Keeps cleaning, but still the pop ups come back...
Written: Jul 27 '04 (Updated Jan 14 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Alerts you to the myriad spyware programs lurking on your machine.
Cons: Frequent "cleaning" required; doesn't prevent future "drive-by" downloads.
The Bottom Line: Worth the money to be able to get rid of numerous unsolicited programs, even if it requires regular scanning.
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| vyoshimura's Full Review: Webroot Spy Sweeper 2.0 Full Version for PC |
I bought this software after my browser and search engine were effectively "hijacked" by "iLookup.com." Unwanted (and offensive) pop-ups were also a problem, so I decided it was time to clean off all the "drive-by downloads" and other unwanted software on my system. I liked the fact that spy sweeper has customer service, though I have not used their service yet.
I was very pleased with the installation, and the first time I ran the software it was eye-opening how much spyware was lurking on my system. I like the detail the program provides about what these various programs do--of particular interest was the description that "iLookup" (I paraphrase) "hijacks your browser and/or search engine." That was exactly the maddening situation I had encountered, and was glad to get rid of it.
I do not notice the slowdown when on-line that another reviewer referred to. However, I am rather frustrated that even when the program is running, I am still getting pop-ups. None (knock on wood) are as offensive as the ones before SpySweeper, but still they come. Then SpySweeper will alert me that "twaintech" or some such program is running in memory, do I wish to perform a scan to remove it now? Well the scans take 20-30 minutes, but I've recently learned that I can let it scan and keep working. (It just finished--and found 22 programs to quarantine.)
Maybe I'm expecting too much from the product, but it doesn't seem to *prevent* the spyware from downloading, it just alerts me that it's (again) present and helps me get rid of it. Perhaps I need to change some other settings on my browser as well, e.g., disabling cookies or something.
Overall, I'm glad for the protection. I appreciate knowing that these many programs have infiltrated my system and I appreciate the opportunity to get rid of them. It's more of a regular cleaning service, rather than an immunization. But it's better than living with all the cyberdirt.
UPDATE: 1/15/05 I have had much less trouble with pop ups for several months now. SpySweeper runs in the background and I haven't had much interference at all, suggesting that perhaps it finally got rid of last traces of annoying spyware. I like that it prompts me for new downloads; it also warns me when I add a new favorite while surfing, which I find somewhat annoying but it is easily dispensed with by saying, "Yes, Keep." I think I like the program better now than when I first wrote this review. VY
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
vyoshimura
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Reviews written: 7
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