A newer version of Webroot Spy Sweeper is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- Average user rating: stars out of 1354 votes Back to product review
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User reviews
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156 out of 183 people found this review helpful
4 stars
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
3 stars
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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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
1 stars
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
3 stars
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
5 stars
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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