Ashampoo AntiSpyWare 2 offers twice as much protection as the previous version. Having run a full computer scan for possible infections, the program will remove the infected files immediately. A permanent active background scanner will notify you in advance and offer real-time protection for the computer. While connected to the internet the program makes sure that new malware wont have any chance to enter your system through the back door. Virus definitions on more than 760,000 threats are already included you will be protected against. Virus signatures will be updated online on a regular basis so that your weapon never gets blunt.

Version 2 features: real-time protection of all relevant processes, an integrated task scheduler for automated scanning, is now fully compatible with Windows Vista.

Note: In order to use the trial version of the program, you will have to register for free on the developer's site.

Version 2.0.1 improved engine for faster scan speed, added fault interception, features user interface in twelve languages: German, English, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Hungarian, Italian, Slovak, Spanish.

Editor's review of Ashampoo AntiSpyWare Antispyware that's not a wash

Ashampoo Antispyware has been given a major-point upgrade, and there's no doubt that it looks better. But is version 2 worth the $$30 tag?

The program has a bothersome registration process required for downloading, something that's unfortunately becoming more common these days. However, it also has a generous 40-day trial period. The tabbed interface looks good and is clearly labeled, making navigation intuitive. The main window shows you Active functions, and one click lets you Deactivate them. The right-side column contains scan Statistics, spyware-signature file version and a link to updates, and quick links to run all the major scans.

The left-side tabs manage the Scans, Quarantine, Logs, Preferences, and Tools. There are a host of features in the last two, from whitelists and schedulers to an Internet tracks cleaner and an LSP Viewer to help manage WinSock extensions. Scan options include a full system scan--prepare for a long wait--as well as options to slice that into specific types of scans such as hard drive or Registry-only. We encountered zero problems when mucking about. No viruses were found, either.

However, there've been numerous false positive complaints, and scans detect all of your Internet cookies as minor threats. Still, Ashampoo Antispyware is a breeze to handle and has most of the antispyware angles covered.