- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try $29.95 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: July 17, 2006
- 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 1352 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, the Home section should steer new users to the program's most important functions (such as starting a scan, checking shield status, 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 several barriers to other threats such as Windows Messenger Service exploits, keyloggers, and rogue start-up items. Spy Sweeper now also provides the ability to sweep for 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 "shields" protection is equally effective in stopping intruders on the fly. However, without the option to remove, this trial is useless for clearing your computer of malware unless you buy the full version. Though it's 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 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 Sweeper's 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.
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User reviews of Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
- Average user rating: 3.4 stars out of 1352 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 134 user reviewsSee all 134 user reviews
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156 out of 183 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
"A long time favorite of mine"
Pros: The new Spy Sweeper 5.0 interface makes it even easier for novices to use. Enhanced Smart Shields prevent highly developed spyware programs from ever installing on your PC. The new SpySweeper also comes with a keylogger shield, a startup protector, and keeps your home page from being hijacked. SpySweeper updates daily to protect your pc from new infections. The registered version is excellant at finding and removing your infections.
Cons: But thank goodness I have a paid version, because the trial version will only scan and show you the spyware it has found...and won't remove any of it unless you buy it! It also uses more ram to scan and will play heck with computers that have 256MB of memory or less.
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85 out of 93 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
"Just like spyware doctor, the trial doesnt remove anything."
Pros: Its got a name a lot of people seem to know and trust.
It has a unique interface for an antispyware program.
It comes with a realtime shield which protects against everything...or I would hope everything.
Like all antispyware products, and as we have come to expect, it detects things others fail to find.
Cons: It goes a little overboard in the cookie detection. Cookies arent all that bad.
The trial version detects but asks for your money to remove stuff. Compare this against the old 3.0 and 4.0 trial versions which let you remove stuff for a period of 30 days. 4.5 and 5.0 didnt/doesnt let you remove anything. At least it spits out a log file so you can remove the stuff manually, or at least try to. All I did was tell the admins over at Spyware Terminator what it found and they added it to their database...haha. Webroot losers!
Its a little slow in its scan, like it has always been for all of time. Its a very resource hungry scanner.
It doesnt have your normal XP interface if you prefer that sort of thing. It might be a little difficult for new users to locate the minimize-maximize-close buttons from their odd color/position.
No HIPS like Spyware Terminator has.
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.
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Overall its a great piece of work, but jesus, they want $30 for something which is done by several program for free? Let me give you a list of software you can use if you want to stay free, which is how antispyware software SHOULD BE...this is in order of detection abilities as well as the future of the program based on the development teams accessibility:
Spyware Terminator
Avorax Antispyware
Advanced Spyware Remover
Ad-Aware
SpyBot
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59 out of 68 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
"New version 5 not as good as version 4.5"
Pros: SpySweeper is currently the best protection for spyware and adware.
Cons: Don't upgrade to version 5, it slows down your pc and doesn't protect it with the trial version. All the trial version does is scan, it doesn't remove or protect. You have to buy it now for it to work. They still offer version 4.5 which is better and compatible with all Windows but you will have to contact them to get that version. Version 5 is ONLY compatible with Windows 2000 and XP. Download.com needs to change the limitations to just scans your pc.
Customer support from Webroot really sucks, you have to make a ticket and wait in a long line before they will get back with you.
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52 out of 66 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
"faster scans than 4.5-conflicts with ad-adware"
Pros: version 5 will scan faster than previous version after first scan or two-the long time to scan in 4.5 was a drawback; seems to have a large database of spyware with over 140000 entries and provides real time protection; far less problematic than spyware doctor, somwhat better appearance and i do not consider it a memory hog during routine operation; they did solve conflict with i.e 7 noted in review of 4.5 ; has frequent updates like trend micro which also updates daily during the weekdays whereas microsoft's defender updates weekly-more frequent updates always a plus; and unlike spyware doctor, does not require frequent re-boots to install revisions to program
Cons: conflicts with ad-adware and you most turn off spy sweeper to perform an ad-adware scan-this is a major drawback in my view since ad-adware was a well known existing program and webroot had to know of conflict before releasing new version; when updating manually the spyware definitions you are forced to visit webroot's web site where they try to sell you their window washer product-most annoying; noticed yesterday that mcafee anti-virus thought spyware sweeper's removal of some adware was a trojan "exploit-obscure" which indicates problem in working with other programs; and overall this program and spyware doctor need to compete better with free programs like microsoft's defender, spybot and ad-adware and not create problems when user is paying a fee.
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19 out of 25 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.0
Pros: The best thing about the new spysweeper is its new streamlined user interface,which makes it more pleasing to use.
It also sports new key-l;ogger shield and an enhanced on-demand spyware protection...
It also shows better information of spyware found...
And no false positives!
Cons: Nopes!
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