SpyHunter

SpyHunter is a proprietary computer program developed by Enigma Software Group that detects and removes software determined to be spyware or adware.

It requires Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher.


Features

SpyHunter scans the files on a computer's hard drive and Windows registry settings and compares them against its spyware database. The database consists of complete component profiles (files, registry settings, Md5 file signatures, and other diagnostic information) of various adware applications, spyware programs, backdoor trojans, browser hijackers, tracking cookies, worms, keyloggers, rogue software, etc. that commonly afflict computers connected to the Internet. If SpyHunter's scanning process is unable to detect a suspicious threat, the customer has the option to rapidly generate a diagnostic report. SpyHunter will then transmit this information directly to the spyware helpdesk database, which is supervised by the support department. Using this updated information, the customer is now able to successfully detect and remove the parasitic program which is compromising their system.

SpyHunter's spyware database is updated regularly using the collective diagnostic reports generated through the user base, coupled with the spyware component profiles assembled through its technical team's active research.


Reception

The initial version of the program was reviewed several times and received a mixed reception. Some of the most common complaints included the speed of a scan, a lack of a quarantine function, and its price relative to performance.[1][2][3] However, the program also received positive comments about simplicity, albeit this being due partially to limited features.[1] An online review of the early version of SpyHunter published in 2004 by Adware Report stated "We recommend that you avoid this product at all costs. It failed to remove any spyware in our tests and the scan results were filled with false positives, a probable marketing ploy designed to separate fools and their money." [4] However, newer versions of the software have received more positive reviews, such as a 73/100 from 2-Spyware.[5] It explained that the earlier problems had been addressed and resolved: "In early 2004, SpyHunter was blamed for producing false positives and using aggressive advertising techniques. This resulted in a lot of bad SpyHunter reviews published. Some of them were harsh, but fair, while others were simply ridiculous. We confirm that SpyHunter was promoted aggressively by some affiliates, but all of them were eventually banned by program makers in late 2004. Early SpyHunter versions had some obvious drawbacks. The product's version 2.0 resolved all these issues."[5]

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