SpyHunter is an anti-spywarecomputer program for the Microsoft Windows (Windows XP and later) operating system. It is designed to remove malware, such as trojan horses, computer worms, rootkits, and other malicious software.

SpyHunter is automatically configured to give you optimal protection with limited interaction, so all you need to do is install it for immediate and ongoing protection. SpyHunter is a powerful, real-time anti-spyware application certified by West Coast Labs’ Checkmark Certification System and designed to assist the average computer user in.

Details[edit]

• SpyHunter's scanner is for malware detection. You have the choice of subscribing to SpyHunter on a semi-annual basis for immediate malware removal, including system guard protection, typically starting at $42 every six months. Free Remover allows you to run a scan and receive, subject to a 48 hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for the results found.
• See full list on enigmasoftware.com.
• SpyHunter's newly integrated advanced rootkit detection technology allows it to perform an instant rootkit scan and promptly display a message upon detection. SpyHunter will then ask the user to.

SpyHunter is currently at version 5, and receives daily definition updates. SpyHunter has a free version, which allows the user to scan their computer. Purchase is required to remove found malware.^[1] EnigmaSoftware also offers a service on its website called 'ESG MalwareTracker', it shows the most infected countries where SpyHunter has detected malware.^[2]

In the paid version, the user is able to receive support from a built-in HelpDesk.^[1] SpyHunter also has a custom fix from the Spyware Helpdesk team.^[3]

Critical reception[edit]

• PC Magazine gave SpyHunter a 2 out of 5 star rating in March 2004, saying it was good at spyware detection, but complained about the performance and usability.^[4]
• PC Magazine gave SpyHunter a 'GOOD' rating, 3 out of 5 stars, in March 2016. The reviewer concluded, 'Enigma SpyHunter 4 does what it promises, eliminating active malware and killing malware that launches at startup. But competitors deliver much more.'^[1]

Lawsuits[edit]

In February 2016, Enigma Software filed a lawsuit against Bleeping Computer, a computer support website. It alleged that the latter engaged in a smear campaign with the purpose of driving potential customers away from SpyHunter to affiliate competing products.^[5] In turn, Bleeping Computer filed a lawsuit against Enigma Software also for an alleged smear campaign.^[6] In March 2017, Enigma Software announced in a press release that a settlement had been reached in the lawsuit against Bleeping Computer, and that both cases would be dismissed.^[7]

In October 2016, Enigma Software filed a lawsuit against popular security software vendor, Malwarebytes, for anti-competitive behavior. The lawsuit arose after Malwarebytes' software began targeting SpyHunter as a potentially unwanted program.^[8] On November 7, 2017, Enigma's case was dismissed by the US District Court.^[9] Engima appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the court reversed the lower court's decision.^[10] A panel of judges voted 2-1 that, 'We hold that the phrase 'otherwise objectionable' does not include software that the provider finds objectionable for anti-competitive reasons.'^[10]

Controversies[edit]

Spyhunter is often labeled an Potentially Unwanted Program due to its misleading results of always showing infections, including on clean computers, and injects tracking cookies into an users browser, raising concern whether it is legitimate or not.

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcRubenking, Neil J. (March 24, 2016). 'Enigma SpyHunter 4'. PC Magazine. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 23, 2020.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
2. ^|url=https://www.enigmasoftware.com/malware-research/malwaretracker/
3. ^https://www.spyhunter.com/#features
4. ^'Spyware Stoppers'. PC Magazine. Ziff Davis. March 2, 2004. pp. 92–93. Retrieved May 23, 2020.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
5. ^Jonathan Keane (February 8, 2016). 'Enigma Software sues BleepingComputer for alleged 'smear campaign''. digitaltrends.com.
6. ^Cyrus Farivar (August 11, 2016). 'Bleeping Computer countersues maker of SpyHunter'. arstechnica.com.
7. ^'Enigma Software Group Resolves Bleeping Computer Litigation'. enigmasoftware.com. March 2, 2017.
8. ^Kayla Thrailkill (October 10, 2016). 'Enigma Sues Malwarebytes After PUP Accusations'. techtalk.pcpitstop.com.
9. ^Iain Thomson (November 7, 2017). 'Judge bins sueball lobbed at Malwarebytes by rival antivirus maker for torpedoing its tool'. www.theregister.co.uk.
10. ^ ^abLevine, John R. (May 15, 2020). 'One last try to fix the Malwarebytes decision'. Retrieved May 23, 2020.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)

11. SpyHunter 5 (Anti-Malware) Review. How good is SpyHunter? written by MalwarefixGuru.com Mar 2, 2021

SpyHunter is a well-known anti-spyware software for Windows computers. It is advertised as a free solution to fight against spyware but is it really? Is SpyHunter Safe? Or, if it is fake? We’ll take a look at some of the similar questions here along with a detailed review of the program.

If you are confused about whether you should use it or not, this post will help you to make your mind. We’ll present the features, price, pros, and cons of SpyHunter here.

Contents

• 1 What is SpyHunter?
• 2 Is SpyHunter Safe or Is It Risky?

What is SpyHunter?

Spyhunter 4

SpyHunter is an anti-spyware software for Windows OS by Enigma Software Group. This program works to detect and remove any existing malware or spyware from your PC. It is able to eliminate threats like trojan horses, rootkits, computer worms, and other malicious elements. A lot of people confuse it with a real-time computer protection tool but it is not.

It focuses on detecting any threats that can potentially attack the system and prompts you to remove them beforehand. You can use it as an additional step to your privacy and security. The threat database of this tool contains description of a wide range of malware, spyware, bloatware, adware, and other threats.

Features of SpyHunter

SpyHunter is advertised as an essential utility for your Windows PC to stay safe from any sort of threats. This is supported by an extensive range of features that it offers. Here are the key features of SpyHunter that you should know about.

• It provides a free cookie detection and malware remover service.
• The Malware Defintions of the program are continuously renewed according to the latest detected samples.
• You cans schedule scans to stay protected at all times.
• If it red lists a non-harmful but suspicious program that you like to use, you can add it to the ‘Exclusion list.’
• They even provide custom malware fixes. You can get them by contacting the support team.
• You can recover the object that wasn’t a threat but deleted wrongly by using the ‘Rollback’ feature.
• Network Sentry allows you to control system networking settings and helps prevent any unwanted changes to the internet connection.
• SpyHunter is very simple to use and user-friendly.
• The customer support is very helpful. You will get 24×7 live one-on-one customer support.

These are some of the features that make people think about using it.

SpyHunter 5 Price & Compatibility

A lot of people think that SpyHunter is free as the company advertises it in a tricky manner. The software do works for free but not completely. It is a paid tool. It can detect malware and other threats for free but you’ll have to purchase the subscription in order to remove them. The yearly subscription costs around $39.99. You can’t get its full functionalities for free.

Spyhunter 5

SyHunter works only for Windows computers. It is not available for Mac or other operating systems. You can use it on any version of Windows from XP to 10 (both 32 and 64-bit version). The installation and setup is also really simple. It’ll guide you at each steps. There is no problem with that.

Is SpyHunter Safe or Is It Risky?

The shortest answer to this question is that SpyHunter is a completely safe and effective anti-malware tool. There is nothing to worry about the safety of the program. There are no risks that you put yourself into when you are using it. A lot of people worry if it is genuine or not because it sometimes shows fake malware detection results when you are using the free version to make you buy the subscription.

But if you are a paid user, it is one of the best tools to protect your PC from any sorts of malware, spyware or other threats. You can trust it with malware detection and removal completely. It’ll work for to keep you system clean without causing any harm to it. You can definitely use it.

Is SpyHunter 5 a Virus?

No, SpyHunter is not a virus. It is an anti-malware program for Windows computers. It works to fight against virus or malware and protect your computer. If someone tells you that it is a virus, then he is probably fooling you.

However, sometimes a malware may rename itself to something like ‘SpyHunter.exe’ or anything like that and get into the computer. This makes people think that SpyHunter is the culprit itself. However, you can use SpyHunter to remove that identical virus.

Is SpyHunter Safe for Real-Time Protection?

SpyHunter is safe to use and very effective against any sorts of threat trying to invade your system. But, it is not completely safe for real-time protection as it doesn’t work in real time. You have to manually scan the computer to detect and remove the malware. You can also schedule scans but that isn’t as effective as real-time protection.

For that, you’ll have to use a genuine antivirus software. They work in real-time and prevent any attacks on your computer. So, if you are okay with manually fighting against malware, you can choose SpyHunter.

Do We Recommend SpyHunter 5?

SpyHunter is an overall great anti-malware and anti-spyware tool but we don’t recommend it. The major reason for this is that the program is pretty expensive and you can find other cheaper options that’ll do the exact work for you. Some of the examples that you can use instead of SpyHunter are MalwareBytes, Hitman Pro, System Medic, etc.

If you are looking for a fre option, I’d recommend using MalwareBytes free version. Some other reasons that make me not recommend SpyHunter are these:

• No Real-time Protection.
• A bit expensive.
• Sometimes shows fake results to make you buy a subscription.
• Fails to remove executable traces of malware.
• Hard to uninstall.

If you are fine with these, then you can use SpyHunter without worrying.

Spyhunter 4 Free Download

Final Verdict

SpyHunter is a great anti-malware software for Windows computers. It is completely safe and effective against all sorts of threats. However, we don’t recommend using it. You can use the free version of MalwareBytes instead. The reasons for these are listed above. But, if those don’t concern you, then you are good to go with SpyHunter. If you have any experiences about it, don’t forget to share them with us in the comments.

Spyhunter

That’s all for this post. I hope you find it helpful.