- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (Removal-disabled); $29.95 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP
- Date added: October 26, 2006
- Total Downloads: 11,380,293
- Downloads last week: 3,511
- 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 1354 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
This rock-solid antispyware tool gets yet another upgrade with added virus protection, but, with a limitation on spyware removal, the spyware protection of past versions is only as good as the money you pay for it.
The interface is easy to understand, and the Home section should steer new users to the necessities: starting a scan, checking shield status and updating definitions. As in older versions, the Quarantined section will let you restore any components accidentally altered after a system scan. The Sweep option includes a flexible scheduler, the ability to change the default scanning method level, and other configurable options to tailor the program to your needs. In addition to its real-time, browser, and ActiveX shields, the app offers several barriers to other threats such as Windows Messenger Service exploits, keyloggers, rogue start-up items, and pesky rootkits.
Version 5.2 includes a virus checker that offers an excellent level of protection in the paid version, but is limited in the trial to virus detection only. Because of this limitation, anyone concerned with keeping malicious software and viruses off their computer shouldnt bother with the trial unless youre pretty sure youre going to buy the full version.
Publisher's description
From Webroot Software :Spy Sweeper 5.2 detects and completely removes spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, and browser hijackers. Spy Sweeper uses adaptive definition technology to detect spyware mutations that have not yet received a defense definition. Spy Sweeper uses an advanced removal engine that erases the toughest spyware programs in just one sweep--even removing mutated spyware and malicious rootkits. Proactive protection comes in the form of 16 advanced Smart Shields to block and deflect new spyware before it can install on your PC. The new user interface makes Spy Sweeper even easier to use.
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User reviews of Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.2
- Average user rating: 3.4 stars out of 1354 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 79 user reviewsSee all 79 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
80 out of 89 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.2
Cons: This program has to have the longest scan there is! I started a scan and after 2hrs 55mins I gave up! Plus you have to buy if you want to remove anything. What a waste of time. There are so many other worthy programs out there, just bypass this one.
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69 out of 75 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.2
Pros: Worked for a while as version 4.0 and 4.5, but after that....
Cons: ....when I opted to upgrade to version 5.0 (build 1286), it locked up my system every single time I attempted to use it. My subscription still worked as I downgraded back to version 4.5 (build 731). Every time I would log onto the Net, my Spy Sweeper subscription would automatically download the latest spyware definitions, and all went well.
When my subscription neared its end (35 days), I hoped that Webroot had solved its Spy Sweeper problem of conflicting with Ad-Aware 1.06r1. I downloaded version 5.0 (build 1607) and installed it. Lo and behold, same problem! IT LOCKED UP MY SYSTEM! So, I tried a small test. I eliminated my Ad-Aware 1.06 to see if Spy Sweeper had been fixed. I rebooted my system and ran a full Spy Sweeper scan. No change, it STILL locks up my system! I downloaded Ad-Aware 1.06 again, updated it and ran it to make sure Ad-Aware worked. Then, I downgraded Spy Sweeper again to version 4.5. Along with Search-and-Destroy 1.4, I ran a full scan of my system. Clean.
Then, to make matters worse and what sealed Spy Sweeper's fate, I noticed that my subscription notified me at 30 days, I was getting daily reminders to renew. With my past experience, ARE YOU KIDDING? Then, I noticed that Spy Sweeper was no longer automatically updating my spyware definitions. Even when I tried to manually update, I was denied! I paid for 12 months of Spy Sweeper subscription, only to find out I only get 11 months? Fool me once, shame on me. I ain't going to be fooled twice. Webroot's Spy Sweeper isn't stable enough for me. Free apps may be less capable of finding all of the spyware on my system, BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE STABLE!!
I would ask Download.com to change its rating system to go from ZERO stars to 5 stars. Because Spy Sweeper gets ZERO stars in my experience!
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15 out of 23 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.2
Cons: Not as good as people make out.Its a right system hog.Slowed down my pc when it decided to work.It froze my pc often! I had to constantly reboot.
Very slow scan.They would have to pay me to use the thing! got rid of it pronto!
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.2
"webroot seems to be going downhill"
Pros: good detection, simple interface
Cons: Memory usage is through the roof, this program crashes a lot especially when updating. This used to be a great program but it's gone downhill and it's just bloatware. You're better off using AVG antispyware free edition, ad-aware and spybot which are all free as opposed to paying 30 dollars for this and it's not even a real trial, you have to pay to remove anything! If you must pay, go with spyware doctor it's much better and more stable.
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.2
Pros: What can I say....1 Star, Thats enough.
Cons: Everything was good unitl:
Limitations : Removal-disabled
They dont even give us a chance to try it's abilities.
- See all 79 user reviews Write review
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