On-demand scanning - does it scan for spyware as well?

[redman]

If I run an on-demand scan, does Avast! check for spyware at the same time? What about the resident protection - is that also constantly on the lookout for spyware? Has anyone done any comparisons between how effective Avast! is compared with say Spyware Doctor (for both virus and spyware protection)?

[wyrmrider]

There is spyware and there is spyware
Ad-aware would like you to think that tracking cookies are spyware?

Avast scans for some spyware but is mostly a way above average Anti-Virus
The AV capabilities of Spyware Doctor are - ummmm-well- as with many combo programs- shall we say - a work in progress

If you have enough horsepower you can run both but do not use/ install Spyware Doctors AV
There are many fine on demand anti spyware scanners
Spybot Search and destroy
malware bytes Anti Malware
super anti spy
A-Squared

If you have the hard disk space try em all

on this machine I have Counterspy and Avast and win patrol for real time
and most of the on demand scanners

I'd think I'd install Spyware Doctor for it's real time capabilities rather than rely on it as my primary on demand scanner - but that was not the question

No way would I rely on Spyware Doctor with AV as my AV

[DavidR]

The on-demand scan is a combined scan so you don't have to run multiple scans. If avast finds a spyware infected file it will also try to remove the associated registry entries, but it doesn't specifically do a registry scan like a specialist anti-spyware application.

I have never used spyware doctor so I can't make any comparison re spyware but I would say avast is much better on virus detection and removal (IMHO).

[redman]

Thanks for this. Very useful.

[DavidR]

You're welcome, as you can see from my signature I still use anti-spyware application in conjunction with avast.

[Lisandro]

If I run an on-demand scan, does Avast! check for spyware at the same time? What about the resident protection - is that also constantly on the lookout for spyware?

Shortly, yes and yes.

Has anyone done any comparisons between how effective Avast! is compared with say Spyware Doctor (for both virus and spyware protection)?

Spyware Doctor was bought by Symantec.
Spyware Doctor is not an antivirus and antimalware. avast has a complete solution.
I don't know, although, if there are comparison tables for the two products.

[wyrmrider]

There are definitely comparisons on the AV portions
Spyware Doctor and Counterspy (Vipre) are both adding AV to their antimalware products
AVG has added Anti-malware to its AV product (AVG-8)

at this point of time they are all "works in progress"
and separate programs are still the best way to go

DavidR
Free scanner only or realtime protection wth MBAM?

[DavidR]

I have the paid SuperAntiSpyware Pro version for resident anti-spyware protection, so I only use the free on-demand version of MBAM as like anti-virus systems you shouldn't have more than one resident anti-spyware scanner.

[wyrmrider]

I missed the "pro"
I agree 100% Only one
But do use one
on various machines I have Counterspy, Pest Patrol, Spyware Doctor, t-timer, not spysweeper currently,
have not tried SAS, MBAM, or Spyware Terminator for real time
also run Win Patrol on most everything
I do not see a lot of slow down
On my W98 boxes I'm moving over to System Safety Monitor

[DavidR]

I tried Spyware Terminator some time ago and didn't like the interface one bit. There are several options in the settings that it isn't clear how they work or what ther do exactly and I like to know what things are meant to do.