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]
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I am using MSE, Malwarebytes (free), and SAS (free). I also use WinPatrol (paid) to keep watch of things.
Thanks ghacks!
I am using Avast free version..
I use ESET 5 RC and have been using ESET for years. I do manual scans with SuperAntiSpyware and and HitmanPro. Like SuperAntiSpyware and have the free version now but would really like to have the pro version so count me in the drawing.
I’m using Microsoft Security Essentials, SuperAntiSpyware free edition and Malwarebytes.
Thanks Martin for the SAS Pro giveaway.
I’m using Avast free, Malwarebytes Antimalware free and Hitman Pro.
Regards
I’ll give a try to SUPERAntiSypware
I use:
- Windows Defender
- Sandboxie (proactive security)
- Firefox noscript plugin
- A-square antimalware
Outpost, Avast, Adblock, Noscript and I do an online check on panda and Kaspersky from time to time, a couple a times a year.
Using Avast Free as Antivirus, Outpost Firewall Pro for Firewall and Emsisoft Antimalware at home. Really like to have a license of SuperAntispyware Pro as I use the free version at my work and the Pro version with realtime protection and other useful features would be the best replacement of it.
Hi,i am currently using Avast Antivirus Free Edition,along with SUPERantispyware & Malwarebytes as on-demand scanners.Also use virus total to check some files before downloading. Have been using these 4,for the last 3 yrs and have not had any major issues,touch wood.Thanks to Ghacks and evryone involved with license giveaways,gives those not fortunate enough to be in a position to own pro copy so thanks once again.
I upgraded mine from within the program (so convenient). I’ve used SUPERAntiSpyware alongside Avast Free and Comodo Internet Security (at different times…of course). No problems with either AV app.
Nothing
Curently i am usink kaspersky pure , but is not that good in detecding, spywares, i am using antispyware free version for the moment and i am quite happy with it, hope i will get the chance for one license,thank you !
Microsoft Security Essentials
At the moment:
JonDonym Proxy, JonDoFoxBrowser, Microsot Security Essentials, Prevx and a right large amount of common sense…. sometimes :-)
Thanks
Avast
Comodo Firewall.
What currently I used for my computer security settings :
Antivirus – Avast Free Edition
Anti Malware and Anti Spyware : Malwarebytes Free Edition
Blocking Malicous Website : Custom hosts file & Avast Site Advisor
Autorun Function : Completely disabled including tweaking the registry to ignore the autorun,inf.
Internet Browser : Incognito Mode as default in Chrome & Private Browsing Mode in Firefox
Anti Key Logger : Free version of Keyscrambler but limited to Firefox only
Windows Update : Automatic Update and install
Sun Virtualbox : Sandbox environment for testing new software or malware. Yup…. a little bit slow compared to Sandboxie due to heavy system resources usage…. but this one completely free and definitely not a nagware :)
CCleaner : Superb freeware for erasing the computer usage history and internet traces.
Last but not least, the most advance and complicated technology as a human being but definitely have its own flawed as usual : a good sense and instinct. Please and I repeat please do not (just to name a few ) :
- Click on any suspicious link in your email.
- Do not use any public computer or Wifi to handle sensitive website such as online banking
- Use simple password for your email, social network account, etc
- Click on any program that appeared as a folder in your USB drive or computer
Microsoft Security Essentials Suite + Windows Firewall + Sandboxie.
20 License of SUPERAntiSypware Pro 5(Ghacks contest)
http://www.softwarezone.co.in/2011/08/20-license-of-superantisypware-pro.html
Forgot to say Ad Muncher.
Hello, I am using Vipre Antivirus 4 Home+ Look ‘n’ Stop Firewall. Thank you for giveaway.
I currently use Norton Int Security, Superantispyware and Malwarebyte.
Thanks for the Giveaway.
I am using
Kaspersky Pure
Malware bytes
and Microsoft Security Essentials
thank you very much for the opporttunity to win this
Thanks a lot for the giveaway. I’m using Avast IS + SAS free + PrevX. Please count me in. Thanks.
i’m using F-secure 2012 beta and mbam free+sas free+hitmanpro on-demand
I use Avast! Internet Security, MBAM Pro, Adblock.
My kit for protecting your computer is DefenseWall Personal Firewall, Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and KeyScrambler Personal. thank you for the contest:)
ESET Smart Security, WinPatrol and Malwarebytes are my favs and current programs.
Thanks for the contest Martin!
I use Bitdefender Internet Security 2011, Superantispyware Free, MVPS host, Zemana Antikeylogger
Well my computer’s security is very much strict. It has AVG Antivirus for real-time protection, then I have an Outpost Firewall in addition to Windows Defender, then I have Malwarebytes AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware as a secondary level protection. Not only that, I also use Threatfire and WinPatrol running in real time to alert me of any undesirable changes. Lastly for my browsers, I use Browser Defender, McAfee Site Advisor, Web of Trust and LinkExtend. Its seems as a too much security but I have got suggestions and help for all these ideas from www.dottech.org. Its Amazing to know many things. :D
Now set the Avast Internet Security plus Sandboxie, of course, try to be careful when surfing the web.
thank you for organizing the competition and wish you all success.