- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (See description); $29.95 to buy
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: September 10, 2008
- 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 1350 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
This rock-solid antispyware tool gets an upgrade for Windows Vista compatibility, but with its spyware-removal limitation, the protection offered 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 Quarantine 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 options to customize the program. 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.
There were no problems running the app on Vista, but be sure to uninstall any other third-party antivirus apps to avoid conflicts. Unfortunately, Spy Sweeper maintains its detection-only trial limitation, making it impossible to test how well it actually removes malware. Anybody concerned with keeping malicious software and viruses off their computer shouldn't bother with the trial unless they're pretty sure they're going to buy the full version.
Publisher's description
From Webroot Software :Webroot Spy Sweeper delivers spyware detection, blocking and removal, with 360 degrees of protection. Dangerous spyware is blocked before reaching your PC, and any existing spyware on your computer is located and destroyed. The new Gamer Mode allows for fast, safe gaming and online video viewing. Webroot's WARN global response system utilizes the millions of subscribers to block the latest online threats. The new version of Webroot Spy Sweeper now detects and blocks even more forms of spyware at the point of infection.
New in version 5.8: the Gamer Mode ensures you are not interrupted while playing online games; through the Webroot Automated Research Network (WARN), Webroot provides faster response to new and emerging threats by analyzing submissions from the Webroot users worldwide; the version is fully compatible with the 64-bit Windows Vista Service Pack 1.
Note: Removal of current infection is limited to the paid version.
What's new in this version:
New in version 5.8: the Gamer Mode ensures you are not interrupted while playing online games; through the Webroot Automated Research Network (WARN), Webroot provides faster response to new and emerging threats by analyzing submissions from the Webroot users worldwide; the version is fully compatible with the 64-bit Windows Vista Service Pack 1.
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User reviews of Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.8
- Average user rating: 3.4 stars out of 1350 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 13 user reviewsSee all 13 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.8
"i think this product is great"
Pros: again i really love it
Cons: i wish it could do more without pay, so you know what you get before you pay for it
Summary: i like this product because its easy download when you need it the most.
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Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.8
"Spysweeper is still my anti-spyware no. 1"
Pros: This version 5.8 is improved:
1. Shields are improved.
2. Scans are now extremely fast.
3. ReliableCons: 1. Rootkit found in Custom Scan, not in Full Scan!
2. Support is insuffient
3. After a few days, update is removed for downloading
4. Interferes with other softwares
5. Files in Quarantine/Ignore disappear after reboot.
6. Many .temp filesSummary: I had earlier as sharewares Spyweeper & Spyware Doctor, but as Spyware Doctor was too slow, I decided to continue with only Spysweeper. I think I will still continue with it, until I find a better software in the market! I have inactivated 3 of... read more >>
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Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.8
"Version 5.8 is very buggy, will not work with Vista"
Pros: A Very good utility, running this program for the past five years and no problems at all. It kept my computer running without the typical problems of all the junk on the internet that crept s into a computer.
Cons: Major problem conflicting with other software that cause three hard crash's on my computer. Fix they sent me did not work either. Had to remove from my computer.
Stick with the older Version and avoid the version 5.8 until it is fixed.Summary: Unpredictable hard crashes with Version 5.8.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.8
"Almost as bad as what it is supposed to defend against"
Pros: Installed with no problem. Found some reference to a monitor program I had installed.
Cons: Advertised as free until it actually finds something. Then you have to pay to have it remove what it found. Try to uninstall it and the program directs you to their site but will not uninstall itself.
Summary: If you ask me, this is just about as bad as what it was intended to defend against. I had no problem getting it on my system, but had one heck of a time trying to get it off. Had to actually search for a tool to get it removed. I would read the d... read more >>
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Version: Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.8
"Good but needs improvements."
Pros: It ran fine on my computer. Scanning is good. Auto updating is fine.
Cons: This is a resource hog as well as it freezes all the time when I scan it or even open the program up. Uninstalling was awfully difficult as it was stubborn and it didn't want to leave. As soon it was uninstalled all those computer symptoms were gone.
- See all 13 user reviews Write review
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