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.

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Spyware is the Internet s fastest growing threat to personal privacy and a leading cause of fraud and identity theft. When surfing the internet Spyware can infect your system in many different ways. Webroot® Spy Sweeper® gives you 360 degrees of protection from the spyware threat. Powerful new Smart Shields block known and emerging infections as you browse - before they ever reach your computer and personal information. If your PC is already infected Spy Sweeper's advanced discovery methods find and destroy malicious spyware that hides within your PC - even spyware that hides using rootkit technology.Most comprehensive anti-spyware solution available - 360 degrees of protectionContinuous monitoring stops spyware before it can attackAdvanced detection and removal capabilities for stubborn spywareAutomatic defense updates keep you protected from the latest threatsFREE customer supportSystem Requirements:Windows 2000 XP Pro XP Home XP Media Center XP Tablet Vista Home Basic Vista Home Premium Vista Business Vista Ultimate 300 Mhz 15 MB hard drive space 256 MB Ram Supports Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher Format: WIN 98ME2000XPVISTA Genre: UTILITIES UPC: 667208664108 Manufacturer No: 66410

Rating : - Your most reliable protection
By far the greatest dangers lurking on the internet are not viruses but trojans, browser highjackers and cookies. While Norton is arguably the best anti-virus software and the best firewall it has flaws. Long before Norton will notice a problem, Spy Sweeper will bag it and tag it. Hackers have learned to hide viruses in cookies and trojans instead of sending them out on their own. With Spy Sweeper you have excellent protection against trojans and cookies and fair protection against highjackers; these are the nasty bugs that cause your browser to lock onto their web page.

Here's some comments on Spy Sweepers operational behavior. It is slow to start up so give it some time. The first thing it will do is load a fresh copy of instructions from their website every morning. This will delay browser operation but it's necessary to keep you out of trouble. I just grab a cup of coffee and let it finish, which takes about 2 minutes. Spy Sweep is a little intrusive when it knows there is a program update scheduled so my advice is go with the flow.

As I pointed out, Spy Sweeper provides only fair protection against highjackers. There is free software that will cover this modest vulnerability but like everything free there is a price: poor updating. When you buy software, or subscribe might be a better word, they guarantee that they will support you. I've tried four softwares to cover this vulnerability and settled on Spyware Doctor and one made by Sun. Spyware Doctor does an excellent job, often catching bugs before Spy Sweeper. Between the two of them, I seldom fall back on Norton for protection. The only problem with Spy Sweeper is that it does not like other protection software and will frequently alarm during start-up. It's nothing serious, just close the window properly and all will be well.

If you can afford only one other protection, besides an anti-virus program, then spend your money on Spy Sweeper.

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