Updating Spybot Search & Destroy fails due to "bad checksum" or "HTTP Error 403"
Spybot returns a "bad checksum" or "HTTP Error 403" when you attempt to check for updates. This problem is caused by too many people trying to update Spybot at once.
When Spybot Search & Destroy attempts to update, it returns "bad checksum" or "HTTP Error 403." According to the Spybot FAQ, this problem is caused by millions of people trying to update Spybot at once.
To resolve this problem, try updating Spybot using one of its other update servers.
- Open Spybot.
- Click the Update icon on the left side of the window.
- Click Search.
- You will be presented with a list of update servers to choose from. The update servers indicate their location in parenthesis. In general, you should choose an update server close to you (i.e. in the USA). However, if you continue to get errors when updating, you should try using a different update server, even one that is in another part of the world.
- A list of available updates will appear in the bottom half of the Spybot window. Right-click on one of the update checkboxes and click Select All.
- Click Download. All available updates for Spybot will be downloaded and applied.