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    Webroot Spy Sweeper???

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by RucRazy, Jan 6, 2008.

  1. RucRazy

    RucRazy Newbie

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    I try to keep my PC safe using a regularly updated combination of Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic [always on] and Ewido/AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 [on demand]. Yesterday I downloaded and installed Webroot Spy Sweeper and it claimed to have detected and quarantined PWS-Banker.gen.bb on my system. However no details like which file/folder contained the virus were provided.

    I really did not like the way Spy Sweeper remained in memory even though the clicking the 'shut down' option gives a warning that the system was no longer being protected. If the system is no longer being protected then why does SpySweeper stay in memory as a service that cannot be terminated? I also found the program to be slow and resource-intensive and decided to remove it.

    Since I had taken the precaution of creating a 'System restore' point before installing Spy Sweeper, I booted into safe mode, uninstalled it and did a System restore. It was then that I realised I did not recall the exact variant of the trojan it had detected. Avira, AVG and Trend failed to detect any malware on my system so I was forced to install Spy Sweeper again. To my surprise on installation it showed the PWS-Banker.gen.bb in quarantine without even running a system scan. Why do I get the feeling that this is just a stunt to demonstrate the effectiveness of Webroot Spy Sweeper?

    A quick Google search reveals that while most experts consider it as one of the best antispyware tools, many actual users are less than ecstatic about its performance. I would like to benefit from the experience of other users on this forum.
     
    RucRazy, Jan 6, 2008
    #1
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    It's a fine program, a little bloaty like you said, but not as much so as Norton or McAfee. However, with so many great free programs like Spybot S&D, Avast, and AVG, there's no reason to pay for AV/AS these days.
     
    Lithus, Jan 6, 2008
    #2
  3. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

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    Am I the only one who thinks Spybot S&D is getting weaker? Haven't used it in a while, so hopefully they got their act together.
     
    Amol, Jan 7, 2008
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  4. Snowsurfer

    Snowsurfer Rocky Mtn High

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    Snowsurfer, Jan 7, 2008
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