SUPERAntiSpyware is a software application distributed as shareware

Shareware

The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...

 which can detect and remove spyware

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...

, adware

Adware

Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...

, trojan horse

Trojan horse (computing)

A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is software that appears to perform a desirable function for the user prior to run or install, but steals information or harms the system. The term is derived from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology.-Malware:A destructive program that masquerades as a benign...

s, rogue security software, computer worm

Computer worm

A computer worm is a self-replicating malware computer program, which uses a computer network to send copies of itself to other nodes and it may do so without any user intervention. This is due to security shortcomings on the target computer. Unlike a computer virus, it does not need to attach...

s, rootkit

Rootkit

A rootkit is software that enables continued privileged access to a computer while actively hiding its presence from administrators by subverting standard operating system functionality or other applications...

s, parasites and other potentially harmful software applications. Although it can detect malware

Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...

, SUPERAntiSpyware is not designed to replace antivirus software

Antivirus software

Antivirus or anti-virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and adware...

.

Details

SUPERAntiSpyware's virus definitions are updated several times a week, and generally receives a build update once a month. It is specifically designed to be compatible with other security applications, and therefore can be used even when those other applications are incompatible with anti-spyware products, such as Kaspersky.

BootSafe, a program that facilitates booting into Safe Mode, is included.

The product is available as freeware

Freeware

Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...

 for personal use with limited functions, such as no automatic update and scheduling and limited repairing functions.

Critical reception

SUPERAntiSpyware received a 75/100 rating from 2-Spyware. The program detected and removed all the samples in the test case. 2-Spyware called the program powerful and highly effective, but not convenient or very easy to use. Both the freeware

Freeware

Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...

 and commercial

Proprietary software

Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...

 version received a 4 out of 5 star average user rating on CNET's Download.com website. SUPERAntiSpyware received a "GOOD" rating from PC Magazine

PC Magazine

PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...

 that said it installed quickly and had a full scan faster than others, but found its actual performance "not as accurate as the best products".

Acquisition

On 16 July 2011, SUPERAntiSpyware was acquired by Support.com

Support.com

Support.com, Inc. is a US-based multinational computer technology corporation that provides online tech support. It is headquartered in Redwood City, California, USA. Support.com provides online computer support to consumers and home-based business across the United States and Canada via remote...

(NASDAQ: SPRT). The transaction is structured as an acquisition of assets with a cash purchase price of $8.5 million. All employees, including founder and industry leader Nick Skrepetos, are joining Support.com