Spyware Terminator is one of the few completely free full featured antispyware software.   The company doesn’t even have a “full version” for purchase.  The software boasts real time protection, detection of over 500,000 items with daily database updates, automatic update capability, and even integration with ClamWin free antivirus.  As one can see, the software is truly full featured compared to other “free antispyware” which often contain partially functional real-time shields etc.  In our tests, Spyware Terminator performed excellent at detecting and mitigating spyware and malware threats.

Features:

    Since Spyware Terminator has such a comprehensive feature set for a freeware antivirus, I wanted to quickly review the functionality.

    Real-Time Protection. Spyware Terminator includes a very comprehensive real-time protection system.  The system includes several shields including a startup, service and driver, web browser add-ons, file extensions, Winsock, ie settings, system ini, and host shield.   All of these shields rely on Spyware Terminators extensive classification database that classifies each change to the latter areas as safe, unknown, or a solid threat.  In our tests, we were immediately prompted when installing a so called rouge add-on to Firefox (adware toolbar for free online games).  
    The real time shield also includes additional functionality such as a whitelist and a blacklist.  If one felt that a process was misclassified under one of the lists, a review list is available to make necessary changes.  In addition, to the unsafe/safe list capability, Spyware Terminator even has  HIPS or host based intrusion prevention system which will essentially create its own trusted database on the target computer.   There are two settings, the “high” level which will prompt for all unknown processes and supporting programs while the “low” level will only ask for the unknown processes.  Of course, if this process seems too tedious a user can also disable the HIPS protection while still having the basic real-time shield intact.

    Internet Protection.  The Internet Protection capability includes an immunization feature.  What this feature will do is automatically block 4,478 different attack functions which are essentially rouge Active X installations.  Active X installers are a way for virus writers to install malicious code by a user visiting a malware website.  In addition to the immunization feature, there is the web security toolbar which includes favorite and cookie protection in addition to additional real time protection.

    Tools.  Like SuperAntispyware, Spyware Terminator includes system restorers or repairs.  While the repairs are not as comprehensive as SuperAntispywares, Spyware Terminator will allow a user to restore the active desktop, homepage, IE local page etc.   The next feature is a file analysis tool.  The analysis will display a report of all of the registry locations that the desired file appears.  This information is perfect for a situation in which a user doesn’t know how a file (potentially a malware file) installs into the registry etc.  The tools also include a remove file option for stubborn or locked files and a system restore functionality if a Spyware Terminator accidentally deletes important files after a spyware scan.

    ClamWin Functionality.  If a user has ClamWin installed on their computer, Spyware Terminator can utilize the antivirus engine during a spyware scan.  This way a user only has to schedule a Spyware Terminator scan rather than 2 scans. 

    Updater.  This is the first time I have seen a bittorrent p2p update functionality in an antispyware/antivirus software.  One downside is that Spyware Terminator will uses an idle computer to seed new versions to other users this in turn will waste bandwidth.  However, on the positive note, Spyware Terminator includes free automatic updates.

Virus/Spyware Detection and Scanning:

    There are three different spyware scanning options the “Fast Spyware Scan”,” Full Spyware Scan”, and the “Custom Spyware Scan”.  The Fast scan completed in about two minutes while the full spyware scan completed in about nine minutes.  Ironically, the Full system scan could even be called a fast scan and is significantly faster than most antispyware software.  While both scans didn’t detect any new spyware on the test computer, the crown jewel of the scanning process is the reporting feature.  Spyware Terminator has the most in-depth reporting capability of any spyware or antivirus tested.  Essentially, Spyware Terminator will present the user with a HijackThis like report with even more in-depth information.  For example, the processes, drivers, and services will be identified by vendor and there is extensive use of color coding etc.  Basically if a user wants to know everything that’s going on with their system, it would be advantageous to view this report.  Finally, Spyware Terminator even includes an option to send the report to the support team for analysis and assistance.   
    Spyware Terminator also provides schedule scan capabilities.  Therefore a fast spyware scan can be run upon every system startup or at a specific interval.  Users report that Spyware Terminator’s detection and disinfection capabilities are excellent. 

Interface:

    Spyware Terminator’s interface presents the programs features in a colorful and user intuitive way.  However, there are a few problems.  First, Spyware Terminator claims there is no 64 bit support for the real time shield.  This is unfortunate because more and more new computers come with 64 bit OS’s preinstalled.  In addition , updates do not update automatically; the status will just remain as non up to date.  On the test system a complete manual program restart was necessary for the updates to be applied.  Finally, I encountered some weird errors with hex code.  While the program didn’t completely crash, the software needs to be tested on different Windows OS.

Conclusion:

    Spyware Terminator is free full featured antispyware and antivirus.  Just this statement makes Spyware Terminator a great deal.   However, the interface suffers from some problems and the software lacks full support for 64bit Windows.  Regardless, Spyware Terminator will provide excellent benchmark protection on a Windows 32bit PC.

• Spyware Terminator Free Download http://spyware-terminator.en.softonic.com/
  

Antispyware Reviews spyware terminator review, spyware terminator download