-9-06]

CheckFlow CheckSpy & Anti Spyware
2005

checkspy.com
checkflow.com

client app's scan reporting poor;
client requires installation of Microsoft .NET framework; free scan
prone to false positives that work as goad to purchase;
[A: 11-7-04 / U: 12-30-04]

CoffeeCup Spyware Remover

coffeecup.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database (1);
same app as Easy Spyware Killer, JC Spyware Remover
& Adware Killer, & PAL Spyware Remover; Note:
discontinued by vendor July 2005 [A: 7-27-04
/ U: 12-8-05]

Consumer Identity

consumeridentity.com

aggressive
advertising (1,
2, 3, 4);
false positives work as goad to purchase; web site down, domain
inactive; same app as Adware Hitman, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin,
Spyware C.O.P., SpywareKilla, The Adware Hunter, &
TheSpywareKiller [A: 8-9-04 / U:
10-1-04]

CyberDefender
(see note)

antispywarenetwork.com
cyberdefender.com
cyber-defender.com
eblocs.com
networkdynamicscorp.com

(see note)

Doctor Adware

doctoradware.com
no-spy-ware.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware
Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

Doctor Adware Pro

doctoradwarepro.com
alertspy.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database; same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-20-05 / U:
3-20-05]

Doctor Alex
(see note)

doctor-alex.com

(see note)

Easy Erase Spyware Remover

easyerase.com

scanner apparently broken; no update
function; ref database is woefully inadequate; appears to be
the same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker
& Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy
Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-20-04 / U:
7-20-04]

Easy SpyRemover

easyspyremover.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate scan results [A: 8-1-06 /
U: 8-1-06]

Easy Spyware Killer

easyspywarekiller.com

scant info on home page, no privacy
policy (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; uses inadequate ref
database (1);
same app as CoffeeCup Spyware Remover, PAL Spyware
Remover, & JC Spyware Remover & Adware
Killer [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

Elimiware

elimiware.com
professionalcash.com

uses fake/bogus
"free" scan to sell product; no trial version available
for testing; inadequate info about company & app; no privacy
policy; dubious license terms (1)
[A: 4-7-05 / U: 4-7-05]

Emco Malware Bouncer

emco.is

prone to false positives; poor scan
reporting; no longer available [A:
12-23-04 / U: 8-1-05]

ETD Security Scanner

etdscanner.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate info about company; same app as 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover &
Blocker; AdDriller, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare
Blocker & Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, Privacy
Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 10-16-04 / U:
10-16-04]

Flobo Free Anti Spyware Clean

floborecovery.com

non-existent scan reporting
[A: 11-14-05 / U: 11-14-05]

Freeze.com AntiSpyware

freeze.com

company is known
adware distributor (1);
questionable license terms, demands personal info, provides outdated
trial version of Webroot Spy Sweeper (1)
[A: 9-15-04 / U: 9-15-04]

Froggie Scan

software4yoursuccess.com

uses inadequate detection scheme;
displays in-context banner ads; same app as Ad-Purge Adware & Spyware Remover,
Privacy Crusader, Spy Reaper, SpyShield, SpyViper, Spyware Scrapper,
& The Spyware Shield [A: 3-29-06 / U:
3-29-06]

GoodbyeSpy

tekeffect.com

no update function; false positives
work as goad to purchase [A: 7-20-04 / U:
7-20-04]

GuardBar

guardbar.com

weak anti-spyware protection (1);
same company as SpyBouncer (1)
[A: 9-18-04 / U: 9-18-04]

HitVirus

hitvirus.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; same app as AdwareBazooka, AdwarePunisher,
RemedyAntiSpy, SpyCut, SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, SystemStable,
& The SpyGuard [A: 12-21-05 / U:
12-21-05]

IC Spyware Scanner

allume.com
aladdinsys.com

ridiculous false positives; outrageous
license terms; crashes during scan; this application is bundled in
Internet Cleanup (same company) as spyware protection [A: 12-10-04 / U: 3-13-04]

Intelligent Spyware Cleaner

zzztech.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate info about company & app (1); no privacy
policy (1)
[A: 12-28-04 / U: 12-28-04]

InternetAntiSpy

internetantispy.com
zendmedia.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising, browser hijacking (1,
2,
3,
4);
no trial version locatable [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

Internet Cleanup

allume.com
aladdinsys.com

ridiculous false positives; outrageous
license terms; this application bundles IC Spyware Scanner (same
company) for spyware protection [A: 3-13-05 / U:
3-13-05]

InternetShield

internetshield.com
softwareonline.com
certified-safe-downloads.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising  (1);
vendor prosecuted by Washington AG
(1)
[A: 4-12-06 / U: 4-12-06]

iSpyKiller

ispykiller.com
esunsofttechnologies.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same company as MySpyFreePC & Max Privacy Protector;
same app as Spyblocs 3.0, MySpyFreePC, Privacy
Defender, SamuraiSpy, & Spy Crusher [A:
1-26-05 / U: 1-26-05]

JC Spyware Remover & Adware
Killer

jcspyware-remover.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database (1);
same app as Easy Spyware Killer & PAL Spyware
Remover [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

KaZaaP

kazaap.org

installs
multiple adware/spyware parasites [A:
8-12-05 / U: 8-12-05]

KillAllSpyware

killallspyware.com
mainstreamdollars.com

aggressive
advertising (1);
dubious corp. associations (1); no
trial version locatable; inadequate information about company; web
site promises "free download" but then demands payment; no privacy
policy/EULA [A: 8-25-04 / U:
2-7-05]

KillAndClean

killandclean.com

installed
through exploits; false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate/flawed scan/detection scheme; same app as Safe & Clean &
UnSpyPC [A: 6-14-06 / U:
6-13-06]

KillSpy

killspy.net

uses flawed, inadequate detections
scheme; same company as AlfaCleaner, Anti Virus Pro, Winhound
Spyware Remover; same app as 1stAntiVirus, SpyContra, SpyDeface,
Ultimate Defender, & XSRemover [A: 11-25-05
/ U: 1-6-06]

MalwareScanner

spywarecops.com
bulletproofsoft.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; latest
version of BPS Spyware & Adware Remover
[A: 3-10-06 / U: 3-10-06]

MalwareWipe

malwarewipe.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising; uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme [A: 12-28-05 / U: 1-6-06]

MalWhere
(read note)

malwhere.com
softbulldog.com

(read note)

MaxNetShield (MNS Spyware Remover &
History Eraser)

maxnetshield.com
maxionsoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; this application suite bundles SpyKiller (same company)
for spyware protection [A: 7-13-04 / U:
7-13-04]

Max Privacy Protector

maxprivacyprotector.com
esunsofttechnologies.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor scan reporting; same company as MySpyFreePC &
iSpyKiller;  same app as #1 Spyware Killer, SpyDoctor;
SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005, SpyLax, SpySpotter,
SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro [A:
3-11-05 / U: 3-11-05]

MicroAntivirus

microantivirus.com
microantivirusxp.com
platinumparter.com

no trial version locatable; inadequate
information about company; no privacy policy; same company as
AlertSpy  [A: 8-22-04 / U:
3-18-06]

MyNetProtector

mynetprotector.com

installs
multiple adware/spyware parasites (1,
2, 3);
aggressive, deceptive advertising (1,
2);
dubious corp. associations (1);
inadequate/broken scanning (1,
2)
[A: 8-18-04 / U: 8-18-04]

MyPCTuneUp
(read note)

mypctuneup.com

(read note)

MySpyFreePC

myspyfreepc.com
esunsofttechnologies.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same company as Max Privacy Protector & iSpyKiller; same app as Spyblocs 3.0, iSpyKiller, Privacy
Defender, SamuraiSpy, & Spy Crusher [A:
2-5-05 / U: 2-5-05]

NetSpyProtector

netspyprotector.com
spybot-spyware-removal.com

inadequate info about app, no trial
version locatable; "free scan" prone to false positives (1);
reportedly a variant of NoSpyX, SpyVest, and Spyware Stormer (1)
[A: 7-7-04 / U: 7-26-04]

NoSpyX

nospyx.com
interesoft.com
spywareboard.com

aggressive
advertising (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; poor scan reporting;
dubious corp. associations (1);
variant of SpyVest, SpywareCleaner, Spyware Slayer,
Spyware Stormer, Spyware Wizard, & X-Spyware (1);
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 6-26-04 / U:
4-13-05]

Oxford Spyware Remover

oxfordspywareremover.com

no trial version available; inadequate
info about company, no privacy policy (1)
[A: 6-15-05 / U: 6-15-05]

PAL Emergency Response

palsol.com
palsol.biz
palsol.net

no trial version available; same
company as PAL Spyware Remover [A: 9-18-05 / U:
9-18-05]

PAL Spyware Remover

palsol.com
palsol.biz
palsol.net

aggressive
advertising, browser hijacking (1,
2,
3, 4);
false positives work as goad to purchase; uses inadequate ref
database (1);
exploits name "spybot" (1);
exploits name "spyware warrior" (1);
same app as CoffeeCup Spyware Remover, Easy Spyware
Killer, & JC Spyware Remover & Adware Killer -
(Note: other domains associated w/ PAL Spyware
Remover include: 1spyware-removal.com, adwarebgone.info,
adwarespyware.net, cybergations.com,
espywarekiller.privacyregained.com, free-spyware-scan.info,
jointventureforprofit.com/spy/, online-spyware-scan.com, paltek.net,
petspatrol.com, shmyl.com/ierison, spybot-scan.com,
spybot-scanner.com, spybot-virus-scan.com, spybot.com-xp.com,
spy-spyware.com, spyware1.com, spywarefinder.net, spywarekiller.us,
spyware-remover-software.net, spywarescout.com,
spywarethis.com-xp.com, spyware-virus-scan.com,
spyware-virus-remover.com, trojan-virus-scan.com, win-fix.com) [A:
6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

PC AdWare SpyWare Removal

pcadwareremoval.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; flawed, inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate information about company, no privacy
policy/EULA (1);
same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog AdWare/SpyWare
Remover, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster, SpywareHospital, Super Spyware
Remover, The Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware Secure
[A: 12-21-04 / U: 3-27-05]

PCArmor

pcarmor.net

no trial version locatable, inadequate
information about company, no privacy policy/EULA (1)
[A: 8-22-04 / U: 8-22-04]

PC Health Plan

pchealthplan.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 5-6-05 / U: 5-6-05]

pcOrion
(read note)

pcorion.com

(read note)

PestBot

pestbot.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

PestProtector

pestprotector.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

PestTrap

pesttrap.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; inadequate scan reporting;
same app as Brave Sentry, PestWiper, SpyDemolisher,
SpySheriff, SpyTrooper, SpywareNo, & Spyware-Stop [A: 1-18-06 / U: 4-12-06]

PestWiper

pest-wiper.com
pestwiper.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate scan reporting; same app as BraveSentry, PestTrap, SpyDemolisher,
SpySheriff, SpyTrooper, SpywareNo, & Spyware-Stop [A: 3-10-06 / U: 3-10-06]

Privacy Champion

privacychampion.com

reported
hijacks/stealth installs (1, 2) [A: 11-3-04 / U: 11-3-04]

Privacy Crusader

egeosoftware.com
redemptionengine.com
rewardsengine.com

ridiculous false positives; uses
flawed, inadequate detection scheme; same app as Ad-Purge Adware & Spyware Remover,
Froggie Scan, Spy Reaper, SpyShield, SpyViper, Spyware Scrapper,
& The Spyware Shield [A: 11-5-05 / U:
11-25-05]

Privacy Defender

pcsecurityshield.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor, misleading scan reporting; deceptive advertising/"scan" on home
page (1); advertises through adware (1);
recruits affiliates through spam (1);
dubious corp. associations (1);
same app as Spyblocs 3.0,
MySpyFreePC, iSpyKiller, SamuraiSpy, & Spy Crusher; also
from this domain: The Shield 2004, PC Security Shield - (Note: other domains associated w/ Privacy Defender include:
clixtrader.net, pcsecuritysheild.com, pcsecuritywall.com,
pctoolworks2004.com, pctoolworks2005.com, threatlevel.com) [A:
6-26-04 / U: 9-7-05]

Privacy Tools 2004
(read note)

privacytools2004.com

vendor threatens
to distribute malware (1,
2,
3);
vendor attempts to silence critics
(1);
unconscionable license terms (1, 2);
false positives work as goad to purchase (1,
2);
previous version was same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker
& Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security
Scanner, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; previous version
was Ad-aware knockoff - Read this note about Privacy Tools 2004. [A: 7-20-04 / U: 8-27-04]

Protect Your Identity

myspywarescan.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses out-of-date reference database w/ no functional
update function; same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, Spyware C.O.P., SpywareKilla, The Adware
Hunter, & TheSpywareKiller [A: 10-2-04 / U:
10-2-04]

PSGuard

psguard.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1,
2);
reported stealth-installs,
hijacking (1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7);
same app as Security iGuard [A:
6-14-05 / U: 1-4-06]

PurityScan /
PuritySweep

clickspring.net
purityscan.com
puritysweep.com

adware-supported, "drive-by-downloads"
(1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6);
stealth installs executables to foil uninstallation [A: 6-26-04 / U: 7-5-04]

QuickCleaner

quickcleaner.com

online scan/detection service only;
inadequate info about service; inadequate, flawed scan/detection; no
uninstaller [A: 8-2-04 / U:
8-2-04]

RazeSpyware

razespyware.com
razespyware.net
spywaredollars.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1,
2,
3);
reported hijacks (1, 2,
3,
4,
5,
6);
false positives work as goad to purchase; poor scan reporting; same app as SmartSecurity - Note: other domains associated w/ RazeSpyware include:
findmenow.info, scanthenet.com, spyware-spyware.org [A: 3-31-05 / U: 1-4-06]

Real AdWareRemoverGold

adwareremovergold.com
adremovergold.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1);
reported hijacks (1,
2);
dubious corp. associations (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; Ad-aware rip-off; BPS Spyware & Adware Remover clone (1)
- (Note: other domains associated with Real
Adware Remover Gold include: iteens.com, sg08.biz) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

RegFreeze

actualresearch.com
antispylab.com
regfreeze.com
regfreeze.net
sheriffcash.com

aggressive
advertising, desktop hijacks (1,
2,
3);
false positives work as goad to purchase (1);
dubious corp associations (1)
[A: 8-8-04 / U: 12-24-05]

RemedyAntiSpy

remedyantispy.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; same app as AdwareBazooka, AdwarePunisher, HitSpy,
SpyCut, SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, SystemStable, & The
SpyGuard [A: 12-21-05 / U:
12-21-05]

RemoveIT Pro
(read note)

incodesolutions.com

(read note)

Safe & Clean (Scan & Clean)

scanandclean.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate/flawed scan/detection scheme; same app as KillAndClean & UnSpyPC
[A: 1-2-06 / U: 1-2-06]

SafeWebSurfer

safewebsurfer.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1); same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog Adware/Spyware Remover, PC AdWare
SpyWare Removal, SpyToaster, SpywareHospital, Super Spyware Remover,
The Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware
Secure [A: 3-27-05 / U:
3-27-05]

SamuraiSpy

samuraispy.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as Spyblocs 3.0, iSpyKiller, MySpyFreePC,
Privacy Defender, & Spy Crusher [A: 3-20-05
/ U: 3-20-05]

Scan & Repair Utilities 2006

scanandrepair.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate info about company [A:
1-19-06 / U: 1-19-06]

ScanSpyware

scanspyware.net

aggressive
advertising; false positives work as goad to purchase
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 3-24-06]

Scumware-Remover

scumware-remover.org
smartestsearch.com
66.79.171.75

hijacks browser
home page, HOSTS file (1, 2,
3,
4,
5);
inadequate info about program and company; no EULA or privacy
policy; crashes on test machine [A:
10-24-04 / U: 2-7-05]

SecureMyPC

softsky.com.ua
gsiconcepts.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 11-5-05 / U: 11-5-05]

Security iGuard

securityiguard.com
privacycash.com

badgers users into purchase; reported hijacking by affiliates (1,
2,
3,
4, 5);
dubious corp. associations (1, 2); same app as PSGuard [A: 11-7-04
/ U: 1-4-06]

SlimShield

slimshield.com
spyware-wiper.com

aggressive advertising, hijacking, stealth installation (1,
2,
3,
4);
badgers users into purchase; false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor scan reporting; no privacy policy; inadequate info
about company & app [A: 3-2-05 / U:
3-18-06]

SmartSecurity

smart-security.info

no working scan in demo version;
inadequate info about company (1); hijacking, aggressive advertising (1, 2,
3,
4, 5);
same app as RazeSpyware [A:
5-8-05 / U: 1-4-06]

Spy-Ad Exterminator Pro

oreware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 8-8-04 / U: 10-10-04]

SpyAdvanced

spyadvanced.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyDestroy Pro,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 2-23-06 / U:
2-23-06]

Spy Annihilator

adwaresoft.com

inadeqaute info about application, no
privacy policy (1);  free scan
application uses outdated ref database w/ no update function;
application uses flawed, inadequate detection scheme; false
positives work as goad to purchase [A: 2-10-05 /
U: 2-10-05]

SpyAssassin

spyassassin.com

exploits name of "Ad-aware" (1,
2);
same app as Adware Filter, AdwareX, &
AdwareSafe [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

SpyAssault

spyassault.com

installs
Favoriteman parasite (1,
2);
false positives work as goad to purchase; poor scan reporting
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

SpyAxe

spyaxe.com
spyaxe.biz
spyaxe.net
nospywaresoft.com
topantispy.com
spyaxeupdate.com

desktop
hijacking, aggressive/deceptive advertising (1, 2);
uses inadequate scan/detection scheme; same app as AdwareDelete, AntiVirus Gold,
SpyFalcon, Spyware Sheriff, SpywareStrike, TitanShield AntiSpyware,
& VirusBlast [A: 10-24-05 / U:
1-4-06]

SpyBan

spyban.net

installs Look2Me
& VX2/ABetterInternet  parasites (1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6);
inexcusable false positives; same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
Protect Your Identity, SpywareAssassin, Spyware C.O.P.,
SpywareKilla, The Adware Hunter, & TheSpywareKiller; dead?
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

SpyBeware

spybeware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; update function broken?; same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker
& Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security
Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield;
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-23-04 / U:
7-23-04]

SpyBlast

spyblast.com
advertising.com

vendor
prosecuted by FTC (1, 2);
adware-supported (1,
2, 3);
aggressive, deceptive advertising (1); drive-by-downloads,
download link broken? no trial version locatable? [A: 6-26-04 / U: 8-4-05]

Spy-Block

spy-block.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 6-1-05 / U: 6-26-05]

SpyBlocs/eBlocs.com

eblocs.com
networkdynamicscorp.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1,
2,
3, 4,
5,
6,
7);
false positives work as goad to purchase; previous versions were
Ad-aware knockoffs; same company as CyberDefender;
version 2.0 was same app as #1 Spyware Killer, SpyDoctor,
Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005, SpyLax, SpySpotter, & SpywareThis;
version 3.0 was same app as Privacy Defender,
MySpyFreePC, iSpyKiller, SamuraiSpy, & Spy Crusher
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 2-20-05]

SpyBouncer

spybouncer.com
goggle.com
stingware.com
untdd.com

aggressive advertising (1) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 9-25-05]

SpyBurn

neosoftlabs.com
spyburn.palsol.biz

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as XoftSpy (please read this note about XoftSpy); Ad-aware knockoff; no longer available (dead domain)
[A: 7-4-04 / U: 10-5-04]

SpyClean

spyclean.com
guardwall.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; poor scan reporting; requires installation of Microsoft
.NET framework. [A: 7-9-04 / U:
7-9-04]

SpyCleaner

cleanup-adware.com
pigeons.net
spycleaner.net
spycleaner-gold.com
topdownloads.net

free version
installs WhenU Save! adware program (1);
same app as SpyRemover - please read this note about SpyCleaner [A: 6-26-04 / U: 5-12-06]

SpyContra

spycontra.com
innovagest2000.com

uses flawed, inadequate detections
scheme; same company as AlfaCleaner, Anti Virus Pro, Winhound
Spyware Remover; same app as 1stAntiVirus, KillSpy, SpyDeface,
Ultimate Defender, & XSRemover [A: 1-14-06 /
U: 1-14-06]

Spy-Control

spy-control.com

installs
Searchmeup parasite (1);
unconscionable license terms; dubious implied endorsement (1); advertised via
"spam" (1);
Ad-ware knockoff (1);
same app as Ad-Eliminator -  (Note: other domains associated w/ SpyControl include:
bestnotospy.net, fightpycity.net, fightpyco.net,
free-kazaa-spyware.info, spy-control-now.com, spywarecleanser.info,
spyware-finder.info, spyware-list.info, spyzonetown.com,
stop-spyware-now.info) [A:
2-1-05 / U: 2-20-05]

Spy Crusher

spy-crusher.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as Spyblocs 3.0, iSpyKiller, MySpyFreePC,
Privacy Defender, & SamuraiSpy [A: 3-20-05 /
U: 3-20-05]

SpyCut

spycut.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; same app as AdwarePunisher, HitSpy, RemedyAntiSpy,
SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, SystemStable, & The SpyGuard
[A: 3-10-06 / U: 3-10-06]

SpyDeface

spydeface.com
innovagest2000.com

uses flawed, inadequate detections
scheme; same company as AlfaCleaner, Anti Virus Pro, Winhound
Spyware Remover; same app as 1stAntiVirus, KillSpy, SpyContra, &
XSRemover [A: 1-14-06 / U: 1-14-06]

SpyDeleter

spydeleter.com
209.50.251.182

aggressive
advertising, hijacking (1,
2);
vendor prosecuted by FTC (1,
2,
3);
same company as SpyWiper/MailWiper (1,
2,
3, 4);
no trial version locatable [A: 6-26-04 / U:
10-10-04]

SpyDemolisher

spydemolisher.com
spyware-cash.com

inadequate scan reporting; same app as Brave Sentry, PestTrap, PestWiper,
SpySheriff, SpyTrooper, SpywareNo, & Spyware-Stop [A: 6-14-05 / U: 6-14-05]

SpyDestroy Pro

spydestroy.com
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced,
SpywareRemoval, SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

Spy Detector

spydetector.net

questionable license terms; flawed,
high pressure scan detection & results [A:
7-24-04 / U: 7-24-04]

SpyEliminator

securetactics.com

inadequate info about company &
app, no privacy policy (1); no trial
version locatable [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

SpyFalcon

spyfalcon.com

desktop
hijacking, aggressive/deceptive advertising (1);
uses inadequate scan/detection scheme; same app as AdwareDelete, AntiVirus Gold, SpyAxe,
Spyware Sheriff, SpywareStrike, TitanShield AntiSpyware, &
VirusBlast [A: 2-14-06 / U:
2-14-06]

SpyFerret

onlinepcfix.com
spyferret.com

Spybot S&D rip-off (1,
2); also
from this domain: Lop Uninstaller, Xupiter Uninstaller [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

SpyFighter

spyfighter.com

aggressive/deceptive
advertising (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; advertises through adware
(1)
[A: 11-7-04 / U: 12-14-05]

SpyFirewall

spyfirewall.com
spybloc.com
spyblocs.com

deceptive
adevrtising (1); false positives work
as goad to purchase; poor scan reporting; same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005, SpyLax, SpySpotter,
SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 2-1-04 / U:
2-1-05]

SpyGuardian Pro

softdd.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; confusing, misleading scan reporting [A: 11-10-04 / U: 11-10-04]

SpyHeal

spyheal.com

uses inadequate scan/detection scheme;
same app as SpywareQuake; associated w/ SpyAxe,
SpyFalcon, SpywareStrike [A: 7-8-06 / U:
7-8-06]

SpyiBlock

spyiblock.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; same app as AdwareBazooka, AdwarePunisher, HitSpy,
RemedyAntiSpy, SpyCut, Spyware Disinfector, SystemStable, & The
SpyGuard [A: 12-21-05 / U:
12-21-05]

SpyiKiller

spyikiller.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate info about company & app (1); no privacy
policy (1)
[A: 12-28-04 / U: 12-28-04]

Spyinator

spyinator.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, SpyFirewall, SpyKiller 2005, SpyLax,
SpySpotter, SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-2-04 / U:
7-2-04]

Spy-Kill

spy-kill.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1);
falsely reports updating ref database; same app as 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover &
Blocker, AdDriller, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare
Blocker & Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD
Security Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware, & The Web
Shield; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 10-12-04 / U:
10-12-04]

SpyKiller

spy-killer.com
maxionsoftware.com

uses inadequate scanning/detection
scheme; this application is bundled in MaxNetShield (same company)
as spyware protection [A: 6-26-04 / U:
4-11-05]

SpyKiller 2005

spykiller.com
spykillerdownload.com
free-spyware-scan.com
killercash.com
safer-networking.com
swanksoft.com

vendor
prosecuted by FTC (1);
aggressive, deceptive advertising
(1,
2, 3); false
positives work as goad to purchase; same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyLax, SpySpotter,
SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 6-26-04 / U:
2-14-05]

SpyKillerPro

spykillerpro.com

browser
hijacking, aggressive advertising (1);
dead? [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

SpyLax

healthycomputerclub.com
nospyware.info

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1);
poor scan reporting (1);
successor to SpyDoctor (1);
same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor; SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005,
SpySpotter, SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro -
Note: SpyLax's previous incarnation as SpyDoctor is
not to be confused w/ Spyware Doctor, a
completely different app by another company [A:
6-29-04 / U: 10-25-04]

SpyOnThis

spyonthis.net
hijack-this.net

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1,
2);
exploits name HijackThis! (1,
2)
[A: 5-7-06 / U: 5-7-06]

SpyPry

logiguard.com
spypry.com

ridiculous false positives;  variant of known known family of app [A: 6-14-05 / U: 6-17-05]

Spy Reaper

spyreaper.com

ridiculous false positives; uses
inadequate detection scheme; same app as Ad-Purge Spyware Remover, Froggie Scan,
Privacy Crusader, SpyShield, SpyViper, Spyware Scrapper, & The
Spyware Shield [A: 2-14-06 / U:
2-14-06]

SpyRemover

rizalsoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses out-of-date reference database w/ no update function;
same app as SpyCleaner -- Note: not to be
confused with SpyRemover from itcompany.com
[A: 8-10-04 / U: 1-8-05]

SpySheriff

spysheriff.com
spy-sheriff.com
spyware-cash.com

antispynow.com
fzyonline.com
anosurfer.com

aggressive
advertising, reported stealth-installs (1, 2,
3);
false positives work as goad to purchase; inadequate scan reporting;
same app as Brave Sentry, PestTrap, PestWiper,
SpyDemolisher, SpyTrooper, SpywareNo, & Spyware-Stop
[A: 6-1-05 / U: 6-1-05]

SpyShield

spyshield.org

ridiculous false positives; uses
inadequate detection scheme; uses out of date ref database; same app as Adpurge Adware & Spyware Remover,
Froggie Scan, Privacy Crusader, Spy Reaper, SpyViper, Spyware
Scrapper, & The Spyware Shield [A: 2-24-06 /
U: 2-24-06]

Spy-Shield

spy- shield.com

aggressive/deceptive advertising, installs DirectRevenue/BestOffersNetwork
(1); uses
inadequate scan/detection scheme [A: 3-6-06 / U:
3-6-06]

Spy Sniper

pimasoft.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 10-30-05 / U:
10-30-05]

Spy Sniper Pro

spysniper.net

promoted through spam (1);
no trial version available [A: 8-21-05 / U:
8-21-05]

SpySpotter

spyspotter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; aggressive/deceptive advertising,
advertised via adware (1); same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, SpyFirewall, Spyinator,  SpyKiller 2005,
SpyLax, SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 8-9-04 / U:
10-26-05]

Spy Stalker

spystalker.com

ridiculous false positives work as goad
to purchase [A: 10-19-05 / U:
10-19-05]

Spy Striker

spystriker.com
bulletproofsoft.com

front end for BPS Spyware & Adware Remover
[A: 3-25-05 / U: 3-25-05]

SpyToaster

spytoaster.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; flawed, inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate information about company; no privacy policy (1); same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog Adware/Spyware
Remover, PC AdWare SpyWare Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpywareHospital,
Super Spyware Remover, The Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware
Secure [A: 5-6-05 / U: 5-6-05]

SpyTrooper

spy-trooper.com
spytrooper.com
spyware-cash.com

aggressive/deceptive advertising, stealth
installs (1,
2,
3);
same app as Brave Sentry, PestTrap, PestWiper,
SpyDemolisher, SpySheriff, SpywareNo, Spyware-Stop [A: 9-10-05 / U: 9-10-05]

SpyVest

spyvest.com

poor scan reporting; variant of NoSpyX, SpywareCleaner, Spyware Slayer,
Spyware Stormer, Spyware Wizard, & X-Spyware (1);
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-20-04 / U:
4-13-05]

SpyViper

spyviper.com
spyxpress.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate detection scheme; uses outdated ref
database; same app as Ad-Purge Spyware Remover, Froggie Scan,
Privacy Crusader, Spy Reaper, SpyShield, Spyware Scrapper, & The
Spyware Shield  [A: 12-14-05 / U:
12-14-05]

Spyware & Adware Removal

synergeticsoft.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme [A: 2-14-06 / U: 2-14-06]

Spyware Annihilator

solidlabs.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1, 2); false
positives work as goad to purchase; no update function [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

SpywareAssassin

spywareassassin.com
maxtheater.com
xp67.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1,
2);
vendor prosecuted by FTC (1,
2);
false positives work as goad to purchase; no EULA/Privacy Policy;
uses out-of-date reference database; same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, Spyware C.O.P., SpywareKilla, The
Adware Hunter, & TheSpywareKiller [A: 7-4-04
/ U: 3-11-05]

SpywareAvenger

spywareavenger.com
idownload.com

no trial version locatable; company is
known adware distributor (1);
"strict no-refund policy"; advertises through adware (1);
"negative
option" coupled w/ outrageous pricing  [A: 9-22-04 / U: 12-28-04]

SpywareBeGone

spywarebegone.com
freespywarescan.org

aggressive
advertising (1); false positives
work as goad to purchase; free scanner uses out of date ref
database; same company as Spyware Vanisher [A:
6-26-04 / U: 11-10-04]

Spyware B1aster

spyware-b1aster-software.com

no trial version locatable online;
inadequate info about company & app (1); exploits
name SpywareBlaster (note: should not be
confused with the JavaCool
app of the same name) [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

Spyware Bomber

spywarebomber.com
websoftsecure.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; vendor connected w/ known
spyware/adware distributor (1,
2);
no trial version publicly available [A: 8-24-05
/ U: 10-24-05]

SpywareBot

spywarebot.com

exploits name "Spybot Search &
Destroy"; same app as AdwareAlert [A: 5-14-06 /
U: 5-14-06]

SpywareCleaner

checkforspyware.com/sc/
myspywarecleaner.com/sc/
spywarecleanerdownload2.com
spywarecleaneronline.biz

vendor
prosecuted by Washington AG (1,
2);
aggressive, deceptive advertising
(1, 2,
3,
4,
5, 6);
exploits name "hijack this" (1); uses insecure
ordering page (1); variant of NoSpyX, SpyVest, Spyware Slayer, Spyware
Stormer, Spyware Wizard, & X-Spyware (1);
Ad-aware knockoff
- (Note: other domains associated w/ this app
include: spw2a.com/sc/, spw2f.com/sc/, spw3e.com/sc/, spw4.com/sc/,
spw8.com) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 2-12-06]

Spyware Cleaner

spywarecure.net

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 11-17-05 / U:
11-17-05]

Spyware Cleaner & Pop-Up Blocker

---

inadequate info about app and company;
no trial version locatable online (1, 2)
- (Note: distributed by GameMill publishing /
Educational Initiatives Group; same company as for Spyware Suite
2005; alt. app names incl. AntiSpy & PopStopper; bundled w/ Net
Cleaner & PC Accelerator; all apps branded "SpyMagic") [A:
7-7-04 / U: 7-7-04]

Spyware Cops

spywarecops.com
bulletproofsoft.com

front end for BPS Spyware & Adware Remover
[A: 3-5-05 / U: 3-5-05]

Spyware C.O.P.

spyware-cop.com

aggressive
advertising (1); false positives
work as goad to purchase; same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, SpywareKilla, The
Adware Hunter, & TheSpywareKiller [A:
6-26-04 / U: 7-16-04]

SpywareCrusher

spywarecrusher.com

no update function [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

Spyware Defense

spywaredefense.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; dubious corp. associations (1)
[A: 9-4-05 / U: 9-4-05]

Spyware Destroyer

spyware-destroyer.com

inadequate info about app, no trial
version locatable; home page uses same "free scan" as
NetSpyProtector; "free scan" prone to false positives (1)
[A: 10-10-04 / U: 10-10-04]

Spyware Detector
(read note)

spywaredetector.net

(read note)

Spyware Disinfector

spywaredisinfector.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; same app as AdwarePunisher, HitSpy, RemedyAntiSpy,
SpyCut, SpyiBlock, SystemStable, & The SpyGuard [A: 3-10-06 / U: 3-10-06]

SpywareHospital

spywarehospital.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate information about app & company; no privacy policy;
same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog Adware/Spyware
Remover, PC AdWare SpyWare Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster, Super
Spyware Remover, The Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware
Secure [A: 11-7-05 / U:
11-7-05]

SpywareHound

spywarehound.com

advertises
with/through known parasite (1);
inadequate information about application  [A: 10-24-04 / U: 10-24-04]

Spyware Immobilizer

halt-spyware.com
haltspyware.info

no trial version available for testing;
inadequate info about company & app; no privacy policy; uses
insecure order page [A: 4-7-05 / U:
4-7-05]

SpywareKill
(read note)

spywarekill.com

(read note)

SpywareKilla

spywarekilla.com

aggressive
advertising (1); false positives work
as goad to purchase; same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, Spyware C.O.P., The
Adware Hunter, & TheSpywareKiller [A:
6-26-04 / U: 7-16-04]

Spyware Medic

rosecitysoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 3-11-05 / U: 3-11-05]

SpywareNo!

spywareno.com
spyware-cash.com

aggressive
advertising, reported stealth-installs (1,
2,
3,
4, 5,
6);
false positives work as goad to purchase; inadequate scan reporting;
same app as Brave Sentry, PestTrap, PestWiper,
SpyDemolisher, SpyTrooper, SpySheriff, & Spyware-Stop
[A: 5-21-05 / U: 6-1-05]

Spyware & Pop-Up Utility

softwareoasis.cc

inadequate, confusing info about app on
home page; no trial version locatable [A: 7-9-04
/ U: 7-9-04]

Spyware & Pest Remover

spyware-pest-remover.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; falsely reports updating defs database; inadequate info
about company & app (1) [A: 1-13-05 / U: 1-13-05]

Spyware Protection Pro

3bsoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; earlier versions were same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005,
SpyLax, SpySpotter; & SpywareThis; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 12-14-04 / U:
8-14-05]

Spyware Quake

spywarequake.com
spywarequake.info

aggressive/deceptive advertising, stealth
installs (1,
2); uses
inadequate scan/detection scheme; same app as SpyHeal; associated w/ SpyAxe,
SpyFalcon, SpywareStrike [A: 3-25-06 / U:
7-8-06]

SpwareRemoval

spywareremoval.ws
platinumparter.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy
Pro,  SpywareRemover, & SpywareXP; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-25-05 / U:
3-25-05]

Spyware Removal Wizard

spywareremovalwizard.com
xtremeinnovations.net

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate scan results [A: 8-1-06 /
U: 8-1-06]

Spyware Remover

topics-ent.com

no trial version locatable online;
inadequate info about company & app (1)
[A: 12-20-04 / U: 12-20-04]

Spyware Remover

adware.privacy-solution.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; uses out-of-date ref database [A: 4-7-05
/ U: 4-7-05]

Spyware Remover

advancedsearchbar.com

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; ridiculous false positives - Note: formerly included
w/ Advanced SearchBar (ASB); no longer in distribution w/ ASB
[A: 2-14-06 / U: 4-23-06]

SpywareRemover

hijack-this.com
msantispy.com
microsoftantispyware.net
microsoftantispy.com
free-spybot.com
spy-bot.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database; expolits name "spybot"
(1, 2); exploits name
"Microsoft AntiSpyware" (1, 2, 3); exploits name
"Hijack This" (1);
same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy
Pro, SpywareRemoval, & SpywareXP; same company as MicroAntivirus
[A: 3-25-05 / U: 9-18-05]

SpywareRemover

spy-ware-remover.com

front for BPS Spyware & Adware
Remover (itself an Ad-aware rip-off); associated w/ SpyForce.com [A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

Spyware Scrapper

spywarescrapper.com

uses inadequate detection scheme; uses
outdated ref database; same app as Ad-Purge Spyware Remover, Froggie Scan,
Privacy Crusader, Spy Reaper, SpyViper, SpyShield, & The Spyware
Shield  [A: 5-7-06 / U:
5-7-06]

Spyware Sheriff

spywaresheriff.com
antispylab.com

aggressive/deceptive advertising,
stealth installation
(1);
uses inadequate scan/detection scheme; same app as AdwareDelete, AntiVirus Gold, SpyAxe,
SpyFalcon, SpywareStrike, TitanShield AntiSpyware, & VirusBlast
[A: 5-7-06 / U: 5-7-06]

Spyware Shield
(read note)

mntolympus.org

(read note)

Spyware Slayer

freepcscan.com

aggressive
advertising (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; questionable EULA/Privacy
Policy (1,
2, 3); included
in SurfSafe;
variant of NoSpyX, SpyVest, SpywareCleaner, Spyware
Stormer, Spyware Wizard, & X-Spyware (1);
Ad-aware knockoff
[A: 10-10-04 / U: 9-8-05]

Spyware Sledgehammer

spywaresledgehammer.com

inadequate info about app &
company, no privacy policy (1); uses
inadequate ref database & scan detection
scheme [A: 2-3-06 / U: 2-3-06]

Spyware Snooper

spywaresnooper.com
maximumsoftware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase [A: 10-1-04 / U: 10-1-04]

Spyware Soft Stop

spywaresoftstop.com
spywaresoftstop-cash.com

app plants the
very files it falsely detects as malware (1);
aggressive, deceptive advertising
(1);
false positives work as goad to purchase [A:
4-17-06 / U: 4-17-06]

Spyware Stormer

spywarestormer.com

aggressive
advertising (1, 2,
3,
4);
drive-by-downloading (1); false
positives work as goad to purchase (1);
variant of NoSpyX, SpyVest, SpywareCleaner, Spyware
Wizard, & Spyware Slayer (1);
Ad-aware knockoff
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 7-20-04]

SpywareStrike

spywarestrike.com

aggressive/deceptive advertising,  desktop
hijacking (1);
uses inadequate scan/detection scheme; same app as AdwareDelete, AntiVirus Gold, SpyAxe,
SpyFalcon, Spyware Sheriff, TitanShield AntiSpyware, &
VirusBlast   [A: 1-5-06 / U:
1-5-06]

Spyware Striker Pro

ascentive.com

no trial version available [A: 8-14-05 / U: 8-14-05]

Spyware-Stop

spyware-stop.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate scan reporting; same app as Brave Sentry, PestTrap, PestWiper,
SpyDemolisher, SpySheriff, SpyTrooper, & SpywareNo [A: 1-16-06 / U: 1-16-06]

Spyware Suite 2005

---

inadequate info about app and company;
no trial version locatable online (1)
- (Note: distributed by GameMill publishing /
Educational Initiatives Group; same company as for Spyware Cleaner
& Pop-Ip Blocker) [A: 12-20-04 / U: 12-20-04]

SpywareTek / Spyware Removal System

spywaretek.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate info about company & app (1); no privacy policy;
inadequate ref database; requires installation of Microsoft .NET
framework [A: 12-7-04 / U: 12-7-04]

Spyware Terminator

invender.nl

no trial version available [A: 2-26-05 / U: 2-26-05]

Spyware Terminator
(read note)

spywareterminator.com
spyterm.com
crawler.com

(read note)

SpywareThis

spywarethis.com
achtungachtung.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; no update function; same app as #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005,
SpyLax, SpySpotter, & Spyware Protection Pro; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

Spyware Vanisher

spywarevanisher.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same company as SpywareBeGone [A:
10-20-04 / U: 10-20-04]

Spyware Wizard

spywarewizard.com
spywarewizard.net

aggressive,
deceptive advertising, browser hijacking (1,
2);
variant of NoSpyX, SpyVest, SpywareCleaner, Spyware
Slayer, Spyware Stormer, & X-Spyware (1)
[A: 3-12-05 / U: 12-6-05]

SpywareXP

spywarexp.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses inadequate ref database;  same app as AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol,
AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware,
Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyAdvanced, SpyDestroy
Pro, SpywareRemoval, & SpywareRemover; same company as
MicroAntivirus [A: 3-18-06 / U:
3-18-06]

SpywareZapper

spywarezapper.com

front for TZ Spyware Adware Remover
(download link is for TZ Spyware Adware Remover, itself a BPS
Spyware & Adware Remover clone) [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

SpyWiper

mailwiper.com

deceptive advertising, browser hijacking, drive-by-downloading (1, 2,
3);
vendor prosecuted by FTC (1,
2,
3);
same company as SpyDeleter (1,
2,
3, 4); no
trial version locatable [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

StopGuard

stopguard.com
genericscanner.com
vantagesoftware.com

aggressive
advertising, browser hijacking (1,
2,
3);
dubious corp. associations (1);
false positives used as goad to purchase; poor scan reporting; no
EULA or privacy policy; inadequate info about company; no
uninstaller  [A: 8-30-04 / U:
9-9-04]

StopItBlockIt 2005

stopitblockit.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; inadequate info about company; no privacy policy
[A: 3-11-05 / U: 3-11-05]

Super Spyware Remover

shareware4web.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1);
inadequate info about company & program, no end user privacy
policy (1); same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog Adware/Spyware Remover, PC AdWare
SpyWare Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster, SpywareHospital, The
Spyware Detective, & WebSafe Spyware Secure [A: 10-20-04 / U: 3-27-05]

System Detective

affiliatesuccess.net
jeanharris.com
spyware-removal.net
systemdetective.com

inadequate info about app, no end user
privacy policy (1); no trial
version locatable; parent company primarily an affiliate program (1) [A: 6-27-04 / U: 6-27-04]

SystemStable

systemstable.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising; false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as  AdwareBazooka, AdwarePunisher,
HitSpy, RemedyAntiSpy, SpyCut, SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, &
TheSpyGuard [A: 12-8-05 / U:
12-8-05]

TeoSoft Anti-Spyware

teosoft.com
teosoft.biz
teocash.com
shootspyware.com

"free scan" severely crippled; company
uses spam to promote products (1) [A: 9-14-05 / U: 9-14-05]

Terminexor

terminexor.com

unauthorized Spybot Search &
Destroy clone (1,
2);
no privacy policy or EULA [A: 12-23-04 / U:
12-23-04]

The Adware Hunter

theadwarehunter.com

deceptive detection reports (1);
prone to inexcusable false positives (1);
uses out-of-date reference database (1);
same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, Spyware C.O.P.,
SpywareKilla, & TheSpywareKiller [A: 8-7-04
/ U: 8-7-04]

The SpyGuard

thespyguard.com
adwarepunisher.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1, 2,
3);
uses flawed, inadequate detection scheme; same app as  AdwareBazooka, AdwarePunisher,
HitSpy, RemedyAntiSpy, SpyCut, SpyiBlock, Spyware Disinfector, &
SystemStable [A: 12-5-05 / U:
12-21-05]

The Spyware Detective

thespywaredetective.com
fastlink2.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1); same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog Adware/Spyware Remover, PC AdWare
SpyWare Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster,SpywareHospital,
Super Spyware Remover, & WebSafe Spyware Secure [A: 12-21-04 / U: 3-27-05]

TheSpywareKiller

thespywarekiller.com
inicom.dk

deceptive detection reports (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase (1);
uses out-of-date reference database (1);
same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity,
Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, Spyware C.O.P.,
SpywareKilla, & The Adware Hunter [A:
7-17-04 / U: 7-17-04]

The Spyware Shield

thespywareshield.com

ridiculous false positives; uses
inadequate detection scheme; same app as Ad-Purge Spyware Remover, Froggie Scan,
Privacy Crusader, SpyShield, Spy Reaper, SpyViper, &
Spyware Scrapper [A: 2-14-06 / U:
2-14-06]

The Web Shield

pcspytool.com

no trial version locatable; same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover
& Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker
& Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security
Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, Spy-Kill, & SpyBeware; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 7-7-04 / U:
7-7-04]

Titan AntiSpyware

titanantispyware.com

no trial version available; inadequate
info about company & app [A: 10-30-05/ U:
10-30-05]

TitanShield AntiSpyware

titanshield.com
antispywarebox.com
hotwinupdates.com
cashunlim.com

app plants the
very files it falsely detects as malware (1);
aggressive, deceptive advertising, stealth
installations (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; same app as AdwareDelete, AntiVirus Gold, SpyAxe,
SpyFalcon, Spyware Sheriff, SpywareStrike, & VirusBlast
[A: 6-13-06 / U: 6-13-06]

Top10Reviews SpyScan

anti-spyware-review.
toptenreviews.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1);
site is affiliate for listed products [A:
10-21-04 / U: 10-21-04]

True Sword

securitystronghold.com

ridiculous false positives work as goad
to purchase [A: 1-3-06 / U: 1-3-06]

TrueWatch

truesuite.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; "free scan" uses out-of-date reference database w/ no
update function [A: 7-27-04 / U:
7-27-04]

Trust Cleaner

trustcleaner.com

aggressive/deceptive advertising, stealth
installs (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase [A:
6-13-06 / U: 6-13-06]

TZ Spyware Adware Remover

trackzapper.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; Ad-aware rip-off; BPS Spyware & Adware Remover clone [A: 6-26-04 / U:
6-26-04]

UControl

whenu.com
aluriasoftware.com

adware-supported (1,
2)
-- Note: this app. has been discontinued. Read this note about UControl [A:
12-4-04 / U: 3-2-06]

Ultimate Cleaner

ultimatecleaner.com

adware-supported (1, 2);
prone to ridiculous false positives  [A:
12-28-04 / U: 12-28-04]

Ultimate Defender

udefender.com

uses flawed, inadequate detections
scheme; same app as 1stAntiVirus, KillSpy, SpyDeface,
SpyContra, & XSRemover [A: 3-1-06 / U:
3-9-06]

Ultimate Spyware-Adware Remover

pimasoft.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; same app as  #1 Spyware Killer, Max Privacy
Protector, SpyDoctor, SpyFirewall, Spyinator, SpyKiller 2005,
SpyLax, SpySpotter, SpywareThis, & Spyware Protection Pro;
Ad-aware knockoff [A: 4-17-06 / U:
4-17-06]

UnSpyPC

unspypc.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1,
2, 3);
inadequate/flawed scan/detection scheme; same app as KillAndClean & Safe & Clean
[A: 9-5-05 / U: 4-12-06]

VBouncer/AdDestroyer

spywarelabs.com
virtualbouncer.com

drive-by-downloads (1,
2);
resident scanner w/ little feedback/control; questionable license
terms (1,
2)
[A: 6-26-04 / U: 6-26-04]

VirusGuard

virusguard.com

no trial version locatable
[A: 2-3-06 / U: 2-3-06]

VirusBlast

virusblast.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising, stealth installations (1);
false positives work as goad to purchase; same app as AdwareDelete, AntiVirus Gold, SpyAxe,
SpyFalcon, Spyware Sheriff, SpywareStrike, & TitanShield
AntiSpyware  [A: 8-1-06 / U:
8-1-06]

WareOut Spyware Remover

wareout.com

aggressive
advertising (1);
drive-by-downloads (1,
2);
false positives work as goad to purchase; uses inadequate ref
database [A: 12-11-04 / U: 2-7-05]

WebSafe Spyware Secure

websafesecure.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase (1); flawed,
inadequate detection scheme (1); no
privacy policy; same app as Adware-Nuker, AGuardDog Adware/Spyware Remover, PC AdWare
SpyWare Removal, SafeWebSurfer, SpyToaster, SpywareHospital, Super
Spyware Remover, & The Spyware Detective [A:
3-27-04 / U: 3-27-05]

WinAntiSpy 2005

winantispy.com
winsoftware.com
softwareprofit.com

no trial version available; same
company as WinAntiSpyware 2006, WinAntiVirus 2006, & WinFixer
[A: 1-9-06 / U: 1-9-06]

WinAntiSpyware 2006

winantispyware.com
winsoftware.com
softwareprofit.com

aggressive
advertising (1,
2);
same company as  WinAntiSpy 2005, WinAntiVirus 2006, & WinFixer
[A: 9-4-05 / U: 6-13-06]

WinAntiVirus 2006

winantivirus.com
winsoftware.com
softwareprofit.com

aggressive
advertising (1, 2,
3,
4);
false positives work as goad to purchase; inappropriate collection
of Personally Identifiable Information; same company as WinAntiSpy
2005, WinAntiSpyware 2006, & WinFixer
[A: 5-21-05 / U: 6-13-06]

Wincleaner AntiSpyware

wincleaner.com

no trial version available [A: 8-12-05 / U: 8-12-05]

Winhound Spyware Remover

winhound.com
innovagest2000.com

stealth installs
through exploits, system hijacking (1,
2,
3);
scare-mongering used as goad to purchase; same company as
AlfaCleaner, Anti Virus Pro, XSRemover [A:
11-29-05 / U: 1-14-06]

Winkeeper

winkeeper.net

uses flawed, inadequate detection
scheme; exploits name "Spyware Doctor" (1) [A: 6-9-05 / U: 6-9-05]

WinSOS

winsos.com

false positives work as goad to
registration [A: 11-14-05 / U:
11-14-05]

WorldAntiSpy

worldantispy.com

aggressive,
deceptive advertising (1,
2);
desktop hijacks (1,
2,
3, 4)
[A: 8-21-05 / U: 9-10-05]

X-Con Spyware Destroyer

x-conspywaredestroyer.com
x-con.freedomofidiom.ca

ridiculous false positives; poor,
inadequate scan reporting [A: 4-2-06 / U:
4-2-06]

X-Spyware

x-spyware.com

false positives work as goad to
purchase; uses flawed, inadequate detection scheme [A: 12-7-04 / U: 6-7-05]

Xmembytes AntiSpyware

xmembytes.com

uses stolen database; questionable
license terms [A: 6-13-06 / U:
6-13-06]

Xspyware

xspyware.net

dubious license terms (1, 2); variant of NoSpyX, SpyVest, Spyware Cleaner,
Spyware Slayer, Spyware Stormer,  Spyware Wizard, &
X-Spyware  (1);
Ad-aware knockoff
[A: 12-7-04 / U: 1-29-05]

XSRemover

xsremover.com
innovagest2000.com

uses flawed, inadequate detections
scheme; same company as AlfaCleaner, Anti Virus Pro, & Winhound
Spyware Remover; same app as 1stAntiVirus, KillSpy, SpyContra,
SpyDeface, & Ultimate Defender [A: 11-30-05
/ U: 1-14-06]

ZoneProtect AntiSpyware

zoneprotect.com

app crashes after install; installs AdBlaster parasite; inadequate
info about company & app, no privacy policy (1) [A: 5-8-05 / U: 5-8-05]

Return to top...

Notes:

Testing: Testing was performed with
most of these apps. Apps not tested include: 2004
Adware/Spyware Remover & Blocker, about:blank 2005, AdProtector,
Adware Hunter, AdwarePro, Adware & Spyware Firewall, Elimiware,
Anti Virus Pro, BestGuardPlatinum, InternetAntiSpy, KillAllSpyware,
MicroAntivirus, Oxford Spyware Remover, NetSpyProtector, PAL
Emergency Response, PCArmor, SpyBlast, SpyDeleter, SpyEliminator,
SpyKillerPro, SpyWiper, SpywareAvenger, Spyware Cleaner & Pop-Up
Blocker, Spyware Destroyer,  Spyware Immobilizer, System
Detective, Spy Sniper Pro, Spyware B1aster, Spyware Remover, Spyware
Striker Pro, Spyware Suite 2005, The Web Shield, Titan AntiSpyware,
VirusGuard, WinAntiSpy 2005, WinCleaner AntiSpyware,
XSRemover.

False positives: In cases where it is
noted "false positives work as goad to purchase," the apps in
question produced inexcusable false positives on a "spyware-free"
system (previously scanned with AVP 3.5, Trojan Hunter 4, Ad-aware
SE, Spybot S&D 1.3, & Spy Sweeper 3) and then demanded
payment to clean that non-existent "spyware"/"adware." Scan logs,
reference database files, screenshots, and other related files from
the tests have been archived. "Ridiculous false
positives" are noted in cases where an app produced inexcusable
false positives on a "spyware free" system but did not demand
payment to clean that non-existent "spyware" / "adware."

Poor scan reporting: This means that
the application either did not provide information about what it
found (e.g., it simply reported "8 spyware items found" without
identifying particular parasites by name) or did not report enough
information about the basis for the items it found (e.g., it
reported finding the Look2Me parasite, but did not report what
Registry keys, files, or folders it had identified as
Look2Me).

Knockoffs/rip-offs: The term
"knockoff" means at the very least that the app in question
substantially imitates the look, feel, and experience of another
program (usually Ad-aware). With some of these "knockoff" apps there
may be evidence (e.g., scan logs) of more serious borrowing from
other programs, but there are no specific allegations to that effect
as yet from the affected parties. The term "rip-off" means that
there are specific allegations from the affected parties of
unauthorized borrowing from their applications (usually Ad-aware or
Spybot Search & Destroy). See the Anti-Spyware Family Resemblances companion page for
screenshots of most of these applications. (Screenshots for
applications not included on the Family Resemblances page can be found on the Orphans & Outcasts page.)

Aggressive/deceptive advertising:
"Aggressive" advertising consists of the obnoxious, intrusive, use
of pop-ups, false GUI elements, or other advertising techniques
designed to badger, pressure, or coerce users into buying the
application advertised. "Deceptive" advertising employs advertising
techniques and information designed to create a false sense of alarm
among users in order to stampede them into purchasing the
application being advertised.

Flawed, inadequate detection schemes:
"Flawed, inadequate detection schemes" refer to scanning techniques
that are insufficient to produce reliable detections of spyware,
adware, and malware. These detection schemes typically rely
exclusively on matching file names/path and Registry names/paths
without using MD5 hash checking or signature matching to uniqiuely
identify detected components. In some cases, there may be other
problems with the detection scheme, such as failing to scan all
drives on a system or skipping key system areas during
scanning.

Dates: Significant dates are listed in
the format MM-DD-YY. A: date that entry for application was
added to list; U: date that application was last
checked/tested or entry was last significantly
modified/updated.

Return to top...

Listing Criteria:

When we evaluate an anti-spyware product, we look at
the complete package, including the performance of the application
itself as well as the advertising and marketing used to promote the
product.

The following practices are guaranteed to get a
program listed as "rogue/suspect":

1. Installing adware, spyware, or
malware

2. Hijacking users' browsers &
desktops

3. Being installed by adware, spyware, or
malware

4. Being regularly or frequently advertised through
adware or spyware

5. Being aggressively or stealthily
installed without users' full, knowing consent

6. Being
pushed through aggressive, deceptive, or misleading
advertising

7. Being offered by a known adware/spyware
vendor or being strongly associated
with a
site known to install malware

8. Using false, deceptive,
misleading, or confusing scan reports or other GUI elements

to badger, coerce, or trick users into
purchasing the product

We also evaluate such things as:

1. Sophistication and comprehensiveness of the
scan (including the design and execution
of
the scan detection scheme)

2. Accuracy and reliability of
the scan (including the nature and quantity of false
positives)

3. Nature and accuracy of the scan
reporting

4. Information about company and program
available online

5. User reports of experiences with
program

6. Currency of definitions

Not every program will exhibit all of the problems
listed above, and in some cases our decision to list a program as
"rogue/suspect" is a judgment call based on our extensive knowledge
of and experience with anti-spyware scanners.

It is worth noting that quality anti-malware
applications are difficult programs to develop and maintain. For
information on what makes quality anti-malware applications
difficult to develop and maintain, see these discussions: 1,
2,
3.

Properly evaluating anti-spyware applications and
the advertising used to promote them can also present challenges.
For information on the problems associated with evaluating
anti-spyware applications, see these discussions: 1,
2.
False positives, in particular, are tricky to evaluate, since all
anti-malware scanners will produce false positives as some point.
For discussions of how we evaluate false positives, see these forum
threads: 1,
2,
3.

Note to Readers:

Please keep in mind that anti-spyware applications
can appear on this list for a variety of reasons. On the low end,
some applications might have a problem with egregious false
positives or a poorly designed and implemented scan engine. On the
high (dangerous) end, some of these applications might hijack users'
PCs or install adware, spyware, or malware themselves. For each
application we list the specific problems that we observed, and
readers should take care not to make unwarranted assumptions about
applications beyond the problems that we specifically list on this
page.

Put another way, the characterization "rogue/suspect"
does not mean that every product listed on this page is a "scam" or
that every product listed here is "dangerous" and installs malware
itself. It simply means that in light of the established, proven alternatives that exist, we
cannot recommend that users rely on the apps listed on this page.

For Vendors:
De-listing Process

We have de-listed applications from the
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware page when the vendors of those programs
have made sufficient changes or corrections to their programs or
advertising/marketing to warrant a de-listing. When an application
is de-listed, an entry for the program remains in the main list, however, that entry serves only to point
to an explanatory note in the De-Listed Applications section below. After the
application has been de-listed for one year, we remove the entry for
the program from the main list, however, the explanatory note
remains.

Vendors who wish to dispute a listing on this page
and request a review of their products may email Spyware Warrior. In that email, vendors should
clearly lay out their reasons for disputing a listing and requesting
a review. Reasonable requests for review will be given timely and
careful consideration. Threats will not only be disregarded, they
will be publicized and discussed on this page and elsewhere on the
Net. Vendors who are interested in disputing a listing on this page
and requesting a review of their products are strongly encouraged to
read THIS
discussion thread at Spyware Warrior.

Please note that it is our policy to restrict
vendors to one review every three months. Once a product has been
reviewed, we will not reconsider a decision to continue listing the
product until three months time has lapsed.

One final note: although we will provide feedback to
explain our decisions to continue listing programs on this page, it
is not our responsibility to fix vendors' products. Thus, we will
not be drawn into extended discussions in which we essentially
provide free consulting for vendors. By turns, it is our policy to
refuse all requests to perform consulting in return for compensation
from vendors whose products are listed on this page. The reviews we
provide are free, however, they are limited to providing sufficient
explanation to justify the listing of an application on the
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware page.

Return to top...

Special
Cases:

Occasionally there is additional information about
the applications listed above that cannot be fit into the standard
note form used in the main list itself. In such instances,
additional information is provided below.

Note on Privacy Tools 2004: On
August 27, 2004 a new version of Privacy Tools 2004 was released.
Included in the license for this new version are three clauses that
prevent me from reporting on the performance of this new version of
Privacy Tools 2004 or displaying images of it:

3.
COPYRIGHT.
All title and copyrights in and to the software
product (including but not limited to any
images,
photographs, animations, video, audio, music, text, and
"applets" incorporated into
the software product), the
accompanying printed materials, and any copies of the
software
product are owned by the Author of this Software.
The software product is protected by
copyright laws and
international treaty provisions. Therefore, you must treat the
software
product like any other copyrighted material except
that you may install the software product
on a single
computer provided you keep the original solely for backup or
archival purposes.

[...]

12. By using this software
you agree not to take or use screenshots of the software
and
understand doing so will result in legal action
being taken against you. You understand
Screenshots
are copyrighted protected material of the software
owner.

13. By using this software
you agree that you are not the owner of, affiliated with, or
a
member of
spywarewarrior.com

The last version that I tested (a beta version)
still generated horrendous, inexcusable false positives just like
its predecessor (1).
Whether the final release also does so I cannot say, as I have been
unable to test the software.

Clearly the vendor for Privacy Tools 2004 wants to
shut up critics and
prevent critical information about his software from being
disseminated. Moreover, the vendor for Privacy Tools 2004 has
threatened to distribute malware himself (1),
making him a completely irresponsible source for anti-spyware
protection. Thus, my recommendation to users is to stay away, as the
software and the vendor cannot be considered trustworthy or reliable
in my opinion.

Note on UControl: UControl was an
adware-supported anti-spyware program offered by the well-known
adware vendor WhenU
(1,
2).
The UControl anti-spyware scan engine was supplied by Aluria
Software, makers of Aluria Spyware Eliminator, a well-known
anti-spyware program. On Oct. 27, 2004 Aluria announced that it had
"certified" WhenU's adware applications as "Spyware-Safe" (1).
Within days after that announcement it became known that Aluria had
decided not just to stop presenting WhenU applications to users as
"spyware" or "adware" (1)
-- it had decided to partner with WhenU and offer an
adware-supported anti-spyware scanner (1,
2)
through WhenU's WhenUSearch toolbar. (Aluria has also supplied the
scan engine for the America Online [AOL] Spyware Protection program,
though AOL apparently stipulated that WhenU would remain targeted
within that application. [1])
Sometime during the course of 2005 (the exact timing is unclear)
WhenU and Aluria discontinued their partnership and WhenU stopped
distributing UControl.

As explained in my several postings to the
DSLReports.com Security forum (1),
it is important to recognize that there are two distinct and
separate issues here: 1) Aluria's decision to "certify" WhenU as
"Spyware-Safe"; 2) Aluria's decision to partner with WhenU, an
adware vendor. Even if WhenU merited certification because of
improvements to its privacy practices (a point we dispute), Aluria
should never have entered into a partnership with an adware vendor
because of the serious conflict of interest problems that such a
deal raises. Not only did it put Aluria in the untenable position of
having a financial stake in the adware advertising market, but
Aluria and WhenU were offering a anti-spyware scanner that removes
competitors to WhenU. That undeniable conflict of interest made both
Aluria and WhenU untrustworthy sources for an anti-spyware program,
and other reputable critics agreed with this assessment (1,
2,
3, 4,
5).

It should be noted that several reputable
anti-spyware companies have also been approached by adware vendors
looking for similar deals (1,
2,
3, 4).
They all refused on principle, as one would expect an anti-spyware
firm to do. In choosing to partner with WhenU, however, Aluria
effectively decided to keep company with other disreputable vendors
that bundle adware with their anti-spyware programs (1,
2),
all of which are listed on this page. Just why Aluria and WhenU
ended their relationship in 2005 is unknown.

Even putting aside the controversy over the
Aluria/WhenU deal, we simply cannot recommend an anti-spyware
scanner that bundles adware, as the UControl scanner did, given that
there are a number of excellent adware-free alternatives available
to those looking for an anti-spyware scanner (1, 2). In this judgment we are completely
consistent with our earlier decisions to list other anti-spyware
applications that are adware-supported or that install spyware.
Neither can we recommend Aluria's Spyware Eliminator in the light of
Aluria's earlier decision to partner with WhenU, for all the reasons
elaborated above.

Note: At one time, you could read Aluria's
several responses to criticism of its partnership with WhenU here:
1,
2,
3.
At present, the first two articles have been removed from Aluria's
web site (the interview with Aluria still remains at
CastleCops.com). You can still read WhenU's defense of its privacy
practices here: 1, 2.

[A: 12-4-04 / U:
3-4-06]

Note on Trustsoft AntiSpyware:
In August 2005, Trustsoft released its new anti-spyware product, Trustsoft
AntiSpyware. We have tested and reviewed this product and can
find nothing in the performance of the product itself to suggest
that it should be listed here on the Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware
page.

Nonetheless, we do urge users to exercise caution
with this product, as the vendor behind this product was prosecuted
by the Federal Trade Commission in June of 2005 for a range of
unfair and deceptive practices related to the company's earlier
anti-spyware product, SpyKiller 2005. See below for more details on this case.

As always, we urge users to stick to the short list
of "trustworthy" anti-spyware products listed below or the expanded list of anti-spyware products
listed HERE.

[A: 8-21-05 / U: 8-21-05]

Note on SpyCleaner:  SpyCleaner was originally listed on this page because
of concerns with false positives. In early March 2005, a new version
of SpyCleaner was released, followed by new definitions. Testing
with that new version indicated that the problems with earlier
versions had been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we decided to
de-list SpyCleaner from the main list of "rogue/suspecy"
anti-spyware on 31 Mar. 2005.

In May 2006, however, it became known to us that
SpyCleaner was bundling WhenU Save, an adware application, with the
free version of its application. Given that such behavior is clear grounds for listing on the "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware list, we re-listed SpyCleaner on 12 May,
2006.

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 5-12-06]

Return to top...

De-Listed
Applications:

Some applications that were originally included in
this list of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware programs have been
de-listed after the vendors for those programs took steps to correct
the problems identified on this page. For each program that has been
de-listed there is a note explaining the circumstances at the bottom
of the main "rogue/suspect" list (see below for those notes). An
entry for each of the applications de-listed during the past year
remains in the main list above solely to point to the explanatory
notes below. Applications de-listed over a year ago have only a note
below.

That an application has been de-listed
should not be understood as an endorsement or recommendation
of any kind. We still recommend that users consult the short
list of "trustworthy" anti-spyware applications. For more
information on the process for de-listing application, see THIS
discussion in the Spyware Warrior forums.

De-listed apps from 2004 include: SpywareNuker/pcOrion, eAcceleration Stop Sign, Enigma SpyHunter, ZeroSpyware, SpyWare Killer, NoAdware, XoftSpy
De-listed apps from 2005 include:
SpyZooka, SpyCleaner, SpyEmergency 2005, No-Spy/Sin-Espias, Ad-Protect/SpyOut, GarbageClean

Note on SpywareNuker & pcOrion:  Spyware Nuker and pcOrion are re-branded clones of one
another; both are distributed by TrekBlue/TrekData. Spyware Nuker
and pcOrion were listed on this page on this page primarily because
of issues surrounding Version 1 of Spyware Nuker, because of TrekBlue's
murky relationship with the adware distributor BlueHaven Media, and
because of objectionable advertising that used to appear on the
pcOrion home page.

Version 1 of Spyware Nuker had a deservedly poor
reputation. It was a clone of BPS Spyware & Adware Remover, which
itself is a rip-off of Ad-aware (1,
2)
and Spybot Search & Destroy (1,
2,
3,
4,
5).
Moreover, it was prone to ridiculous false positives, like the other
clones of BPS Spyware & Adware Remover.
(Contrary to allegations on the Net, no version of SpywareNuker or
pcOrion, so far as we can tell, has itself installed adware or
spyware.)

In the late spring or early summer of 2004, TrekBlue
released a new version of SpywareNuker (version 2, also known
as SpywareNuker 2004) which is not built on the
codebase licensed from BPS (1).
Testing with this new version  -- also released under the name
pcOrion -- indicates that it does detect and remove
spyware and adware. Moreover it is not prone to inexcusable false
positives, as its predecessor was. Thus, the new SpywareNuker 2004
is a significant improvement on the justly discredited original
version of SpywareNuker. Still further, the objectionable
advertising on the pcOrion home page has been removed, and
TrekBlue/TrekData has taken steps to clarify the history of its
relationship with BlueHaven, which is no longer a TrekBlue/TrekData
company. (1,
2)

Given that the issues surrounding Spyware Nuker and
pcOrion have been addressed by the TrekBlue/TrekData, we can no
longer consider Spyware Nuker or pcOrion to be "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware.

Domains: nuker.com, spywarenuker.com, trekblue.com,
trekdata.com

(Note: other domains associated w/ SpywareNuker
& pcOrion include: 1spybot.com, add-aware.biz, adawareinfo.com,
catlab.us, dbxml.org, endadware.com, nukerdownloads.com,
nuke-spyware.com, spy-bot.biz, spybotfinder.com, spywarealert.com,
spyware-killer.com, spynuke.com, spywarenuker.us,
spyware.pcwash.com) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 9-24-04]

Note on eAcceleration
Stop-Sign:  eAcceleration's
Stop-Sign anti-malware scanner was listed on this page primarily
because of the company's history of employing deceptive advertising
and drive-by-downloads (1,
2,
3,
4).
The company was also known for removing and/or disabling competing
apps. These objectionable business practices were employed primarily
during the years 2002-2003.

Sometime during 2004 the company underwent
reorganization. Not only have the worst of the company's download
and installation practices been halted, but the company has
completely overhauled its stub installer application, giving users
much more control over the software modules to be installed on their
systems (1,
2).

While testing indicates that the "threat scanner" is
still slow and has occasional problems with false positives -- in
large part because of the use of heuristics, which cannot be turned
off by the user -- we can no longer classify this application as
"rogue/suspect." Nonetheless, this anti-malware application -- at
least in its current state -- cannot be recommended, given the many
excellent competing anti-virus, anti-trojan, and anti-spyware
applications that are available (some for free).

Domains: eacceleration.com, eanthology.net,
stop-sign.com, veloz.com

(Note: other domains associated with this outfit
include: accelerationsw.com, buttonware.com, buttonware.net,
clicksales.com, downloadsales.com, homepageware.com, oodlz.com,
signupsales.com, webcelerator.com) [A: 6-26-04 / U:
8-7-04]

Note on Enigma SpyHunter:  Enigma's SpyHunter anti-spyware application was listed
on this page primarily because of the company's history of employing
aggressive, deceptive advertising (1, 2,
3,
4,
5).
The company was also known for exploiting the name "spybot" in its
domain names and online advertising. These objectionable business
practices were employed primarily from late-2002 to mid-2004.

Sometime during summer of 2004 the company halted
the most obnoxious and objectionable aspects of its online
advertising. It also unloaded all the "spybot" domains (which were
promptly picked up by Paretologic for its XoftSpy anti-spyware
application).

While there are still unresolved allegations that
SpyHunter transmits the Windows Product ID from users' PCs (1), we
can no longer classify this application as "rogue/suspect."
Nonetheless, SpyHunter -- at least in its current state -- cannot be
recommended because of its mediocre performance as an anti-spyware
scanner. Testing indicates that it does not recognize some
well-known spyware installations and has difficulty removing
critical spyware/adware files even from those it does recognize (1).
Given the many excellent competing anti-spyware applications that
are available (some for free), users would do better looking
elsewhere for trustworthy anti-spyware
protection.

Domains: enigmasoftwaregroup.com, spywareremove.com,
uninstallxupiter.com

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 8-22-04]

Note on ZeroSpyware:  ZeroSpyware was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives and the nature of its detections and
scan reporting (1,
2).
In early September 2004, a new version of ZeroSpyware was released.
Testing with this new version indicates not only that the problems
with earlier versions have been satisfactorily resolved, but that
the application does provide usable anti-spyware protection. Thus,
we can no longer consider ZeroSpyware to be "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware.

Domains: zerospyware.com, zeroads.com

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 9-10-04]

Note on SpyWare Killer:  SpyWare Killer (1,
2) and
SpyWare Killer Pro  (1)
-- originally from Cosmi, but re-branded for Anonymizer.com -- were
were listed on these pages because of inadequate info on the home
pages (1,
2) for
those applications and the fact that no trial version available.
Earlier versions also used an out-of-date reference database. In
recent months Cosmi and Anonymizer.com have added information to
their web pages about the application and made a trial version
available (from Anonymizer.com).
Moreover, the application now appears to use a more recent
definitions database. Thus, we can no longer classify SpyWare Killer
as "rogue/suspect anti-spyware."

Domains: anonymizer.com, cosmi.com

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 11-17-04]

Note on NoAdware:  NoAdware was listed on this page because of concerns
with false positives and the use of aggressive, deceptive
advertising (1,
2, 3)
including exploitation of the name "ad-aware" (1).
Earlier versions of NoAdware were also the same underlying application as Adware Hitman,
Consumer Identity, Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin,
Spyware C.O.P., SpywareKilla, The Adware Hunter, &
TheSpywareKiller. Over the past few months, NoAdware has taken
aggressive steps to reign in its affiliates (who were primarily
responsible for the unsavory advertising) and released a new version
of NoAdware (version 3.0) that addresses our concerns with false
positves. Given these changes we can no longer regard NoAdware as
"rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

Domains: no-adware.com, noadware.biz, noadware.net,
no-adware.net

(Note: other domains associated with NoAdware
include: adware-free-download.com, adawareinfo.com,
adwarenomore.net, adware-real-free-scan.com, adware-removal.biz,
adwareremoval.net, free-adware-remover.org, free-adware-removal.net,
free-adware-remover.org, free-adware-scan.com,
free-spyware-check.com, nomorespyware.net, online-spybot-scan.com,
spybotfinder.com, spyware-destruction.com,
the-spyware-adware-remover.com,  thespywarepros.com) [A:
6-26-04 / U: 11-17-04]

Note on XoftSpy:
XoftSpy was listed on this page because of concerns with false
positives (1,
2, 3,
4),
questionable license terms, and the use of aggressive, deceptive
advertising (1,
2),
including exploitation of the name "spybot" by affiliates. Earlier
versions of XoftSpy were also Ad-aware knockoffs. (There was clone of XoftSpy named SpyBurn, but that
application is no longer available.)

Over the past few months, XoftSpy has taken
aggressive steps to reign in its affiliates (who were primarily
responsible for the unsavory advertising), revised its license text,
and released a new version of XoftSpy (version 4.0) that addresses
our concerns with false positves. Given these changes we can no
longer regard XoftSpy as "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

Domains: paretologic.com

(Note: other domains associated with XoftSpy
include: adware-destroyer.com, adware-elimination.com,
adwarekillers.com, adware-real-free-scan.com, adwares.net,
anti-adware.net, antispywares.com, deletespyware.net,
nomorespyware.net, removespyware.net, softspy.net, softwho.com,
spywarebest.com, spyware-detection.net, spywareprof.com,
spywarepurge.com, spywarerem.com, spywareremoval.net) [A: 6-26-04 /
U: 12-7-04]

Note on Spyzooka:  Spyzooka was listed on this page because of concerns
with false positives and the nature of its detections. In early
March 2005, a new version of Spyzooka was released. Testing with
this new version indicates that the problems with earlier versions
have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no longer consider
Spyzooka to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

Domains: spyzooka.com

[A: 1-13-05 / U: 3-11-05]

Note on Spy Emergency 2005:  Spy Emergency was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives and the nature of its detections. In
late March 2005, a new version of Spy Emergency was released.
Testing with this new version indicates that the problems with
earlier versions have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no
longer consider Spy Emergency to be "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware.

Domains: spy-emergency.com

[A: 3-11-05 / U: 3-31-05]

Note on No-Spy/Sin-Espias:  No-Spy (Sin-Espias)  was listed on this page
because of concerns with false positives. In late April 2005, a new
version of No-Spy was released, followed by new definitions. Testing
with this new version indicates that the problems with earlier
versions have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no longer
consider No-Spy (Sin-Espias) to be "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware.

Domains: no-spy.com, sin-espias.com,
sunmoon.com

[A: 3-2-05 / U: 5-8-05]

Note on Ad-Protect &
Spy-Out:  Both of these programs
were listed on this page because they are clones of products (Ad-Eliminator &
Spy-Control) that have been promoted through aggressive, spam-driven
advertising. Based on discussions with the vendor for Ad-Protect,
which insists it is a different company than the entity responsible
for Ad-Eliminator and Spy-Control, it appears that Ad-Protect and
Spy-Out are being independently developed and have not themselves
been promoted through the same means and methods as Ad-Eliminator
and Spy-Control. Thus, we can no longer consider Ad-Protect and
Spy-Out to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

Domains: adprotect.com, adprotectplus.com,
spyout.net, spy-out.com

[A: 2-8-05 / U: 6-5-05]

Note on GarbageClean:  GarbageClean was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives and the fact that the site was
collecting email addresses for the purpose of online registration
without addressing that data collection in its privacy policy. The
publicly available beta version of the software also exhibited
problems on some systems. In late June 2005, a new version of
GarbageClean was released, followed by new definitions and an
updated privacy policy. Testing with this new version indicates that
the problems with earlier versions have been satisfactorily
resolved. Thus, we can no longer consider GarbageClean to be
"rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

Domains: securemywindows.com

[A: 6-2-05 / U: 6-27-05]

Note on Spyware Shield: Spyware
Shield was listed on this page out of concern that the author used
the research of others without giving proper credit and without
following license for products used. Given that the author of the
program has taken steps to redress these problems, we can no longer
consider Spyware Shield to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

[A: 8-21-05 / U: 9-6-05]

Note on Malwhere: earlier versions of Malwhere
installed multiple adware/spyware parasites. (1,
2, 3)
The most recent version of Malwhere is adware-free, and the vendor
insists that Malwhere will remain adware-free. Given the serious
breach of users' trust exhibited by this vendor with prior versions,
we initially refused to de-list this application from the
Rogue/Suspect list, insisting that the vendor establish a credible
track record of adware-free performance of at least three months
duration. As the vendor has now done that, we can no longer consider
Malwhere to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

[A: 9-13-04 / U: 9-19-05]

Note on SpywareKill:  SpywareKill was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives and poor scan reporting. Testing with
the latest version of SpywareKill  indicates that the problems
with earlier versions have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we
can no longer consider SpywareKill to be "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware.

[A: 2-14-05 / U: 10-30-05]

Note on AdwareAlert:  AdwareAlert was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives and the lack of information about the
company and its privacy practices. In late fall of 2005, a new
version of AdwareAlert was released, followed by new definitions.
Testing with this new version indicates that the problems with
earlier versions have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no
longer consider AdwareAlert to be "rogue/suspect"
anti-spyware. Note: other domains
associated with AdwareAlert include: hijack-this.net

[A: 5-8-05 / U: 12-15-05]

Note on Doctor Alex:  Doctor Alex was listed on this page because of
concerns with the lack of information about the company and its
privacy practices, as well as the false use of TRUSTe seal on the Doctor Alex web
site. In December 2005, the vendor behind this application took
steps to address all of our concerns. Thus, we can no longer
consider Doctor Alex to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

[A: 4-23-05 / U: 12-24-05]

Note on Spyware Detector:  Spyware Detector was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives. Testing with the latest version of
Spyware Detector  indicates that the problems with earlier
versions have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no longer
consider Spyware Detector to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

[A: 7-10-05 / U: 1-10-06]

Note on Advanced Spyware
Remover:  Advanced Spyware Remover
was listed on this page because of concerns with false positives.
Testing with the latest version of Advanced Spyware Remover
indicates that the problems with earlier versions have been
satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no longer consider Advanced
Spyware Remover to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

[A: 10-19-05 / U: 2-3-06]

Note on SpywareTerminator:  We originally listed Spyware Terminator on this page
out of concerns that Crawler, the company behind the product, had
established connections with IBIS, a well known adware distributor
responsible for such adware programs as Wintools, Websearch, &
Huntbar. Although we found no problems in our initial testing with
Spyware Terminator, and while the vendor itself announced that it
was exiting the adware business (1), we
decided out of caution to impose a three month probation period
before we would consider re-testing and, if warranted, de-listing
the the product from the Rogue/Suspect list. During that three month
probation period we monitored the behavior of IBIS and Crawler. At
the end of the three month probation period we re-tested Spyware
Terminator, again finding no problems serious enough to justify
listing the program on this page. As the vendor involved has not
been involved in the distribution of adware for many months, and as
the program itself exhibits no problems serious enough to warrant
mention on this page, we have decided to de-list Spyware Terminator
from the Rogue/Suspect list and can no longer regard the program to
be "rogue/suspect."

Note: not to be confused with Spyware
X-terminator from Stompsoft

[A: 12-5-05 / U: 3-9-06]

Note on CyberDefender:  We originally listed CyberDefender on this page out of
concerns that the vendor behind the product was the same company
that previously released Spyblocs/eBlocs, an application with a bad
history of aggressive, deceptive advertising and illegal
force-installs. Although we found no major problems in our initial
testing with CyberDefender beyond false positives that were quickly
cleaned up, and while the vendor itself halted the sales of Spyblocs
and vowed not to repeat the same mistakes with CyberDefender, we
decided out of caution to impose a three month probation period
before we would consider re-testing and, if warranted, de-listing
the the product from the Rogue/Suspect list. During that three month
probation period we monitored the behavior of the company. When we
encountered a spurt of advertising for the product through adware,
we refused to de-list the product and imposed a second three month
probation period. At the end of the second three month probation
period we re-tested CyberDefender, again finding no problems serious
enough to justify listing the program on this page. As we have
observed no advertising of the product through adware for many
months, and as the program itself exhibits no problems serious
enough to warrant listing on this page, we have decided to de-list
CyberDefender from the Rogue/Suspect list and can no longer regard
the program to be "rogue/suspect."

Note: same company
as Spyblocs / eBlocs

[A: 12-27-05 / U: 7-8-06]

Note on RemoveIt Pro:  RemoveIt Pro was listed on this page because of
concerns with false positives. Testing with the latest version of
RemoveIt Pro  indicates that the problems with earlier versions
have been satisfactorily resolved. Thus, we can no longer consider
RemoveIt Pro to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

[A: 5-24-06 / U: 8-1-06]

Note on MyPCTuneUp:  MyPCTuneUp.com offers an uninstaller utility for
advertising software (i.e., "adware") installed by or from
DirectRevenue (1, 2).

MyPCTuneUp was originally listed on these pages
because of concerns regarding its connection with DirectRevenue -- a
company whose software is targeted by reputable anti-malware vendors
(1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6)
-- and because the MyPCTuneUp uninstaller uses a Transponder
component program ("thinstaller"/"thunst.exe"), which transmits a
good deal of system information to its controlling server
(thinstall.abetterinternet.com) when uninstalling DirectRevenue's
advertising software (1,
2).
"Thinstaller" software is also capable of transmitting data about
competing advertising programs and anti-malware programs that may be
installed on the user's hard drive (1,
2).
Indeed, DirectRevenue's software has been known to remove other
software from users' PCs (1).

Limited testing with the MyPCTuneUp uninstaller
indicates that it does remove DirectRevenue's software. Moreover, as
it has never been the policy of this page to list vendor-supplied
uninstallers for advertising software programs, we can no longer
justify listing the MyPCTuneUp uninstaller in the main
"Rogue/Suspect" list.

This de-listing was prompted by a letter from
DirectRevenue's law firm. You can read DirectRevenue's letter to
Spyware Warrior HERE and
Spyware Warrrior's response HERE. Both
are PDF documents.

[A: 2-7-05 / U: 3-20-05]

Return to top...

Not On the
List:

There are a number of lesser-known anti-spyware
applications that I have tested but decided were not
appropriate to include on the "Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware List"
above. These applications include:

Ad-Protect
AdsGone
Advanced
Spyware Remover
Adware Away
AdWare SpyWare SE
Anti-Spy.Info
Aranea
Spywizard
Arovax
Shield
BHO
Zapper
Browser Hijack
Recover
Disspy
Dr.
Virus
DynaComm
i:scan
Flyyasoft
Adware & Spyware Firewall
Hitman Pro
IE
Hijack Remover
INAC Anti
Spyware
iTren System Manager
Malware Sweeper
Midaddle & Ads234
Removal
My
CleanerPC
Nitrous
Online's SpyBuster
Omniquad
AntiSpy
Online
Armor
PCdefense
Perfect
Process
PestBlock

Pianosoft
Spyware Control Manager
Pop-Up
Stopper Anti-Spyware
SakLabs AppAlarm
SecureWorld
Security Expert
Spinach AntiSpyware
SpyFlush
SpyMonitor
SpyNoMore
SpySifter
SpyWall
Spyware & Adware
Removal
Spyware
Control Manager
Spyware
Fighter
Spyware Razor
SpyWare Smasher
StopZilla
Super
AntiSpyware
System Spyware
Interrogator (SSI)
Tenebril
SpyCatcher
Troyan
Explore
VirusKeeper
Warnet
WebSafe
Spyware Secure
WinFortress
WinMaid
XSpy Shield
Gold

Note that the above list is not another list of
"rogue/suspect" anti-spyware applications. Please do not email the
vendors for these products and claim that their products are
considered "rogue/suspect," because they are not. The
only "rogue/suspect" are those included on the main list at the top of this page.

Still further, that we have not classified these
applications as "rogue/suspect" should not be taken as an
endorsement or recommendation of any kind. We always urge
users to stick to the short list of anti-spyware applications that have
proven tracken records for trustworthy performance.

Also not included on the main list on this page are
"anti-spyware" applications that detect only keyloggers and system
monitors. Although such snooping tools are often called "spyware,"
the sense of "spyware" used on this page is limited to unwanted
advertising software, sometimes called "adware."

Please do not email us about any of the applications
listed above (or any of the legitimate, licensed clones listed below) unless
you are absolutely certain that you have specific, detailed
information that suggests that they ought to be included on the main
list.

Return to top...

Old
News

FTC
Strikes a Third Time [4 August
2005]

On August 3, 2005, just five months after moving against SpywareAssassin and two months after moving against
SpyKiller 2005, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
announced
that it had settled a complaint against Advertising.com, the company
behind SpyBlast, an "anti-spyware" product that has been listed on
these pages since June 26, 2004 (the very day this list was first
published). In its complaint, the FTC specifically noted that the
SpyBlast program installed adware that tracked users' surfing
activity without clearly and conspicuously notifying users outside
of the EULA that such adware would be installed. According to the
FTC:

Consumers ... were shown an
Active X "security warning" installation box, with a hyperlink
describing SpyBlast as "Personal Computer Security and
Protection Software from unauthorized users" and telling them,
"once you agree to the License Terms and Privacy policy -
click YES to continue." The hyperlink did not indicate the
nature and significance of the terms of the licensing
agreement – namely that adware would be installed on their
computers. Consumers were not required to read the agreement
before installing the software. If consumers had read the
agreement, they might have seen a statement saying that by
accepting the software, they agreed to receive marketing
messages, including pop-up ads, based on their Internet
browsing habits. [...]

The complaint charges that in
representing that SpyBlast is an Internet security program,
the respondents did not adequately disclose that SpyBlast
included adware that caused consumers to receive pop-up ads.
It alleges that the presence of the bundled adware would be
material to consumers deciding whether to install SpyBlast,
and, therefore, that the failure to disclose it adequately was
deceptive.

You can read more about the FTC's action against SpyBlast and
Advertising.com here:

Press
Release

Case
Documents

The FTC and Advertising.com settled on a consent order that
"prohibits the respondents from making any representations about the
performance, benefits, efficacy, or features of SpyBlast or any of
their other programs promoted as security or privacy software,
unless they clearly and conspicuously disclose that consumers who
install the program will receive advertisements, if that is the
case."

FTC Strikes Again [26 June
2005]

On June 23, 2005, just 3 months after moving against SpywareAssassin, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
announced that it had taken action against Trustsoft, the company
behind SpyKiller 2005, an "anti-spyware" product that has been
listed on these pages since June 26, 2004 (the very day this list
was first published). In its complaint, the FTC specifically named
several of the more deceptive and unfair practices that are employed
by many of the "anti-spyware" applications listed on this page,
namely:

falsely claiming to have scanned users' PCs remotely and
detected "spyware"

using high pressure sales tactics through pop-ups and
spam to compel users to buy its application, SpyKiller 2005

selling an "anti-spyware" product that falsely detects
"spyware" on users' PCs

selling an "anti-spyware" product that fails to remove a
substantial amount of "spyware" from users' PCs

You can read more about the FTC's action against SpyKiller 2005
here:

Press
Release

Complaint
(PDF doc)

Temporary
Restraining Order (PDF doc)

Stipulated
Preliminary Injunction (PDF doc)

The FTC secured a temporary restraining order on June 1, followed
by preliminary injunction on June 14. (Please note that SpyKiller
2005 is a different product from Maxion Software's SpyKiller, which
is also listed on this page.)

Update (8-21-05): Please read
this note on the new Trustsoft AntiSpyware
application.
Update (1-6-06):
Trustsoft has now settled with
the FTC.

Rogue/Suspect List Hits 200 Apps!   [9 June 2005]

Almost one year after the Rogue/Suspect
Anti-Spyware page at SpywareWarrior.com was launched, Spyware Warrior
added the 200th application to its list of sub-standard anti-spyware
applications. Credit goes to Simon Clausen of PC Tools for pointing us to
the 200th rogue/suspect anti-spyware application, Winkeeper, which
was added to the list on June 9, 2005. (The Rogue/Suspect page was
officially launched on June 26, 2004.)

A Dubious Milestone

This event in itself is a dubious milestone. It does serve as
painful reminder that the majority of anti-spyware applications to
be found on the internet are woefully short of offering the kind of
robust protection from unwanted advertising software that all too
many spyware/adware victims are desperately in need of.

Why So Many?

We at Spyware Warrior are often asked why so many poor quality
anti-spyware applications exist. The answer is a simple one: spyware
and adware are afflicting millions of innocent victims, leading to
an exploding market for anti-spyware tools. These victims are
desperate to fix their hijacked web browsers and trashed PCs, which
are overrun with unwanted toolbars and popup advertising. These
users are angry, frustrated, and even scared. Unfortunately, they
also have problems distinguishing between the small number of quality anti-spyware applications available from
reputable vendors and the great mass of disreputable anti-spyware utilities.

This combination of fear, frustration, ignorance, and desperation
makes spyware and adware victims ripe to be exploited again -- this
time by disreputable anti-spyware vendors, many of whom have simply
rushed out poor quality applications to rake in money from a hot
market and who do not shirk from using aggressive, misleading, and
deceptive advertising to bamboozle scared and confused spyware and
adware victims. Sadly, some of these vendors are not above
installing adware and spyware themselves onto victims' PCs.

Why We're Here

That's what makes the 200th application such a dubious milestone
-- and a troubling monument to the myriad ways that greed can
exploit fear, confusion, desperation, and ignorance. And it's just
this unfortunate trend that the Rogue/Suspect
Anti-Spyware page has been designed to combat, by
offering users good information about the whole range of
anti-spyware products -- from the ever-growing number of untrustworthy tools to the small handful of quality applications that do exist.

FTC Busts Rogue Anti-Spyware Vendor!   [11 March 2005]
On March 11,
2005 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission took action against
MaxTheater, the company behind SpywareAssassin, an "anti-spyware"
product that has been listed on these pages since July 4, 2004. In
its complaint, the FTC specifically named several of the more
deceptive and unfair practices that are employed by many of the
"anti-spyware" applications listed on this page, namely:

falsely claiming to have scanned users' PCs remotely and
detected "spyware"

using high pressure sales tactics through pop-ups and
spam to compel users to buy its application, SpywareAssassin

selling an "anti-spyware" product that falsely detects
"spyware" on users' PCs

selling an "anti-spyware" product that fails to remove a
substantial amount of "spyware" from users' PCs

You can read more about the FTC's action against SpywareAssassin
here:

Press
Release

Complaint
(PDF doc)

Restraining
Order (PDF doc)

And for a discussion of this news, see THIS
thread at DSLReports.com and THIS blog entry here at Spyware Warrior.

Update (1-6-06): MaxTheater has
now settled with
the FTC.

Return to
top...

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware
Sites

As the problems with spyware and adware have exploded over
the past few years, a number of web sites have sprung up to provide
information and even to recommend anti-spyware programs. All too
many of these sites are not trustworthy as guides to spyware
solutions. Especially bad are the many anti-spyware "review" sites
that purport to provide "objective" reviews of anti-spyware
programs. The problem with these "review" sites is that many of them
push "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware applications. Indeed, many of
these sites are affiliates for the very products they "review" and
recommend. Most of these sites advertise heavily on Google. (For a list of reputable, quality
anti-spyware information sites, see below.)

Name

Domains

Comments

---

2dollarfix.com

purports to sell info/advice available
for free

Spyware/Adware Removers
2004

2004spywareremovers.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

5spynetwork.com

pushes rogue/suspect products
(currently NetDetective & System Detective)

---

add-aware.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

Adware Report

adwarereport.com

site webmaster is affiliate for
products reviewed (1)

---

adware-spyware-review.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

antispywaredownloads.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

antispyware.neonant.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

antispywarereviews.info

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

Anti-Spyware-Review.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

anti-spyware-review.
toptenreviews.com

advertising/marketing front for
products reviewed (1,
2,
3, 4)

---

anti-spyware-reviews.net

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

bewareadware.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

compareeasy.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

CompareSpywareRemovers.com
CompareSpywareRemoval.com
SpywareRemoverComparisons.com
SpywareRemoversReview.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

compu3.com/spyware.html

purports to sell information available
for free on Net

---

defeatspyware.org

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

download-spybot.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

e-Spyware.com

e-spyware.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

likesurfing.com

aggressive, deceptive adevrtising (1);
pushes rogue/suspect products

---

mambomarket.com

aggressive, deceptive advertising (1); pushes
some rogue/suspect products

---

megalithusa.com

pushes rogue/suspect products
(currently SpywareNuker 2004)

---

merign.org

pushes rogue/suspect products; reported
hijack (1)

---

noadware.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

NonToxic-Internet.com

nontoxic-internet.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

no-spybot.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

Online-Survival-Lab.com

online-survival-lab.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

pcspyremover.com

pushes rogue/suspect products;
deceptive info

Privacy Software Report

privacysoftwarereport.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

radownload.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

Consmer Review of
Anti-Spyware

RateSpywareRemovers.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

revieweasy.com/spy/

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

safespy.net

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyads.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spybot.com
spybot.net

currently re-directs to
pcsecuritynews.com

---

spybot.org

currently re-directs to dsoexpliot.com

---

spybot-spyware.com
sdspybot.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware.com-rr.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spy-deleter.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyforce.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyhunter.com

dead?

---

spy-hunter-detector.com

dead?

SpySoftCentral.com

spysoftcentral.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware.net

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware-adware-download.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware-adware-removal.net

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

spywarealert.com
removespyware.com

pushes some rogue/suspect products;
reported hijacks (1,
2)

---

spywareb1aster,com

pushes rogue/suspect products
(currently, BPS Spyware & Adware Remover); exploits name
SpywareBlaster; Note: this site has no relation to JavaCool's
SpywareBlaster
program

---

spywarehub.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware.junglebee.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

SpywareHelpNetwork

spywarehelp.net

purports to sell info/advice available
for free; aggressive advertising, dubious associations with known
hijackers (1,
2,
3,
4);
"suspended for spam & abuse" (1)

---

SpywareInfoooo.com

dead?

Spyware Online Scanner

scanner.altmaster.net

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spy-review.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware.my-anti-virus-software.info

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spywareonline.org

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

SpywareRemovalAuthority.com

pushes rogue/suspect products
(currently SpyClean)

SpywareRemovalUtilities

spywareremovalutilities.com

pushes rogue/suspect products; site is
affiliate for products reviewed

---

spywareremoval.ec-force.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

Spyware Removal
(blog)

spyware-removal.blogspot.com

pushes rogue/suspect products (1)

---

spywareremove.org
removespyware.ru

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware-removers.org

pushes rogue/suspect products;
aggressive advertising (1)

---

spywarereview.info

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

Spyware Scan
Review

spywarescanreview.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware.speedylearning.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

spyware-spybot.net

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

successalert.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

TeslaPlus

teslaplus.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

The Spyware Review

the-spyware-review.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

---

theshopontop.com/
spywareremovers/

pushes rogue/suspect
products

The Spyware Zone

the-spyware-zone.com
spyware.1000recursos.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

topadwarereviews.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

topspywareremovers.com

pushes some rogue/suspect
products

---

Trojan-Scan.com

pushes rogue/suspect
products

Return to
top...

Bogus
Security Pages

Rogue anti-spyware products have long been known for
using aggressive, misleading advertising and marketing, but in the
Fall of 2005 a number of these programs began to be pushed on users
through incredibly deceptive web pages that were often forced on
users through browser hijacks. Many of these pages are deliberately
crafted to look like the Windows XP SP2 Security Center, and they
may be coupled with flashing tray icons that are designed to look
like notices from the Security Center as well as false warnings that
malware has been detected on the user's PC.

The Sunbelt
Blog discusses a number of these bogus security pages:

Sleazy Install of the Week

Another Sleazy Install

Do You Laugh or Just Cry?

Seen in the Wild: Another Fake Security
Site

It's a Security Scam Party...

Another Fake Security Site

More Security Hijack
Sites...

Return to
top...

Legitimate/Licensed Clones

There are licensed
clones of legitimate anti-spyware applications. What follows is a
list of rebranded versions of legitimate anti-spyware products
and/or prominent affiliate web sites for legitimate anti-spyware
products. (For a short list of recommended, trustworthy anti-spyware
products, see below.)

Product

Domains

Comments

AOL Spyware Protection

aol.com

formerly powered by Aluria (licensed); now
powered by Pest Patrol
(licensed)

Earthlink Anti-Spyware Protection

earthlink.net

formerly powered by Webroot (licensed); now powered
by Aluria
(licensed)

ExactSeek Toolbar

exactseek.com

front-end for X-Clean
Micro scanner (licensed)

gogo DATA AdBuster

gogodata.com

front-end for X-Clean
Micro scanner (licensed)

Invisus Pest Patrol

myinvisusdirect.com

formerly licensed Pest Patrol 4 clone; now a Sunbelt CounterSpy
clone

---

Parasiteware.com
Parasite-ware.com

Xblock
affilaites/resellers

---

PestRemovers.com

Pest Patrol
afffiliate/reseller

---

PrivacyAssure.com

Aluria
front

---

SecureIE.com
spyware-appz.com

McAfee AntiSpyware
affiliate/reseller

Microsoft AntiSpyware

microsoft.com

powered by GIANT (now owned by
Microsoft)

Norman Ad-Aware

norman.com

licensed
Ad-aware clone

Privatefirewall

privacyware.com

includes licensed version of Pest Patrol

SpyGone

spygone.com

earlier version was Spybot S&D
rip-off (1,
2,
3);
now "powered by Aluria"

SpyStopper

itcompany.com

licensed SpyBlocker
clone

SpyRemover

itcompany.com

licensed SpyBot S&D
clone

---

SpySweeper.com
SpySweeper.net
Spyware-Removal.com
SpywareScanner.com
YourSpySweeper.com

Webroot Spy
Sweeper affiliates/resellers

Spyware X-terminator

stompsoft.com

licensed Pest Patrol clone

Steganos AntiSpyware

steganos.com

licensed Webroot Spy Sweeper
clone

Sunbelt CounterSpy

sunbelt-software.com

powered by GIANT (code independently
owned by Sunbelt)

Yahoo AntiSpy

yahoo.com

powered by Pest Patrol (licensed)

Return to
top...

Trustworthy
Anti-Spyware Products

Protecting your PC
w/ quality anti-spyware applications...

When choosing anti-spyware protection, you should rely on
products with deserved reputations and proven track records. That
means avoiding the new and unknown, and not succumbing to impulse
buys of anti-spyware products that you see on the Net, esp. those
included in the "rogue/suspect" list on this page or advertised on Google.

At the very least, you should have an anti-spyware scanner, and
there are several reputable anti-spyware scanners available on the
Net -- some even for free. But anti-spyware protection goes beyond
having an anti-spyware scanner like Spybot Search & Destroy or
Ad-aware. Even after installing and running an anti-spyware scanner,
you should take steps to lock down your browser and protect your
system against further infestation by spyware and adware.

What follows below is a set of recommended steps for installing
anti-spyware protection for your PC. If your PC is already infested
with spyware or adware, see the instructions for getting help included later on this page.

1.

Install an anti-spyware scanner (or
two...)

One basic tool in every user's toolbox of software ought to
be an anti-spyware scanner. There are several excellent
anti-spyware scanners available -- some free, some for pay.
These include (but are not limited to):

Ad-aware

ewido anti-spyware

Pest Patrol

Spy Sweeper

Spyware Doctor

SUPERAntiSpyware

Windows
Defender

Note to Vendors: please do not email
me and request to be added to the above list of "recommended"
products. This list of "recommended" products is based on
extensive experience with the listed products and is not a
list to which one can apply for
admission.

Disclaimer: the maintainers of
Spyware Warrior have enjoyed consulting relationships with Sunbelt Software, makers of the CounterSpy anti-spyware application. Given
that relationship and the inherent conflict of interest it
represents, we refrain from recommending CounterSpy. Spyware Warrior has no financial
relationship with any of the companies whose products are
listed or recommended above. We are not employees, affiliates,
representatives, or other agents of any of these
companies.

In addition, there are other "freeware" scanners that you
may find useful:

Spybot Search &
Destroy

Anti-spyware scanners work much like anti-virus
applications (such as Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee VirusScan, et
al), except that instead of scanning your PC for viruses,
trojans, and worms, they scan your computer for spyware,
adware, and dialers.

You should not rely exclusively on this short list of
anti-spyware applications, however. Rather, you should
investigate and test a range of reputable anti-spyware
programs to find the programs that are best suited to your own
privacy and security needs. (You can find a more complete list
of anti-spyware applications HERE as well as a breakdown of the features
offered by the most reputable anti-spyware programs HERE. And for reports on testing with many
popular anti-spyware utilities, see HERE.)

We recommend using at least two anti-spyware scanners
regularly, as one will often pick up items that the other misses. Even after you install an
anti-spyware scanner, be sure to keep it updated because new
spyware and adware appears on the Net almost daily.

Anti-Spyware for the Mac

We're starting to get more and more questions from Mac
users about anti-spyware. At this time, the only anti-spyware
program that we know of for the Mac is:

MacScan

Anti-Virus & Firewall Applications

In the past year, several anti-virus, anti-malware, and
personal firewall applications have incorporated robust
anti-spyware detection and removal. These programs
include:

Agnitum Outpost
Firewall Pro

F-Secure Anti-Virus
& Internet Security

Kasperksy
Anti-Virus & Security
Suite

Norton
Anti-Virus & Internet Security

NOD32

Panda Titanium & Platinum

Trend Micro
PC-cillin

ZoneAlarm
Pro & Security
Suite

Although these anti-virus and personal firewall products
may offer some protection against spyware and adware, we still
recommend that users not rely exclusively on one of these
products in lieu of a dedicated anti-spyware product, such as
those listed earlier on this page.

Disclaimer: the maintainers of
Spyware Warrior have enjoyed consulting relationships with Sunbelt Software, makers of the CounterSpy anti-spyware application. Given
that relationship and the inherent conflict of interest it
represents, we refrain from recommending CounterSpy. Spyware Warrior has no financial
relationship with any of the companies whose products are
listed or recommended above. We are not employees, affiliates,
representatives, or other agents of any of these
companies.

2.

Install anti-malware protection

Basic Free Protection

Scanning for spyware and adware isn't enough to protect
your PC. You also need to take preventative steps to ensure
that unwanted software doesn't come back. One effective way to
prevent spyware and adware from returning is to install an
anti-spyware prevention program such as:

SpywareBlaster

SpywareGuard

SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard are excellent, free
programs from JavaCool. I recommend installing and using both,
as they protect your computer in different ways.
SpywareBlaster "inoculates" your Internet Explorer browser
against the installation of unwanted spyware and adware from
the internet. SpywareGuard actively monitors your PC and
prevents spyware infestations. Both are easy to install and
update.

Advanced HIPS & Rootkit Protection

In the past few years a new generation of anti-malware
protection products has emerged. This new type of anti-malware
protection, called HIPS (Host Intrusion Protection System),
works at the kernel level to intercept malware before it hits
your hard drive and infects the system. Although this
technology is still maturing, a HIPS defense may be worth
looking into for some users. For a run-down of the latest HIPS
applications, see this discussion on the Spyware Warrior
forums:

Sandbox, HIPS,
Virtualization, & System Hardening
Apps

Advanced users may also be interested in the broadening
array of anti-rootkit programs that are available:

Rootkit Info &
Detection Apps

Please keep in mind the HIPS and anti-rootkit applications
are both emerging technologies that may not be appropriate for
home users who aren't technically savvy.

3.

Lock down your browser

One of the most prevalent means for spyware and adware to
be installed is through Internet Explorer. To prevent spyware
and adware from installing without your knowledge and
permission, you need to "lock down" Internet Explorer. There
are several ways to do this.

Securely configure the Internet zone

First, you can securely configure the Internet zone of
Internet Explorer and add sites that you trust to the Trusted
sites zone. This means that by default web sites will not be
able to use "active content" (i.e., ActiveX controls, Java
applets, and scripting) until you explicitly choose to trust
those web sites. See this page for instructions on how to
securely configure Internet Explorer:

Internet Explorer Privacy
& Security Settings

By turns, you could also use this free program, which will
automatically configure Internet Explorer for you:

Enough is
Enough!

One potential downside to securely configuring the Internet
zone is that some web sites will not work properly until you
add them to the Trusted sites zone -- a process that some
users find cumbersome.

Add bad sites to the Restricted sites
zone

Second, you can use another approach to "locking down"
Internet Explorer which avoids the hassle of broken web sites
by adding known "nasty" sites to the Restricted sites zone.
Doing so gives your PC protection against known threats while
still allowing most web sites to work by default. To put the
clamp down on a long list of undesirable web sites, you can
install and use this free program:

IE-SPYAD

If you choose to use the Restricted sites approach of
IE-SPYAD, be sure to update your copy of IE-SPYAD regularly,
as new web sites are constantly being added to the
list.

4.

Use an alternative browser

Internet Explorer is not only the most popular browser on
the Net, it is also the browser most widely and easily
exploited by spyware pushers to install spyware and adware
behind users' backs. Thus, you might decide that Internet
Explorer is simply not worth the hassle or risk. In that case,
you can install and run an alternative, non-IE browser such
as:

Mozilla

Firefox

Opera

All three of these browsers are mature, robust, and fast.
Moreover, they have built-in pop-up blocking and several other
nice features that Internet Explorer simply lacks. More
importantly, all three of these browsers are much less
susceptible to unwanted adware and spyware installations. And
all three are free.

Note: even if you do switch to an alternative
browser, you should still lock down Internet Explorer, as
described above. Given that Internet Explorer has effectively
been integrated into Windows, it can still be exploited by
adware and spyware that gets installed to your system through
other means. Thus, locking down Internet Explorer remains
important even if you're not regularly using Internet Explorer
to browse the internet.

5.

Keep your system safe & secure with
Windows Update

To prevent unwanted spyware and adware from
being installed behind your back, you need to install all the
latest "Critical Updates" from Microsoft. Doing so is easier
than you might think.

Microsoft has an entire Windows Update
site devoted to automatically updating users'
systems with all the latest fixes and patches for a wide range
of Microsoft software, including Windows, Office (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Access), and Internet Explorer.

We
strongly urge you to take your system past the Windows Update
site and let that site download and install the appropriate
fixes for your computer. Doing so just might save you some
grief and headaches down the road:

Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Much of the update process at Windows Update is automated,
so it's simple and convenient. The Windows Update site will
install a small program to analyze the software on your system
and recommend the appropriate fixes. This process takes only a
few minutes.

Once Windows Update has finished
analyzing your system, you'll be presented with a menu of
downloads that Windows Update deems appropriate for your
computer. At a minimum you should let Windows Update install
the fixes marked as "Critical Updates." The other available
updates ("Recommended Updates," "Drivers and Enhancements")
are optional.
Check the boxes for the updates that you wish
to install ("Critical Updates" are checked by default). Then
click the appropriate button to start the download and
installation process. You'll be shown a summary of the updates
that you've selected, and then you'll presented with a
"License Agreement." After you click through the "License
Agreement," the download and intallation process will
start.

Since the entire download and installation
process is automated, there's almost nothing for you to do
except reboot the computer after all the updates have been
installed.

6.

Read Licenses & Privacy
Policies

Anti-spyware applications alone can't protect you entirely
from unwanted spyware and adware. You have to do your part as
well by being vigilant in your online behavior.

One of the more common sources for spyware and adware is
"freeware" (e.g., Grokster or KaZaA) that bundles
unwanted third-party applications. Another common source
involves third-party web sites that automatically start the
installation of spyware and adware when you visit those sites.
These auto-installed spyware and adware programs may initially
appear to be plug-ins necessary for the web site
itself, though usually they are not.

Wherever you happen to encounter spyware and adware, you
will usually be presented with a EULA (End User License
Agreement) and/or Privacy Policy. Do not blindly click through
these documents. Read them carefully and look for the
tell-tale language that discloses the presence of adware or
spyware. For tips on what to look for, see these pages:

DSLReports.com - EULAs & Privacy
Policies

The Problem with Privacy
Policies

Ben Edelman -
Grokster and Claria Take Licenses to New
Lows

Ben Edelman -
Gator's EULA Gone Bad

EULAlyzer (free
EULA parsing/analysis
tool)

Most
if not all of the "adware-supported" or
"advertising-supported" applications on the Net have
adware-free equivalents. There's simply no need
to use advertising-supported applications. If you're looking
for truly free software without any unwanted
surprises, see the following sites:

CleanSoftware.org

OldVersion.com

FreeWindows.dk

The
OpenCD

GNUWin II

The OSSWin
Project

Moochers

Pricelessware

Other Anti-Spyware Tools

There is a wealth of specialized anti-spyware tools on the
Net, many free for the taking. For a more complete list of
anti-spyware products, see:

Spyware/Adware/Hijackware
Tools

Return to
top...

If Your
PC is Infested w/ Spyware...

Getting help
online...

If your PC is already infested with spyware and adware,
resist the temptation to succumb to impulse buys of anti-spyware
products that you see on the Net, esp. those included in the "rogue/suspect" list on this page or advertised on Google. Instead, you can get help
online from a corps of savvy volunteers who specialize in busting
spyware.

To get help with a spyware infestation:

1.

Clean your PC as best you can

Download and run one (or all) of these free anti-spyware
scanners and remove whatever spyware and adware it
finds.

Ad-aware Personal
Edition

ewido anti-spyware

Windows Defender

Spybot Search &
Destroy

SUPERAntiSpyware

You should also scan and clean your computer with whatever
anti-virus program you happen to have installed on your
computer. If you don't have an anti-virus program, you can
scan your computer with one of these online anti-virus
scanners:

BitDefender ScanOnline

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal
Tool

ewido online
scan

Command on Demand

Panda ActiveScan

Trend Micro
Anti-Spyware for the Web

eTrust AntiVirus Web
Scanner

Trend Micro HouseCall (ActiveX)

McAfee FreeScan

Trend Micro
HouseCall
(Java)

... or download and run one of these free standalone virus
removal tools:

avast! Virus Cleaner

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal
Tool

Dr.Web CureIt!

AVG vcleaner

Panda PQRemove

McAfee AVERT Stinger

Sophos SAV32CLI

2.

Visit a spyware removal forum

Once you've cleaned your PC as best you can, visit one of
the following spyware removal forums:

SpywareInfo

Spybot S&D

Aumha

SpywareBeware

Bleeping Computer

Spyware Warrior

CastleCops

Tech Support Guy

Cexx.org

TomCoyote

3.

Follow the instructions for posting a
HijackThis! log

Most of the above forums will request that you post a
HijackThis! log. HijackThis! (HJT) is a free program that will
scan key system settings on your PC and generate a plain text
log that you can copy and paste into a post. The volunteers at
the above forums will examine that HJT log and recommend a
course of action to fix your PC. HijackThis! can be downloaded
from HERE.

Each forum has its own set of instructions and procedures
for requesting help and posting a HJT log, so abide by the
requirements of the forum you're visiting. Also, do
not attempt to use HJT on your own to fix
problems. Let one of the expert volunteers examine your HJT
log and advise you on what to fix.

4.

Help the volunteers help you

In order to help you clean your system, the volunteers at
these anti-spyware forums need a good sense for what's going
on with your computer. When you're ready to post and request
help...

Start a new discussion topic/thread.

Give your discussion topic/thread a distinctive
title.

Describe the symptoms and problems you're
experiencing.

Describe what you've already done to solve the
problem.

Copy and paste your HJT log into your post.

Be patient while waiting for a response.

Note that some of the forums listed above may require you
to register for free before posting.

5.

Follow removal instructions
precisely

Once a volunteer does give you advice for
cleaning your PC, follow those instructions precisely and
report back what the results are. Also, you may be asked to
download and run other specialized anti-spyware tools to
remove the particular spyware that's on your computer.

The volunteer spyware busters who
work these anti-spyware forums do this kind of thing all day
long, so you'll be in good hands. At times they can be a bit
overwhelmed, so please be patient while waiting for help.

Once your PC has been cleaned, be sure to take steps to prevent it from being overrun with spyware
adware again.

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top...

Google &
Anti-Spyware Products

Be wary of paid
search results...

Vendors of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware products advertise heavily via Google's "AdWords" ("Sponsored Links" on
Google's own search pages) and "AdSense" (Google-driven
advertising delivered to third-party web sites).

Users should be aware that a search on the term "spyware"
(or any related term) at Google
will turn up a variety of anti-spyware products and web sites --
some reliable and trustworthy, some not. The key to distinguishing
trustworthy anti-spyware products and sites from non-trustworthy
products and sites in Google's search results is learning to
distinguish "regular search results" from "paid search results,"
otherwise known as "Sponsored Links."

Google Search Results for
"spyware"

The "regular search
results" are those results that are ranked highly and are
popular among actual users. For the most part, these are
trustworthy. "Sponsored Links," by contrast, are paid for by
vendors themselves. These "paid search results" are generally
not trustworthy and should be avoided.

You may encounter similar
Google-driven advertising on other web sites. These
advertisements are clearly labeled as originating from
Google's AdSense ("Ads by Google"). They usually appear on the
top, bottom, or sides of web pages and web sites (see
screenshot to the right for an example).

Even on such third-party sites, the advertising for
"rogue/suspect" anti-spyware products looks similar to the
"Sponsored Links" (see above) and is just as
untrustworthy.

As always, users are advised to stick to the "regular
search results" on Google's site as well as to those
anti-spyware products and web sites that enjoy good
reputations among users (see above).

To Google's credit, it has stepped up efforts to remove
some of the more objectionable and disreputable anti-spyware
advertising over the past 9 months. As a recent study by the
Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed (1,
2, 3),
however, many users still have difficulty distinguishing
between legitimate search results and sponsored search
results.

Google AdSense
(3rd-party site)

What's Being
Advertised on Google? *

Frequent/Heavy

Infrequent/Light

AdwareAlert
PAL Spyware & Adware
Remover
Spyblocs/eBlocs
SpywareBeGone

ADS Adware
Remover
AdwareSpy
Elimiware
Spyware
Remover
SpySpotter
Spyware
Cleaner
SpywareVanisher
SpywareZapper
(BPS)

* Products
advertised via "Sponsored Links" for search terms
"spyware" & "adware." Last checked: November,
2005

Webmasters: if you host Google AdSense advertising
on your site and would like to filter out ads for dodgy
anti-spyware applications, there's a filter list that's being
maintained at Short-Media.com:

Adsense Filtered URL list

A Note on Internet Download Sites

Users should also be wary of downloading anti-spyware
applications from major software download sites on the Net.
Although many of these major download sites have begun to
police the anti-spyware programs listed on their sites, all
too many "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware programs can still be
had from their listings. Still worse, it is not unknown for
vendors of dodgy anti-spyware products to solicit and pay for
positive "user reviews" to be posted on these software
download sites to boost the apparent popularity of their
applications.

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top...

More
Information

Other sources for
the curious...

More
information...

For additional information on "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware
products, see:

Anti-Spyware Family
Resemblances
Anti-Spyware Orphans &
Outcasts
Anti-Spyware Tests (by Eric
L. Howes)
Doxdesk.com - Questionable anti-parasite
software
FBM Software - Rogue
Anti-Spyware
Rogues are easy to spot
SpywareInfo.com (see also here)

WildersSecurity.com
PC Pitstop
WebHelper - Scare Ads
TeMerc Internet Security
Site
Doxdesk.com - Questionable Anti-parasite
software
Tired of Spam - Programs
Devilin's Fan Club - Failed
Anti-Spyware

News
stories...

Several news stories have been written about "rogue"
anti-spyware in the past year:

Poor Defenders
Fake spyware removal programs disabling
PCs
Malicious Intent
Spyware cures may cause more harm than
good
Anti-spyware 'deceiving
consumers'
Anti-spyware: The New Frontier in the Security
Software Market
Phony Anti-Spyware Software Lures Unsuspecting
Users
Adware in exchange for videos and music in
P2P

Web of Deceit
Scare tactics used in adverts to sell
anti-spyware software
No riddle to this case, just outright
deception
SpywareInfo.com - Local
News
Spyware no joke, as 2 stories
reveal
Web address led readers into a
trap
Websense: Spyware Lures to Install
PUS
The AntiSpyware
Conspiracy

Complaints
& enforcement...

Early in 2004 the Center for Democracy and Technology filed a
complaint with the FTC regarding SpyWiper/MailWiper:

CDT's Complaint with the FTC against Mailwiper
and Seismic Entertainment Media (PDF doc)
FTC Sues Spyware
Suspects

In Oct. of 2004, the FTC filed a complaint against Seismic
Entertainment over SpyWiper/MailWiper:

FTC Cracks Down on Spyware
Operation
Case
Documents

In Apr. 2005 the FTC amended its complaint in the
SpyWiper/MailWiper case to include one Rob
Martinson:

FTC - Announced Actions for April 8,
2005
Another Scumbag Bites the
Dust

On Mar. 11, 2005, the FTC announced that it had moved against
MaxTheater, the company behind Spyware Assassin:

FTC Busts Rogue Anti-Spyware
Vendor

On Jun. 23, 2005, the FTC revealed that it had taken action
against Trustsoft over its SpyKiller 2005
application:

FTC Strikes
Again

On Aug. 3, 2005, the FTC announced a settlement with
Advertising.com over its SpyBlast product:

FTC Strikes a Third
Time

On Nov. 10, 2005, the FTC announced that it had shut down
Enternet Media, the company behind the dreaded
SearchMiracle/Elitebar spyware application as well as the
anti-spyware application Spyware Bomber:

FTC Shuts Down Spyware Operation
Case
Documents

On Jan. 6, 2006, the FTC announced that it had settled with both
MaxTheater (SpywareAssassin) and Trustsoft (SpyKiller
2005):

Two Bogus Anti-spyware Operators Settle FTC
Charges

On Jan. 25, 2006, the Attorney General for the state of
Washington announced that it had filed a complaint against Secure
Computer LLC, makers of Spyware Cleaner:

McKenna, Microsoft Announce Landmark Spyware
Lawsuit

On Apr. 11, 2006, the Attorney General for the state of
Washington announced that it had filed a complaint against
SoftwareOnline, makers of InternetShield:

AG's Office Sues, Settles with Washington-based
SoftwareOnline.com

On May 4, 2006, the FTC announced that had secured favorable
rulings in its complaints against Odysseus Marketing and
Sanford Wallace over SpyWiper/MailWiper:

Court Halts Spyware
Operations

Anti-spyware information
sites...

There are number of reputable
anti-spyware information sites on the Net. Among the best
are:

SpywareInfo.com
CastleCops.com
CounterExploitation
Doxdesk.com
Ben
Edelman - Spyware Research
FTC Spyware Workshop
Information
SpywareGuide.com
PC Pitstop - Spyware Information Center

Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals
(ASAP)
CDT: Campaign Against
Spyware
Aumha.org - The Parasite
Fight
SpywareBeware!
Spyware, Adware, & Other
Nuisances
Voice of the Public
Webhelper4U.com

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top...

About These Web Pages

A few closing
words...

Return to top...

Linking to
these pages

These pages have been getting a lot of attention since they were
first posted on June 26, 2004, and we've had many requests from
other webmasters to mirror or copy them. Given the sensitive nature
of the information contained here, we would prefer that there were
only one copy of these pages on the Net for us to worry about.

Thus, we must request that visitors not copy, mirror, or
otherwise reproduce these pages -- including the "Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware" page, the "Anti-Spyware Family Resemblances" page, and the "Anti-Spyware Orphans & Outcasts" page -- on any
other web site in whole or in part. That includes hot-linking to
these pages via frames of any type.

You may use these pages as a reference -- e.g., cite or
summarize the particular facts, conclusions, observations, and
judgments offered on these pages. But please do not copy, display,
or produce derivative versions of these pages, which are protected
by copyright.

If you want to link to these pages, by all means do so. You can
even include a short teaser description or summary with your
link.

As these pages are updated frequently, we are not responsible for
any inaccurate, outdated, obsolete, defamatory, misleading, or
otherwise erroneous information that may be contained on
unauthorized versions of these pages elsewhere on the Net. The only
authorized versions of these pages on the Net are those here at Spyware Warrior.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this
matter.

SpywareWarrior.com

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Questions &
Contact

If you have questions or comments about any of the information
presented above, please don't hesitate to ask. If you're a vendor
whose program is listed on this page, please read THIS discussion of listing criteria and the de-listing process above before emailing us. Also,
before contacting us about programs not included on the main list of
"Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products," please check the list of lesser-known anti-spyware applications that we have
tested as well as the list of legitimate, licensed clones of other anti-spyware
programs.

Best regards,

SpywareWarrior.com

Full disclosure: the maintainers of this
page have performed consulting work as independent contractors for
Sunbelt Software, makers of CounterSpy. Because of that relationship
and the conflict of interest that it represents, we must recuse
ourselves from public comment on CounterSpy. That means that we
cannot and will not publicly evaluate, test, or even recommend
Sunbelt's anti-spyware product. The anti-spyware products that we do
recommend, all of which are competitors to CounterSpy, are included
above. Moreover, the opinions, judgments, and
conclusions found on these pages are those of SpywareWarrior.com
alone.

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Last Updated: Aug.
1, 2006

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