Besides removing the usual spyware, BPS Spyware/Adware Remover includes a pop-up blocker and a real-time spyware blocker. The application performed better in some respects than all its competitors except SpyBot.
The program identified 16 of our 20 spyware/adware programs and claimed to remove them. Yet it left numerous fragments of many, including Alexa, CommonName, and SaveNow. It also left the two key loggers and the Trojan horse NetBus intact.
Following the removal process, Norton AntiVirus (specifically Symantec's Common Client CC App) crashed at boot-up. It would appear that the program removed more than just spyware. Bullet Proof Soft did not have an explanation.
Spyware/Adware Remover is the subject of some controversy: PepiMK Software, the developer of SpyBot Search & Destroy, has accused Bullet Proof Soft (and Trek Blue, with its SpywareNuker) of stealing its spyware database. Bullet Proof Soft denies the allegations and is considering a countersuit.
Visually, some features of this product are nearly identical to those of Spy Remover—like the odd choice of using the Windows tree to view a limited amount of data, a similarity shared by Ad-aware. Spyware/ Adware Remover's Scan Selections control is virtually indistinguishable from Spy Remover's Scan Computer control; the backup processes appear identical and use the same file format. Bullet Proof Soft licenses software to other companies but could not comment on which ones use the technology.
Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.
