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Review: Webroot Spysweeper with Antivirus security software

The popular Spyware killer now has anti-virus to boot

Price: £35
Manufacturer: Webroot



Ratings
Overall rating: Overall rating
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Verdict

Good points

  • Easy to use
  • Clearly designed
  • Thorough scans

Bad points

  • No firewall
  • No automatic scan scheduling
  • No automatic removal of old anti-virus software

Overall Webroot Spy Sweeper with Antivirus is competent but – since it lacks a firewall – is incomplete for those looking for a complete security suite.


Tim Smith, Computeract!ve 08 Mar 2007

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The threat of online attacks continues to increase, which means a similar grow in the number (and capabilities) of computer security packages.

This one, for example, began life as plain old Webroot Spy Sweeper, but now includes virus detection from well-known security firm Sophos.

Installation wasn't tricky, and it's fully Vista compatible. However, unlike some programs, it didn't recommend that we remove our PC's existing anti-virus software, or do it automatically, so remember to do that once it's been installed, to avoid problems later on.

The well-designed control panel shows clear information, and it's possible to access various tools, such as protecting the Internet Explorer home page, from here.

There are settings to scan programs more thoroughly (the 'extra shield') but these aren't switched on by default, as they slow things down. All settings can be password-protected, but unlike competing products it doesn't automatically schedule scans. This has to be done manually.

While Webroot Spy Sweeper with Antivirus is competent at dealing with viruses and spyware, it is missing one large component – a firewall.

And for this reason that, for most users, it's worth spending a little extra and going for a suite that comes with a firewall.

Also consider
AVG Internet Security Suite
Norton Internet Security 2007
Panda Internet Security 2007

See also:

image: avg internet security 7.5The best-known free anti-virus supplier offers more features in its paid-for internet security suite  10 Jan 2007
image: panda platinum 2007Panda, the black horse – or more accurately black and white bear – of internet security  02 Jan 2007
image: norton internet securityNorton Internet Security 2007 includes anti-phishing and anti-spyware but anti-spam and parental controls as an extra download. Does this matter?  19 Dec 2006

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