SUPERAntiSpyware vs Webroot Spysweeper

[chattycathy]

To those of you who have used Webroot Spysweeper and changed to another program, does it work as good or better? I'm asking because I refuse to renew after they wanted me to call support to "try" the trail version of Window Washer when I never got to try it because it would say "trial expired" and I hadn't tried it nor had I ever tried it. After that, I'm not interested in using any of their products and it's time to renew Spysweeper or find something else. So, I'm looking for another anti-spyware program. Is there anything out there that compares or does better? I have gotten suggestions of SuperAntiSpyware or Counterspy. How do they rate with the users? Thanks for your time.

[lodore]

Hello chattycathy,
i used to use webroot spyweeper and dumped it when it become bloated and useless. from version 3.0 onwards. used it for a few years.
i now use superantispyware, its light on resourses and will remove even the most tough infectections. the professional version has realtime protection.
anoter decent program is malware bytes antimalware link (http://www.malwarebytes.org/)
also light on resourses and will remove even the toughest infections.

both have free versions which are on demand scanners. can update them but no automatic update and no realtime protection.

[SoCalReviews]

I agree with lodore about this since my experience with Spy Sweeper (SS) and SUPERAntiSpyware (SAS) has been about the same. After years of using SS I got rid of SS and its problems with bloated code and system conflicts and now use SAS Pro (paid subscription version with real time scanning and other extra features) as my main anti-spyware program instead. Many in this forum really like Counterspy but I have never used it so I can't give a direct opinion about it. Finally...don't think you can get rid of SS's future marketing attempts very easily. After not using SS or having an active subscription for more than a year they persist to send emails with an "urgent security message" trying to convince me to renew all of my old SS subscriptions.

[deanmartin]

I've never tried malware bytes, but only here good things about it and it's been 5,6 years since i had counterspy. SUPERantispyware is what i have now and it is (Light). If your AV has Antispyware protection Id say any of the 3 would do. Try one or two and see which one you like.

http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/index.php
http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/Anti-Spyware/

[acr1965]

I got the lifetime license to SAS Pro and that was one of the best investments I have made on my computer. It runs very smooth and light alongside any av I have used. Heck, you forget it's even there.

[emperordarius]

Definitely SUPERAnti Spyware. Spy Sweeper has become really bloated, it's detection isn't really as advertised, at least from my experience. SUPERAnti Spyware is excellent in both detecting AND removing Spyware, it's even good for common rootkits. I've never had a false positive until now. However I do use also Ewido anti-spyware, rarely catches what SAS doesn't.

[SamSpade]

Add me to the list of those who have dumped Spy Sweeper in favor of SuperAntispyware and/or other means to deal with spies and malware. Spy Sweeper was once the front-runner in finding and neutralizing malware, but, as has been said, it became overly bloated, came to conflict with my anti-virus at the time (nod32 2.x), and entwined its roots into the registry worse than Norton products tend to do.

I'm running lighter and freer now w/o SS, even though I purchased a 2-year renewal about a year ago and still have 8 months to go on it.

SamSpade

[twl845]

-{ Quote: "To those of you who have used Webroot Spysweeper and changed to another program, does it work as good or better? I'm asking because I refuse to renew after they wanted me to call support to "try" the trail version of Window Washer when I never got to try it because it would say "trial expired" and I hadn't tried it nor had I ever tried it. After that, I'm not interested in using any of their products and it's time to renew Spysweeper or find something else. So, I'm looking for another anti-spyware program. Is there anything out there that compares or does better? I have gotten suggestions of SuperAntiSpyware or Counterspy. How do they rate with the users? Thanks for your time." }-
I never used Counterspy, but SAS is a keeper. :)

[twl845]

-{ Quote: "I've never tried malware bytes, but only here good things about it and it's been 5,6 years since i had counterspy. SUPERantispyware is what i have now and it is (Light). If your AV has Antispyware protection Id say any of the 3 would do. Try one or two and see which one you like.

http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/index.php
http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/Anti-Spyware/" }-
I use Malwarebytes free as an on demand AS. It does a great job. It's a good partner to SAS in real time.:)

[Fly]

-{ Quote: "To those of you who have used Webroot Spysweeper and changed to another program, does it work as good or better? I'm asking because I refuse to renew after they wanted me to call support to "try" the trail version of Window Washer when I never got to try it because it would say "trial expired" and I hadn't tried it nor had I ever tried it. After that, I'm not interested in using any of their products and it's time to renew Spysweeper or find something else. So, I'm looking for another anti-spyware program. Is there anything out there that compares or does better? I have gotten suggestions of SuperAntiSpyware or Counterspy. How do they rate with the users? Thanks for your time." }-

trail version ? I presume trial version.

It usually works like this: once you have installed it on your system (I'm not sure if downloaded and stored on the desktop counts) you have an X number of days till the free trial version can no longer be used. My personal experience is that Window Washer doesn't get the respect it deserves, maybe there are better programs, but it has some very good features, and I've found it to be an easy-to-use product and effective product.

Webroot's customer service, if it exists at all ( ::) ) leaves much to be desired, but I'm sure the support staff is not to blame, in a case like this management usually has their support department understaffed.

Regarding the Spy Sweeper being bloatware: this computer is more than 4 years old, Windows XP, has 512 MB RAM, runs an AV and firewall, Counterspy, and the Spy Sweeper (version WITHOUT antivirus), and the Spy Sweeper is probably the lightest security product on my computer !

So your milage may vary.

[GES/POR]

Im using spysweeper right now and about being bloated dont listen to the parrots cause i cant even feel its here n no conflicts. It works actually pretty good. However i do remember a time when i did feel it was very heavy but dats in the past now. They seemed to've improved much, if i didnt have so many licenses for other softwares id subscribe def!

btw my main choice is still mbam n sas is also really nice. CS is too heavy!

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "Im using spysweeper right now and about being bloated dont listen to the parrots cause i cant even feel its here n no conflicts. It works actually pretty good. However i do remember a time when i did feel it was very heavy but dats in the past now. They seemed to've improved much, if i didnt have so many licenses for other softwares id subscribe def!

btw my main choice is still mbam n sas is also really nice. CS is too heavy!" }-
btw your thinking of CS 1.5, that was heavy 2.5 isnt as heavy and 3.0 will be out soon and not heavy.

[GES/POR]

True it has improved n i cant wait for the new version.

[jmonge]

-{ Quote: "True it has improved n i cant wait for the new version." }-
i had a very bad experience with the vipre version,so was gone from my pc after 5 minutes and got my self a different weapon AppRanger;D

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "i had a very bad experience with the vipre version,so was gone from my pc after 5 minutes and got my self a different weapon AppRanger;D" }-
maybe because vipre is still in beta..........
cant blame sunbelt if it destroys your computer.

[acr1965]

How long did it take Sunbelt to get CS from version 1.5 to 2.0? Maybe a year and a half or longer? All the while stating that the 2.0 version was just a few weeks away.

[chattycathy]

-{ Quote: "trail version ? I presume trial version.

It usually works like this: once you have installed it on your system (I'm not sure if downloaded and stored on the desktop counts) you have an X number of days till the free trial version can no longer be used. My personal experience is that Window Washer doesn't get the respect it deserves, maybe there are better programs, but it has some very good features, and I've found it to be an easy-to-use product and effective product.

Webroot's customer service, if it exists at all ( ::) ) leaves much to be desired, but I'm sure the support staff is not to blame, in a case like this management usually has their support department understaffed.

Regarding the Spy Sweeper being bloatware: this computer is more than 4 years old, Windows XP, has 512 MB RAM, runs an AV and firewall, Counterspy, and the Spy Sweeper (version WITHOUT antivirus), and the Spy Sweeper is probably the lightest security product on my computer !

So your milage may vary." }-

Yes, it was the trial version. I thought I had several days to try it but I didn't get the first time nor day. The first time I tried it after installation, it told me "trial period expired" and this is what they expected me to call support about!

Thanks everyone! I'll try SuperAntispyware Pro out and see how I like it!

[SIR****TMG]

New spysweeper is out today 5.8.1.47

[ejames82]

spy sweeper conflicted with kaspersky, so i converted SS to an on-demand scanner, which required regular manual updating. in the GUI after clicking on update, a pop-up window trying to sell their antivirus would obstruct me from following through with my update. this was just after they teamed up with sophos, and they were in on that sleezy toolbar deal.
who does webroot/sophos think they are? we know how to purchase antivirus if we want it. why make changes to a programme that are designed to nag and hamper the customer in the hopes to make another sale.
great scanner, sleezy company. i did not renew.

[emperordarius]

If you want an on demand scanner, why wasting money and buying spy sweeper when you can get SAS for free?

[ejames82]

i already had spy sweeper when i purchased kaspersky. they conflicted. the real-time kaspersky protection was more important to me than the spy sweeper.
my problem with spy sweeper/webroot is not the scanner, it worked beautifully. it was the path they decided to take. the ask toolbar venture, blocking the manual updates as a ploy to try to sell their AV. if i didn't change my email address, i would still be getting their spam. they bacame nags. when i purchased spy sweeper, they had a good reputation.
i do use superantispyware, with a bunch of other on-demand scanners.

[The Hammer]

CounterSpy rated very high with me.