- Written by: Osama Zahid Cybersecurity Specialist
Spybot Search & Destroy Overview
Spybot Search & Destroy is a Windows-only antivirus that’s among the oldest names in the industry, but I wanted to see how it compares to the current best antiviruses. So, I put Spybot through a series of extensive tests to determine its capabilities .
After thorough testing, I found that Spybot isn’t a good app for securing your devices . Its scans fail to detect malware, its real-time protection is ineffective, it’s missing features like a firewall, and the interface is highly outdated. Plus, its plans don’t deliver good value for money, and customer support is missing vital channels like live chat and phone support.
For comprehensive security, I suggest you get Norton instead . Its flawless malware detection score and various safety features make it a much better choice. Plus, you can try Norton risk-free with its generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Try Norton risk-free for 60 days
In a Rush? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary
- Unreliable security — Spybot Search & Destroy’s virus scans aren’t effective at removing malware. Read more about whether Spybot can remove malware from your system .
- Unnecessary features — While there are multiple features in Spybot Search & Destroy, you probably won’t use most of them. Find out how effective Spybot’s features are .
- Outdated app — The desktop app has an outdated interface and isn’t the easiest to navigate. Jump here to discover what the app is like .
- Limited support options — There’s no live chat or phone support, and the existing support options are inconsistent. Read about my experience with Spybot’s support here .
- Not the best value for money — None of Spybot’s plans are worth the price. Learn more about the app’s pricing here .
Security
Spybot’s security didn’t impress me at all. Its scans are unreliable at detecting malware, and the real-time security failed to spot malware samples during my testing. Plus, it uses an ineffective web protection method that won’t defend you against all suspicious websites containing malware and phishing scans.
Virus Scans — Slow and Ineffective Malware Scanner
The first odd thing I noticed about Spybot’s malware scanner is that it required me to update virus signatures before running a scan . I’ve never experienced this with other modern-day security apps because they always keep their virus signature databases up-to-date without user input.
