Webroot

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Webroot Inc.
Type Private
Founded 1997
Headquarters Broomfield, Colorado, USA
Products Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus
Webroot SecureAnywhere Essentials
Webroot Internet Security Essentials
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete
Webroot Internet Security Complete
Webroot SecureAnywhere Mobile
Webroot SecureAnywhere Business - Endpoint Protection
Website www.webroot.com

Webroot (Webroot Incorporated) is a private company that provides Internet security for consumers and businesses. Originally started in Boulder, CO the company is now headquartered in Broomfield, CO,[1] the company has operations in San Mateo, San Diego, Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.

History

Webroot was founded in 1997 when entrepreneur Steven Thomas launched Webroot’s first commercial product, a trace removal agent called Webroot Window Washer. Investors include venture capital firms such as Technology Crossover Ventures, Accel Partners and Mayfield.

In 2002, Webroot launched a spyware blocking and removal product called Webroot Spy Sweeper.[2] The company introduced antivirus protection with the launch of Spy Sweeper with AntiVirus in 2006.[3] In October 2007, Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware and Desktop Firewall was released with added firewall protection feature.[4]
Webroot entered the enterprise market in 2004 with the launch of Webroot Spy Sweeper Enterprise, which combined Spy Sweeper with technology that enables IT administrators to deploy antispyware protection across an entire network.[5]

In October 2008, Webroot launched its first consumer security suite, Webroot Internet Security Essentials, in the United States.[6] The international release of the security suite followed in early 2009.[7]

In August 2009, Webroot appointed a new president and CEO, former CEO of Wily Technology, Dick Williams.[8]

In May 2010, Webroot announced plans to open up its international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.[9] Two months later in July 2010 Webroot released Webroot Internet Security Complete 2011 which includes antivirus and antispyware protection, firewall capabilities, online back-up, password management licensed from LastPass, protection against identity theft and credit card monitoring for US customers.[10]

In September 2010, Webroot opened a regional office in Leidschendam, The Netherlands which is primarily aimed at delivering Webroot's enterprise security-as-a-service (SaaS) products to businesses via channel partners.[11]

Webroot Mobile Security for Android was launched on April 5, 2011 for smartphones and tablets and comes in a free basic version and a paid premium version. The app is designed to protect against viruses from apps, threats delivered via web browsing and against the threats created when mobile devices are lost.[12] With the launch of the SecureAnywhere products on October 4, 2011 the mobile security offerings were also expanded to include the iOS mobile operating system.[13]

In October 2011, Webroot launched the newest generation of their products, using Prevx cloud technology.[14] This included three basic products for Windows (Secure Anywhere Antivirus, Essentials and Complete 2012) and security for Android and iOS mobile devices. These new products stand out for being light, fast and provide a comprehensive protection against all types of threats in general.[15] In February 2012 this product line was expanded to include offerings for businesses.[16]

Acquisitions and partnerships

In November 2007, Webroot acquired UK-based Email Systems (EMS)[17] and announced itself as a provider in the security software-as-a-service (SaaS) market.

In December 2009, Webroot announced a partnership with virtual private network software provider, AnchorFree. The partnership yields an advertising-free version of AnchorFree's VPN software, which will now include protection via Webroot's antivirus and antispyware software.[18]

In March 2010, Webroot announced the acquisition of Swedish corporate Internet security company, Email Systems Scandinavia (ESS).[19]

In July 2010, Webroot acquired San Diego, CA based web content classification and security services provider, BrightCloud. The merging of the two will integrate the web reputation and content classification technology of BrightCloud with Webroot’s existing products.[20]

In November 2010, Webroot acquired UK cloud-based anti-malware company, Prevx.[21]

A partnership deal occurred in July 2011 with global distribution firm Tech Data. The partnership made Webroot products available to Tech Data’s extended network of 125,000 channel partners in 100 countries around the world.[22]

Reviews

AV-Test reported in their January/February 2013 report that Webroot SecureAnywhere antimalware engine was 99.8% effective against malware and 100% effective against Zero-day threats. Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 weeks was 100%(the AV-TEST reference set, with an industry average 99%. Protection against 0-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and e-mail threats was rated at 95% (January) and 97% (February) in the AV-TEST Real-World Testing.[23]

Webroot had the worst results out of 20 products tested by AV-Comparatives in the September 2012 File Detection Test of Malicious Software, both in terms of malware detection rates and false alarms.[24] Webroot detected less than 80 percent of viral samples, much worse than the 94.4 percent rate of the second lowest detecting product. Among clean files, Webroot inappropriately flagged 210 of them, raising as many false-positives as the other 19 products tested combined. According to AV-comparatives, the "results and misses have been confirmed with several tests and also by the vendor".[24]

AV-Comparatives gave nine vendors, including Webroot, its highest award in its July 2012 Anti-Phishing Test, in which Webroot took 9th place among 18 products tested in regards to the blocking of phishing websites.[25] In AV-Comparative's Performance Test for October 2012, Webroot had the best PCMark score, having the lightest impact out of 20 products tested on a Windows 7 64-bit machine.[26]

PC Magazine has awarded Webroot SecureAnywhere 12 times with Editor's Choice and Security Product of the Year, its highest award given to security and software programs. .[27] In PC Magazines's test for 2013, Webroot was recognized by PC Magazine staff as having the best score in malware blocking tests, malware removal tests, fast scans, and fast installation.</ref>

See also

References

  1. ↑ Broomfield, Boulder County ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES, March 30, 2011, Boulder Daily Camera
  2. ↑ PC Mag Reviews | Webroot Spy Sweeper 1.03 | April 22, 2003
  3. ↑ PC Mag Reviews | Spy Sweeper 5.2 with Antivirus
  4. ↑ PC Mag Reviews | Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware and Firewall
  5. ↑ SC Magazine >> Reviews >> Webroot Spy Sweeper Enterprise
  6. ↑ Cnet | Webroot launches consumer security suite
  7. ↑ PC Advisor | Webroot Internet Security Essentials review
  8. ↑ Denver Business Journal | Webroot names industry vet Williams as CEO
  9. ↑ Inside Ireland | Internet security firm to create 50 jobs
  10. ↑ Cnet | Automation, partnerships drive Webroot revamp
  11. ↑ RFP Connect | Webroot Opens Office in BeNeLux
  12. ↑ Webroot Is Latest to Join Mobile Security Fray, Launching Android Product, All Things Digital, April 5, 2011
  13. ↑ Webroot Introduces New Security Service That Covers Android, iOS, And PC Devices, 10.4.2011, Technology Portal, accessed 11.7.2011
  14. ↑ Webroot Totally Revamps Product Line 8.29.2011, PCMag, accessed 11.7.2011
  15. ↑ Webroot launch their new products for 2012
  16. ↑ Webroot Rolls Out Cloud-Based Endpoint Security 2.21.2012, Dark Reading, accessed 04.04.2012
  17. ↑ SC Magazine | Webroot acquires U.K.-based SaaS vendor Email Systems
  18. ↑ Tech Rockies Webroot Partners With AnchorFree
  19. ↑ Transworld News | Webroot Acquires Email Systems Scandinavia Strengthening Presence in Nordic Region
  20. ↑ eWeek | Webroot Acquires Web Site Classification Company BrightCloud
  21. ↑ IT Pro | Webroot acquires Prevx to lead 'security revolution'
  22. ↑ CRN, 7. 27. 2011, “Webroot Broadens Reach With Tech Data Distribution Deal”
  23. ↑ "AV-TEST Product Review and Certification Report – Jan-Feb/2013". AV-Test. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "AV Comparatives: File Detection Test of Malicious Software September 2012". 2012-10-05. 
  25. ↑ "AV-Comparatives: Anti-Phishing Test July 2012". .
  26. ↑ "AV Comparatives: Performance Test October 2012". 
  27. ↑ "Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus 2013". .
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