Strange product, Webroot.

Pros: Worked for a while as version 4.0 and 4.5, but after that....

Cons: ....when I opted to upgrade to version 5.0 (build 1286), it locked up my system every single time I attempted to use it. My subscription still worked as I downgraded back to version 4.5 (build 731). Every time I would log onto the Net, my Spy Sweeper subscription would automatically download the latest spyware definitions, and all went well.

When my subscription neared its end (35 days), I hoped that Webroot had solved its Spy Sweeper problem of conflicting with Ad-Aware 1.06r1. I downloaded version 5.0 (build 1607) and installed it. Lo and behold, same problem! IT LOCKED UP MY SYSTEM! So, I tried a small test. I eliminated my Ad-Aware 1.06 to see if Spy Sweeper had been fixed. I rebooted my system and ran a full Spy Sweeper scan. No change, it STILL locks up my system! I downloaded Ad-Aware 1.06 again, updated it and ran it to make sure Ad-Aware worked. Then, I downgraded Spy Sweeper again to version 4.5. Along with Search-and-Destroy 1.4, I ran a full scan of my system. Clean.

Then, to make matters worse and what sealed Spy Sweeper's fate, I noticed that my subscription notified me at 30 days, I was getting daily reminders to renew. With my past experience, ARE YOU KIDDING? Then, I noticed that Spy Sweeper was no longer automatically updating my spyware definitions. Even when I tried to manually update, I was denied! I paid for 12 months of Spy Sweeper subscription, only to find out I only get 11 months? Fool me once, shame on me. I ain't going to be fooled twice. Webroot's Spy Sweeper isn't stable enough for me. Free apps may be less capable of finding all of the spyware on my system, BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE STABLE!!

I would ask Download.com to change its rating system to go from ZERO stars to 5 stars. Because Spy Sweeper gets ZERO stars in my experience!

Posted: 26-Oct-2006 09:42:33 AM

Negative reviewers claim it doesn't work for their PDF. I use it solely for CSF!

Pros: when I need a unbeatable viewer for my ebooks, I now use the Brava Reader and Net-It Now publisher. Others gripe about the limited PDF and TIFF capabilities, but I use Adobe Reader for anything PDF and Alchemy Mindworks Graphic Workshop for TIFF.

Cons: Must keep updating it to keep using it.

Posted: 09-May-2007 08:57:05 AM

AdAware SE Professional works for me.

Pros: Are you joking?

Cons: Even Download.com admits this bloatware doesn't offer real-time defenses in the free version. SURPRISE! AdAware SE Professional is FREE and offers the real-time defenses. i can't remember where I downloaded my copy from, but who cares? I've got the best and last free version of AdAware SE and I'm not going to change.

Posted: 12-Nov-2007 11:43:58 AM