Microsoft Security Essentials or Spyware Doctor

Antivirus (or anti-virus) software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including computer viruses, worms, and trojan horses.

Such programs may also prevent and remove adware, spyware, and other forms of malware..

So What Is Microsoft Security Essentials?

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus software created by Microsoft that provides protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and trojans for Windows XP (x86), Windows Vista, and Windows 7 (both x86 and x64).

Microsoft Security Essentials replaces Windows Live OneCare, a commercial subscription-based antivirus service and the free Windows Defender, which only protected users from adware and spyware. It is geared for consumer use, unlike Microsoft's upcoming enterprise-oriented product Microsoft Forefront.

Symantec and McAfee, two competing antivirus vendors, responded by claiming that Microsoft Security Essentials is not as good as their own software. AVG Technologies viewed Microsoft Security Essentials positively, stating it reinforced the company's ideal of free antivirus software.

Website Ars Technica reviewed it positively, citing its organized interface, low resource usage, and its status as freeware.

Using default settings, archived files are decompressed, and then scanned. File downloads and e-mail attachments are also scanned. Its Dynamic Signature Service attempts to better identify malicious files by checking for updates if an application exhibits suspicious behaviour.

Microsoft Security Essentials automatically checks for and downloads virus definition updates which are published three times a day to Microsoft Update.

Behind Microsoft Security Essentials is  Malware Protection Center

Fig 1.0 - Microsoft Security Essentials

So What is Spyware Doctor?

Spyware Doctor is a leading spyware removal product for Microsoft Windows developed by PC Tools.

Spyware Doctor scans a PC for spyware, examining files on the hard drive, objects in memory, the Windows registry and cookies, and then attempts to quarantine or remove recognized threats. It also includes real-time protection which attempts to block threats from being saved to the disk, set to startup automatically, suspicious programs running and other detection including new toolbars and add-ons for web browsers.

Spyware Doctor currently supports Windows XP and 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

There is also a version called Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus that, as the name suggests, also has antivirus scanning and removal capabilities.

Spyware Doctor is not free, but a free scan version is offered, providing real-time protection and scans for spyware. Only the full version is capable of removing spyware (though a user can use the free version to locate where the spyware is and then manually remove the files and registry entries themselves).

Spyware Doctor - Information Page OR Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus - Information Page

Just like Microsoft, PC Tools have their own Malware Research Center

Fig 1.1 - PC Tools: Spyware Doctor

My Personal Take on Microsoft Security Essentials vs Spyware Doctor

Microsoft Security Essentials is an excellent product and if you have NO antivirus product installed on your computer I would recommend you download it today. If you want a more robust user experience with professional product support then you will have to get your wallet out and purchase an annual subscription of Spyware Doctor.

I personally have BOTH installed on different PCs in my home office and really like both.

The PC I use to make regular purchases online has the Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus installed on it, as I have historically found its real time guard to be very good.

Either way, make sure you have some form of security product like this installed AND keep it up to date!

DOWNLOAD LINKS:

Spyware Doctor download link:

Spyware Doctor - Information Page

Microsoft Security Essentials download link:

Microsoft Security Essentials - Information Page

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