Question

Webroot Spy Sweeper: Problems With Uninstall ?

Asked by: WizeOwl

I have been using Webroot Spy Sweeper for two years and have been quite happy with it.  Then I found this post - http://forums.pcworld.com/message/3312#3312 .

Since I already had service pack 2 (XP SP2) installed prior to installing Spy Sweeper, I did not encounter such problems.  Nor have I tried to uninstall it.  

Currently using v5.5 (2007)

Can anyone confirm that this anti-spyware and anti-virus tool (Spy Sweeper) has serious issues of which I may be unaware?

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Asked On
2008-01-01 at 11:55:13ID23052152
Tags

Webroot

,

Spy Sweeper

Topics

Anti-Virus

,

Windows Network Security

,

Anti-Spyware

Participating Experts
2
Points
200
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: michkoPosted on 2008-01-02 at 12:45:20ID: 20567767

I don't use Spy Sweeper myself, but I have seen quite a few complaints about it slowing system speed down to a crawl.  Then again, Norton AV does the same thing.  I've also seen users who have run Spy Sweeper with no problems.  Here's some links to a few (bad) reviews:
http://www.pcworld.com/product/userreviews/prtprdid,30512612/webroot_spy_sweeper_with_antivirus_pc.html
http://www.pcworld.com/product/userreviews/prtprdid,17223393/userreviews.html
http://help.lockergnome.com/security/problems-ftopict9077.html

If you're not having problems, then I wouldn't worry about it.  If you start experiencing issues after one of their updates, then consider other solutions.

Myself, I find I receive adequate protection from among the free tools available.  Here is exactly what I have on my home systems:
ZoneAlarm firewall.
AVG Free Edition (http://free.grisoft.com/) is a good antivirus.
SuperAntiSpyware (www.superantispyware.com) has become my ad/spyware tool of choice.  The more I use it, the more impressed I am.
I find the free versions of these provide good protection.  They both offer pay versions with a few more bells and whistles.

Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/) also includes an immunize function and can monitor key system settings.  Here is an article on how to use Spybot to protect your system:
http://www.aahcomputer.co.uk/siteflare/index.php?id=76

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2008-01-02 at 12:48:50ID: 20567804

those saying that Webroot Spy Sweeper is an adware itself is wrong.
Webroot Spy Sweeper is among one of the good antispyware programs out there. It is not adware, it is not a rogue product, it is a legitimate antispyware product and in the same category as SUPERAntispyware, AVG antispyware.
It's one of the trustworthy antispyware program.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy


Maybe if what they're experiencing is true, that they got adware installing SpySweeper, they probably downloaded a legit SpySweeper from a bogus sites like Freedownloadscenter.com, these sites are a bad source.

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2008-01-02 at 12:52:43ID: 20567861

I've tried the free SpySweeper trial, but now using SUPERAntispyware as an on-demand scanner and it is very good and free. And for a small amount you can have a lifetime license (all updates and real time protection).

 

by: michkoPosted on 2008-01-02 at 13:08:20ID: 20567999

Woops, I didn't mean to insinuate that Spy Sweeper was any kind of rogue software or adware itself.  If anything I said and/or the links provided were interpreted that way, then I offer my apologies.  It is a valid and trusted program - I was pointing to the same basic problems I've seen with Norton AV - slow systems, lockups, etc.  

I'm not a fan of Spy Sweeper, just like I'm not a fan of Norton's AV.  Norton's AV I've had personal experience with some of the system problems it can cause.  No personal experience with Spy Sweeper, but I've seen quite a few posts indicating the same kind of problems.  Appears it is much like Norton - a trusted program, but a (potential) system hog.

 

by: WizeOwlPosted on 2008-01-02 at 14:09:09ID: 20568629

Two years ago I stopped using Norton Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus.  

SpySweeper has prevented me from accessing bad websites and I've been happy with it.  It does tend to slow down my system, however, as mentioned.  

Perhaps I will try SuperAntiSpyware.  

Thanks for your input.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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