Spybot – Search & Destroy vs Xcitium Cleaning Essentials

Spybot – Search & Destroy is Windows security software focused on finding and removing spyware, adware, tracking software, keyloggers and other unwanted software. Its Free Edition includes anti-spyware scanning and removal, a rootkit scan, System Immunization and Startup Tools, for private, non-commercial use; the private-use license does not cap device count. System Immunization blocks access to sites associated with malicious or unwanted software, tracking cookies and browser plugins identified as malware. The maker lists Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox and Chrome for that feature. Rootkit Scan checks the file system, registry and process-related lists. Paid editions list features including automatic signature downloads multiple times per day and task scheduling. Live Protection monitors newly created and running processes and blocks malicious processes before they start. Command-line tools cover scans, immunization, cleaning and updating, with use in scripts and scheduled tasks described by the maker. The product page also describes FileAlyzer for file analysis and RegAlyzer for browsing and changing the registry. Startup Tools can alter registry and other system settings, so the maker advises care.

Xcitium Cleaning Essentials has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.