Spyware Doctor - DON'T BUY ! Important Read!

kickerf1

Member
Jul 19, 2005
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How do I keep my computer safe? Well I have Zone Alarm Pro, Norton Anti-Virus Enterprise edition installed and of course my router firewall enabled. I frequently run spybot and ad-ware once in a while for security measures. Then Spyware Doctor caught my attention one day. After reading so many reviews about how this software was able to catch many spyware spybot and ad-ware couldn't. So I tried the trial version out and to my surprise when I did a full system scan it found over 30 infections in which more than 10 of them were spyware spyware and the rest cookies. Then I ran spybot and ad-ware, did a full system scan with my anti-virus and nothing found. After a week of using the sywpare doctor trial I found msyelf in a critical situation so I decided to purchased the goddam software. So I got home uninstalled the trial version and immediatelly installed the full version and guess what????? didn't find ******! This ****** software is a ****** scam and worthless. This is really dissapointing. How ****** ridiculous.

Thank you for reading.

 

cleverhandle

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2001
3,566
3
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Originally posted by: kickerf1
After a week of using the sywpare doctor trial I found msyelf in a critical situation so I decided to purchased the goddam software. So I got home uninstalled the trial version and immediatelly installed the full version and guess what????? didn't find ******! This ****** software is a ****** scam and worthless.
Ah... um... so, the paid-for spyware doctor didn't find anything? And presumably ad-aware didn't either (otherwise, why buy the doctor?) And from this, you infer that your machine is infected, and furthermore that the creators of spyware doctor are deliberately scamming you?

I must say, your logic eludes me...

BTW, if you've got that much of a spyware problem, no amount of software, free or commercial, is going to help you. Try 1) not running as an administrator, 2) using Firefox, if you're not, 3) keeping your machine patched, and 4) not clicking on everything in front of you.
 

Appledrop

Platinum Member
Aug 25, 2004
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Originally posted by: cleverhandle
Ah... um... so, the paid-for spyware doctor didn't find anything? And presumably ad-aware didn't either (otherwise, why buy the doctor?) And from this, you infer that your machine is infected, and furthermore that the creators of spyware doctor are deliberately scamming you?

I must say, your logic eludes me...
read much? He is saying 'spyware doctor' faked spyware infections in order to scam him into buying the software, which I thought was pretty common knowlege anyway.
BTW, if you've got that much of a spyware problem, no amount of software, free or commercial, is going to help you.
But i agree with this.
 

cleverhandle

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2001
3,566
3
81
Originally posted by: Azzith
read much? He is saying 'spyware doctor' faked spyware infections in order to scam him into buying the software, which I thought was pretty common knowlege anyway.
Ah... well that's coherent at least. I honestly had no idea that was the implication. A brief Googling didn't turn up any corroborating evidence, but it's certainly possible. And sleazy.

 

iamaelephant

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2004
3,816
1
81
Erm, I'm not sure what the problem is here. So, you cleaned all of your spyware using the trial version, then when the full version didn't find any you think you've been scammed? Of course it didn't find any - you cleaned it all with the trial version!

What am I missing here?
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
454
126
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Erm, I'm not sure what the problem is here. So, you cleaned all of your spyware using the trial version, then when the full version didn't find any you think you've been scammed? Of course it didn't find any - you cleaned it all with the trial version!

What am I missing here?

I believe the trail version doesn't delete things just detects them and says you can't delete anything till you've paid. So he did pay then the full version didn't find anything. Which is bullshit so thanks for the heads up OP.
 

kickerf1

Member
Jul 19, 2005
78
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Originally posted by: gorcorps
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Erm, I'm not sure what the problem is here. So, you cleaned all of your spyware using the trial version, then when the full version didn't find any you think you've been scammed? Of course it didn't find any - you cleaned it all with the trial version!

What am I missing here?

I believe the trail version doesn't delete things just detects them and says you can't delete anything till you've paid. So he did pay then the full version didn't find anything. Which is bullshit so thanks for the heads up OP.



EXACTLY!!! The trial version doesn't allow you to clean/delete/remove any spyware found until you had paid for the full version which I did thanks it wasn't that much coz I got it at work at a discounted price of $23 USD.

About 4 hours ago I updated this spyware doctor using its "smart update" and there was 3 downloads available which are as follow:

- Spyware Doctor Database (3.05170) 1.33 Mb
- ikhfile 15.93 kb
- ikhlayer 29.84 kb

I was kinda suspicious about the last 2 files so I only downloaded the first one. And now as I'm running this just out of curiosity I used the "smart update" once again and guess what? 3 available downloads once again and to my surprise they are the SAME ONES I HAD 4 HOURS AGO including that one I dowloaded... how do I know it is that exactly file? coz I took a snapshot before doing it.

Thank you very much spyware doctor YOU ARE OFFICIALLY OUT OF MY COMPUTER and now I will report you to the authorities.


 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
33,944
2
81
kickerf1

I speak from experience when I say that Spyware Doctor is one of the leaders in spyware/adware removal. I've been using it (in additional to many other malware tools) in my arsenal of comprehensive tools to clean thousands of compromised systems over the years.

Here's an excellent Spyware Doctor review from Mike Healan, editor of SpywareInfo.com

The detection database is extensive, and while it doesn;t catch 100% of the malware out in the wild it is one of the most thorough apps I have ever used. However as with any piece of software there are users that may encounter problems. The last 2 updates that you refused to download address the locked HDD (chkdisk) issue in Windows XP or NTFS partitions.

Thank you very much spyware doctor YOU ARE OFFICIALLY OUT OF MY COMPUTER and now I will report you to the authorities.

Thanks for the laugh; now please stop trolling.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,974
12,325
136
Originally posted by: John
kickerf1

I speak from experience when I say that Spyware Doctor is one of the leaders in spyware/adware removal. I've been using it (in additional to many other malware tools) in my arsenal of comprehensive tools to clean thousands of compromised systems over the years.

Here's an excellent Spyware Doctor review from Mike Healan, editor of SpywareInfo.com

The detection database is extensive, and while it doesn;t catch 100% of the malware out in the wild it is one of the most thorough apps I have ever used. However as with any piece of software there are users that may encounter problems. The last 2 updates that you refused to download address the locked HDD (chkdisk) issue in Windows XP or NTFS partitions.

Thank you very much spyware doctor YOU ARE OFFICIALLY OUT OF MY COMPUTER and now I will report you to the authorities.

Thanks for the laugh; now please stop trolling.

i've had the same thing john. my computer is pretty clean, yet spyware doctor is detecting 312 infections. one time it claimed i had a keylogger (kaspersky online scanner said i was clean though)
 

tuteja1986

Diamond Member
Jun 1, 2005
3,676
0
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Originally posted by: John
kickerf1

I speak from experience when I say that Spyware Doctor is one of the leaders in spyware/adware removal. I've been using it (in additional to many other malware tools) in my arsenal of comprehensive tools to clean thousands of compromised systems over the years.

Here's an excellent Spyware Doctor review from Mike Healan, editor of SpywareInfo.com

The detection database is extensive, and while it doesn;t catch 100% of the malware out in the wild it is one of the most thorough apps I have ever used. However as with any piece of software there are users that may encounter problems. The last 2 updates that you refused to download address the locked HDD (chkdisk) issue in Windows XP or NTFS partitions.

Thank you very much spyware doctor YOU ARE OFFICIALLY OUT OF MY COMPUTER and now I will report you to the authorities.

Thanks for the laugh; now please stop trolling.

yeah , I have bought 3 copies of spyware doctor :) best spyware tool
 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
33,944
2
81
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Anyone who pays for a Spyware removal program is a tool anyway.

IMHO Spyware & Adware is more of a problem today than viruses are. The top anti-spyware tools (Spy Sweeper & Spyware Doctor) aren't free and usually offer a 14 to 30 day trial. We live in a world of unsavvy users who typically rely on quality virus and anti-spyware utilities to protect their system. If most people knew that the PEBKAC then maybe they would refrain from being a "tool". :p
 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
33,944
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Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
i've had the same thing john. my computer is pretty clean, yet spyware doctor is detecting 312 infections. one time it claimed i had a keylogger (kaspersky online scanner said i was clean though)

Pretty clean? Flase positives are pretty rare with Spyware Doctor. What exactly was it detecting?
 

spike spiegal

Member
Mar 13, 2006
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We live in a world of unsavvy users who typically rely on quality virus and anti-spyware utilities to protect their system

They don't protect *squat* because they mostly clean up the mess after it's happened. You can eliminate the need for the 'crisis-ware' by not using IE unless you have to, not surfing with admin rights, and/or stop installing pirated software.

If there's a poster child for fasle positives, it's easily WebRoot's SpySweeper.
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
Originally posted by: John
Originally posted by: iamaelephant
Anyone who pays for a Spyware removal program is a tool anyway.

IMHO Spyware & Adware is more of a problem today than viruses are. The top anti-spyware tools (Spy Sweeper & Spyware Doctor) aren't free and usually offer a 14 to 30 day trial. We live in a world of unsavvy users who typically rely on quality virus and anti-spyware utilities to protect their system. If most people knew that the PEBKAC then maybe they would refrain from being a "tool". :p

Malware removal is no PICNIC - but the problem often can be described by that acronym. ;)

Problem In Chair, Not In Computer! :D

- M4H
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,974
12,325
136
Originally posted by: John
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
i've had the same thing john. my computer is pretty clean, yet spyware doctor is detecting 312 infections. one time it claimed i had a keylogger (kaspersky online scanner said i was clean though)

Pretty clean? Flase positives are pretty rare with Spyware Doctor. What exactly was it detecting?

tracking/ad cookies.

when i had the supposed keylogger, i ran kaspersky online scan + hijackthis. both came back clean.
 

kickerf1

Member
Jul 19, 2005
78
0
0
Originally posted by: John
kickerf1

I speak from experience when I say that Spyware Doctor is one of the leaders in spyware/adware removal. I've been using it (in additional to many other malware tools) in my arsenal of comprehensive tools to clean thousands of compromised systems over the years.

Here's an excellent Spyware Doctor review from Mike Healan, editor of SpywareInfo.com

The detection database is extensive, and while it doesn;t catch 100% of the malware out in the wild it is one of the most thorough apps I have ever used. However as with any piece of software there are users that may encounter problems. The last 2 updates that you refused to download address the locked HDD (chkdisk) issue in Windows XP or NTFS partitions.

Thank you very much spyware doctor YOU ARE OFFICIALLY OUT OF MY COMPUTER and now I will report you to the authorities.

Thanks for the laugh; now please stop trolling.


John, I know but you're deviating from my situation. I didn't say Spyware Doctor was a piece of crap I said "It lured me into buying the full version of the software coz the trial version detected spyware on my computer, and once I ran a scan with the full version I found NOTHING NADA NONE!" thats not fair! and I call that BULLSHIT!



 

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
I use Spyware Doctor on a daily basis and have never come across false positives. That's really strange that that happend to you. Are you sure Spyware Doctor did not just pick up on a lot of cookies?
 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
33,944
2
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Originally posted by: kickerf1
John, I know but you're deviating from my situation. I didn't say Spyware Doctor was a piece of crap I said "It lured me into buying the full version of the software coz the trial version detected spyware on my computer, and once I ran a scan with the full version I found NOTHING NADA NONE!" thats not fair! and I call that BULLSHIT!

Shens. :roll:

This ****** software is a ****** scam and worthless. This is really dissapointing. How ****** ridiculous.

I realize that you're upset, but the underlying meaning of your post infers that the software is crap. In a nutshell you're comments are putting it on the same level as a rogue anti-spyware application by claiming the detection of false-positives to goad you into a purchase.




 

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
Originally posted by: John
Originally posted by: kickerf1
John, I know but you're deviating from my situation. I didn't say Spyware Doctor was a piece of crap I said "It lured me into buying the full version of the software coz the trial version detected spyware on my computer, and once I ran a scan with the full version I found NOTHING NADA NONE!" thats not fair! and I call that BULLSHIT!

Shens. :roll:

This ****** software is a ****** scam and worthless. This is really dissapointing. How ****** ridiculous.

I realize that you're upset, but the underlying meaning of your post infers that the software is crap. In a nutshell you're comments are putting it on the same level as a rogue anti-spyware application by claiming the detection of false-positives to goad you into a purchase.

To the OP, believe me when I say that you should listen to what John and I have to say. This is coming from personal first hand experience in using this program for an extended period of time. Enough time to make a valid judgment of said software and in light of that, we both deem the software to be one of the most useful in the fight against spyware today.
 

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
5,479
14
81
I like the free stuff. If you use Windows Defender+Adaware+Spybot (all free) your bound to catch most of the stuff.

But if the computer is really fvcked up with spyware, I'd just do a reinstall and try not to get that much spyware again (use adaware/spybot more often).
 

John

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
33,944
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Originally posted by: wizboy11
But if the computer is really fvcked up with spyware, I'd just do a reinstall and try not to get that much spyware again (use adaware/spybot more often).

Both of those programs are good for backup apps, but they have an inferior detection rate when you compare them to Spyware Doctor, Spy Sweeper, Ewido, A-Squared, etc.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,025
13,493
126
www.anyf.ca
Spyware can easily be avoided using common sense measures. I run a spyware tool maybe once a year and it finds zip all, maybe only cookies, or perhaps parts of something that I may of purposely installed but removed, for whatever reason.

These two main measures should prevent anyone from having spyware:

1) Don't use IE
2) Don't just download anything, research on it first. Found a freeware program? research it before installing. If there's nothing saying it has spyware, then install it, and if you still dont trust it, do a scan right away. If it works and is trustable then keep the installer for later use.
 

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Spyware can easily be avoided using common sense measures. I run a spyware tool maybe once a year and it finds zip all, maybe only cookies, or perhaps parts of something that I may of purposely installed but removed, for whatever reason.

These two main measures should prevent anyone from having spyware:

1) Don't use IE
2) Don't just download anything, research on it first. Found a freeware program? research it before installing. If there's nothing saying it has spyware, then install it, and if you still dont trust it, do a scan right away. If it works and is trustable then keep the installer for later use.
I understand you're a IE basher but just because you use IE does not mean you'll be infected with spyware. I've been using IE and only IE and I've never been infected, once. Just a FYI.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,974
12,325
136
Originally posted by: John
Originally posted by: wizboy11
But if the computer is really fvcked up with spyware, I'd just do a reinstall and try not to get that much spyware again (use adaware/spybot more often).

Both of those programs are good for backup apps, but they have an inferior detection rate when you compare them to Spyware Doctor, Spy Sweeper, Ewido, A-Squared, etc.

if spyware doctor is detecting false positives (or making things up), then it automatically has a higher detection rate due to faulty/fake readings