The Next Generation of Webroot SecureAnywhere is Here

I have a dumb question...

I am a long time user of free antivirus software. In fact, I haven't purchased a commercial AV in many years. However, I have been considering WSA after reading this (and other WSA-related) forum. I especially love that their website introduces you to the team and that they are very local to me (about an hour away from me). I have been impressed with their involvement here at Wilder's and their willingness to be quite helpful.

If I purchase the 2013 version, will I automatically be updated to the new version when it comes out or should I wait a month to purchase?

P.S. Two minor related questions: 1) any issues with WSA and Sandboxie Pro; and 2) any issues with WSA and AX64?

 

Updates happen automatically in the background so yes, you would be upgraded to the new version when released. Subsequent updates to the product happen the same way.

Some users use Sandboxie alongside WSA.

I'm not aware of any conflicts between AX64 & WSA, but do bear in mind AX64 is still a new, young product that has much more to be developed.

 

In my experience Webroot customer service is as good as it gets. Questions have been answered promptly, and when they dropped a version of WSA a quick phone call got it upgraded to the new and more expensive version. And without my asking the person at Webroot customer service added time on my subscription for my trouble. Not that that happens whenever you call them, but it was a generous thing to do that I won't forget.

I've used Sandboxie for years, and haven't had any conflicts since adding WSA a year ago, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Web Threat Shield in WSA isn't as effective when running Sandboxie.

edit: There is one conflict I was just reminded of when doing some system image install maintenance: There can be a conflict between WSA's Identity Shield and Sandboxie and Chrome:

SBIE2203 Failed to communicate with Sandboxie Service: *GUIPROXY_00000001 - chrome.exe [C0000061]

I read that WSA fixed the conflict a while ago but for some reason it's still happening here. The conflict can be avoided by clicking 'Allow' instead of 'Protect' for Chrome in the Identity Shield Protected Applications window.

later edit: Not seeing that conflict with the new version of WSA.

 

Ah yes that makes perfect sense.

 

+1 .....couldn't agree more.

 

Running AXTM and the WSA 2014 beta and have found absolutely nothing clashing between them so far...but as Tony says, quite rightly, AXTM is very new and so somewhat of an unknown in terms of how it will develop, etc.

 

The web console... anything new about that? Give us some hints!

 

It shows if it's a Windows PC & Mac's now show as they didn't before.

TH

 

Very nice! I can see that as well. Any news regarding new functions or features for the console?

 

Yes, to see and handle monitored files in the console for example would be a great feature.

/E

 

This is available in the SME/Business console but we do not have it available for consumers.

 

A couple of questions from someone who is honestly seeking knowledge and considering purchasing WSA.

1. I am trying to do some homework as I've used free AV's for years. So, I spent some time last night researching what I can about WSA. (Of course, I've read all that I can on Wilder's about WSA.) In the process, I found several recent Youtube tests of WSA. A couple of them were done in the last month. In these tests, people were posting url's with known malware or exploits in and seeing if WSA caught the virsus's or malware. In 3 different Youtube videos, WSA failed on multiple occasions.

Now, I know not to put too much stock in Youtube videos, but it was distressing to see how poorly WSA did on these videos. However, I know that WSA somehow works differently than other AV's. Can someone explain why WSA does so poorly on these videos?

~snip Youtube videos TOS~

2. I currently use Avast Free. Can I run WSA alongside of Avast Free or should I just bite the bullet and uninstall Avast Free and just run WSA?

(I'm not too concerned about uninstalling Avast and installing WSA as I use AX64 and if I don't like it or it causes problems, I can just "rollback" to before I installed WSA.)

 

@ Alexhousek

Check out these links:

https://community.webroot.com/t5/We...t-Misses-quot-a-Virus/ta-p/10202#.UiOkNz-uPm4


https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=2276160&postcount=31


Btw Webroot is designed to be compatible with other AV products. You can install it alongside Avast. But WSA alone provides great protection. I wouldn't install any other AV alongside webroot, cause it would just slow down the awesomeness of webroot

 

I'm not sure if it's relevant to the YouTube videos you refer to but another point worth mentioning is that WSA concentrates on malware that executes or is likely to execute, and doesn't waste time searching for files containing malware just sitting in folders which are unlikely to do anything other than just sit there.

 

And it should be noted that most YouTesters are very fond of going "OMG, look! Bad thing ran! Fail fail fail!" and dance around pointing while completely ignoring that with WSA, running doesn't mean infected for days until a definition update occurs. ID shield blocks actions, malware fails to do anything, and by trying gets detected and rolled back in minutes. Or it could be something that hides its bad payload for days, and other AV researches will never see it, but WSA sees it trying to do the bad and catches it. *Shrug*

YouTesters. They get paid for people viewing their videos, so they want drama, not reality.

Speaking of which, posting links to YouTester videos is Bad I think.

 

Posting links to YouTube tester videos is against TOS.
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=180128

 

My apologies. I did not realize that. It won't happen again.

 

+1 Just couldn't agree more.