Webroot AntiVirus with Antispyware is an award-winning synthesis of antivirus and antispyware providing three layers of protection against computer threats and intrusions. This detailed review shows that Webroot lets you use your computer without being constantly worried about system protection
What is Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware?
Webroot AntiVirus with Antispyware 6.1 provides state-of-the-art protection against viruses, malware, spyware and potentially unwanted programs. The software shields your computer and your privacy in real-time in a combination of behavior analysis and over a million threat signatures. Additionally, Webroot's deep scans of your hard disk space called sweeps and inspection of your computer’s RAM take out malicious pieces of software possibly already hiding on your computer. The award-winning synthesis of antivirus and antispyware adds an additional layer of protection against infections of your system by blocking suspicious activities and malware-containing downloads.
| System Requirements | Rating  |
Minimum system requirements for Webroot AntiVirus with Antispyware are 100 MB free hard disk capacity, a 300 MHz processor, and 256 MB RAM; Firefox 2.0, Internet Explorer 5.5 or a more recent version of these browsers is also required for connecting to the vendor’s web site. The software runs on 32-bit versions of Windows Vista with or without Service Pack (SP) 1, 64-bit versions of Vista with SP1, as well as on 32-bit versions of Windows XP SP1, 2 and 3. Moreover, Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware version 6.1 is Windows 7 and Vista® 64-bit compatible.
| Setup | Rating  |
On Change Install Options on the first screen after initiating the installation you may change the program path and disable that updates are downloaded during the install. Before continuing you may want to deactivate the checkbox at the bottom: “I agree to install the Webroot Ask toolbar and make Ask my default search …” The install then goes on with downloading updates by default. Upon completion of the install you have to reboot your computer. On the next screen setup lets you choose whether to join the WARN community explained in the features section of this article, followed by scheduling a periodic system scan. It then gives you the possibility of creating an online backup at Webroot’s datacenter. Registering your Webroot AntiVirus with Antispyware has a number of advantages and concludes setup.
Setup of Webroot AntiVirus with Antispyware Depicted
| Interface | Rating |
The interface of Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware is straightforward and logically organized. The left pane is used for navigation and contains the buttons Home, Sweep, Shields, Backup, Options, Schedule as well as Help. Details of pertinent items can be viewed and configured in the right pane of the interface with Shields being tabbed to manage the numerous options of the five the sub items explained below.
Images of Webroot's Interface
| Features | Rating |
Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware protects your computer against over a million of threats and intrusions including viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, potentially unwanted programs, keyloggers and rootkits.
Webroot’s Windows System Shields protects you from Active-X spyware items, Alternate Data Stream (ADS) executions, and safeguards your computer's services. On the same tab in Shields you can configure advanced settings for virus and spyware program quarantine, on read-scan options as well as sandbox analysis just to name a few items. Shields – Startup Programs contains settings responsible for monitoring your computer’s auto-startup entries for spyware, or alerting you of startup configuration changes if you want. Manage email quarantine locations and automation on the Shields – E-Mail Attachments tab of Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware.
In Network Shields then you can view and manage protection from common ad sites and have your hosts file monitored for DNS spoofing. If Internet Communication is ticked the software watches sites known for potentially unwanted programs, too. Shields – Web Browser configurations secure your Internet Explorer settings including your start page from unwanted modifications. On top of that does the Web Browser Shield clean your system from tracking cookies and Browser Helper Objects (BHOs), a perfidious attack vector of malware. However, please note that BHO- protection is disabled by default.