Spyware Doctor is designed to detect all types of known spyware and malware including suspicious ActiveX objects, keyloggers and phishing scams. Since antispyware removal is a much more difficult task than simply detecting it, it comes as no surprise that this software’s detection capabilities supersede its removal performance. The antispyware software also frequently updates to ensure it can continue to protect your PC against emerging threats as well.
If you are running a newer PC or laptop with 4GB of RAM, you will notice little slowdown with this antispyware application. However, if you are gaming, watching a movie or doing another resource-intensive activity, Spyware Doctor has a game mode that allows you to temporarily disable the software so it doesn’t unnecessarily hog system resources. You can also set the anti-spyware software to scan when you aren’t using your computer. Sluggish PC performance is also likely if your computer is only equipped with 2GB of RAM.
You’ll find little beyond this antispyware tool’s malware protection. While top-tier antispyware software works hard to protect all points of entry on your PC, Spyware Doctor primarily focuses on potential browser exploits. To keep your PC even safer, we’d like to see the software also scan email attachments and removable media such as USB drives for potential threats. Doing so may help boost the software’s overall performance.
Also missing from Spyware Doctor’s functionality is the ability to run reports. While not necessary for effective malware protection, reporting options would likely widen the software’s appeal to include advanced users who prefer manual, hands-on PC protection and are interested to know more about the nature of found threats.
If you run into trouble either installing or running the software, Spyware Doctor is supplemented with decent help and support. Its manufacturer, PC Tools, provides online documentation and a knowledgebase that you can peruse. You can also contact the company via live chat or email, but no phone support is available.
Spyware Doctor clearly isn’t the best antispyware software to remove malware infections from a PC; its removal capabilities are limited and a lack of features restricts what you can actually do with the software. That said, as many antispyware tools on our lineup are, this one seems to be best suited for casual users looking for nothing more than basic antispyware protection.
