Does version 4.8 include Anti-spyware?

[system]

I have a trial version of PC Tools Spyware Doctor running, along with PC Tools Firewall + and Avast 4.8.

Spyware Doctor has told me I have Spyware.Known_Bad_Sites (8 infections) - I can’t delete them until I buy and register.

Avast’s website says “FREE avast! antivirus Home Edition includes ANTI-SPYWARE protection” but I haven’t had any warning of those particular 8 infections.

Elsewhere here I have read advice that someone with version 4.something (forget which) should get spyware and Spyware Terminator was recommended.

My questions are therefore:

1. Is version 4.8 pre-packaged with anti-spyware?
2. If Yes, shouldn’t it have picked up the 8 infections that Spyware Doctor found?
3. If not an element of avast!, should I get rid of Spyware Doctor and download Spyware Terminator, and are avast and Terminator compatible together?

Thanks in advance for replies.

[essexboy]

It depends on what spyware doctor found- they could just be tracking cookies

I use Superantispyware and I believe spyware terminator is on par with that.

There should be no conflicts with an antispy programme and avast

[Lisandro]

@jackofall post:1

1. Is version 4.8 pre-packaged with anti-spyware?

Yes.

@jackofall post:1

2. If Yes, shouldn’t it have picked up the 8 infections that Spyware Doctor found?

Yes. So depends on really what has SpywareDoctor detected: a real infection or just tracking cookies, a real infection or a potential one only to force you to buy the paid version…

@jackofall post:1

3. If not an element of avast!, should I get rid of Spyware Doctor and download Spyware Terminator, and are avast and Terminator compatible together?

Yes, avast is compatible with ST.
You can try also SuperAntispyware.

[system]

Thanks for the replies. I’ve gone for Spyware Terminator as it offers automatic updating, amongst other things, and scheduled scanning, neither of which the free version of Superantispyware does.

[Lisandro]

@jackofall post:4

Thanks for the replies. I’ve gone for Spyware Terminator as it offers automatic updating, amongst other things, and scheduled scanning, neither of which the free version of Superantispyware does.

Although, I think the detection rate of Super is better than ST.

[DavidR]

@jackofall post:4

Thanks for the replies. I’ve gone for Spyware Terminator as it offers automatic updating, amongst other things, and scheduled scanning, neither of which the free version of Superantispyware does.

I too feel that SAS has better detections and malware removals.

Personally I don’t feel that the auto updates or scheduling scans is that much of an issue. I do regular weekly system maintenance and part of that is my on-demand scans, before doing the SAS scan I download the latest signatures, it really isn’t that much of a hassle.

The only thing to consider is do you want the ‘resident’ protection of ST (bearing in mind avast also has anti-spyware incorporated into the main avast resident scanner) or if on-demand scanning would be enough.