Spy Sweeper
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| Spy Sweeper | |
 Screenshot of Spy Sweeper version 4.0 |
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| Developer: | Webroot Sofware |
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| Latest release: | 5.3.2 / February, 2007 |
| OS: | Microsoft Windows |
| Use: | Spyware removal software |
| License: | Shareware |
| Website: | http://www.webroot.com |
Spy Sweeper is a spyware removal product for Microsoft Windows developed by Webroot Software. It scans a PC for spyware, examining files on the hard drive, objects in memory, the Windows registry and cookies, and quarantining any suspicious objects it finds. Spy Sweeper has an extensive spyware database and currently scans for over 150,000 spyware components.[citation needed] It also includes real-time monitoring to warn of objects being set to start automatically, suspicious programs running and to block cookies. It is normally purchased as a yearly subscription; some broadband services, such as MSN Premium, also offer rebranded versions of Spy Sweeper as part of their subscription.
Spy Sweeper is not free, but a free "Spy Scan" variant is offered. This offers real-time protection and scans for spyware, but only the full version is capable of removing spyware.
In July 2006, Webroot released version 5 of Spy Sweeper. Although the new version again won acclaim with magazine reviewers, users installing the version complained of unusually high resource usage and non-specific system slowdowns after upgrading.[citation needed] In August 2006, Webroot released version 5.0.7 to replace version 5.0.5, early reports on the efficacy of this new version are mixed.[citation needed] In October 2006, Webroot released Spy Sweeper with AntiVirus (version 5.2) which includes virus removal and protection. The antivirus component is based on Sophos.
Spy Sweeper is the recipient of a Best Buy award from PC World,[1] an Editor's Choice from PC Magazine, and the TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award.[2]
