Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 Reviews

Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 incorporates Threat Fire's technology and adds other new protective features.

Immediately Active

The Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 installer downloads a substantial signature update and then runs a quick Intelli-Scan. Even on my underpowered virtual test systems, the update and Intelli-Scan each took about five minutes. You'll need to enter your registration code to remove any found threats.

After registration, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 updates again, reboots, and runs another Intelli-Scan. If necessary, it reboots and re-scans again. On one infested test system Spyware Doctor repeated that cycle four times before it was satisfied. Naturally, you'll run a full scan as soon as it's convenient; the product also schedules a weekly full scan.

Spyware Doctor's installer is fully functional in Safe Mode-that's not the case with many security products. That's handy when malware screws up installation. It can also scan in Safe Mode. If all else fails, you can clean the system before installation using the PC Tools Alternate Operating System Scanner, a bootable Linux-based CD image that's not affected by Windows-based malware.

Top-notch Malware Cleanup

Installing Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 went smoothly. I did use Safe Mode for a couple, and one required the Alternate Operating System Scanner. The initial Intelli-Scan wiped out network connectivity on one system, but PC Tools tech support reps quickly solved that problem.

A full scan of my limited-resource clean test system took 45 minutes. A second scan brought that time down to 30 minutes, which is about average. New in this edition, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 takes advantage of system idle time to make the next full scan faster. It also postpones scheduled tasks when the system is running on battery power and suppresses all interruptions if a full-screen game or other program is active.

On completion of a scan, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 lists what it found, including the risk level for each item and a brief description. You can drill down to see exactly what file and Registry traces are associated with the item or click a link for more details online. All this information remains available after the file is quarantined. And, unlike many similar products, Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 really delivers those online details. Most users will just click the button to proceed with cleanup, however.