The Spyware Warrior List of  

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites

by Eric L. Howes

• Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products
  - Notes
  - Special Cases
  - De-Listed Applications
  - Not On the List
  - Old News
• Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Sites
• Legitimate/Licensed Clones
• Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products
• If Your PC is Infested w/ Spyware...
• Google & Anti-Spyware Products
• More Information
• About These Web Pages
  - Linking to These Pages
  - Background & Bio
  - Questions & Contact

These pages are generously hosted by:

Some of the products listed on this page simply do not provide proven, reliable anti-spyware protection or may be prone to ridiculous false positives. Others may use unfair, deceptive, high pressure sales tactics to scare up sales from gullible, confused users. A very few of these products are either associated with known distributors of spyware/adware or have been known to install spyware/adware themselves. 

Users are advised to rely on the short list of Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products with deserved reputations for quality performance.

Testing & Other Key Data

Testing was performed with most of the apps listed below, though not all of them. The notes section below contains definitions and descriptions of some of the key terms used in the comments for the applications listed. Be sure to consult the Anti-Spyware Family Resemblances and Orphans & Outcasts companion pages for more information on the applications listed. And for reports on more extensive testing with a select group of anti-spyware utilities, see HERE.

De-Listed Applications

Some applications that were originally included in this list of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware programs have been de-listed after the vendors for those programs took steps to correct the problems identified on this page. For each program that has been de-listed there is a note explaining the circumstances at the bottom of the main "rogue/suspect" list. For more information on the process of de-listing application, see THIS discussion.

Note: before contacting me about programs not included on the main list below, please check the list of lesser-known anti-spyware applications that I have tested as well as the list of legitimate, licensed clones of other anti-spyware programs.

More Information

For a discussion of where so many of these questionable anti-spyware products come from, see THIS thread at DSLReports.com and THIS thread at Spyware Warrior, as well as the More Information section towards the bottom of the page. And for still more thoughts on the information and thinking behind this page, see this OTHER thread at DSLReports.com.

If your PC is already infested with spyware or adware, see the instructions below for getting help. And for anti-spyware applications that are recommended as useful and trustworthy, see the list of Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products below. And for reports on testing with many popular anti-spyware utilities, see HERE.

Most recent additions: Spy Stalker (10-19-05), Advanced Spyware Remover (10-19-05), PAL Emergency Response (9-18-05), TeoSoft Anti-Spyware (9-14-05), SpyTrooper (9-10-05), UnSpyPC (9-5-05), Spyware Defense (9-4-05), WinAntiSpyware 2005 (9-4-05), Spyware Bomber (8-24-05), WorldAntiSpy (8-21-05), Spy Sniper Pro (8-21-05), Spyware Striker Pro (8-14-05), KaZaaP (8-12-05), Wincleaner AntiSpyware (8-12-05), Adware & Spyware Firewall (8-2-05)

Most recent de-listings: Malwhere (9-19-05), Spyware Shield (9-6-05), GarbageClean (6-27-05), Ad-Protect/Spy-Out (6-5-05), No-Spy/Sin-Espias (5-8-05)

Please read this note on the new Trustsoft AntiSpyware application (8-21-05).

Total applications listed: 221
 

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Testing: Testing was performed with most of these apps. Apps not tested include: 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover & Blocker, about:blank 2005, AdProtector, Adware Hunter, AdwarePro, Adware & Spyware Firewall, Elimiware, InternetAntiSpy, KillAllSpyware, MicroAntivirus, Oxford Spyware Remover, NetSpyProtector, PAL Emergency Response, PCArmor, SpyBlast, SpyDeleter, SpyEliminator, SpyKillerPro, SpyWiper, SpywareAvenger, Spyware Cleaner & Pop-Up Blocker, Spyware Destroyer,  Spyware Immobilizer, Spyware Terminator, System Detective, Spy Sniper Pro, Spyware B1aster, Spyware Remover, Spyware Striker Pro, Spyware Suite 2005, The Web Shield, WinCleaner AntiSpyware.

False positives: In cases where it is noted "false positives work as goad to purchase," the apps in question produced inexcusable false positives on a "spyware-free" system (previously scanned with AVP 3.5, Trojan Hunter 4, Ad-aware SE, Spybot S&D 1.3, & Spy Sweeper 3) and then demanded payment to clean that non-existent "spyware"/"adware." Scan logs, reference database files, screenshots, and other related files from the tests have been archived.

Poor scan reporting: This means that the application either did not provide information about what it found (e.g., it simply reported "8 spyware items found" without identifying particular parasites by name) or did not report enough information about the basis for the items it found (e.g., it reported finding the Look2Me parasite, but did not report what Registry keys, files, or folders it had identified as Look2Me).

Knockoffs/rip-offs: The term "knockoff" means at the very least that the app in question substantially imitates the look, feel, and experience of another program (usually Ad-aware). With some of these "knockoff" apps there may be evidence (e.g., scan logs) of more serious borrowing from other programs, but there are no specific allegations to that effect as yet from the affected parties. The term "rip-off" means that there are specific allegations from the affected parties of unauthorized borrowing from their applications (usually Ad-aware or Spybot Search & Destroy). See the Anti-Spyware Family Resemblances companion page for screenshots of most of these applications. (Screenshots for applications not included on the Family Resemblances page can be found on the Orphans & Outcasts page.)

Aggressive/deceptive advertising: "Aggressive" advertising consists of the obnoxious, intrusive use of pop-ups, false GUI elements, or other advertising techniques designed to pressure or coerce users into buying the application advertised. "Deceptive" advertising employs advertising techniques and information designed to create a false sense of alarm among users in order to stampede them into purchasing the application being advertised.

Dates: Significant dates are listed in the format MM-DD-YY. A: date that entry for application was added to list; U: date that application was last checked/tested or entry was last significantly modified/updated.
  

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Occasionally there is additional information about the applications listed above that cannot be fit into the standard note form used in the main list itself. In such instances, additional information is provided below.
 

The last version that I tested (a beta version) still generated horrendous, inexcusable false positives just like its predecessor (1). Whether the final release also does so I cannot say, as I have been unable to test the software. 

Clearly the vendor for Privacy Tools 2004 wants to shut up critics and prevent critical information about his software from being disseminated. Moreover, the vendor for Privacy Tools 2004 has threatened to distribute malware himself (1), making him a completely irresponsible source for anti-spyware protection. Thus, my recommendation to users is to stay away, as the software and the vendor cannot be considered trustworthy or reliable in my opinion.
 

As explained in my several postings to the DSLReports.com Security forum (1), it is important to recognize that there are two distinct and separate issues here: 1) Aluria's decision to de-target WhenU; 2) Aluria's decision to partner with WhenU, an adware vendor. Even if WhenU merited de-targeting because of improvements to its privacy practices (a point we dispute), Aluria should never have entered into a partnership with an adware vendor because of the serious conflict of interest problems that such a deal raises. Not only does it put Aluria in the untenable position of having a financial stake in the adware advertising market, but Aluria and WhenU are now offering a anti-spyware scanner that removes competitors to WhenU. That undeniable conflict of interest makes Aluria and WhenU untrustworthy sources for an anti-spyware program, and other reputable critics agree with this assessment (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). 

It should be noted that several reputable anti-spyware companies have also been approached by adware vendors looking for similar deals (1, 2, 3, 4). They all refused on principle, as one would expect an anti-spyware firm to do. In choosing to partner with WhenU, however, Aluria has effectively decided to keep company with other disreputable vendors that bundle adware with their anti-spyware programs (1, 2), all of which are listed on this page.

Even putting aside the controversy over the Aluria/WhenU deal, we simply cannot recommend an anti-spyware scanner that bundles adware, as the UControl scanner does, given that there are a number of excellent adware-free alternatives available to those looking for an anti-spyware scanner (1, 2). In this judgment we are completely consistent with our earlier decisions to list other anti-spyware applications that are adware-supported or that install spyware. Neither can we recommend Aluria's Spyware Eliminator in the light of Aluria's partnership with WhenU, for all the reasons elaborated above.

Note: you can read Aluria's several responses to criticism of its partnership with WhenU here: 1, 2, 3. You can read WhenU's defense of its privacy practices here: 1, 2.

Nonetheless, we do urge users to exercise caution with this product, as the vendor behind this product was prosecuted by the Federal Trade Commission in June of 2005 for a range of unfair and deceptive practices related to the company's earlier anti-spyware product, SpyKiller 2005. See below for more details on this case.

As always, we urge users to stick to the short list of "trustworthy" anti-spyware products listed below or the expanded list of anti-spyware products listed HERE. 

[A: 8-21-05 / U: 8-21-05]

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Some applications that were originally included in this list of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware programs have been de-listed after the vendors for those programs took steps to correct the problems identified on this page. For each program that has been de-listed there is a note explaining the circumstances at the bottom of the main "rogue/suspect" list (see below for those notes). An entry for each of the de-listed applications remains in the main list above solely to point to the explanatory notes below. That an application has been de-listed should not be understood as an endorsement or recommendation of any kind. We still recommend that users consult the short list of "trustworthy" anti-spyware applications. For more information on the process for de-listing application, see THIS discussion in the Spyware Warrior forums.
 

Version 1 of Spyware Nuker had a deservedly poor reputation. It was a clone of BPS Spyware & Adware Remover, which itself is a rip-off of Ad-aware (1, 2) and Spybot Search & Destroy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Moreover, it was prone to ridiculous false positives, like the other clones of BPS Spyware & Adware Remover. (Contrary to allegations on the Net, no version of SpywareNuker or pcOrion, so far as we can tell, has itself installed adware or spyware.)

In the late spring or early summer of 2004, TrekBlue released a new version of SpywareNuker (version 2, also known as SpywareNuker 2004) which is not built on the codebase licensed from BPS (1). Testing with this new version  -- also released under the name pcOrion -- indicates that it does detect and remove spyware and adware. Moreover it is not prone to inexcusable false positives, as its predecessor was. Thus, the new SpywareNuker 2004 is a significant improvement on the justly discredited original version of SpywareNuker. Still further, the objectionable advertising on the pcOrion home page has been removed, and TrekBlue/TrekData has taken steps to clarify the history of its relationship with BlueHaven, which is no longer a TrekBlue/TrekData company. (1, 2)

Given that the issues surrounding Spyware Nuker and pcOrion have been addressed by the TrekBlue/TrekData, we can no longer consider Spyware Nuker or pcOrion to be "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

(Note: other domains associated w/ SpywareNuker & pcOrion include: 1spybot.com, add-aware.biz, adawareinfo.com, catlab.us, dbxml.org, endadware.com, nukerdownloads.com, nuke-spyware.com, spy-bot.biz, spybotfinder.com, spywarealert.com, spyware-killer.com, spynuke.com, spywarenuker.us, spyware.pcwash.com) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 9-24-04]
 

Sometime during 2004 the company underwent reorganization. Not only have the worst of the company's download and installation practices been halted, but the company has completely overhauled its stub installer application, giving users much more control over the software modules to be installed on their systems (1, 2).

While testing indicates that the "threat scanner" is still slow and has occasional problems with false positives -- in large part because of the use of heuristics, which cannot be turned off by the user -- we can no longer classify this application as "rogue/suspect." Nonetheless, this anti-malware application -- at least in its current state -- cannot be recommended, given the many excellent competing anti-virus, anti-trojan, and anti-spyware applications that are available (some for free).  

(Note: other domains associated with this outfit include: accelerationsw.com, buttonware.com, buttonware.net, clicksales.com, downloadsales.com, homepageware.com, oodlz.com, signupsales.com, webcelerator.com) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 8-7-04]
 

Sometime during summer of 2004 the company halted the most obnoxious and objectionable aspects of its online advertising. It also unloaded all the "spybot" domains (which were promptly picked up by Paretologic for its XoftSpy anti-spyware application).

While there are still unresolved allegations that SpyHunter transmits the Windows Product ID from users' PCs (1), we can no longer classify this application as "rogue/suspect." Nonetheless, SpyHunter -- at least in its current state -- cannot be recommended because of its mediocre performance as an anti-spyware scanner. Testing indicates that it does not recognize some well-known spyware installations and has difficulty removing critical spyware/adware files even from those it does recognize (1). Given the many excellent competing anti-spyware applications that are available (some for free), users would do better looking elsewhere for trustworthy anti-spyware protection.  

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 8-22-04]
 

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 9-10-04]
 

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 11-17-04]
 

(Note: other domains associated with NoAdware include: adawareinfo.com, adwarenomore.net, adware-real-free-scan.com, adware-removal.biz, adwareremoval.net, free-adware-remover.org, free-adware-removal.net, free-adware-remover.org, free-adware-scan.com, free-spyware-check.com, nomorespyware.net, online-spybot-scan.com, spybotfinder.com, spyware-destruction.com) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 11-17-04]
 

Over the past few months, XoftSpy has taken aggressive steps to reign in its affiliates (who were primarily responsible for the unsavory advertising), revised its license text, and released a new version of XoftSpy (version 4.0) that addresses our concerns with false positves. Given these changes we can no longer regard XoftSpy as "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware.

(Note: other domains associated with XoftSpy include: adware-destroyer.com, adware-elimination.com, adwarekillers.com, adware-real-free-scan.com, adwares.net, anti-adware.net, antispywares.com, deletespyware.net, nomorespyware.net, removespyware.net, softspy.net, softwho.com, spywarebest.com, spyware-detection.net, spywareprof.com, spywarepurge.com, spywarerem.com, spywareremoval.net) [A: 6-26-04 / U: 12-7-04]

[A: 1-13-05 / U: 3-11-05]
 

[A: 6-26-04 / U: 3-31-05]
 

[A: 3-11-05 / U: 3-31-05]
 

[A: 3-2-05 / U: 5-8-05]
 

[A: 2-8-05 / U: 6-5-05]
 

[A: 6-2-05 / U: 6-27-05]

[A: 8-21-05 / U: 9-6-05]

[A: 9-13-04 / U: 9-19-05]

MyPCTuneUp was originally listed on these pages because of concerns regarding its connection with DirectRevenue -- a company whose software is targeted by reputable anti-malware vendors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) -- and because the MyPCTuneUp uninstaller uses a Transponder component program ("thinstaller"/"thunst.exe"), which transmits a good deal of system information to its controlling server (thinstall.abetterinternet.com) when uninstalling DirectRevenue's advertising software (1, 2). "Thinstaller" software is also capable of transmitting data about competing advertising programs and anti-malware programs that may be installed on the user's hard drive (1, 2). Indeed, DirectRevenue's software has been known to remove other software from users' PCs (1).

Limited testing with the MyPCTuneUp uninstaller indicates that it does remove DirectRevenue's software. Moreover, as it has never been the policy of this page to list vendor-supplied uninstallers for advertising software programs, we can no longer justify listing the MyPCTuneUp uninstaller in the main "Rogue/Suspect" list. 

This de-listing was prompted by a letter from DirectRevenue's law firm. You can read DirectRevenue's letter to Spyware Warrior HERE and Spyware Warrrior's response HERE. Both are PDF documents.

[A: 2-7-05 / U: 3-20-05]
 

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There are a number of lesser-known anti-spyware applications that I have tested but decided were not appropriate to include on the "Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware List" above. These applications include:

Note that the above list is not another list of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware applications. Please do not email the vendors for these products and claim that their products are considered "rogue/suspect," because they are not. The only "rogue/suspect" are those included on the main list at the top of this page.

Still further, that I have not classified these applications as "rogue/suspect" should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation of any kind. I always urge users to stick to the short list of anti-spyware applications that have proven tracken records for trustworthy performance.

Also not included on the main list on this page are "anti-spyware" applications that detect only keyloggers and system monitors. Although such snooping tools are often called "spyware," the sense of "spyware" used on this page is limited to unwanted advertising software, sometimes called "adware."

Please do not email me about any of the applications listed above (or any of the legitimate, licensed clones listed below) unless you are absolutely certain that you have specific, detailed information that suggests that they ought to be included on the main list.
 

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FTC Strikes a Third Time [4 August 2005]

On August 3, 2005, just five months after moving against SpywareAssassin and two months after moving against SpyKiller 2005, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced that it had settled a complaint against Advertising.com, the company behind SpyBlast, an "anti-spyware" product that has been listed on these pages since June 26, 2004 (the very day this list was first published). In its complaint, the FTC specifically noted that the SpyBlast program installed adware that tracked users' surfing activity without clearly and conspicuously notifying users outside of the EULA that such adware would be installed. According to the FTC:
 

You can read more about the FTC's action against SpyBlast and Advertising.com here:

• Press Release
• Case Documents

The FTC and Advertising.com settled on a consent order that "prohibits the respondents from making any representations about the performance, benefits, efficacy, or features of SpyBlast or any of their other programs promoted as security or privacy software, unless they clearly and conspicuously disclose that consumers who install the program will receive advertisements, if that is the case."

FTC Strikes Again [26 June 2005]

On June 23, 2005, just 3 months after moving against SpywareAssassin, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced that it had taken action against Trustsoft, the company behind SpyKiller 2005, an "anti-spyware" product that has been listed on these pages since June 26, 2004 (the very day this list was first published). In its complaint, the FTC specifically named several of the more deceptive and unfair practices that are employed by many of the "anti-spyware" applications listed on this page, namely:

You can read more about the FTC's action against SpyKiller 2005 here:

• Press Release
• Complaint (PDF doc)
• Temporary Restraining Order (PDF doc)
• Stipulated Preliminary Injunction (PDF doc)

The FTC secured a temporary restraining order on June 1, followed by preliminary injunction on June 14. (Please note that SpyKiller 2005 is a different product from Maxion Software's SpyKiller, which is also listed on this page.)

Update (8-21-05): Please read this note on the new Trustsoft AntiSpyware application.

Rogue/Suspect List Hits 200 Apps!   [9 June 2005]

Almost one year after the Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware page at SpywareWarrior.com was launched, Spyware Warrior added the 200th application to its list of sub-standard anti-spyware applications. Credit goes to Simon Clausen of PC Tools for pointing us to the 200th rogue/suspect anti-spyware application, Winkeeper, which was added to the list on June 9, 2005. (The Rogue/Suspect page was officially launched on June 26, 2004.)

A Dubious Milestone

This event in itself is a dubious milestone. It does serve as painful reminder that the majority of anti-spyware applications to be found on the internet are woefully short of offering the kind of robust protection from unwanted advertising software that all too many spyware/adware victims are desperately in need of.

Why So Many?

We at Spyware Warrior are often asked why so many poor quality anti-spyware applications exist. The answer is a simple one: spyware and adware are afflicting millions of innocent victims, leading to an exploding market for anti-spyware tools. These victims are desperate to fix their hijacked web browsers and trashed PCs, which are overrun with unwanted toolbars and popup advertising. These users are angry, frustrated, and even scared. Unfortunately, they also have problems distinguishing between the small number of quality anti-spyware applications available from reputable vendors and the great mass of disreputable anti-spyware utilities. 

This combination of fear, frustration, ignorance, and desperation makes spyware and adware victims ripe to be exploited again -- this time by disreputable anti-spyware vendors, many of whom have simply rushed out poor quality applications to rake in money from a hot market and who do not shirk from using aggressive, misleading, and deceptive advertising to bamboozle scared and confused spyware and adware victims. Sadly, some of these vendors are not above installing adware and spyware themselves onto victims' PCs.

Why We're Here

That's what makes the 200th application such a dubious milestone -- and a troubling monument to the myriad ways that greed can exploit fear, confusion, desperation, and ignorance. And it's just this unfortunate trend that the Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware page has been designed to combat, by offering users good information about the whole range of anti-spyware products -- from the ever-growing number of untrustworthy tools to the small handful of quality applications that do exist.

FTC Busts Rogue Anti-Spyware Vendor!   [11 March 2005]

You can read more about the FTC's action against SpywareAssassin here:

• Press Release
• Complaint (PDF doc)
• Restraining Order (PDF doc)

And for a discussion of this news, see THIS thread at DSLReports.com and THIS blog entry here at Spyware Warrior.

 
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Spyware/Adware Removers 2004

Adware Report

e-Spyware.com

NonToxic-Internet.com

Online-Survival-Lab.com

Privacy Software Report

Consmer Review of Anti-Spyware

SpySoftCentral.com

SpywareHelpNetwork

Spyware Online Scanner

SpywareRemovalUtilities

Spyware Removal (blog)

Spyware Scan Review

The Spyware Review

The Spyware Zone

 
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When choosing anti-spyware protection, you should rely on products with deserved reputations and proven track records. That means avoiding the new and unknown, and not succumbing to impulse buys of anti-spyware products that you see on the Net, esp. those included in the "rogue/suspect" list on this page or advertised on Google. 

At the very least, you should have an anti-spyware scanner, and there are several reputable anti-spyware scanners available on the Net -- some even for free. But anti-spyware protection goes beyond having an anti-spyware scanner like Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-aware. Even after installing and running an anti-spyware scanner, you should take steps to lock down your browser and protect your system against further infestation by spyware and adware.

What follows below is a set of recommended steps for installing anti-spyware protection for your PC. If your PC is already infested with spyware or adware, see the instructions for getting help included later on this page.

 
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If your PC is already infested with spyware and adware, resist the temptation to succumb to impulse buys of anti-spyware products that you see on the Net, esp. those included in the "rogue/suspect" list on this page or advertised on Google. Instead, you can get help online from a corps of savvy volunteers who specialize in busting spyware.

To get help with a spyware infestation:

 
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Vendors of "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware products advertise heavily via Google's "AdWords" ("Sponsored Links" on Google's own search pages) and "AdSense" (Google-driven advertising delivered to third-party web sites). 

Users should be aware that a search on the term "spyware" (or any related term) at Google will turn up a variety of anti-spyware products and web sites -- some reliable and trustworthy, some not. The key to distinguishing trustworthy anti-spyware products and sites from non-trustworthy products and sites in Google's search results is learning to distinguish "regular search results" from "paid search results," otherwise known as "Sponsored Links."

Google Search Results for "spyware"

 
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For additional information on "rogue/suspect" anti-spyware products, see:

News stories...

Several news stories have been written about "rogue" anti-spyware in the past year:

Complaints & enforcement...

Early in 2004 the Center for Democracy and Technology filed a complaint with the FTC regarding SpyWiper/MailWiper:

Anti-spyware information sites...

There are number of reputable anti-spyware information sites on the Net. Among the best are:

 
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These pages have been getting a lot of attention since they were first posted on June 26, 2004, and I've had many requests from other webmasters to mirror or copy them. Given the sensitive nature of the information contained here, I would prefer that there were only one copy of these pages on the Net for me to worry about.

Thus, I must request that visitors not copy, mirror, or otherwise reproduce these pages -- including the "Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware" page, the "Anti-Spyware Family Resemblances" page, and the "Anti-Spyware Orphans & Outcasts" page -- on any other web site in whole or in part. That includes hot-linking to these pages via frames of any type. 

You may use these pages as a reference -- e.g., cite or summarize the particular facts, conclusions, observations, and judgments offered on these pages. But please do not copy, display, or produce derivative versions of these pages, which are protected by copyright.

If you want to link to these pages, by all means do so. You can even include a short teaser description or summary with your link.

As these pages are updated frequently, I am not responsible for any inaccurate, outdated, obsolete, defamatory, misleading, or otherwise erroneous information that may be contained on unauthorized versions of these pages elsewhere on the Net. The only authorized versions of these pages on the Net are those here at Spyware Warrior.

I appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Eric L. Howes

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Background & Bio

I am a graduate student in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For twelve years I taught business and technical writing at the University of Illinois. This year (2004-2005) I am teaching a course in GSLIS.  For the past few years I have also been teaching at Parkland Community College in Champaign. 

Over the past four years I have maintained a personal web site at the University of Illinois to supply internet users with resources to protect their privacy and security on the internet. Among those resources are several utilities and "block lists" that allow users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser to protect themselves against the flood of unwanted software and content pushed on them by aggressive advertising and marketing entities. In April of 2004 I attended the FTC's Spyware Workshop. I have also performed testing with anti-spyware applications.

In recognition of my work to help internet users protect their privacy and security, Microsoft awarded me its MVP (Most Valued Professional) Award (http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/).

Full disclosure: since late November 2004 I have performed part-time consulting work as an independent contractor for Sunbelt Software, makers of CounterSpy. Because of that relationship and the conflict of interest that it represents, I must recuse myself from public comment on CounterSpy. That means that I cannot and will not publicly evaluate, test, or even recommend Sunbelt's anti-spyware product. The anti-spyware products that I do recommend, all of which are competitors to CounterSpy, are included above. Moreover, the opinions, judgments, and conclusions found on these pages are mine alone.

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Questions & Contact

If you have questions or comments about any of the information presented above, please don't hesitate to ask. If you're a vendor whose program is listed on this page, please read THIS discussion thread at Spyware Warrior before emailing me. Also, before contacting me about programs not included on the main list of "Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products," please check the list of lesser-known anti-spyware applications that I have tested as well as the list of legitimate, licensed clones of other anti-spyware programs.

Best regards,

Eric L. Howes

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Last Updated: Oct. 19, 2005

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