PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.5 is a very good anti-spyware application that blocked most malicious applications in our testing. It is easy on system resources, so it will not slow down your computer.

User Interface: The PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.5 interface is workman-like; not dazzling. It is spare and simple to use, providing you know what you are doing and need very little explanatory text. A convenient central console displays most major settings. The console was designed to integrate with the companion antivirus product, however this was not tested. The homepage clearly displays informative product version information.

Scanning: Scanning was slow but thorough. PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.5 found numerous potential threats in the form of files, registry keys, and tracking cookies.

Real-Time Protection: PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.5 offers real-time protection including BHO (Browser Guard). In our testing, the real-time protection failed on several occasions to prevent malicious ActiveX controls from being loaded and malware to be copied.

Upgrades and Updates: User can configure how and when updates and upgrades will be performed.

Value: The price of PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.5 is $29.95 for a 1-year subscription for three PCs. With add-on antivirus protection, the 1-year subscription is $39.95. For five PCs, the price is $99.95, and with the add-on antivirus protection, $149.00. Users can purchase up to fifty licenses online.

Integrated Support Options: Support options include free online Web-based and e-mail support. PC Tools provides an extensive and searchable knowledge base online.

Top Features

• Detects, blocks, and removes spyware including rootkits and botnets.
• Kills Adware.
• Cookie cleaner.
• No reboot necessary after installation.
• Excludes known safe files and/or creates rules to prevent false positives.
• Stops browser hijackers.
• Free scan and quarantine of infections.
• Vista, XP, and Windows 2000 32-bit operating systems supported.
• 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee.

Pros

• Has several “Guards” that provide broad spectrum protection.
• Real-time protection prevents spyware from infecting computer.
• Console integrates with companion antivirus engine (not reviewed.)
• Automatically schedules weekly full scans.
• Quarantine allows recovery of files and permanent removal through deletion.
• Low memory consumption: 27 Mb.

Cons

• No integrated firewall.
• No support for e-mail or Instant Messenger protection.
• No pop-up blocker.
• Full scan does not start automatically after installation.
• Limited configurability of Guards.
• Must configure automated definition database updates or be forced to perform this task manually.

Installation: Installation is straightforward and typical. While following the setup wizard, it prompts you to install the Google toolbar. After finishing the installation, Setup launches the Smart Update wizard which updates the application and definition files to the most current version. When complete with updating, Spyware Doctor 5.5 is visibly running in the system tool tray. A reboot is not necessary.

Spyware Detection: In our testing, we found that PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.5 detected most spyware and malware we could throw at it. It did not detect certain adware installation files, but when these files were executed, it detected and prevented them from running. Protection is integrated through use of “Guards” including Browser Guard, Cookie Guard, File Guard, Immunizer Guard, Keylogger Guard, Network Guard, Process Guard, and Startup Guard. Guards can be configured granularly and enabled/disabled. There are minimal configuration options available to each Guard, mostly to allow exclusions for each. The Spyware Doctor 5.5 definition database currently supports over 216,000 malware signatures.

Phishing and Malicious Web site Protection: Spyware Doctor 5.5 provides protection against phishing attacks and malicious Web sites.

Upgrades and Updates: The user can configure how and when updates and upgrades will be performed. Spyware Doctor 5.5 is not configured to retrieve updates automatically by default. The user can schedule a smart update, which is a scheduled update.

Customer Support: Free online web-based and e-mail support. Extensive and searchable knowledge base online. Phone support is available, although not easy to access.