Like many prudent PC users, I employ a multi-layered defense against malware, starting with a proven firewall and antivirus utility. Then come the rootkit scanners; spyware scanners; spyware disablers (SpywareBlaster - let's hear it for the kill bit!); and a host of other utilities which have served me well for years. With the exception of Nod32 - my antivirus program of choice - all the others are freeware. For the hell of it, I decided to download the latest freeware version of Spyware Doctor. Both Webroot and Spyware Doctor (shareware) have been consistently well-regarded in the industry as two of the very best. SD's freeware version proved it to me. It found three files on my hard drive which completely escaped my other utilities. And, unlike other anti-spyware programs, there weren't any gimmicks. Lots of anti-spyware programs will detect malware, but want you to pay for their fully funtional utility to remove it. Not so with freeware version Spyware Doctor. My own surfing practices range from the safely conservative one night to the stupidly risky the next. I don't want to worry about a compromised box. I just want protection when it's needed. I found another layer with SD. IronMan Download

Thanks for the tip. After the install, my PF usage went from a nominal 256 megs to over 400. No biggie. Important thing is that CPU usage barely changed, staying between 2-9 percent.

"Note: Full Smart Update capabilities are only available to registered users of Spyware Doctor." This might explain why Smart Update refuses to work for me. Without updates, this "free" version is of little use to me. In it's current state, it finds only one "threat", the fact that I have WFP turned off (by choice). All OnGuard features are disabled in this "free" version, thereby offering no "real-time" protection at all. Any attempt to activate these features results in a prompt to upgrade to the paid version. My verdict: Nothing more than a (crippled) marketing tool for the paid version. Could it be that this is just a spam post? Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.

Sci-Guy, as to your claim that I'm a spammer, I'm sure you have evidence to back up the charge. I've posted here at CN for years (ask Justin Weber) and I'm a shill for no one. Unless you have more than uninformed opinion to post, spare us the drivel. You wrote: "This might explain why Smart Update refuses to work for me." Yes, but you can easily update the utility manually - look for the clearly marked tab. As you say, other features found in the shareware version are turned off. (I never said otherwise.) Anyone familiar with freeware and shareware versions of the same program expect these limitations. For example, AVG's free antivirus utility does not include all the bells and whistles of the paid version. Yet, the freeware edition does an admirable job - witness its popularity. Of Spyware Doctor's free version, you wrote: "Nothing more than a (crippled) marketing tool for the paid version." Not exactly a rarefied insight on your part. This has been common practice among software companies for years. Like any business, they're looking for new customers; after giving you a taste of the full-featured product with freeware, they hope you'll pay for the shareware. As posted here before, I'm an Apple Support Tech whose first love is PCs. I also have a lucrative base of private clients running Vista and XP. Don't have time to be a spammer. I'm making too much money. :) IronMan

Had no problem updating Spyware Doctor with the Smart Update tab. I never expected the freeware version to give me automatic updates. Maybe Sci-Guy's download got corrupted on the way from the server. Been known to happen. Can't say what utility I'm going to spend my hard-earned money for this month. Spyware Doctor is on the list. But so is Spyware Terminator. Their freeware version has been a real champ since I installed it months ago. I'm looking for a replacement for Spybot Search & Destroy, a real dinosaur in its approach to spyware. Thanks for the heads-up on Spyware Doctor.

Been there, done that with all these "swat" tools including Spyware Doctor & unless Spyware Terminator decides to start charging for its efficient & beautifully packaged product: I have no inclination to make a permanent switch to Spyware Doctor -- the circumstance is just not all that compelling.

Sabertooth, you wrote: I have no inclination to make a permanent switch to Spyware Doctor Neither do I. SD is just another freeware utilty in my anti-malware toolbox; thought I'd pass the info along. Incidentally, I share your feelings for Spyware Terminator. For a freebie, it's a very effective utility. Speaking of toolboxes (I never delete anything from the toolbox unless it causes me problems), when I went through mine the other day, I found a copy of Bazooka from years ago. Remember that dinosaur? Of course, back in those days - when there wasn't much available to deal with malware - it did serve its purpose. I remember it actually finding a few spyware files. Had to hunt down and delete the offending file myself, of course; poor Bazooka just gave you a name. After that, you were on your own. :) IronMan