SpyCatcher 3.5 is an extremely advanced anti-spyware tool. It does exactly what it promises and offers plenty of features and hands-on tweaking options for advanced users. It even offers full system logging and scheduling. While it's one of the most powerful desktop programs we've come across - it even outperformed Spybot in finding suspicious code - its heavy-handed approach to spyware removal could cause disastrous consequences in the wrong hands. SpyCatcher 3.5 comes highly recommended, but only for technical users.

Pros: Advanced anti-spyware tools; protects against phishing scams
Cons: Takes an extremely heavy-handed approach to spyware


We all know the perils of spyware. We'll, if you don't, you'd better read up on it pretty sharpish because your computer is watching you! Spyware tracks your online behaviour without your knowledge or consent. And it can steal your personal or credit card information, access your documents, log your keystrokes or crash your computer. Advertisers use them to pop up ads on your desktop and hijack your Web browser, amongst other things.

Nasty spyware embeds itself deep into your computer's operating system and boot cycle, making these malicious files extremely difficult to remove. Persistent, aggressive spyware even reinstalls itself even after it is thought to be removed - which can be a real pain to keep on top of. No matter which way you look at, you really should protect yourself against these Internet-bourne attacks with at least one anti-spyware application - now!

We're great fans of Spybot, a free application that scans for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software on Windows computers (Mac and Linux/Unix aren't supported). However, it always pays to have as much protection as possible, so you should also look into installing a paid-for solution from a reputable company for added support, especially when protecting the systems in your organisation.

Tenebril's SpyCatcher, like most other applications of its type, provides spyware protection through real-time monitoring. However, unlike other programs, it features a unique reinstallation shield, offers phishing protection, and allows you to get your hands dirty with the tracking of certain spyware types. You can, for example, allow adware and browser tracking, but block keyboard hacking and firewall killers. The options really are quite exhaustive - and you can easily mess up your computer if you don't know what you're doing - so SpyCatcher probably isn't the right software for security newbies.

Spyware comes in many forms and hides in many places. SpyCatcher 3.5 recognises tens of thousands of spyware programs in 37 different categories. It also updates its database automatically at the click of a button, so you needn't worry about being ut of date once you've registered. In addition to scanning your hard disk drive, the software can also scrutinise other disks, removable drives, network drives, system registry and memory to find hidden and active spyware. Thankfully, you have full control over where and for what SpyCatcher searches, which helps to save on both time and system resources.

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