SuperAntiSpyware-is Pro better than free?

I've ran SAS for years, the free version, and it's a good piece of security software to have. It picks up a lot of things, such as adware & tracking cookies, and occasionally a trojan. I'm not questioning the effectiveness of the program. It's a good tool for everyone to have.

But since I've upgraded to the Pro (lifetime) version on my main two installs, other than auto updating & scanning, I can tell no difference. It still takes the scan to catch the items that it does, it doesn't do so in "realtime", although you would think that it would. Am I the only one who notices this?

On the other hand, at the same time that I upgraded SAS to Pro, I also upgraded MBAM to Pro, and there is a difference. It intercepts malware laden sites, and works well with ESET NOD32 (usually when one flags, the other does as well).

It's inexpensive protection, and you are given the "lifetime" option at purchase for a minimal amount, but is it worth it? I've already set it up to update at another time than startup, due to NOD32 & MBAM also updating during that time.

I'm probably going to move the Pro versions to my Win 2K & XP Pro installs, as those probably need whatever "live" protection that SAS offers more than Win 7 Pro does.

What are your opinions on this? Not the move of the program, but Pro versus Free?

Cat

 

Here is a comparison between the Free and Pro versions:

http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

In particular note the real-time blocking description. I can't say how effective it is. Perhaps someone can link to a professional review?

 

http://malwareresearchgroup.com/201...ispyware-professional-december-2011/#comments

http://malwareresearchgroup.com/malware-tests/flash-test-results/

 

the question is who cares? as long as free works, then there you have the answer

 

I used to run NOD32 with SAS Pro and real time enabled. Then I switched to ZAES with SAS Pro and real time enabled. On my main system and main business system now I use ZAES v10.x with SAS Pro and MBAM Pro and both have real time enabled.

I have also set up systems with MSE, SAS Pro, MBAM Pro, all with real time enabled and have found them to be effective in detecting and stopping most malware. If you aren't running into conflicts I would recommend using the Pro versions in real time. I prefer the real time features of the Pro versions over the free versions. The frequent auto updating and scheduled scanning of the Pro versions is a plus.

When comparing SAS to MBAM I like both but I really do like MBAM's potentially dangerous web site blocking feature. It seems to pop up frequently with warnings especially when doing random Google searches. While I prefer having both programs... If I had to choose only one or the other I might pick MBAM based only on its effective potentially malicious web site feature alone. On the other hand SAS has always done a good job cleaning tracking cookies and other left over potentially unwanted browser remnants that most of the common malware programs ignore.

 

I use Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 along with SAS (lifetime license) but I noticed that it NEVER EVER catches anything, I found myself only benefitting from the on-demand scanner for removing harmful/tracking cookies...

So I read a lot about MBAM and decided to buy the Pro license (also lifetime) and it is doing a much better job! It has interecepted many suspicious URL posining stuff caused by P2P programs and seems to do a better job as an active scanner.

Bear in mind you HAVE to add exclusions for your Antivirus and Exclusions in MBAM and/or SAS in their settings so they don't clash with each other.

Here is an example of how

 

I have paid licenses for both SAS and MBAM. Neither of them catches anything because my machine is clean to begin with. They are both good to have and though I don't run either of them realtime, I bought licenses to support the companies that make them.

 

I have the Pro Lifetime version. I keep it up along with my Webroot Secure Anywhere. It does not use much process or memory unless it is doing a scan. I have a quick scan for the morning and a full scan at night when I am not on my system but it is up. If I am on it, I just cancel til I am off the net. One great thing I like about the Pro is it will warn if something tries to change your homepage. It also can catch some malware that other software misses and when quarantined it will rescan after updates to check for false positives. I like it with my other security better than MAM Pro because it has way too many pop ups and is very touchy about some things you might want to keep around that is not a virus but it wants to remove it.

 

such as...?

 

I own a SAS Pro License just to support it. Same with MBAM...

 

Mr. PC your avatar is stuck in a loop, like a page or video that endlessly tries to load.

It depends on what the end users expectations of security are. Some prefer the FREE version for simple scanning On-Demand while others would rather make use of it's resident Guard.

So in that respect, neither or both are better.

 

I have paided for both but I only run MBAM realtime. Is it okay to run SAS at the same time?

I know you should never use two Anti Virus at the same time so I only have Avast on my system, but I have SAS as another on-demand scanner. Just wondering if its worth to use it and if using 2 Anti-Malware/Spyware realtime at the same time would cause issues.

 

Ditto! I bought them to support the company but have no real use of them since my system is clean and I have Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 which is the best IMHO in terms of security and doesn't need anything else

 

I have the pro versions of both SAS and MBAM. I think that when we use something we should be willing to pay.
BUT we want free AVs, Free AT, free tests that must not be paid for by the AV companies, and lets see maybe free computers. I hope you get a free lunch if there is one.
Jerry

 

Don't worry, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Freeware distributors get tax concessions amongst other things. It obviously pays for itself in varying ways. Not withstanding encouraging many people to try it & become eventual long-term paying customers. Using the same logic as you stated above, would you refuse to listen to a free CD that came with a newspaper? A local newspaper is pushed through my letterbox every day. It's free & paid for by advertising. Should I refuse to read it until I've paid for it?

Anyway, I say "long live freeware"!

To answer the original question, SAS free has less functions than the paid version, but is still a potent on-demand scanner.

 

Such as when You or I want to try a new software that is in a beta version, or a free software that has just came out and offer it free for a while. or a portable version like Wise Disk Cleaner, Or Wise registry Cleaner. Hope that satisfied your curiosity like the cat. You know that reply you gave had a bad intent to it and if that was the intent. I can only say you need to have a different attitude or make your questions straight forward. Otherwise, someone might get the wrong idea of what you motivation is in your reply.

 

I have ran SAS Pro with different security systems and no problems. Now MBAM I only use the on demand free version. Tried the pro but seem like a hassle with a IS program.

 

I quoted this from you:

and wanted to hear from you some examples, nothing more, nothing less.

But reading your comment now I am not interested in your answer at all anymore.

 

OK? You was the one that did not take the time to write a whole line for a question of what you wanted to know. I am not a kid sending a text in a classroom. It is fine to not talk to you anymore. The highlighted part you said you got from me should have been in the first post and then a specific question. But that might have been to hard unless you wanted to start a argument with someone. Enjoy your day and have a nice life.

May God Bless You.

 

I would say this has ran its course

 

SAS PRO doesn't detect harmful cookies on the fly! If it did, you would have a horrible browsing experience with popups everywhere

What it does is it protects you from trojans/worms/malware on the fly

I've had it stop a few threats before or downloaded programs that were bogus

 

exactly