CounterSpy v2 feedback

[Biscuit]

In the interests of feedback to the community...

I just tried another anti-spyware software, this time CounterSpy. I ran a scan which took 20 mins & it found a tracking cookie. I chose to delete the cookie & CounterSpy sat there for 10 mins deleting the single cookie. I then closed CounterSpy in task manager while it was still trying to delete the cookie & then uninstalled CounterSpy pretty sharpish.

For what it's worth, the software did update successfully though my ISA firewall, but on install it closed down Defender (not that I LIKE Defender) without warning. On uninstallation of CounterSpy, the software did not re-enable Defender. :-\

[eburger68]

Biscuit:

CounterSpy does indeed disable Windows Defender, but it should have been re-enabled on uninstall. There's a manual work-around available:

http://www.castlecops.com/t179267-CounterSpy_2_Released.html#892976

The downloadable file in that post contains a .REG file that will re-enable Windows Defender.

As for the apparent hang while deleting the cookie, that is not normal behavior -- not by a long shot. Without knowing more about your PC and the other software installed, I would suspect either a bad install or that another program on your PC is somehow protecting that cookie (just as files can be locked).

Whatever the case, I'm sorry to hear you had a less than stellar experience with CounterSpy. (I am, however, pleased that your PC is apparently free of malware and other unwanted software.)

All the best,

Eric L. Howes
Sunbelt Software

[Biscuit]

Thanks for your response.

I manually enabled Defender. The relevant running software is shown in my sig, the computer is also joined to an SBS2003 domain.

[eburger68]

Biscuit:

OK, thanks for the info. Nothing in the config info leaps out as a potential culprit.

One other possibility is that CounterSpy, which runs under the system account, does not have write access to the cookie folder. That would be odd, but I've seen odder.

A bad install also remains a potential cause of what you observed.

If you ever do decide to give CounterSpy another go, please do let me know.

Best,

Eric L. Howes
Sunbelt Software

[The Hammer]

My trial has 6 days to run and so far so good. I'm very happy so far.

[TopperID]

I understand that CounterSpy 2.5 is just around the corner; so perhaps that will iron out the glitches some users have experienced?

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> I understand that CounterSpy 2.5 is just around the corner; so perhaps that will iron out the glitches some users have experienced? <-QUOTE}2.5 RC is available for download. Is that a finished version or a beta approaching release?

[Biscuit]

{QUOTE-> 2.5 RC is available for download. Is that a finished version or a beta approaching release? <-QUOTE}

"RC" is a release candidate. This should be finished with regards to features & functionality, but may still have bugs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Release_candidate

[one111]

Fantastic
I tried version 2 with all the different builds but non of them were compatible with my computer for some reason. In the meanwhile I went back to version 1.5
which works fine just a bit weighty.
I would like to upgrade though eventually and this 2.5 version may be my chance. If not, I may have to find a comparable product.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> "RC" is a release candidate. This should be finished with regards to features & functionality, but may still have bugs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Release_candidate <-QUOTE}Thanks. I'll wait for the official release.

[The Hammer]

I bought CounterSpy today. I like it a lot better than SAS. It seems to run lighter on my system as well. ;D

[EASTER.2010]

{QUOTE-> I bought CounterSpy today. I like it a lot better than SAS. It seems to run lighter on my system as well. ;D <-QUOTE}

Hi The Hammer:

Please share more with us as what you find in addition to running lighter in comparison to SAS. It should prove interesting to read some better advantages you might have discovered.

Thnx.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> Hi The Hammer:

Please share more with us as what you find in addition to running lighter in comparison to SAS. It should prove interesting to read some better advantages you might have discovered.

Thnx. <-QUOTE}There is less system drag on my computer. It seems to run faster and I have more available memory after startup according to Task Manager. Of course other peoples results may differ.

[Biscuit]

{QUOTE-> If you ever do decide to give CounterSpy another go, please do let me know. <-QUOTE}

Thanks for your response.

After trying several other products, I'm back with Counterspy again & have just finished installing the product. It's still updating - which takes quite some time.

I did notice in the installation that there was a tickbox for disabling defender (I like the notification), is that tickbox new or did I miss it first time around?

[Biscuit]

Hmm.. seems to have "hung" while downloading the initial updates.

The file image is still moving & the app in task manager seesm to be running. However no activity in the process & disk activity (which was substantial) has been stopped for about 10 mins.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/496567148_8e00d6239a_o.png

I will stop the app in task manager & reboot.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> "RC" is a release candidate. This should be finished with regards to features & functionality, but may still have bugs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Release_candidate <-QUOTE}I guess you were right about RC 's.

[eburger68]

Biscuit:

There are several issues with the current 2.5 RC that will have to be addressed before we release version 2.5 to the general public.

Anyone wishing to try CounterSpy would be advised to download and install the version 2.1 from Sunbelt Software's home page -- that is, unless you'd like to help us by tracking down remaining bugs in 2.5.

Best,

Eric L. Howes
Sunbelt Software

[Biscuit]

Ahh, so I got the RC? :-\

I left the app hanging while I went to have dinner & watch a film. 2 hours later, the updates have finished & I'm now running a scan.

[Biscuit]

Reading about how the software works... I was concerned about duplication on my system due to CounterSpy's VIPRE. Is there some way to turn off that function so that I just get the Spyware protection?

[Biscuit]

Scub the previous question.

Just finished the scan & it found 1 cookie. I chose to delete the cookie & CS deleted the cookie although it took about 1 minute to do so. Afterwards, the CS window was blank with a heading of not responding for a good 2 mins. The software is now back running just in time to be uninstalled.

There really is a big issue to find effective & stable anti-spy software for Vista computers. 6 month's after Vista RTM I still can't get anything for my customer base.

[eburger68]

Biscuit:

Yes, the screenshot you posted shows the version as 2.5.1027, which is the release candidate version. The current stable version of CounterSpy is 2.1.946, and is perfectly Vista compatible. It's available for download here:

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Home-Home-Office/CounterSpy/Download/

Best,

Eric L. Howes