Windows Defender vs Spybot Search and Destroy

[ecross]

This week, it's all about keeping away spyware, with a bout between Spybot Search and Destroy and Microsoft Windows Defender beta 2. Both are free, and while Defender is still in beta, with its new tools, it may smack down Spybot. Which one will you trust to protect your PC?

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3000_7-...?tag=cnetfd.sd

[HAN]

I have both on board my PC here at home.

I have never considered using Spybot's TeaTimer for active protection because of the issues it had early on. (Large CPU usage as I recollect.) Plus, I was never convinced it would catch everything it should.

On the other hand, I have tested MS Antispyware on several PCs and am running Defender on a total of 3 PCs. Defender has some issues, they dumbed it down more than they should have, and they will likely grant installation priviledges to things they shouldn't, but in general, it's doing it's job. I know that MS is committed to making Defender a keeper because it will be bundled with Vista. So my vote has to go for Defender. (This said by a Windows user that doesn't always have a love for all things MS...)

[Shinma]

At the time of this post,
Spybot leading 61.5% versus MS 38.5%.

[TechZ]

I always use more than one, currently for free Windows Defender+Spybot (The Immunization feature is very useful)+Adaware.

For pay I usually go Counterspy.

[Dorian05]

As a resident background checker I use the M$ option at the min, which runs alongside spyware blaster, + host files as resident software. I do have spybot's immunize feature active but not the tea timer part of it, Apart from that, for general security I use combinations of ewido/adaware (+vx2 & nail plug in) & spybot for non resident and custom scans

[poppy4]

FWIW....At this point in time I have un-installed defender due to some issues with my pc, and still have spybot s&d installed and use, including the immunize feature, but not the tea timer. It's my hope that eventually they can both be used compatably, but will wait for defender to get out of beta.

[Dorian05]

You might be waiting a while though... Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware never got out of the beta stage ! and im sure i have seen a date somewhere for the cut off point for defender although I cannot find where it was now I spotted it lol

[Welshjim]

Shinma--Where did you get that data? And what happened to AdAware?

Dorian05--I think the originally announced "cut off" point was Dec. 31, 2006, though MS AntiSpyware extended its cut off point several times. (In fact, if you still had MSAS, you would continue to get updates through June 2006.) And the About Windows Defender window no longer provides this info.

[poppy4]

You might be waiting a while though... Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware never got out of the beta stage ! and im sure i have seen a date somewhere for the cut off point for defender although I cannot find where it was now I spotted it lol

I'm willing to wait, as I've fended off the malware so far with the arsenal in my sig, and defender can only help more, when it's out of beta, that is....

[LindaHewitt]

I have Ad-Aware & SpyBot installed to find malware already on my computer plus I have SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard to keep malware from being loaded on my computer.

Like all of the other posters, I never used the TeaTimer either.

I also started using Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta about 6 months ago but I haven't downloaded the latest information. Since I have seen this post I will do that download tonight.

Personally, I do not plan on giving up any of these options because they are double check on each other. Security works best wen it is multi-layered and I think that that especially applies to spyware / malware.

Cheers,

Linda

[usil]

Windows Defender will someday get out of Beta status and as I understand, will be free.

[SpywareDr]

Windows Defender will someday get out of Beta status and as I understand, will be free.

Correct ...

Frequently asked questions about Windows Defender (Beta 2)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...about/faq.mspx

Q. - How much does Windows Defender (Beta 2) cost? How much will the final release cost?

A. - Windows Defender (Beta 2), subsequent beta versions, and the final release version will each be available at no additional charge for currently licensed Windows customers. You will be required to verify that you are using genuine Windows through a quick and easy online process called validation. Get more information about the Windows Genuine Advantage program.

[SpywareDr]

Personally, I do not plan on giving up any of these options because they are double check on each other. Security works best wen it is multi-layered and I think that that especially applies to spyware / malware.

FWIW, I agree. Multi-layered and overlapping.