- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try $29.95 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: June 13, 2005
- Total Downloads: 11,351,899
- Downloads last week: 3,070
- See full specifications
A newer version of Webroot Spy Sweeper is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1351 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Read a CNET review of the full version of Webroot Spy Sweeper.
This rock-solid antispyware tool gets yet another upgrade with new security features and a design overhaul, but with a limitation on spyware removal, the spyware protection of past versions is only as good as the money you pay for it. Users who are familiar with Spy Sweeper will notice the interface now looks a bit different. Though it keeps the same logically arranged structure, a new Home section should steer new users to the program's most important functions (such as starting a scan and updating definitions). The other most notable visible enhancement is the addition of a threat bar, which tells you how dangerous a certain program is. As in the past, the Quarantined section will let you restore any components should certain programs cease to function properly after a system scan. The Options icon provides access to the flexible scheduler, cookie manager, and password-protection module.
In addition to its real-time, browser, and ActiveX shields, this version adds a Spy Communication shield. This latter feature will block transfers from sites known to be purveyors of malicious programs. Spy Sweeper now also provides the ability to ferret out pesky rootkits. Though the paid version of this program offers an excellent level of protection, this trial only lets you scan your system with no option to remove. Infected systems are left with a screen of spyware threats and no way to remove without purchasing a registration code. It does an admirable job of locating every nasty program we toss its way, and its real-time protection is equally effective in stopping intruders on the fly. But without the option to remove, this trial is useless for clearing your computer of malware unless you buy the full version. While this trial is mostly a passive demo, this is definitely a piece of software we consider worth the money--the paid version is excellent. Anyone concerned with keeping malicious software off his or her computer should not bother with this trial unless you want to sample the program features with the intent of buying the full version.
Publisher's description
From Webroot Software :New Spy Sweeper 5.0 takes another leap ahead of the competition. As the leading anti-spyware product available, it detects and completely removes the nastiest spyware out there like Spy Lantern and Trojan-Downloader-LowZones. Spy Sweeper uses adaptive definition technology for detecting spyware mutations that haven't yet received a defense definition. Spy Sweepers advanced removal engine deletes the toughest spyware programs in just one sweep - even removing mutated or "rootkit" spies. Spy Sweeper is armed with 16 advanced Smart Shields, including a new Keylogger shield to block new spyware installations. New user interface makes Spy Sweeper even easier to use and it's backed by free expert customer support. Free download.
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User reviews of Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
- Average user rating: 3.4 stars out of 1351 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 327 user reviewsSee all 327 user reviews
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21 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
Pros: Thorough scanning
Large footprint database
Lot's of proactive options to keeping your system secure
Cheap in comparison to some other products
Auto-Update
Finds most spyware, catches what Adaware and Microsoft Anti-Spyware misses
Can be password protected
Detailed interface
Cons: It does use a fair ammount of memory (I would recommend 256MB RAM. 128MB seems a bit short for this programme). But haven't noticed any slowness, having a 1.5GB of RAM machine....
Scan doesn't seem quite as fast as the older versions
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75 out of 116 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
Pros: It scans alot faster than the previous version,and is the only spy remover on the market that I trust to remove serious infections,(180 Solutions,CoolWeb Search,XXX Tool bars),etc. It also will keep your homepage from being hi-jacked, and guards your startup,and favorites. Webroots Spy Sweeper is well worth the money and I recommend it. 5 STARS & TWO thumbs up!
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7 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
Pros: Thank You Download Dot Com for finally providing a proper rating for an absolutely sensless "TRIAL" (Like Spyware Doctor's Bogus "FREE" Trial. This is one of my favorite programs too. I've owned it for three solid years and will buy it again.
Cons: How can respectable companies like Webroot advertise that this is Free, when it's "puffware" Free download free scan. Webroot is top notch customer service but it boggles my mind as to how much business they must lose by telling us it's free (or Free trial) then thinking that we will not notice after it is downloaded. Give us a chance, even limit the days but GIVE US A TRUE TRIAL
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11 out of 18 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
"Webroot Spysweeper are among the very best!"
Pros: I think that Webroot Spysweeper and Spyware Doctor are at the moment, the leading anti-spyware tools available! Both programs are the very best in tests. I have both. No program detects spy and adware to 100%, so you will need both. Bjorn Lundahl, Gothenburg, Sweden
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
Pros: I like the feature that asks if you want something to load at startup...
Cons: ... but thats about it. Ad-aware and Spybot, both free, outperform it. In fact Ad-Aware found things that Spy Sweeper didn't. I also noticed how things lagged on my system with it installed on an AMD Athlon X2 CPU w/ 2GB of LL RAM... it was disappointing. Once I removed it, the system came alive! On another note, I use Firefox... Spy Sweeper does nothing for that. I wasted my money on this product. If you use Firefox, the free Spybot is your best bet.
- See all 327 user reviews Write review
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