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In the second, on-demand test, Webroot Spy Sweeper detected 75 percent of the spyware. In the first test, active detection, Webroot Spy Sweeper detected 60 percent of the spyware.

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CNET labs conducts three separate tests using spyware found to be bundled within free applications rejected by CNET (as part of its software policies, does not host applications containing known spyware). The average user may not ever think to tweak their configuration settings.įor antispyware protection, Webroot Spy Sweeper performed well, rounding out our top three in our current CNET antispyware tests.

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With traditional antivirus packages, full rootkit protection, when offered, is enabled by default. Webroot says that its advanced heuristic rootkit protection can be time- and possibly resource-intensive, so Spy Sweeper 5.5 makes it an optional feature. We also found that deep scans for rootkits-those pernicious little malware packages that hide deep within the system kernel-remain optional in this release. We installed Spy Sweeper 5.5 with ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite up and running on our laptop and experienced no conflicts.

Within the Spy Sweeper Sweep section there are three options: Full Sweep scans all the files on your computer's attached drives Quick Sweep offers a fast and light pass of your main drive system and Custom Sweep allows you to select individual drives or folders or exclude extensions. SpySweeper uses protective shields to protect your hard drive, blocking spyware and adware as it attempts to download. For example, we like that during a scan, the color-coded tabs on the scan page mark your progress: Sweeping, Quarantine, and Summary.Īside from antivirus protection, Spy Sweeper enhances its antirootkit protection in SpySweeper 5.5. Spy Sweeper's interface remains crisp and intuitive, the result of many hours of user-interface testing. With antivirus included, Webroot's integration of Sophos is otherwise invisible for example, there's no separate configuration page for antivirus scans. To tweak antispyware scans for individual files or folders, simply use the various Spy Sweeper configuration screens. The Spy Sweeper 5.5 with Antivirus interface remains unchanged from that of Spy Sweeper 5, with the exception of a tiny upper-right corner panel informing you whether antivirus protection has been enabled. However, as mentioned, you will need to remove the Ask.com toolbar separately if you had that installed along with Spy Sweeper

After rebooting, we found no trace of Spy Sweeper in the Program Files directory or the system registry.

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After uninstalling the application, a pop-up window will announce that you can have Spy Spweeper for free if you purchase another trial offer from a company called TrailPay. Should you decide to uninstall Spy Sweeper, Webroot includes an uninstall icon on the All Programs list. Removing Spy Sweeper at the end of the trial will not remove the toolbar, so be sure to uncheck the Ask.com box before proceeding with the installation.

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Speaking of strings, be aware that during installation Webroot will also try to install the Ask.com toolbar onto your PC, even for the trial version. By comparison, Sunbelt offers a full-function trial of itsĬounterSpy v2 with no strings attached. We think this is wrong and a crude way to force sales. Webroot has an agreement to use the Sophos antivirus engine, but protection from e-mail and IM viruses is not yet included.Īlthough Webroot advertises a free trial, the trial is not fully functional it will only detect, but not remove any spyware found-a fact you'll find out only after you've installed, rebooted your computer, and run a complete scan. Current Spy Sweeper customers' apps can add antivirus and firewall protection for $10 more however, we suggest all Spy Sweeper users wait and purchase the antivirus component in a future release. We question why Webroot would make antivirus an option-shouldn't it be standard? In light of this, we recommend buying the antispyware version for $29. Spy Sweeper 5.5 is available for retail purchase or download, with or without antivirus enabled. Lowering the product, however, is the intrusion of a third-party toolbar that may automatically install if you don't pay close attention.

What is new are the CNET antispyware test results that show SpySweeper rising into the top three, buoyed by strong on-demand detection and removal scores.

Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.5 offers little change from our previously reviewed Spy Sweeper 5.3.

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