SUPERAntiSpyware Pro has been reviewed twice on Ghacks in the past two years as part of the annual Ghacks Christmas Giveaway. The recent acquisition of SUPERAntiSpyware by Support.com, and the release of version 5 of the software, justify a new review. In particular we wanted to know if the new parent company had any impact on the development of the software.
While it is possible to install and use SUPERAntiSpyware as the main defense against malicious software on a Windows PC, it is used by the majority of users as a second layer of defense against those threats. Unlike most security software, it can be run on the same system as traditional antivirus solutions without ill-effects like slowdowns, crashes or false positives.
That’s one of the factors for the application’s popularity. But it is not the only one. Two other core factors are the free version of the program and the fact that it is very effective when it comes to cleaning malware on a system.
The factors have not changed with the release of SUPERAntiSpyware 5. Users can still download the free or professional version from the developer website (The portable version will be updated soon). The core differences between the free and pro version of SUPERAntiSpyware is that the Pro version supports real-time blocking, scheduled scanning, automatic updates and free unlimited customer support. Users of the free version can get support on the forums only.
The following screen is displayed when you start the pro version of the program after installation.
It contains options to scan the computer, enable or disable specific features of the professional version, run a manual update, view logs and quarantine, run repairs or open the help.
Pro users make automatic use of the updates feature which checks for updates every 8 hours. Some users might feel that the setting is a bit on the high side. There are options available to edit all scheduled task, so that it is possible to reduce the update interval check or change the time for scheduled scans of the system. It is furthermore possible to add new tasks, for instance a daily scan of a specific network folder.
First time users should open the program preferences to customize the program. Interesting features include automatic update installations, home page protection and a trusted items whitelist that are then excluded from all scans.
The Scan your Computer button runs the scan that’s been selected on its right side. Available for selection are quick scans, complete scans, critical point scans or custom scans. Windows users who know that their system is infected can enable a new feature called Rescue Scan which tries to reduce the impact of malware on the system that is causing a 100% cpu usage.
Scan results are displayed in real-time in the program interface. All harmful findings are divided into groups with options to expand the selection to get additional information about each finding. Here it is also possible to block items from being cleaned.
All items that are cleaned by SUPERAntiSpyware are moved to the quarantine where they can be deleted permanently or restored.
The repairs feature is an interesting addition. It can be used to correct some of the problems and issues that removed malware has left behind on the system. Repairs include enabling the task manager, reset the home page, repairs of broken network connections or resetting the Windows Internet Zone Maps.
SUPERAntiSpyware Pro 5 comes with the following new or improved features:
- More Efficient & Effective Scanning – New Scanning engine provides faster scanning while being able to detect even the most stubborn threats such as rootkits, rogues, and Trojans.
- All-new User Interface – Provides easy access to all important tools and features while presenting itself in an easy-to-use interface.
- Enhanced Real-time Protection – All new Real-Time Protection provides powerful first line defense against installation of new threats. With minimal performance impact, the Real-Time Protection provides immediate detection of threats before they can take hold of a system and gives instant notification allowing users to take action before malware does.
- Smaller & Faster Updates – Compression algorithm improvements provide smaller update files sizes and faster downloading than in previous versions. This makes it faster & easier to stay up-to-date with the latest malware definitions and reduces the load on the computer while the updates are being downloaded and applied.
- Powerful Scheduling – With the integration of Windows Task Scheduler, SUPERAntiSpyware offers maximum scheduling flexibility for both updates and scans. SUPERAntiSpyware now has the ability to ‘wake’ computers from sleep in order to run scheduled updates or scans allowing scans to be performed when the computer is not in use.
- Rescue Scan – When enabled, Rescue Scan allows SUPERAntiSpyware to recoup processing power from CPU hogging malware programs in order to put more power and resources behind the scanning engine.
- All-new Quarantine – Suspicious items detected by real-time protection or by scans are automatically placed in the redesigned Quarantine area. Once in Quarantine the item is ‘sandboxed’ from infecting files outside of quarantine, from there quarantined items can be deleted, removed or marked as safe.
The reception on security sites is positive. You find discussion about the new release on sites such as Wilders Security.
Both the free and paid version of SUPERAntiSypware 5 are great additions to a system’s defense. Existing users can upgrade their version either from within the program or by downloading the latest version from the official website.
SUPERAntiSypware Pro 5 Giveaway
We have 20 SUPERAntiSpyware Pro licenses to give away. All you need to do is let us know what you are currently using security wise on your system.
Update The winners will be drawn and notified tomorrow (Friday, 12.8.2011)
The license winners are: Ivan K., Prakash Pathak, Midnight, e1scd, techandlife, hlm, Gramps33, Bur, John, SRally, Charles, Pan Pikus, Peter 888, Rako Graham, Manuel, Al, Anson, numpayak, ISS and Art Clarke.
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AVG Internet Security 2011 Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
360Amigo System Speedup Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
IObit Game Booster Premium Review and Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
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right now I’m using MSE, Malwarebytes, Noscript, Adblock. those are keeping me clear so far…
NIS2011 + SAS on demand only (won lifetime license here :)) very happy with my security. I can’t remember when was the last time that I got any infests on my main machine. Tnx. and good luck to all.
Currently we use MSE as our full-time AV in conjunction with standalone SAS Malwarebytes and Spyware Blaster.
Microsot Security Essentials and AdBlockPlus.
I’ve disabled “3rd Party Cookies” also and PC is pretty clear.
I used to use “NoScript” too, but I’m tired of and I think only ABP or only with NoScript, Fx works a bit better than using both together.
I am using MSE, SuperAntiSpyware free edition and malewarebytes.
I’m currently using free AVG & free edition SAS on my pc . I hope to win SUPERAntiSypware Pro 5 license for more comprehensive protection against malicious threats.
I would like to enter the giveaway. Thank you.
I am only using my eset smart security… I could have use for this type of software, don’t you think?
MSE as the main antivirus, SUPERAntiSpyware Portable every once in a while, AdBlock plus and of course general awareness / common sense.
I use MSSE, MalwareBytes and rfom time to time Spybot.
My current security setup Avast internet security+super antispyware free+winpatrol+ hitman pro(trial), SAS ver.5.0118 is faster and more stable .
I use Trend Micro Officescan, and the free versions of Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware.
I’m using Avast Internet Security + Zemana and common sense.
Hi, I use MSSE and free version of SUPERAntiSypware
I’m currently using MSE and MalwareBytes (free version).
I’m using Avira Antivir Personal for anti-virus and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for (on-demand) anti-malware. I’m not using any firewalls, my modem’s firewall seems to be enough.
I use Symantec Endpoint Protection
We have used Symantec for 4-5 years. Interested in trying SuperAntiSpyware Pro in addition to Symantic.
You may not be aware that Symantec only updates it’s Definitions every 6-8 hours, while there are new Viruses, Trojans, Malware, etc, written and deployed every minute of the day, therefore you may want to consider an Alternative AV., one that gives you better and faster updates!
I used SAS and AVG, I’m now backin up everything and reinstall Win7 on a new hd (the old had problems – thanks SMART, saved my life) and I’d like to reinstall both of them!
I have been using Super Antispyware for the longest time, replacing MalwareBytes, as it was not as cracked up as it claimed to be, along with Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 and together, they offer the Ultimate protection for my systems!
The latest, Super AntiSpyware 5 is slimmer, faster and extremely effective in finding and cleaning any all all Nasties that might might their way onto anybody’s PCs.
I also have the Portable version on a Flash stick that I use to clean people’s systems, that are infected and the results are 100% clean!!
I highly recommend this program over many others!
Currently using SuperAntiSpyware and MBAM, both free version.
I use MSE, Super antispyware and malware bytes
I currently use NIS 2011 and SuperAntiSpyware Free with AdBlock add-ins on Firefox and IE9. With old Iobit Security 360/Advanced SystemCare 3/Spybot 1.62, I apply passive immunity to block tracking cookies, malicious websites and toolbars. I white-list useful cookies and remove all other cookies at each system start-up with CCleaner. Recently, I added Zemana Antilogger when it became available as a free giveaway. All systems are behind a wireless router with WPA2 encryption. Online transactions are made with temporary credit card numbers or PayPal. Registration at questionable websites are made using temporary email addresses.
I use Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro, SpyBot S&D, Comodo Firewall and Malawarebytes. On Firefox i have Flashblock, NoScript and AdBlockPlus
Using Avast on my system.
I currently use Sandboxie, Eset Nod 32 AV 4, MCShield and Comodo Firewall 5. Thanks for this giveaway.
Thanks GHACKS for the giveaway.
i’m actually using avast free and sandboxie,SAS is a great antimalware protection,highly rated,is a must for old and new pc’s since is light on resources..
I’m using Microsoft Security Essentials, Malwarebytes, and Spybot
I currently use Norton Security Suite provided by my ISP, cross-checked with various free products including the free version of SUPERAntiSpyware.
Thank you for the updates on this product, other products, and on issues of importance.
Thanks for the opportunity!
On my personal PCs, I use Microsoft Security Essentials, with MalwareBytes’ Anti-Malware as a secondary.
At work, we use Symantec Endpoint, and I use MBAM & various other cleaners when working to clean other people’s infected PCs.
Using ESET nod32 anti-virus for a long time which is reliable, fast and dependable.
When I read this post I did some research and find that SUPERAntiSypware when is used with an antivirus they will be an excellent defense from almost every harmful infections.
So I hope I got a chance to get the professional version of SUPERAntiSypware 5.