Webroot Spysweeper 3.5 and 4.0 Comparison

[Hard Rocker]

Hi, :D Slightly off topic ...... I realize, but since you pretty much had your question answered ...... what are the differences between SS 3.5 and the SS 4.0 version ? I am a registered user of the 3.5 & although I have been offered the chance to test the 4.0 I felt it was a bit too soon. :-\

HR 8)

[siliconman01]

The biggest difference is that V4 does not work properly.
- Cannot handle very large HOSTS files
- Triples the memory usage of every module in memory when you do a sweep of memory (the first time after a boot).

I'd recommend holding off for a bit. I know Webroot is working on the above issues.

Incidentally, V4.0.1.323 is NOT Beta...it is the official first public version release.

[SSK]

v4 also has support for limited user accounts.
And uses less memory the v3.5 (for me :) )

[Hard Rocker]

Hey, :D

Good to know siliconman ....... I thought V4 was indeed a Beta version. Glad that I held off. :o

Interesting SSK ..... as well, I'm always vewy, vewy quiwet when I'm hunting twojans ! ;D

And when I say whoa camel ........ I MEAN WHOA !!!
Dragons is ...... sooooooooo stupid .... lol. ;)

Thanx Guys,
HR 8)

[siliconman01]

Build 331 now appears to be the latest build as of this AM (17-May-05). However, this new build does not correct the HOSTS file or memory usage problem.

[gerardwil]

-{ Quote: "Build 331 now appears to be the latest build as of this AM (17-May-05). However, this new build does not correct the HOSTS file or memory usage problem." }-

Proces private bytes: 8 Mb (WRSSSDK.exe)
SpySweeper.exe: 4.7 MB
So for me that's not bad at all.

No probs with hosts, but I only use MVPS.

Regards,

Gerard

[muf]

I've upgraded to v4 and currently i'm a lot happier. I'm using the totally stable and reliable Windows ME and v4 is running much much faster and sweeter. v3.5 used to take nearly 1 minute for the GUI to appear after starting the application. Then it would take a similar amount of time for the sweep to begin after initialising it. This new version has the GUI open in 5 seconds and the sweep starts in the same amount of time. Certainly fixed something. :D

I just started it and the ram useage on my system is as follows:
WRSSSDK.EXE = 9.8mb
SPYSWEEPER.EXE = 11.9mb

This is lower than the previous version which used to use 26mb.

muf

[siliconman01]

The problem with memory usage is that when you do the first sweep after a reboot and if you have the Memory sweep active, every program in memory including WRSSSDK.exe and Spy Sweeper will more that triple in size (memory usage) as SS scans each module. I loose 250 mbytes of physical memory on the first sweep. Rebooting the computer puts everything back to normal...until the next SS sweep. I can activate Task Manager, select Performance and what the available Physical memory take a nose dive.

[Notok]

It has been a lot easier on resources for me as well. The GUI looks a little better, but still looks a bit like a newbie with photoshop filters designed it (there are worse things in life, though ;D ) I'm sure there are less obvious internal changes as well.

[feddup]

Does anyone know what size hosts file causes spysweeper 4.0 issues. I tried and removed 4.0 beta because it kept giving me a "spysweeper installation is damaged please reinstall" message. I believe after reading some similar posts that this was caused by my 1.24 mb hosts file. I've downloaded the 4.0 final but would like to solve this mystery prior to installation. I like and respect spysweeper but not so much that I might disregard the hosts file completely. Any insight would be appreciatted.

[siliconman01]

The 1.24 mbyte HOSTS file won't work. I am using the MVPs HOSTS file which is only about 10000 entries at 263 kbytes and it works okay in V4.

[feddup]

Thanks for the info. I might try to choose a smaller hosts file. I generally gave up using spy sweeper in real time for several reasons but still got the "installation damaged" message when I started the program for "on demand" use. Still using 3.5 for the moment.

[controler]

According to an e-mail I received this week,Spysweeper 4.0 has been released.

controler

[siliconman01]

-{ Quote: "Spysweeper 4.0 has been released" }-

Yes, V4.0.1.331 is the latest public release.

[manOFpeace]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for the info. I might try to choose a smaller hosts file. I generally gave up using spy sweeper in real time for several reasons but still got the "installation damaged" message when I started the program for "on demand" use. Still using 3.5 for the moment." }-

Likewise. Beta wouldn't work properly, return to V3.5.
Latest release full version don't work, damaged installation, back to V3.5. :'(

[siliconman01]

Here is Webroot's response to a support ticket on the issue of large HOSTS files. Not very encouraging for the immediate time period. >:(

"Solved:
(5/17/2005 12:47 PM MDT) Spy Sweeper will have issues with any host file containing more than 1000 entries. Having 39000 entries in your host file will cause this to happen. I apologize for this inconvenience. We are looking to correct this in a future release of the program.

Thank you for your assistance and information in this matter."

[Hard Rocker]

:D Hi, & thanks again guys ......... Looks like it will take a bit more time before 4.0 is functioning as it should be. :(

I have also noticed that 4.0 has not been offered at the Webroot Site for the last few days ....... once again !! ::)

HR 8)

[feddup]

thanks for all the input. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if webroot solves the hosts issue.

[G1111]

How to you get 3.5 back? I talked to Tech. Support and they sent me a key code, but it was for 4.0. There were no other options.

[Hard Rocker]

:D Hi G1111,

You don't specify if you are a registered SpySweeper user or not. ???

If indeed you are ....... call them again & specify you are NOT happy with 4.0 & want the 3.5 version until all the problems with 4.0 are resolved.

Although I am very satisfied with SS 3.5 ...... on the 2 occasions I had to deal with their tech support & customer service departments I must say I was NOT very impressed !! :(

Good Luck,
HR 8)

[G1111]

Hard Rocker - Yes I am a registered user, thats why they gave me the key code for the "fixed" version of 4.0 but it still has bugs. I will call them and request 3.5 back.

Thanks for the response. It would be nice if there was a Webroot forum.

[JRCATES]

-{ Quote: "
It would be nice if there was a Webroot forum." }-

You mean this isn't? ;D

Seriously, I've visited other forums where reviews on Spy Sweeper were somewhat mixed, but they're almost always unanymously favorable here.....so I was actually kind of under the impression that this WAS a Webroot forum!

[G1111]

JRCATES - Could be.

[siliconman01]

Here's a SS thread on the TrojanHunter forum. Note the post by Webroot-SS..response to a couple of issues concerning SS V4.

http://forum.misec.net/board/SoftwareUpdates/1116003911

[Hard Rocker]

;) Nice link Siliconman ..... had not been to the Trojan Hunter Forum in a while. I just purchased the program a couple of weeks ago.

I'll be sticking with SS V: 3.5 ...... for now, anyway ! ::)

HR 8)

[Eldar]

Hi all,

I updated today to version 4.0.1 (build 331) and installing it went without problems.
It's really silent when performing a sweep, compared to version 3.5. :)
Haven't had time yet to look at all the other improvements, but that's really something that struck me.

I think the problems described by siliconman01 must have been addressed already by Webroot by releasing yet another build.

On a side note: When I requested an update, their database said I didn't exist. ???

Immediately I submitted a ticket requesting the download link for the new version, as well as investigating what went wrong.
Believe it or not, but 10 minutes later I received a response to my ticket and another email with the download link. :D

After installing the new version I immediately saw that my expiration period had been extended from 2 years to 3 years.

Great customer service. 8)

[Hard Rocker]

:) Good to hear Eldar, I'ts encouraging to know that the v4 is improving.

Nice to see better customer & tech support service from Webroot as well. However, my previous complaints about their support resulted from calling their toll free number & NOT from their on line support. ::)

HR 8)

[controler]

I was running 4.0 but when clicking on the update button it always said I was up to date even though I wasn't. I then went to their site and clicked redownload
and they send an e-mail with download link. I install it and it is 3.2 LOL
I remember getting an e-mail from them stating since I used the Beta I could download the released version of 4.0, so I tried that link and got the newest
4.0.1 ( build 331 )

I am not sure now how we get the last build since the update feature doesn't work.

controler

[siliconman01]

I just go to the Webroot website, go to the download section, and then the re-download purchased software and have them email me a new link every 4-5 days.

I've bugged this problem as well.

I frequently get connected to a pre-V4 download which I tell because the size of the file to be downloaded is less than 6 mbytes. I cancel and reconnect. Normally the second try will come up with the proper download. ;)

[siliconman01]

Build 4.0.2.349 in available

Just installed 4.0.2.349.

Here is what I am seeing with this build.

1. The LARGE HOSTS file problem is not resolved. And this build completely clears out a HOSTS file that SS deems is too large...everything is cleared out...blank.
However, in this build the user can turn OFF all the Hosts Shield options and SS will ignore the HOSTS file. Thus you can turn over to HOSTS file protection to another program such as Giant AS and run large HOSTS files such as HPGURU's. Not a satisfactory FIX by SS, but it is a bit of an improvement IMHO..

2. Doing a full scan with the Memory scan enabled still causes the loss of huge amounts of Physical Available memory. My system loses 250 megabytes of RAM. I am continuing to run without the Memory Scan option enabled to avoid this.

So basically there is no significant change concerning these two problems with V4.0.2.349.

[knutsond]

I am a registered user . I have 4.0 now. It causes my system to create 104 tempe files that no program can get rid of. If I reboot disabling spysweeper they go away. Once I start it they come back .

[Hard Rocker]

::) I went to the Webroot Upgrade Site a couple of days ago just to see what was going on with upgrades and once more I was given the option to download the newer 4.0 version. As usual I chose NOT to & it seems they have pulled back the new version once again !! Now when I visit that location I'm informed that my software ( 3.5 ) is up to date.

The issue that knutsond is having does NOT sound very encouraging at this point in time. ???

I'm starting to wonder if Webroot will ever get SS v4.0 working properly ........ all I can say is I'm not going any where near the new version until I start to hear that it is not causing any problems. :-\

HR 8)

[siliconman01]

Knutsond,

Are you referring to the .tmp files found in folder C:\Windows\Temp? If so, these are temporary files used by the new service WRSSSDK in V4. They are held "in use" by this service. That is the reason they will not delete. You can test this by shutting down SS and then killing WRSSSDK.exe using the Task Manager. Once WRSSSDK.exe is off, you should be able to delete these .tmp files. They will come right back when you restart SS V4 however. One odd thing is that I only have 32 of these files in C:\Windows\Temp. :-\

I don't see any problem with WRSSSDK setting up and using .tmp files for its use....JMO.

[siliconman01]

-{ Quote: "2. Doing a full scan with the Memory scan enabled still causes the loss of huge amounts of Physical Available memory. My system loses 250 megabytes of RAM. I am continuing to run without the Memory Scan option enabled to avoid this. " }-

Concerning this "problem", I am told by Webroot support that this is not really a problem. As soon as SS completes its memory scan, the memory is released. It's the Task Manager that does not update the memory usage again until a system reboot occurs. So... guess this is not a problem. Just never have seen this type of "occurrence" by other security programs that scan memory.

[feddup]

I'm unsure of the memory issues regarding using spysweeper for resident protection but apparently webroot has dealt with the large hosts file issue. I just installed 4.02.349 (I believe) and the installation went flawlessly even though my hosts file is approx. 1.3mb in size. The earlier 4.xx releases would give a "program is damaged" message supposedly caused by a large hosts file. Updating and running the program seem faster. I'm still iffy on using for resident protection but might change if others have positive experiences.

[siliconman01]

Feddup,

-{ Quote: " I just installed 4.02.349 (I believe) and the installation went flawlessly even though my hosts file is approx. 1.3mb in size. " }-

I just tried turning on the HOSTS shield in V4.0.2.349 and it issued a message "Hosts too Large" and it totally blanked out my HOSTS file. Perhaps you should look in folder C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc and see if your HOSTS file is intact. On my system with this V4.0.2.349, the large HOSTS file (1.154 mb) will remain unaffected unless any of the Host Shields are activated in SS. Then "poof", there goes everything in the HOSTS file.

[feddup]

I just checked and the hosts file is intact but I turned off all sheilds including hosts when I installed it.

[Kaupp]

-{ Quote: "
However, in this build the user can turn OFF all the Hosts Shield options and SS will ignore the HOSTS file." }-
Many Thanks!
It's a small price to pay to have a build that will for now at least run on my machine. :)

regards
Kaupp

[siliconman01]

-{ Quote: "It's a small price to pay to have a build that will for now at least run on my machine" }-

Yep, with the except of the HOSTS file Shield, V4 seems pretty solid and functional...quite pleased with that.

[ricari]

Tried to install this new version, 4.0.2.349 but after reloading my computor, I keep on getting "program is damaged message please reinstall". I uninstall the program, went to the registry and delited all link's to webroot or Spy Sweeper then reinstall this new version in "safe mode" and got the same message every time I start my computor.

So I uninstall again, delited all registry link's and reinstall version 4.0.1.331 in "safe mode" and everything is ok now.

regards
ricari

[siliconman01]

ricari,

If you wish to use V4.0.2.349, I feel confident that the following procedure will get you on stream.

1. Create a small HOSTS file
a. Open Notepad
b. Create a single line entry that is 127.0.0.1 localhost
c. Save it to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc as HOSTS.txt

2. Shutdown Spy Sweeper

3. Using Windows Explorer
a. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc folder
b. Rename your current large HOSTS file to HOSTSBIG
c. Rename HOSTS.txt to HOSTS
d. Exit Windows Explorer

4. Using Add/Remove in the Control Panel, remove Spy Sweeper.

5. Reboot your computer.

6. Disable your antivirus program and shut down as many programs as you can..those that have icons in the lower right Systray.

7. Install V4.0.2.349 (you do not need to be in SAFE MODE).

8. Reboot your computer to restart all your programs and enable your antivirus program, etc.

9. Open Spy Sweeper and DISABLE the HOSTS Shield completely...every option under the HOSTS shield.

10. Set up all the other options/shields that you desire in Spy Sweeper.

11. Download the latest definitions.

12. Shut down Spy Sweeper.

13. Using Windows Explorer:
a. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc folder
b. Rename your current small HOSTS file to HOSTSSMALL
c. Rename HOSTSBIG to HOSTS
d. Write down the size of this large HOSTS file
e. Exit Windows Explorer

14. Restart Spy Sweeper and run a scan of your system.

15. Using Windows Explorer:
a. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc folder
b. Verify that your Large HOSTS file is in tact. Just look at the size.

16. For safety reasons, reboot your computer

17. Repeat the verification that your HOSTS file is okay.

That should get you on stream with V4.0.2.349. You just will not have a Shield for the HOSTS file.

[ricari]

Thank's siliconman01

[Wras]

Downloaded "Program Version 4.0.3 (Build 363) Using Spyware Definitions 494" in the 12th June.

No problems from my perspective, but I don't have a large Host file.

[Hard Rocker]

Hi, :D

Well .... I finally decided to install Spy Sweeper 4.0.3 .... Build 363 tonight and I must say I am quite impressed.

This version scans my PC in under 10 minutes .... as compared to 3.5 which took about 23 minutes to finish scanning.

The only problem I had was that the first download attempt ended prematurely .... since for some reason the file became corrupted. ???

I had no problem the second time & Spy Sweeper installed without any issues whatsoever.

It took a while for Webroot to solve the problems other members here have experienced since the introduction of version 4.0 .... but, I have no regrets holding off until now to install the new version .... as it works great for me !! ;D

HR 8)

[Stephanos G.]

Sure is faster, but check your sweep option to be sure.

[Hard Rocker]

-{ Quote: "Sure is faster, but check your sweep option to be sure." }-

Hi, ;)

No prob's with my sweep settings .... but thanks for the suggestion anyway. ;D

HR 8)

[Hard Rocker]

:) I'm using SpySweeper 4.0.3 build 363 & until recently the program performed without any issues. I had been noticing other members posting in this thread about problems with their " Hosts " file .... but until last night I hadn't experienced this issue.

I installed SpyBlocker last night & apparently the program added numerous entries to my Hosts file causing SS to display the alert that my hosts file was too large.

When I contacted Webroot (SS) tech support about this situation, I was informed that this was a problem related to SpyBlocker & not SpySweeper. The tech told me to contact SpyBlocker & also informed me that I had too many security programs on my PC. ???

I have since uninstalled SpyBlocker & SS no longer alerts me that my hosts file is too large !!

Any thoughts people ?

HR 8)

[siliconman01]

My thoughts are that the tech support rep has errored in his analogy and solution. The problem is not at all related to the functionality of SpyBlocker. It's related to the fact that SpyBlocker added a quantity of new entries to the HOSTS file and it exceeded the limit that Spy Sweeper is able to handle using the new V4. That is a flaw in Spy Sweeper. Windows will allow thousands and thousands of entries in the HOSTS file...why will not Spy Sweeper work when the number of entries gets above 1000 entries???? V3.5 did.

So who is the faulting program....certainly seems obvious to me that the new V4 of Spy Sweeper is. :o

[Hard Rocker]

Hi Siliconman01, :)

I certainly agree with your analogy on the SpyBlocker / SpySweeper hosts file issue .... & to suggest a customer has too many security programs .... ??? .... because their program is not dealing with the additional host files .... what is that about ?

Once again, it's not the first time I've received poor technical service from Webroot. :(

HR 8)

[siliconman01]

-{ Quote: "because their program is not dealing with the additional host files .... what is that about ?" }-

My opinion is that it is an uneducated remark....or perhaps a "feeling of professionalism" that SS is so good that it fully protects a user. Obviously a user can go overbroad; however, a rational multilayered approach to security is the safest and most reliable approach.

[Hard Rocker]

:D Yes ... true, a person can go overboard, I agree ... but I do consider myself as having a rational approach to security & that is what annoyed me about the Webroot technician's attitude towards my issue. :(

HR 8)