Zerospyware 2005: Protection for serious users If I were to name just two things that are good about ZeroSpyware 2005, I'd say: 1) It    does a pretty good job sniffing out spyware, and 2) It's developed by Filipinos. Liens Commerciaux The first statement makes ZeroSpyware a good choice for an anti-spyware program; the second makes it an even better choice. I knew nothing about ZeroSpyware and its developer FBM Software until I got an e-mail requesting for a review of the product. For someone who's been a lifetime user of the freeware version of Ad-Aware, another anti-spyware software, I had some reservations about doing a review of ZeroSpyware. I asked myself: "Why would users need another anti-spyware program when Ad-Aware is not only a good program, it has a free version that's good enough?" Unlike Ad-Aware, ZeroSpyware isn't free. Although users can download a 15-day trial version, users will have to shell out about $30 to keep using the software. At first, I thought the price tag was a major blow for ZeroSpyware, because users who are so accustomed to using freeware will be reluctant to pay. However you look at it, $30 for an anti-spyware program would be a bit pricey for most consumers, which is the developer's target market. But if you're dead serious about getting rid of spyware, this piece of software won't disappoint. Setup From setup, ZeroSpyware is fairly easy to use. You need to first install a small application which downloads the full program into your computer. Getting it to run from there is easy; just follow the wizards. After you've set up the software, you can immediately start scanning and cleansing your hard drive of malicious spyware or customize some of the default settings just to make you more comfortable using it. ZeroSpyware's interface, developed in Flash, is clean, which means you can easily figure out what a button does. Just like other anti-spyware programs, ZeroSpyware allows you to scan file directories, running processes and registry entries for spyware code. These features are pretty standard for this type of software. What sets it apart are the extra bells and whistles it carries, such as identifying spyware that modify browser settings, host files, .ini files and layered services. If a program tries to modify your browser's home page, or change you startup settings, ZeroSpyware will automatically flag it down so that it won't bother you anymore. ZeroSpyware's vulnerability scanning searches your system for possible leaks in the applications you run. It will tell you if a particular program needs an update to prevent potential security risks and with one click, you can quickly find an update. Of course, there's the pop-up blocker and cookie scanner for removing unwanted cookies and the automated prevention feature which automatically locks your system and browser if a threat is identified. Once spyware is found, it is automatically quarantined. If you click on the list of spyware found, a window pops out containing spyware information and what they usually do. Unlike other spyware programs, ZeroSpyware does not quarantine programs that are just "carriers" or programs like Kazaa that may not necessarily be spyware themselves but carry some other software that are spyware. ZeroSpyware does not necessarily flag down the "carriers" but it automatically quarantines the spyware they carry. If in case something goes wrong with the software, its system restore function can easily get you back up. You can also get real-time chat support and access to a network of developers and users in case you need them. There's very little I didn't like about ZeroSpyware. When it's installing an update, I couldn't seem to minimize its window to hide it. I wanted to do this so that I could keep on working while it completes its upgrade. Aside from that, there's nothing else to dislike about this software. The $30 price tag is a bit steep for most local users, but you'll definitely get what you pay for. PRICE: US$30 CONTACT: FBM Software, www.fbmsoftware.com