Antispyware Updates
Zango, and adward maker, lost in its lawsuit against Kaspersky (an antivirus/antispyware and antimalware company). Zango claimed that Kaspersky was unfairly deleting Zango's ads on its customer's websites.

The courts ruled in favor of Kaspersky against this kind of adware and spyware because...read more

Spyware Doctor has outdone itself compared to last year's antispyware effort.

This year's offering enhances a number of previously average components to make a smoother-running antispyware software. AntiVirus protection is added for one thing, powerful antispyware methods, superb detection and elimination rates, and multiple specialty bonuses.

The installation is a little bit rough, but the end result is a clean PC free of spyware; well worth any bumps in the road getting there.

If you're looking for something with a little more power in your antispyware, Zone Alarm Pro 2009 is the antispyware, firewall combo that combines the best of both worlds. Zone Alarm has a long history of innovative and powerful firewalls to keep the bad guys out. Combine that with an equally potent antispyware and you've got some serious protection.

Zone Alarm Pro 2009 even includes some decent email scanning, identity theft protection, and even a WiFi monitor. Not bad for an antispyware application. Zone Alarm Pro 2009 even incorporates your current antivirus software without any conflicts.

CounterSpy V2 is a fairly good antispyware program able to tackle some heavy spyware and virus infestations. We only ranked this third on our list this year because of a few frustrating experiences. One is the difficult install sequence. Like most other antispyware applications, CounterSpy V2 has a difficult time destroying entrenched spyware on your PC. The reason is, most spyware is very tough and actually has defenses against spyware-removal software. This makes it hard for antispyware software such as CounterSpy V2 to get installed in the first place.

For the most part, CounterSpy V2 was able to scan and tackle all forms of spyware, viruses, and malware. You should only experience installation problems if you have a serious spyware infestation that simply doesn't want to die.

Webroot Spysweeper 6.0 offers up a slightly more enhanced antispyware prodoct than last year's version. The most notable feature is that Webroot finally created a Vista-compatible version (better late than never). Webroot has the usual goodies including good antispyware detection and removal. Rootkit protection, and an easy to use interface.

Despite these solid features, Webroot continues to stumble on a few key points. One is the fact this antispyware tries to install an Ask.com search toolbar during the process. All we wanted was a good antispyware, do we really need another toolbar? This is simply an attempt for Webroot to make a few extra bucks off their customers. Not very good taste, in our opinion.

This year's version of CA antispyware comes packaged along with what CA calls, "anti-virus plus." CA does an adequate job at detecting, removing, and preventing spyware and viruses, but not good enough, in our opinion. In independent tests, scanning results were average at best. Spyware, viruses, and other malware were only detected part of the time, and removal wasn't up to our standards.

If you're looking for a very basic anti-spyware and anti-virus application, CA Anti-Virus Plus CA Anti-Spyware 2009 will do ok, be highly recommend one of our top picks this year instead.