My question is about SpyBot - Search & Destroy is ...

Very recommended. From my experience the ad aware is not only less powerful but also in the not so expert hands could be a disastrous to the operating system by deleting system files. Don't forget to download updates before making the search.

it is considered to be one of the top 5 as long as you keep updating its database. If you are not updating it, then its useless.

When its database is updated, it can eliminate 99% of known bots and spies and removes them in an elegant way.

I love it

I have a few things to say on this topic... so bear with me.

First of all, there's an imposter out there. You'll probably even see a Google ad on your screen right now for "SpywareBot Free Download". That is NOT SpyBot!!!

In fact if you do a Google search on "SpyBot" or "Search & Destroy", the top listings will also take you to this fraudulent site.  They're obviously paying Google enough to keep their listing at the top.

If you download the bogus product it'll scan your computer, allegedly identify about 600 problems, then take you to a registration screen where you have to pay to have the problems removed. This is so illegal on so many levels in so many countries that I can't believe it's happening.

In fact I consider it ironic that these people are using spyware to sell spyware!!!

I found my correct Spybot download at Download.com.. but be cautious...  there are ads for the imposter there too! If you're on the correct Spybot page at Download.com, you'll find a video explaining the pros and cons of what is generally a good, free product.

I also use Ad Aware and AVG Anti-Spyware (both have free editions). I find that each of them will uncover problems that the others have missed.

Now, this is obvious to most people, but don't confuse anti-spyware or anti-malware products with anti-virus products. They deal with quite different problems. Only some of the commercial software security packages will tackle both problems.

If you want some basic info on computer/Internet security, along with some suggested commercial products, go to...

http://Confidential-Transactions.com

As you may expect, you get what you pay for, so the free products will only take you so far. At that point you have to decide what computer security is worth to you. 

 (BTW.. someone else here criticized Ad Aware because it finds and removes infected System files. I consider that a GOOD thing. A contaminated file is a contaminated file! If it means re-installing system files from your Windows CD later, that's fine.)

Unfortunately, I submitted a detailed answer yesterday, but it disappeared.

I won't recompose it all, but here is the key point... beware of bogus imitators!

Even as I typed my message before there were Google ads on this page with titles including "Spybot" and "Search & Destroy". These are NOT the original, well-reviewed product. Even if you do a Google Search on Spybot, the top entries on the page point to the fraudulent imitator.

And, it gets worse! The links take you to SpywareBot.com. The "free" SpyBot download that you think you're getting will scan your computer, find about 600 problems, and then charge you a fee if you want them removed. DON'T DO IT!!!

This program does not remove Spyware... it INSTALLS it on your computer!  I don't know how Google can accept ad revenue from what I consider a criminal activity.

I found my legitimate Spybot - Search and Destroy at the normally reputable site Download.com; but be careful! I found ads for the bogus product there too.  If you're on the right page on Download.com for the legitimate product, you'll find a video reviewing the pros and cons, which you may find useful too.

And, the good news... I found that the first time I ran Spybot it identified the bogus SpywareBot program as malicious code and destroyed it.

I also like and run Ad-Aware and AVG Anti-Spyware. They each seem to find problems that the others miss.

I would still say though, that you get what you pay for, and reputable commercial products are the way to go.

For general info and recommended computer and internet security products, try...

http://Confidential-Transactions.com