Webroot Antivirus with Spy Sweeper
Encyclopedia
Webroot Antivirus with Spy Sweeper, previously known as Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware, is an antimalware utility developed by Webroot Software
. The product added an antivirus detection engine to the company’s previous standalone antispyware product Spy Sweeper
.
The product was re-launched a year later on October 24, 2007 as Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware and Firewall. This enhanced and rebranded version of the product included a new two-way firewall
built into it and various other changes including Windows Vista
Compatibility.
The most recent version of the product is Webroot Antivirus with Spy Sweeper 7.0 which was launched on July 27, 2010
detection within them but various changes to user interfaces, system shields, additional features added and compatibilities with new Microsoft Windows
operating systems have changed.
controls or other common browser threats. This update also included daily definition Flex Defs (flexible definitions) updates.
Version 5.3 added Windows Vista compatibility to the product.
Version 5.5 added several changes to the real-time protection shields within the product. The Execution Shield and File System Shield have replaced the old Spy Installation Shield but still work together to block malicious programs from executing and from reading or changing files. “System Services shield” has been added to prevent unauthorized changes to the numerous system services of Microsoft Windows. The Email Attachments Shield was also added and allows for scanning of email attachments for malware. Behavioral based detection was also added in this release allowing for zero-day threats to be dealt before they hit the system.
Version 5.8 added compatibility for 64-bit Vista and a “Gamer Mode” that allows you to play online games uninterrupted with notifications while background shields run in the background.
Tray icons have been added to notify the user what state the program is currently in.
The three icons that are used include;
A “fix it now” feature has been added to the 7.0 versions that allows users to opt to have the Webroot software resolve the situation without any user interaction.
This version added automatic periodic scans of the computer which has eliminated the option for Quick Sweeps or Full Sweeps as seen in previous versions. By default, the 7.0 version has eliminated the option to run off virus-scanning.
There is now access to a web portal accessible from any computer with web access that includes account information such as your software license status and keycode as well as access to certain tasks, such as upgrading your software and installing it on other computers. The 7.0 version of this product does not require a reboot after installation as with previous versions.
certifications four times including April 2010 on Windows EX, December 2009 on Windows 7, August 2008 for Windows XP and February 2003 for Windows Server XP.
Webroot Antivirus with SpySweeper has been ICSA labs
certified for Desktop/Server Anti-Virus Detection and Anti-Virus Cleaning on both Windows 7 32 and 64 bit.
Numerous certifications dating from 2008 have been received from West Coast Labs for this product including; Anti-Spyware Desktop, Anti-Trojan, Anti-Virus Desktop, Anti-Virus Disinfection and Desktop Firewall.
Webroot Software
Webroot provides Internet security software for consumers, enterprises and small and medium–sized businesses. Originally started in Boulder, CO the company is now headquartered in Broomfield, CO, the company has operations in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.-...
. The product added an antivirus detection engine to the company’s previous standalone antispyware product Spy Sweeper
Spy Sweeper
Spy Sweeper is a software product that detects and removes spyware and viruses on personal computers that run Microsoft Windows...
.
History
The product was originally launched on October 30, 2006 with the name Spy Sweeper with Antivirus.The product was re-launched a year later on October 24, 2007 as Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware and Firewall. This enhanced and rebranded version of the product included a new two-way firewall
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
built into it and various other changes including Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
Compatibility.
The most recent version of the product is Webroot Antivirus with Spy Sweeper 7.0 which was launched on July 27, 2010
Version History
All versions of the product have had antivirus and antispyware malwareMalware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
detection within them but various changes to user interfaces, system shields, additional features added and compatibilities with new Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
operating systems have changed.
Version 5.0
Version 5.2 received an editor’s choice award for the integration and effectiveness of combing antispyware and antivirus utilities into one product. Some shield names changed with this version including the Spy Communication Shield being renamed the Internet Communication Shield, and the Spy Installation Shield was changed to the Installation Shield. This product update included a quick Sweep option that allowed users to rapidly scan the computer to not use many system resources as the full sweep option would. Various Smart Shields that protect the PC from changes in ActiveXActiveX
ActiveX is a framework for defining reusable software components in a programming language-independent way. Software applications can then be composed from one or more of these components in order to provide their functionality....
controls or other common browser threats. This update also included daily definition Flex Defs (flexible definitions) updates.
Version 5.3 added Windows Vista compatibility to the product.
Version 5.5 added several changes to the real-time protection shields within the product. The Execution Shield and File System Shield have replaced the old Spy Installation Shield but still work together to block malicious programs from executing and from reading or changing files. “System Services shield” has been added to prevent unauthorized changes to the numerous system services of Microsoft Windows. The Email Attachments Shield was also added and allows for scanning of email attachments for malware. Behavioral based detection was also added in this release allowing for zero-day threats to be dealt before they hit the system.
Version 5.8 added compatibility for 64-bit Vista and a “Gamer Mode” that allows you to play online games uninterrupted with notifications while background shields run in the background.
Version 6.0
Product included 1GB of online storage space at time of release. The firewall component found in earlier versions of the product was removed from this release.Version 7.0
Significant user interface changes have been made to the 7.0 version of the software as well as an optimized scanning feature. The new UI has been commented on by reviewers as being simplistic and easier to use than previous versions.Tray icons have been added to notify the user what state the program is currently in.
The three icons that are used include;
- Green - “Protected” state - Your computer is secure
- Yellow - “Warning” state - One or more messages require your attention (Examples include; “Your subscription has expired.”, “Your file storage space is running low.”, “You have not activated your software.”)
- Red - “Critical” state - One or more critical items require your intervention (Examples include; “One or more critical shields are disabled.”, “Threats have been detected.”, “Firewall is allowing all traffic.”)
A “fix it now” feature has been added to the 7.0 versions that allows users to opt to have the Webroot software resolve the situation without any user interaction.
This version added automatic periodic scans of the computer which has eliminated the option for Quick Sweeps or Full Sweeps as seen in previous versions. By default, the 7.0 version has eliminated the option to run off virus-scanning.
There is now access to a web portal accessible from any computer with web access that includes account information such as your software license status and keycode as well as access to certain tasks, such as upgrading your software and installing it on other computers. The 7.0 version of this product does not require a reboot after installation as with previous versions.
Certifications and Awards
Webroot Antivirus with SpySweeper has received Virus BulletinVirus Bulletin
Virus Bulletin is a magazine about the prevention, detection and removal of malware and spam. It regularly features analyses of the latest virus threats, articles exploring new developments in the fight against viruses, interviews with anti-virus experts, and evaluations of current anti-malware...
certifications four times including April 2010 on Windows EX, December 2009 on Windows 7, August 2008 for Windows XP and February 2003 for Windows Server XP.
Webroot Antivirus with SpySweeper has been ICSA labs
International Computer Security Association
ICSA Labs began as NCSA . In its early days, NCSA focused almost solely on the certification of anti-virus software. Using the Consortia model, NCSA worked together with anti-virus software vendors to develop one of the first anti-virus software certification schemes...
certified for Desktop/Server Anti-Virus Detection and Anti-Virus Cleaning on both Windows 7 32 and 64 bit.
Numerous certifications dating from 2008 have been received from West Coast Labs for this product including; Anti-Spyware Desktop, Anti-Trojan, Anti-Virus Desktop, Anti-Virus Disinfection and Desktop Firewall.
See Also
- Webroot SoftwareWebroot SoftwareWebroot provides Internet security software for consumers, enterprises and small and medium–sized businesses. Originally started in Boulder, CO the company is now headquartered in Broomfield, CO, the company has operations in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.-...
- Spy SweeperSpy SweeperSpy Sweeper is a software product that detects and removes spyware and viruses on personal computers that run Microsoft Windows...
- Antivirus softwareAntivirus softwareAntivirus or anti-virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and adware...
- Antivirus online