Webroot Spy Sweeper

I purchased Spy Sweeper , placed the disc in the cd-rom (Windows ME) , it popped up on the screen by itself , I followed the instruction , downloaded it on my computer , and then started cleaning these things out easily! I had over 60 parasites on my computer. Now I have zero!

I was so happy. It also defines the spyware and it gives you an option to either quarintine it or delete it completely from your computer. IT ALSO WORKS AS A SHIELD THAT KEEPS NEW SPYWARE PARASITES FROM ATTACKING AS YOU SURF THE WEB! THEN SHOWS YOU WHAT SPYWARE ATTEMPTED TO ATTACK YOUR COMPUTER!

This is an excellent product because not only does it get rid of the spyware it also can keep your computer spyware free! Now my computer works as good as new and I don't have those problems that I described earlier.

Its a great investment because it really works!


Perfect sidekick against spyware-ridden sites   October 5, 2004
Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful


Well, I thought my Internet troubles were over getting an anti-virus program with a firewall. Guess again, because my program doesn't take care of adware or spyware. And being hit by spyware is no fun, especially as it plays havoc on surfing. Why? Because spyware can cause one's computer to slow down, making the system unstable, and making one have to reboot. It can also make one's computer prone to hijacking programs that can remotely control your computer while you surf. Scary, right? Yes, Virginia...it's not safe to surf on the Internet anymore.

Of the anti-spyware packages available, I went with Webroot's Spysweeper, as it was ranked #1 in the Top Ten anti-spyware programs, outdoing others such as Spybot and AdAware. The main feature I like is how Spysweeper not only quarantines and deletes spyware but also the traces, which if left undetected can cause any malware to be reactivated. Not to worry-as options on automatically removing spyware that consistently gets loaded on visiting a certain site is present. Anyone wanting to keep spyware is like someone with gangrene who wants it left there because of that lovely green colour. Think again, guys!

Another thing that some may consider a bit annoying, but shows that the program is paying attention is if one adds a website as a favourite. If enabled, a pop-up window at the bottom right corner pops up, alerting the user. It then tells the user, "Hey, something just got added on to your favourites. Is it something you added, or did someone else do it?' If the former, check the box to keep it. If the latter, oh dear...! Hey, at least it's paying attention, so I like this feature. Along those lines was a pesky piece of malware which persistently changed my home page. Fortunately, an option in Spysweeper allowed it to keep my home page and never change it.

Users who have Windows ME or XP will have those pesky Restore directories containing all those 1 byte temporary files, which can add an extra ten minutes in scanning. Not to worry-an option there allows it to ignore those files.

Everytime I end my surfing and run it, it also removes tracking cookies, an option I enabled. Nowadays, weeks have gone by and I haven't had a piece of spyware or adware infiltrate my system, although interestingly enough, it's my anti-virus software that's been finding adware. It's also darned user-friendly too, like that someone who's on guard whenever I'm online. Recommended by this constant surfer. The Net was never more safer than with Spysweeper.



Well Worth It   May 2, 2004
Akan (New York, USA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

At first I was rather skeptical about purchasing Webroot Spy Sweeper. I knew it was good, since I had the trial version, but didn't think $30 could make the difference.

I was proved wrong. Spy Sweeper, the full version, eliminates spyware quickly and offers memory shields and cookie shields to supplement its excellent sweeping capabilities.

It unfortunately does not get the full five (4.7, rounded up) because it can not seem to get rid of the nasty spyware known as ClientMan. Spy Sweeper detects and removes it, but does not keep the annoying ClientMan away. With all else, Spy Sweeper is the way to go. Hopefully there will be an update to the ClientMan problem.

I would also recommend that you download the free anti spyware program known as SpywareBlaster to assist Spy Sweeper. SpywareBlaster blocks certain spyware from ever entering your computer. The combination of both Spy Sweeper and Spyware Blaster is absolutely amazing in this new war against spyware.


Great product   July 20, 2004
Robert Lang (Cedar Rapids, IA United States)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

So far this product has worked very well and seems to have done it's job for the most part. After buying PC Cillin Internet Security 2004(very good also), I still had some issues that remained unresolved. A trojan horse virus and tons of spy and adware along with a host of other "trash" was still comandeering my machine. The PC Cillin removed the lot of and still protects my machine, however Spy Sweeper was the icing on the cake. This program, once installed detected just about every removable piece of "ware" on my machine and only hiccuped once. I've ran it several times and each time it finds at least one more hidden item.
The only two scares I had were 1) on initial install, it seemed to want to install itself twice. Either way, the program was successful in doing that. 2) I had that nasty Gain/Gator spy/ad ware on my machine and it attached itself to my clock. Sweeper got extremely bogged down and appeared to lock up my machine when it located this one. Rather than freak out and slam the product, I waited about 15 minutes while it worked it's way through that mess. The initial scan took over 1 1/2, however when it was complete, Sweeper found over 2500 pieces of internet garbage and quarantined them. My machine is now running around 95% of it's original efficiency after the installation of these two products and the net is also much faster. I'm no guru, but I do my homework before buying anything. Many hours were spent researching this product and it's compatibility with PC Cillin and other programs I've installed. Thumbs up guys. If you can ever find us the person responsible for the spy/ad garbage, let me know...I want his head for a door knocker.


It caught the trojan horse Norton missed   January 24, 2005
Randy L. Thurman (Oklahoma City, OK United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

My identity was stolen. I purchased this software because someone told me I may have spyware on my computer. I have Norton Anti-Virus on my computer but after I ran Spysweeper, it caught a trojan horse Norton missed. This is how they stole my identity using a key stroke copier trojan horse. If I had run this program (Spysweeper) it never would have happened.
Randy T.