PROS
Excellent antispyware
Light resource use
Real-time protection
Heuristic detection
Regular updates
Browser clean-up
Less expensive
Average user interface
This 2010 version of CounterSpy Antispyware proves to be a solid antispyware software application with a few extra features added on for good measure.
Our testing proved better than expected with CounterSpy defeating our testing spyware 100% of the time*. That's the best antispyware software we've seen so far.
The installation was easy, and all three core protection functions performed without fail.
We love that CounterSpy Antispyware 2010 is so lite in the resource usage department, and we've got a lot of respect for their customer support.
With solid extra features and stellar antispyware protection, we can honestly say CounterSpy Antispyware 2010 is the best antispyware software we've tested this year.
CounterSpy Antispyware Features
- VIPRE anti-malware engine
- Sunbelt anti-rootkit technology
- Real-time Active Protection
- Scan Scheduling
- Signature-based detection
- Behavioral-based detection
- Heuristic-based detection
- System Tools
- Secure File Eraser
- History Cleaner
- PC Explorer
- Antispyware certified
Installation - 80%
Though the installation was simple and easy, there were more steps when compared to the other antispyware software we've tested.
The installer prompted us to search for antispyware definition updates automatically after completing the installation. However, it took close to 12 minutes to download the updates, which is a little longer when compared to the other antispyware software.
No reboot was needed to complete the installation.
User Interface - 92%
Even though the user interface (UI) is not showy, it has all the ingredients to be a good antispyware software.
Navigation between different screens is very simple with a noticeable lack of cumbersome drop-down lists. This saves you having to click multiple links and tabs to get where you want to go.
The main overview page is fairly simple and concise, and any screen within the antispyware software can easily be navigated from there.
Pre-Infected Machine - 100%
$19.95
We wanted to see how well CounterSpy would perform if we installed it on a PC already infected with spyware and other malware. CounterSpy performed perfectly.
We infected our testing PC with 5 trojans and 17 spyware and other malware files (6 tried to modify registry entries, 10 tried to change Internet Explorer settings, and one tried to add entries to the network hosts file).
After infecting the machine, we installed CounterSpy antispyware software. Soon after the installation, CounterSpy launched a scan on its own.
All five trojan files were detected. All the 17 spywares (6 registry, 10 IE settings, 1 network) were detected.
That's a 100% success rate for some heavy trojans and spyware*.
Real-time Protection - 100%
Again, CounterSpy antispyware performed perfectly in our tests.
We engaged real-time protection, then hit our testing PCs hard with spyware, trojans, and other malware. CounterSpy detected and blocked everyone without fail.
When the trojans were accessed, CounterSpy detected them instantaneously. When the spyware files were accessed, CounterSpy successfully blocked them.
Pop-ups were also blocked successfully by the antispyware software.
Another flawless performance*.
Manual Scanning - 100%
We infected the machine with the two sets of files, one after the other, and ran a full system scan.
All the trojans were detected by the manual scan. All spyware and malware files were successfully detected*.
Resource Usage - 97%
Resource usage for CounterSpy was very lean and lite.
During real-time protection, memory usage was extremely low at 6MB. CPU usage was only 0%-2%, and when files were accessed, only 139MB were used.
During a manual, full-system scan, we didn't notice any significant slowing or sluggishness in our testing PC. We were able to browse and use normal computer functions with ease.
Memory usage during a manual scan was very low at 60-104KB max. CPU usage was still considerably lite at 8%-50%. And file access only peaked at 148MB.
Very impressive, lite resource usage overall.
| Real-time protection: |
Manual Scanning: |
| Memory usage: 6 MB |
Memory usage: 60-104 KB |
| CPU usage: 0% to 2% |
CPU usage: 8% to 50% |
| Page file usage: 139 MB |
Page file usage: 148 MB |
Definition Updates - 96%
The antispyware definition updates are configurable. You can choose to get the updates at regular intervals and also download them whenever needed.
Customer Support - 100%
Sunbelt (the makers of CounterSpy) are well known for their fantastic customer support. They make phone, email, live chat, forums, and knowledge base all easily accessible to any customer -- 100% free.
Their tech and customer support is all US-based and available worldwide.
There are also plenty of help screens for each section of the software.
Of all the antispyware we've seen, it's hard to beat Sunbelt's customer service and support.
Un-Installation - 98%
If you ever need to un-install CounterSpy, the un-installation is fast and easy. Simply use your Windows ADD/REMOVE Programs feature and the software will un-install with ease.
A reboot is needed to complete the un-installation.
We didn't find any harmful registry traces left behind.
A very clean and simple un-installation.
Special Features - 90%
There are plenty of extra features included with CounterSpy antispyware. All are extremely helpful in keeping your PC safe and clean from spyware and other malware.
- Secure File Eraser: As you may or may not know, when you delete a file on your computer, it doesn't completely delete all traces of that file. With this handy Secure File Eraser, any files you delete are permanently deleted forever. This is important because most spyware software can go in and find sensitive information from un-deleted files. Rest assured that any personal or sensitive information you delete is actually gone and removed from prying eyes.
- Handling of Unknown Programs: This is a handy tool for those who want more advanced control over their PC. Handling of Unknown Programs is optional, but when engaged, you can choose how to handle unknown programs that try to run on your computer. Many programs need to change settings or registry entries when they install. This tool allows you to decide which are normal, and which may be harmful. Under this option, the unknown programs are broadly classified into different categories and you can set different rules for different types of programs.
- Scan Options: The Scan Options feature is a very useful tool that allows you to choose to scan the archives, scan the running processes, scan USB drives on insertion, or make up missed scans with a quick scan. Usually, when antispyware scans are in progress, systems can become slow. But in the case of CounterSpy, you can opt to run the scan at a lower priority. This ensures you can work at normal pace while the scan is in progress.
- Risk Detection Statistics: This feature shows how many scans have been completed so far, how many risks were cleared by the scanner, how many risks were blocked by the real-time protection, and the risks blocked by the email protection option. This section also has an option to reset all these counts.
System Requirements
Hardware:
- At least an IBM Compatible 400MHZ computer with minimum 512MB RAM
- At least 150MB of available free space on your hard drive
- 2x CDROM
- Internet access with at least 56Kbps connection
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows 2000 SP4 RollUp 1
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows XP SP1, SP2, SP3 (Home, Pro, Media Center, Tablet) 32 and 64-bit
- Windows Vista+ (All flavors) 32 and 64-bit
- Windows 7, 32 and 64-bit
Conclusion
$19.95
This is the best antispyware software that we've tested this year. It's simple to operate for first-time users and very useful for advanced users who want to control their PCs to a greater extent.
CounterSpy Antispyware has strong core antispyware power, as well as many extra rich features. It passed all of our rigorous tests and detected all the spyware/trojans we used for testing in all three of our core sections -- Pre-Infected Machine, Real-time Protection, and Manual Scanning.
We definitely recommend CounterSpy Antispyware this year for the best antispyware software protection.
