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Webroot Spy Sweeper 3-PC - Windows | 
 enlarge | From: Webroot Software
Category: Software
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $23.99
You Save: $16.00 (40%)
New (13) Used (3) from $18.75
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 682
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows Xp
Color: 3-user
Media: CD-ROM
Operating System: Windows Vista
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 1.4
MPN: 59410
Model: 59410
UPC: 667208594108
EAN: 0667208594108
ASIN: B0016Q0VUG
Release Date: May 15, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Keep Your PC Safe from Spyware | | • | Browse Where You Want, When You Want - real-time protection by blocking known and emerging spyware threats as you browse - before they ever reach your computer and personal information | | • | If your PC is already infected, Webroot Spy Sweeper's advanced discovery methods locate and completely destroy malicious spyware that hides within your PC - even spyware that hides using rootkit technology | | • | Download Your Favorite Music, Pictures and Videos Without Spyware Intruders - identify slight changes in new spyware threats or variants to prevent spyware threats from ever installing on your PC | | • | Stay Ahead of New Spyware Threats with FREE Defense Updates - To ensure you have the most advanced spyware detection available, we constantly expand Webroot Spy Sweeper's definition database. As a Spy Sweeper subscriber, we pass this powerful spyware detection arsenal on to you through regular automatic updates. |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Don't leave your PC defenseless against malicious software and the like, get Spy Sweeper for Windows. It gives you real-time protection against spyware, especially the kind that hides using rootkit technology.
More Time Computing, Less Time Solving Computer Problems - Spyware infection can slow you down while online, or even prevent you from using your PC. Webroot Spy Sweeper quickly provides maximum protection with minimal interaction. Inbound and Outbound Email Attachment Scanning 1-year protection for 3 PCsMinimum System Requirements Windows 2000, Vista (32 bit versions of Home Basic, Premium, Business, or Ultimate), or XP (32 bit versions of Professional, Home, Media Center, or XP Tablet) 300 Mhz processor 100 MB hard drive space 256 MB RAM Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher or FireFox 2.0 or higher for connecting to the Webroot web site
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| Customer Reviews:
Competent product, diminished by cookie reporting deficiencies, and ill-advised sales nags. December 1, 2008
This version of Spysweeper is somewhat improved over version 5.X. In particular, the availability of a "no extra charge" firewall, i.e., the Webroot Desktop Firewall, is an nice advance. It means that the chances of incompatibility between your anti-malware, anti-virus, and software firewall are now significantly reduced.
As noted in my earlier review of version 5.x, Spysweeper was one of the first quality anti-malware programs available. Although there are now a number of free products with similar or, arguably, enhanced capabilities. So an important question is how does this version stack up.
The software has not changed greatly. The interface is essentially identical, and full sweeps are still quite long, even on a quad core Vista 64-bit system with four gigabytes of RAM. Although one reviewer for an earlier version mentioned sweeps completed in 5-6 minutes, I've never had sweep times even approach those results for the earlier or this later version. With this version my sweep times have been reduced below an hour, they exceeded an hour with the earlier 5.X version. Of course, it's uncertain if inherent sweep speed has actually gone down or not, as my CPU, memory, and disk speeds are better than with the original system. Of course, it's also not clear if the relatively long sweep times are due to thoroughness or to inefficient algorithm designs. Faster sweeps can be achieved using the "quick sweep" option, but if you're going to check you system for malware, it seems a "full sweep" is most appropriate.
Spysweeper continues to have implementation deficiencies. It still specifies the number of cookies it finds. However, unless it determines a cookie is a problem, e.g., a tracking cookie, it provides no further information. A clearly better approach would be for Spysweeper to list all cookies it finds with their location and allow users to decide which, if any, cookies to keep. However, Spysweeper has not advanced in this area from their previous versions.
Some of my disappointment with Spysweeper relates to the company's intrusive sales "nags" after purchase, while making it difficult to avoid or eliminate them. For example, when you select "Check for Updates" manually from the Spysweeper "Home" page, your browser is opened and you are taken to one of the company's web pages (nag screens) -- even if your product is up-to-date. There you'll find the option to add (buy) "Webroot Internet Security Essentials". This is an unnecessary, and time-wasting annoyance. Other competitor's products, some available for free, simply download program updates automatically if needed, without requiring your browser to be opened, and presenting you with nag ads each time you request a manual update. Spysweeper should certainly consider removing this "feature" in the near future.
During a Spysweeper installation, Spysweeper may not be the only software you will be installing. The default during the Spysweeper installation process is to also install the "Ask" search bar in your browser without requiring your specific approval. If you are not alert this will be done automatically. Clearly an "op-in" for a possibly undesired feature would be more appropriate than Webroot's "op-out" requirement. As the Ask toolbar is available for free download from Ask at anytime, the current default installation is not a service to Webroot customers. If you do not want the Ask toolbar added to your browser, carefully check your options as you install Spysweeper
Spysweeper is still a quite competent product, albeit, with some technical issues. However, in rating it I considered not only its technical features, but also how user-friendly I felt it was for a purchased product. In this comparison, Spysweeper's unnecessary sales pitch each time you manually check for an update, and its ill-advised tactic of opting you in for the installation of a browser toolbar without your explicit approval, were significant negatives. The value difference and user-friendliness between Spysweeper and free competitors appears to be diminishing.
 OK but clumsy for limited account November 30, 2008
It seems OK, but it pesters you if you don't do scheduted scans for BOTH the administrator and each limited user; the limited user scans should not be necessary.
 long time user November 17, 2008
6?,7?,8? years. Reliable and fast enough on my 4 household computers.
If Spy Sweeper doesn't get them all, it doesn't leave many. I have used SpyWare Doctor on my equipment along with SS. SD just doesn't find enough left-overs to justify the cost and slow-down.
Webroot Spy Sweeper - 3 PC version November 3, 2008
Have been a user of Webroot's Spy Sweeper for 5 years. Had previously renewed online but decided to purchase the 3-PC software due to a need to have it on multiple PCs. Shipment and delivery of the product from Amazon.com were excellent.
I attempt to regularly download updates and run a system sweep at least once a week and have downloaded the upgrades to the software online with no problems. System sweeps have taken less time with the latest version of the software. Have only had to call for product support once and was pleased with their phone support. I would recommend this product to anyone interested in having an anti-spyware program on their system.
Hopeful! May 29, 2008
I've had mine for about 9 months - lately has frozen up. Will not sweep, update, or even display alerts. Efforts to obtain techical support directed me to re-install - hopefully it works, though you never know if it's really working until it doesn't
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