Webroot Antivirus
Webroot Antivirus, I was all prepared to evaluate new antivirus software from ebroot last fall, but the product’s release got pushed back—repeatedly. It turns out that the company’s new CEO had exhorted the design team to hold off on any new versions until they could come up with something truly stunning. After putting Webroot AntiVirus Sotfware with Spy Sweeper 2011 through its paces I’m convinced he was right—this application was worth the wait.The new edition’s user interface has been redesigned with a strong emphasis on simplicity. On-screen elements slide into place rather than snapping open a new view. If the product is performing perfectly, the main screen is a serene green with minimal detail. A gray screen with a yellow warning icon indicates the configuration isn’t quite optimal—automatic scanning is turned off, for example, or a full scan has never been performed. A real problem—such as having real-time protection components disabled—turns the main screen scary red, but also offers a big “Fix Now” button to correct the error. Yes, other products use same green/yellow/red status scheme, but Webroot has kicked it up a notch, aesthetically speaking.
Automated Protection
You won’t find a big “Update Now” button on Webroot’s main screen. By default, the app downloads and installs all signature updates automatically, with no user interaction required. Even better, updates to program modules happen in exactly the same way. Simple!
Specifications
Type
Business, Personal, Professional
OS Compatibility
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7
Tech Support
Live chat; 24/7 email support; FAQs; toll-free US-based phone support 7am-6pm Mountain time
More Keeping with the theme of simplicity, Webroot automatically scans your system for malware when the system is idle. There’s no need to schedule scans for a particular time. In fact, if you try to schedule a scan, it points out that automatic idle-time scanning makes scheduling unnecessary. Of course, you’re free to disable idle-time scanning and schedule scans a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Webroot, applies all of its malware-smashing technologies during a full scan. It scans memory, the Registry, and the full file system, it looks inside archives, and it uses direct disk scanning to detect rootkits. Despite all this activity the scan is quite fast. On my standard clean test system, it took just 18 minutes. Webroot subtly discourages changing these settings by making you first enable custom settings and then edit the configuration.
Real-time protection comes from over a dozen “shield” modules. Initially Webroot auto-configures these for “recommended protection,” meaning all but a couple of them are turned on. Here, again, if you want to make changes you must first enable custom settings. The average user will do just fine with the recommended protection level.
Pros
New user interface is simple, attractive, and well-designed. Scanning and updating occur automatically. Very effective malware blocking and cleanup, especially of rootkits and scareware. Full scan is speedy.
Cons
In testing it took many hours to scan some of the malware-infested systems.
Bottom Line
Webroot’s latest antivirus/antispyware utility was well worth the wait. It’s been intelligently redesigned with an eye to simplicity, and it did very well in all aspects of testing, both malware cleanup and malware blocking.
Source: PCMAG.com
