Spy Sweeper with AntiVirus 5.2 beta (Closed limited beta)

[Chubb]

For information only:

Just received an e-mail fom Webroot about a new beta: Spy Sweeper with AntiVirus 5.2 beta



Not yet tried, but a bit curious as to which antivirus engine it is using.

Just wondering if Webroot will still be offering the standalone Spy Sweeper after version 5.2.

Please note that this is a closed limited beta, not a public beta, so limited information is available.

[scoopnoggin]

The Anti-Virus is Sophos

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by scoopnoggin

The Anti-Virus is Sophos

Oh really?

The licensing fee should be very expensive...

[Legendkiller]

what??
whats the rush?
its was only recently that they launched version:5,but now a AV+AS edition?
i don't know when will security companies stop thinking becoming jack-of-all!

[lodore]

omg stupid webroot they need to fix spysweeper 5 before they add antivirus to it

[Martijn2]

as far as i know most of the problems are already fixed in the new build (atleast i dont got any problems)

[lodore]

when ever i open the nbew build of spysweeper my pc is slow and slugish but when i finish updating it and close it my pc returns to normal so not completely.

[Chubb]

Just tried the 5.2 beta. It is quite stable, quite good, and no slow down on machine.

[Legendkiller]

Originally Posted by Chubb

Just tried the 5.2 beta. It is quite stable, quite good, and no slow down on machine.

some screenshots dude

[lodore]

are they trying to compete with onlinearmour with av?
I think it isnt really a good idea they need to make the resourse useage better on spsyweeper 5.0 and make it so that it doesnt make your pc bsod like once a week which mine has since I installed it.

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by Legendkiller

some screenshots dude

Hi Legendkiller,

Since this is a closed limited beta, beta testers are not allowed to post any detailed information for this time according to the non-disclosure agreement. Sorry about that, but I can say that the main screen UI is slightly different and better organized.

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by lodore

are they trying to compete with onlinearmour with av?
I think it isnt really a good idea they need to make the resourse useage better on spsyweeper 5.0 and make it so that it doesnt make your pc bsod like once a week which mine has since I installed it.

I have already sent my comments to them. It is actually not that easy to persuade users to ditch their existing AV and use Spy Sweeper with AntiVirus 5.2 instead, especially when the users have more than one year of subscription for their existing AV. There are super fans of NOD32, KAV and BitDefender.

Not sure what their direction is and not sure if they will be offering the standalone Spy Sweeper in the future.

[Legendkiller]

Originally Posted by Chubb

Hi Legendkiller,

Since this is a closed limited beta, beta testers are not allowed to post any detailed information for this time according to the non-disclosure agreement. Sorry about that, but I can say that the main screen UI is slightly different and better organized.

ok,no probs.

[lodore]

ye because it they do they only do spysweeper with antivirus only they will lose so many sales.

[budfox]

I am running the beta as well. Going through some tests. The one thing that stands out is its footprint. When turning on a browsers, i am showing 65,000k - 75,000k. I am hoping they streamline the code before then take it out of beta.

Does anyone know who to email/ forum for comments on the beta

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by budfox

I am running the beta as well. Going through some tests. The one thing that stands out is its footprint. When turning on a browsers, i am showing 65,000k - 75,000k. I am hoping they streamline the code before then take it out of beta.

Does anyone know who to email/ forum for comments on the beta

Hi budfox,

You can provide you comments in two ways:

(1) On the main Spy Sweeper Window, click on the button on the top right hand corner "Beta Feedback", and it will bring you to a web page feedback form. I don't like that form, because the boxes are too small to provide comments.

(2) Create a ticket as if you are using a released version. This is the way I did.

[Chubb]

Sophos and Webroot join forces to combat growing problem of internet security threats

http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/ne...ot-sophos.html

Security industry leaders partner to integrate Sophos Anti-Virus technology into select Webroot products

Sophos, the world leader in protecting businesses against viruses, spyware and spam, and Webroot Software, Inc., the leading provider of anti-spyware software for consumers, have today announced a technology partnership that will bring to market a new standard of protection against the most dangerous internet security threats. Through the partnership, Webroot will license Sophos's anti-virus technology for use in select Webroot consumer and enterprise products.

The new Webroot solutions will integrate Sophos's advanced anti-virus research and technology into Webroot's award-winning anti-spyware software, Spy Sweeper, to provide consumers and enterprises with superior protection against both spyware and viruses in one tightly integrated and easy-to-use solution. These new products from Webroot will be available later this year.

"Last month alone there were more than 4,000 new pieces of malware discovered, all aiming to attack unprotected PCs. For the first time, home users can benefit from the powerful industrial-strength virus protection that has been defending businesses and governments for 20 years," said Steve Munford, CEO of Sophos. "Customers win because Sophos and Webroot are both dedicated to cutting-edge research and innovative security. Additionally, this alliance is an important part of Sophos's strategy to boost awareness of our best-of-breed expertise against internet borne threats."

One of the first providers of anti-spyware technologies, Webroot's award-winning lineup of Spy Sweeper products has been protecting consumers, enterprises and small businesses from the most damaging and sophisticated forms of spyware since 2003. Sophos has also garnered international recognition for its award winning virus detection and removal in independent laboratory tests conducted by respected bodies such as the ICSA, Virus Bulletin and West Coast Labs. Customers can now enjoy unparalleled protection leveraging the global network of researchers at SophosLabs™ and spyware research at Webroot using its acclaimed Phileas technology.

"There is no doubt that spyware and viruses are the two most dangerous types of Internet security threats facing PC users today," said David Moll, CEO of Webroot Software. "In the past year, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in not only the prevalence and maliciousness of spyware but also the blending of these threats with varying payloads. By integrating Sophos's highly-advanced and proven anti-virus technology into our Spy Sweeper product, we will protect users from these threats with a single, intuitive solution."

[the Tester]

This is interesting.
What does Task Manager show for resource usage?

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by the Tester

This is interesting.
What does Task Manager show for resource usage?

I can't give the memory usage figures here since it is a closed beta, but so far, I don't see high CPU usage with this 5.2 beta. No lock ups, no hangs or freezes, and is lighter than 5.0.7.

[mrhero]

Is there a way to nominate as a beta tester?

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by mrhero

Is there a way to nominate as a beta tester?

Hi mrhero,

You can Sign Up to be a Beta Program Participant here

http://www.webroot.com/beta/beta.php

[lodore]

i used to be a beta tester for webroot for 5.0 but then as beta go they can screw up your system and it gave me a dll error message that i fixed in the end.

this is a warning to all beta testers be prepared encase it goes wrong!

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by lodore

i used to be a beta tester for webroot for 5.0 but then as beta go they can screw up your system and it gave me a dll error message that i fixed in the end.

this is a warning to all beta testers be prepared encase it goes wrong!

I started beta testing Spy Sweeper from 4.0. From my experience, I only have slight slow down after installing 5.0.X but I never have BSOD, dll error or lockups, because I always install security software clean and fresh. I NEVER mix previous versions with new versions or uninstall old version and then install new version. I always try to do clean install to prevent conflicts or incompatability issues. On the contrary, I have lockups in the first few versions in 4.0.X but that has been fixed in later versions.

I would say that 5.2 beta had been very stable and lighter in comparison with 5.0.X. High memory usage doesn't mean that you will have slow down or lockups. Lockups are usually caused by high CPU usage or conflict with other on-access drivers and by NOT high memory usage. Memory usge of CounterSpy 1.5.82 is high, but CPU usage of CounterSpy is not high so that I never have slow down using CounterSpy 1.5.82. Similary, I don't notice high CPU usage in Spy Sweeper 5.2 and I don't feel slown down after installing 5.2 beta even in a highly overkill environment created specially for testing for compatabilities with other security programs.

[lodore]

very true. high memory usage doesnt mean a slow down no but, when ever i open up the spysweeper interface it slows down my computer and makes my music jump because of the high cpu usage for like 20 seconds.

why havent they realased any updates to 5.0 spy sweeper recently? to help correct the high usage problem?

[Chubb]

Originally Posted by lodore

very true. high memory usage doesnt mean a slow down no but, when ever i open up the spysweeper interface it slows down my computer and makes my music jump because of the high cpu usage for like 20 seconds.

why havent they realased any updates to 5.0 spy sweeper recently? to help correct the high usage problem?

I think the developers are now working hard to make 5.2 better. Actually, CPU utilization in 5.2 has been improved, and I hope they can even make it better when they release it. I would guess that there maybe no interim builds and the next version would be 5.2. Haven't received any target release date for 5.2 yet.