Review: Webroot Spy Sweeper with Antivirus security suite

As the threat of attacks online increases, more and more combined suites are surfacing.

Since managing updates using separate programs can be a pain, integrated suites are growing in popularity.

Webroot, a well-known name in anti-spyware, has teamed up with Sophos to include antivirus software with its latest version of Spy Sweeper.

Those who have recently upgraded to Windows Vista will be pleased to hear Spy Sweeper is fully compatible.

Installation includes a check for a more recent version of the software. Almost inevitably, when we installed our review copy an update was found totalling 26MB (not much fun if you're still on a dial-up connection).

Webroot scores points, however, for displaying a warning of the filename that the firewall will question when the updates are installed. A further update of 13.5MB was required after downloading the initial update.

We weren't instructed to remove our existing AV software during the installation, which means the computer wasn't left without protection for any period of time, but we'd recommend you remove your old AV software once installation is complete to avoid conflicts.

The control panel is well designed showing all the essential information clearly with the different protection tools called Shields; these include protecting settings in Internet Explorer for unauthorised changes, such as the homepage and search page.

The Welcome Shield protects your PC's Hosts file and includes an editor for it. The Hosts file tells Windows where to look for websites and viruses will sometimes edit this file to prevent users from accessing websites that might offer help.

Extra Shields, not enabled by default since they have an impact on the speed of your PC, will scan programs running in protected memory space and also scan applications for viruses when they are started.

All settings can be protected with a password, which will also prevent unauthorised removal of items from the quarantine section.

Unlike competing products, such as AVG Internet Security Suite, no schedule is automatically set up to regularly scan your PC, which is disappointing. You can, however, set one up yourself. Webroot will also automatically check for updates - by default it checks for new definitions daily, but this can be set to hourly if required.

Webroot Spy Sweeper with Antivirus will set you back £35 per year and is competent at protecting you from both antivirus and spyware, but unlike AVG's suite (which is around £10 more expensive, but includes a two-year subscription) there is no firewall included as standard.

Also consider:
AVG Internet Security Suite
Antivirus and firewall protection from the makers of AVG Free

Norton Internet Security 2007
A clean interface and effective scanning, but the RRP is high

Panda Internet Security 2007
Complete but idiosyncratic security software

All antivirus and firewall reviews

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