Who's spying on you? 6 anti-spyware apps tested

Sample scenarios

  Spyware
  CA eTrust PestPatrol
  F-Secure
  Lavasoft Ad-Aware
  McAfee AntiSpyware
  Trend Micro OfficeScan
  Websense

 Specifications
 How We Tested
 Sample Scenarios
 Editor's choice
 About RMIT
Scenario 1

Company: Gayter Electronics
This company is having an increasing problem in relation to unauthorised spy/adware with its in-house desktop systems and notebook computers used by the sales team on the road, and they wish to utilise a scanner/filter application that will combat this issue.
Approximate budget: Less than AU$80 per system.
Requires: A suitable spy/adware scanner/filter for each desktop machine. Also the ability to clean up any machines that already have these malicious applications resident and undetected.
Concerns: Pricing and ease of use.
Best solution: McAfee Anti-Spyware 2005 with a very close second going to Lavasoft for their AdAware application.

Scenario 2

Company: Capricorn Inc.
This company is having an increasing problem with its 350+ desktop systems in relation to unauthorised spy/adware and wish to deploy a scanner/filter application that will combat this issue.
Approximate budget: Open.
Requires: A suitable spy/adware scanner/filter for each desktop machine. Also the ability to clean up any machines that already have these malicious applications resident and undetected.
Concerns: Pricing and ease of use.
Best solution: Computer Associates' eTrust Pest Patrol v5. It is perfectly suited to this scenario and dedicated to spyware so it does not have the encumbrances of being included in a suite of applications.

< Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next >

Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!

Talkback 7 comments

  1. Nastyware - a collective descriptive term... Anonymous -- 16/11/04

    Nastyware - a collective descriptive term...

  2. You obviously have not seen the very recent advice from Pest Patrol, which now is no longer supported, but has been replaced (free of charge to current users) with a new Spyware called "Counterspy". I have had it installed for about a week and a Anonymous -- 20/12/04

    You obviously have not seen the very recent advice from Pest Patrol, which now is no longer supported, but has been replaced (free of charge to current users) with a new Spyware called "Counterspy". I have had it installed for about a week and although I was happy with Pest patrol, Counterspy does have a number of improved features
    Ken Hillier

    1. Spyware John Taylor -- 22/12/05

      Tosh and nonsense, CA are announcing a new version of PestPatrol to be released soon and have incorporated the product into the new Integrated Threat Manager which has both a/v and Anti-Spyware. I sit on the CA Advisory Council as a UK memeber so I should know!) You are not by chance an old PestPatrol Reseller who now sells Counterspy are you Ken? Very cheap swipe at CA Ken, very cheap indeed!

  3. eTrust Pest Patrol contains the virus Win32.Bagle.4.Gen@mm. Everytime the program updates it re-download the same virus. Buyer beware on this application. Anonymous -- 26/12/04

    eTrust Pest Patrol contains the virus Win32.Bagle.4.Gen@mm. Everytime the program updates it re-download the same virus. Buyer beware on this application.

    1. Spyware John Taylor -- 22/12/05

      Yes, and what is more the tooth fairy met with Santa yesterday to discuss leaving a tube of Flouride Toothpaste under the pillow of everyone in the World on Saturday Night! Come on, lets not get silly here. You really think the World's 3rd largest Software Company ships a virus in it's products? hmmm

  4. we use officescan 6.5 in our company and even though i've followed all the steps to make sure that the spyware part of officescan is active, we still get spywares! most notable is those spywares like gator.b, gator.c. i'm the network administrat Anonymous -- 28/02/05

    we use officescan 6.5 in our company and even though i've followed all the steps to make sure that the spyware part of officescan is active, we still get spywares! most notable is those spywares like gator.b, gator.c.

    i'm the network administrator and i'm thinking of dumping officescan for a better one.

  5. readability blind bob -- 27/12/05

    black ink on a dark blue background. Good job!

    AND it never tells me my comment was submitted!

Add your opinion


Back to top

Featured