Product Description

This new version of Spy Sweeper features a brand-new user interface, the result of extensive usability design and testing conducted by our in-house expert user experience team. Spy Sweeper meets the needs of new and novice users who want protection without extensive interaction. Alternatively, Spy Sweeper advanced users continue to have the power to configure the program to suit their unique needs. Spy Sweeper still focuses on what’s most important – offering users the most effective protection against spyware. Designed specifically to protect users from the most malicious forms of spyware, Spy Sweeper combines the use of Comprehensive Removal Technology (CRT), the most advanced spyware removal technology in the industry, with the superior blocking power of behavior-based Smart Shields. CRT uses adaptive recognition processes and proactive spyware research to completely eradicate the most debilitating types of spyware from a PC in a single sweep and restore the machine to a stable, pre-infection state. CRT effectively removes some of the most persistent and powerful spyware programs today, including Commonname, LOP, SurfSidekick, VX2/Abetterinternet/Aurora, Elite Keylogger and other sophisticated forms of spyware which use rootkit technology to bury themselves deeply within users’ PCs. Using CRT, Spy Sweeper 4.5 is able to detect and remove these devious types of spyware during regular system sweeps. Additionally, Spy Sweeper maintains an extremely low false positive rate – approximately 1:1,000,000 – assuring consumers that they are not removing any essential system operations applications or data that are required for normal PC function. To compliment these powerful removal capabilities, Spy Sweeper also offers new behavior-based, real-time Smart Shields, providing consumers with the widest breadth of proactive blocking protection available.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1786 in Software
• Brand: Webroot Software Inc
• Model: 66410
• Released on: 2005-10-01
• Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista
• Format: CD-ROM
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Features

• ActiveX Shield thwarts drive-by downloads and blocks potential spyware threats that use ActiveX components to disguise their installation on your computer.
• Spy Communication Shield prevents further spyware infection by blocking incoming and outgoing communication to web sites known to host potential spyware threats and disables spyware programs’ ability to re-install during removal.
• BHO Shield blocks the installation of Browser Helper Objects – a small program that runs automatically every time a user opens an Internet browser and has the capability to track website activity or install a toolbar or add-on without your consent.
• IE Security Shield prevents spyware from adding website entries to your Internet Explorer security settings – which could lead to unwanted downloads and put your personal data at risk.
• Includes 1 Year Subscription of Version Upgrades.

Customer Reviews

Very Effective with Clunky Interface
This product has one of the most comprehensive spyware scanning systems of any other Spyware removal product. Norton and Mcaffee are of course beat hands down, since they are virus programs, that act more as firewalls and anti Virus programs than spyware removers. Even specialized programs like Spyware Doctor and Trend Micro cannot compete, as the definitions of this product include some of the most obscure malware. The reason behind the succes of this product, is it's ability to remove Root kits (files encoded to hide from windows). No other program on themarket can do this at this time.

That said, the removal power of this product comes at the cost of almost everything else. Interface is annoying clunky and slow. Browser guards, are comprehensive, but ONLY support inernet explorer. The realt time protection offered is decent, but is insatiably RAM hungry, and will slow down your computer so much that you're better off disabling them. Even if you decide to bite the bullet and have a slow PC, this program is incredibly unstable, often will not respond, and will from time to time prevent windows from shutting down. Even the scanning engine is terrible, even if it's deffinitions are comprehensive. It took my 3.4ghz with 512mb RAM 45min to do a spyware scan with Rootkit checking enabled. After findiding an Apropos media infection it took nearly 2hrs to remove it. At the end of the day, unless you have a terrible infection, you;'re better off with quicker more basic programs like Spyware Doctor, or Trend micro.

Pros
-Comprehensive deffinition file
-Rootkit detection
-And "end of the road" option for serrious infections

Cons
-Slow scaning speed
-Unstable
-Only supports Real Time protection for Internet Explorer
-Clunky interface
-Large File size

'nuff said
Microsoft AntiSpyware said my machine was clean.

AdAware said my machine was clean.

Spybot said my machine was clean.

Spy Sweeper found 19 spyware items and 29 traces.

'nuff said. I'm sold.

Spy Sweeper v5.5... problems!- My solution"s"...! 11/07
Updated review 1/18/08!-

I am a software tech-
1. I Disable the "!Memory Shield!", Favorites, & "!Ad Sites!" shields-
they are BAD Resource Hogs (really slow surfing!)!
a. Do daily COMPLETE "Custom (& enable Rootkit...! "C" hard drive only!)" scans (about 6min.+- , & defrag HD, if slow!).

2. I had nothing but BAD problems... with SSP's new v5.5... (MANY others do too!)!
MY SOLUTION!-
I submitted a support ticket to SSP requesting a download link to their previous "Rock Solid...!" v5.3.2.2361. (SAVE THIS pgm, and do not EVER download pgm updates, JUST auto-definitions...!)! Ignore (X) their nags to update the pgm (currently on version/Build #124!- That should tell you something is amiss!)!
a. Supposedly similar detection rates...?- Just not Vista ready, and MUCH faster...!

3. I recommend these additional anti-malware freeware!-
1. The latest new Adaware 2007 freeware . Finds MANY "harmless" Tracking cookies!- Some may be VERY necessary...(server.iad.liveperson, EBAY, Amazon...)!

NOTE!- To install/"update" the two following freeware- You MUST first Right click & SHUT DOWN Spy Sweeper!
Do manual updates EVERY Sunday!

2. SpyBot Search & Destroy freeware. Can take 45sec+ to open (normal!). Make sure and click Immunize after update, and do NOT enable Tea Timer.

3. Spyware Blaster freeware. Adds registry entries to disable/prevent malware!

Install/Update, Wait 30sec, and restart- SSP will be normal!
ENJOY!