Every week Google discovers about 50 websites containing malicious codes. About 230,000 new malware are created every day, and there’s a strong prediction that this would keep going up.
Just like we humans, our computers are vulnerable and susceptible to viruses or attacks. There’s seldom anytime a malicious attack on a computer has left it unharmed; it always causes one problem or the other, often resulting in losses reaching millions of dollars.
To tackle and mitigate this menace, there are anti-malware programs that help combat malware to the best of their abilities; SpyHunter happens to be one of them. This article contains an in-depth SpyHunter review to help you decide if it’s worth it.
What is SpyHunter?
Developed by Enigma Group USA, LLC, SpyHunter goes down as an anti-spyware and anti-malware program that works to detect and remove spyware and malware detected in your computer. It frees your computer of malware like worms, toolbars, Trojans, browser hijackers, unwanted system tools, key loggers, hoax PC optimizer programs, hoax antivirus programs, rogue anti-spyware, and ad-supported programs (PUPs).
The latest version at the time of this writing is SpyHunter 5, which is a significant upgrade from SpyHunter 4. Its former version was more of an attacker than a defender because it would detect and remove instead of protecting the computer from the threat itself. As a result, It was often better off paired with traditional antivirus. However, the SpyHunter 5 is a force to reckon with and a breath of fresh air.
It has a well-updated threat database that contains a vast number of spyware and malware. It would quickly identify them and give you the option to remove them. The SpyHunter 5 also acts as a real-time shield, so you can count on your system being safe with SpyHunter 5 around.
Some reputable security software testing companies have tested it. They give it a pretty high rating, as you’ll see below in this review of SpyHunter.
SpyHunter Review: Available Features
SpyHunter, especially its current version, has proven to be able to live up to its name. Its name isn’t just hyped as it indeed haunts down spyware and malware and helps you get rid of them effectively.
1. Scan
This is the first visible button in the middle of the SpyHunter’s interface. When you use that button, SpyHunter conducts a full scan of your computer and gives you reports as it goes. After the scan is completed, the result page shows that SpyHunter groups the threats into five categories: malware, PUPs, Privacy, Vulnerabilities, and Whitelisted objects.
- Malware is generally a security threat. It would be best to get rid of them when you see them. SpyHunter gives you a brief explanation of why they consider whatever is listed under the Malware tab malware. SpyHunter doesn’t take any chances, so there’s a possibility of it listing something they suspect to be malware that isn’t one. It would be best if you read extensively on whatever they list.
- PUPs is an abbreviation for Potential Unwanted Programs. The name says it all, they are some programs that shouldn’t be on your computer, but they found their way into it due to an unavoidable reason. These programs could carry out unwanted behavior like installing toolbars in web browsers, changing your default browser page, and other annoying things.
- Privacy contents are cookies that could track your activities online. These cookies are installed from sites; they have their good sides no doubt, but if you prefer your activities to be untracked, you should get rid of these cookies and be aware that as long as you will go online and visit sites, cookies would be installed again.
- Vulnerabilities contain apps that should be updated, especially those that have updates available. Updates are meant to be good; besides changing the interface, updates fix bugs and close any loopholes that hackers could exploit. So, what SpyHunter does, is prompt you to update these programs.
- Whitelisted contains components that SpyHunter can vouch for to be free of any threat. Microsoft Office is an example of a program that often gets whitelisted.
2. Custom scan
The full scan digs deep into your system in search of threats. This could take minutes to even hours as there are just so many places to look in. If you prefer a shorter and more targeted scan, you can use the custom scan option.
3. Scan exclusions
As I stated above, SpyHunter could sometimes be over-ambitious and identify some files and folders as threats. If you are convinced a specific file or folder is not a virus, you can exclude this with the Scan Exclusion feature. This would not only save scan time but help reduce the number of files you’ll go through before hitting the delete button.
4. Quarantine
This feature contains backups of stored objects or files that SpyHunter has quarantined.
5. Scan History
Here you can find a history of all scans you’ve carried out on your system. It also contains data gotten from the SpyHunter system guard.
6. DNS protection
This is a bit technical, so you can leave it. However, SpyHunter has features to protect your network. From your Ethernet to your LAN connection to your WiFi and even your Bluetooth network connection. This option enables you to use official DNS providers to help bolster your system security; here, info leaked out of your system is limited to avoid getting into the wrong hands.
7. Schedule scan
Although SpyHunter doesn’t consume too many resources when carrying out a scan, many users would prefer the scan to happen at a particular time. Aside from this reason, you can schedule SpyHunter to carry out a scan on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
8. System Guard
If you go for the premium version, SpyHunter automatically sets a real-time shield that protects your computer. If you look at the top right corner of the SpyHunter interface, you’ll see the latest threat database. They update this list periodically, so with the System Guard on, you are sure of getting the latest security.
9. General Settings
This is more of a list of features than a feature itself. From here, you can set up SpyHunter to Automatically check for updates and Start scanning on launch. There are other things to look out for here, but one to activate is checking for abnormal hidden files on startup. You can also stop some parts of SpyHunter from working, like the Vulnerability scan, Privacy scan, and many others.
10. Network Settings
This feature gives users the ability to modify and secure both incoming and outgoing internet traffic.
Lab Test Results
Although we’ve reviewed SpyHunter and we can confirm that SpyHunter’s latest version is perfect. Nevertheless, we will mention some reputable system software security companies’ reviews on this anti-malware and anti-spyware program.
First on our list is AVTest, a reputable company with almost two decades to its name. They carried out a test on SpyHunter in 2018 and reported that SpyHunter scored 100%. It successfully detected and cleaned out 20 out of 20 malware on the test PC. This test was carried out twice using about 12 samples.
The second reputable security company to test SpyHunter is AV-Comparatives. It is a company established in 1999. They carried out a test on SpyHunter in 2017 and reported that SpyHunter is an easy-to-use program and is best paired with another antivirus program.
SpyHunter 5 was released on June 28th, 2018 so, while AVTest tested the latest version, AV-Comparatives worked with SpyHunter 4. SpyHunter 5 is a significant upgrade from its former version. However, we can guarantee that the awesomeness in its former version still exists in the latest, only that it comes with more features.
In summary, SpyHunter is reliable.
Is SpyHunter a good antivirus
Yes, it is. Asides from bagging aces in its score by two reputable security labs, SpyHunter has a few visible attributes you’ll love, as you can see below.
1. Setup
Setting up SpyHunter doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the program or any extra tech knowledge; as long as you know how to download and read, you can set it. The installation setup file is relatively light, and it won’t cost much. In addition, the onscreen instructions are pretty straightforward. With a basic broadband connection, you can quickly download and install the program.
User friendly
AV-Comparatives gives due accolades to SpyHunter for how easy to navigate its interface is. Every feature and button are appropriately labeled. When the scan is completed, SpyHunter displays every error with a brief description. It also correctly separates the results and defines all. You can easily find its Help Desk or User Guide button at the top right corner.
Scan is fast
We tested SpyHunter’s full scan on an almost full 320Gig system with a 6 Gig Ram running on Windows 10; it didn’t take up to an hour for the scan to complete. Out there, programs similar to Spyhunter often take hours to complete such a scan.
Effective
We can’t leave out the results it gives. Reviewers have tested SpyHunter on computers with zero threat, and it has been reported that no threat existed. However, when AVTest tried it on a computer with about 20 malware, SpyHunter dictated these threats and eliminated them.
Updated malware list
SpyHunter by Enigma software stays updated on the malware around and keeps the program ready to detect and flush out these menaces. With the correct settings, SpyHunter would check for new updates automatically.
Effective customer care
If you purchase a license to SpyHunter, you get access to adequate customer tech support. In addition, they are available around the clock.
Customized security
Enigma takes things higher by giving its users the ability to decide the type of malware to eliminate. Again, you can get this done by reaching out to customer care.
Rollback deleted data
SpyHunter has a type of backup feature that gives you access to files or objects that were wrongly deleted. This feature will restore the data to its original location.
Not resources intensive
In this SpyHunter anti-malware review, we can’t leave out this point. Most security programs I have used are resource-intensive. I can feel my system fan spinning when I use this software, especially when carrying out a full scan.
But with SpyHunter 5, I could barely feel any pressure on my computer. While carrying the complete scan, it peaked at 30 MB and even dropped to 25 MB worth of RAM resources; others have reported that it peaked at 11MB at most.
When not carrying out any intensive work, SpyHunter seldom consumes any resources, tops 2 MB.
System requirements
Before SpyHunter 5, other versions were compatible with Windows OS only. However, the latest version has a setup file for Mac computers. For Mac computers, you need a device with MacOS 10.12 or newer. You should have at least 250 MB of free hard disk space.
The requirements for Windows are as follow.
Operating Systems Supported
- Microsoft® Windows® XP (32-bit) Home/Professional/Tablet PC/Media Center (32-bit) with Service Pack 3 or later
- Microsoft® Windows® Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) Starter/Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Ultimate
- Microsoft® Windows® 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) Starter/Home Basic/Home Premium/Professional/Ultimate
- Microsoft® Windows® 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8 Pro (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Microsoft® Windows® 10 Home/Professional/Enterprise/Education (32-bit and 64-bit)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- 1 GHz CPU or higher
- 1 GB of RAM
- 200 MB of available hard-disk space or more
Pricing: How much does SpyHunter cost?
Typically, SpyHunter is paid software. Its license costs just $42 for six months; this is pretty cheap compared to other competent competitors. Norton is priced at $59.99, Avast Premier at $69.99, Comodo at $89.99, and many different pretty high prices.
In the SpyHunter 5 free trial, you are allowed to scan your system for free. However, when the scan is complete, you have to purchase a license for SpyHunter to get rid of the threats, or you can manually get rid of them, which is quite difficult, I must say.
Please, don’t go for a cracked copy of SpyHunter or any site that claims it gives you a free licensed SpyHunter version. It seems counterproductive to go for a cracked version of a Security Program. Apart from the fact that you may be putting your system at the worst risk, cracked versions of apps like this could earn you a call from the law.
Further down, we have a controversy SpyHunter faced at the hands of impersonators.
Another thing you should know is, with the so-called free version of this program, you get access to premium features. For example, after 48 hours of carrying out a full scan on the SpyHunter free version, you might get the option to remove the listed threats. I won’t wait for 48 hours after identifying a threat, so I suggest you go for the license.
Support
You can contact Enigma directly from the SpyHunter program: click on the HelpDesk button. You get a one-on-one service; you can reach out to them via the Ticket system or phone. This feature is exclusive to paid users only.
Refund Policy
SpyHunter has a 30-day money-back guarantee. They’ll refund back every cent you spent on getting it if you aren’t pleased with the program.
How to install SpyHunter
Step 1: Visit SpyHunter’s official site. It automatically detects your operating system and presents a download button. First, download the setup file; it is often called SpyHunter-installer.exe.
Step 2: Go to your File Explorer or Download folder and double-click on the file.
Step 3: Click Yes on the User Account Control pop-up window.
Step 4: Select your preferred language and click Ok.
Step 5: Go through the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy, then Accept and click on Install.
Step 6: Allow the install wizard to run. If you are prompted to customize your installations, you can do it or accept what you have there. Finally, click the Finish button to complete the installation.
Step 7: SpyHunter might automatically launch; alternatively, you can find it on your Desktop or search for it from your Start menu for Windows or use Spotlight for Mac.
How to Temporarily disable SpyHunter
There are settings on SpyHunter that determine when a scan should run. From the General Settings menu, you can customize SpyHunter to start scanning when you launch the app or use the Schedule feature to scan your device periodically. So technically, SpyHunter won’t scan unless you give the command.
Nevertheless, its real-time protection stays active around the clock. However, to disable this on Windows, type Startup tasks in the search box and hit Enter.
Windows now open the Task Manager and go to the Startup tab; this section contains a list of apps that automatically launch on system startup. Locate SpyHunter, right-click on it, and select Disable.
On Mac, right-click on SpyHunter from the Dock and hover over the Options. By default, there should be a checkmark on the Open at Log-in option; click on this to temporarily disable SpyHunter.
How to completely uninstall SpyHunter
If you hadn’t deleted the setup file you downloaded when you installed the program, then you can launch it, follow the onscreen instructions and uninstall the program; it would require you to restart your system when it’s done. However, if you’ve deleted the file, follow the steps below.
For Windows
Step 1: Open the Windows start menu by clicking the Window key or Window icon from the lower left side of your screen.
Step 2: Click the Settings option; it is represented with a gear icon.
Step 3: Locate and click on the App option from the Settings window. If you can’t find it, use the search field there, type in Apps & Features and click on it.
Step 4: From the Apps & Features list, locate and left-click on the SpyHunter 5 option, then click the Uninstall button.
Step 5: If the User Account Control prompt shows up, click Yes. Before this, Windows would remind you that This app and related info will be uninstalled; click Uninstall to proceed.
Step 6: SpyHunter uninstall wizard might launch; follow the onscreen instructions there. You’ll be asked to confirm your language.
Step 7: If not prompted, you should restart your computer. When done, check to see if the SpyHunter icon still exists. If it still shows, right-click on it, select the Open file location option, mark all (CTRL+ A), and delete every file in the SpyHunter folder.
For Mac
Step 1: Click on the Finder icon to launch Finder.
Step 2: From the Finder sidebar, locate and click on the Applications folder, then select SpyHunter.
Step 3: Right-click on SpyHunter and select Move to Trash or drag and drop the SpyHunter icon in the Trash icon. You can go ahead and empty your Trash, but first, go through the data there.
Is SpyHunter 5 safe and legit?
Based on our SpyHunter 5 review, we can confidently say that “Yes, it is.” SpyHunter has been used by a vast number of computer users, both basic and advanced users. Reputable security software test labs have also tested it. Wikipedia reports a little controversy, but no website gives a similar complaint. I could call this an attack on SpyHunter due to something that happened in the past.
In April 2019, a cybercriminal group called GarrantyDecrypt virus developers created a threat and named SpyHunter ransomware, an apparent impersonation of Enigma’s SpyHunter. They even presented themselves as EnigmaSoft; this threat did affect SpyHunter’s reputation a bit.
Security experts were surprised by this; they couldn’t decide if these cybercriminals aimed to tarnish Enigma’s reputation, mock them, or steal users’ data. To cause further damage, they named the malware’s main executable file SpyHunter5.exe.
What this ransomware did was, it would lock up its victim’s files and demand that they contact them in 72 hours and later require a ransom from the victims. You could see this threat in the $HOWDWCRYPT$.txt note.
Enigma SpyHunter5s encrypts all your files!
Our company SpyHunter is guaranteed to decrypt your files.
Creating and removing viruses is our vocation.
We will provide you with professional support.
You have 72 hours to contact us.
Email us at :
spyhunter5s@aol.com
So, to avoid this, we strongly advise you to get SpyHunter from a certified EnigmaSoft vendor or its official site. This article has more details on ransomware. However, it has been adequately dealt with.
Apart from this, SpyHunter 5 is both safe and legit.
Is SpyHunter worth the money?
Yes, it is. We have deduced that Enigma took notes of users’ complaints from the different SpyHunter reviews and complaints in forums and produced a sound version. As a result, we deal with a program that carries out a full scan with speed without consuming much of your system resources. If you are familiar with anti-malware programs, you’ll agree it consumes CPU resources when scanning.
SpyHunter offers unique features like the ability to customize your shield for specific threats; all you have to do is contact its excellent customer service. SpyHunter price is very affordable, especially when you compare it to its competitors.
FAQs
Q. Will SpyHunter remove malware for free?
Yes, it can. However, there’s a catch involved. You can use SpyHunter to detect and get rid of malware and other threats for free, 48 hours after carrying out your first scan. It also gives its free users the window to remove detected cookies from their devices.
Q. Is there a free version of SpyHunter?
Yes, there is, but it offers limited features. For example, you can’t reach customer care for unique customizations or to tender complaints. It also doesn’t include the real-time protection shield which paid users enjoy.
Q. Malwarebytes vs. SpyHunter: Which is better?
Both Malwarebytes and SpyHunter are reputable players in their niches. Malwarebytes might be a bit more popular than SpyHunter, but SpyHunter is a force to reckon with.
For one, Malwarebytes can’t customize the protection you want, while SpyHunter can. SpyHunter is also seldom consumes your system resources; this alone is a reason to go for it.
Apart from these points, SpyHunter is quite more affordable compared to Malwarebyte’s highest version despite giving almost the same results. Also, Malwarebyte’s explanations are somewhat bulky, while SpyHunter’s descriptions are relatively brief and well-detailed.
