Suite Deal from Webroot

Webroot's Spy Sweeper 5.5 with AntiVirus, our current Editor's Choice for spyware protection, has a new name and new skillz. As you can tell from the lengthy moniker Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware and Firewall, this version adds firewall protection to the existing antivirus and antispyware. In other words, it has the most important elements that I look for in a security suite. Available now for Vista and XP, it costs $39.95 - but if you already have SSAV 5.5 you can upgrade for free.






Webroot will also sell you the Webroot Desktop Firewall separately for $19.95... but for a limited time you can get a better price - free. If you've already got spyware and virus protection but want to level-up from the built-in Windows Firewall, that's a good deal.

Like the built-in Windows Firewall, Webroot's firewall puts all your computer's ports in stealth mode, making the system invisible to outside attackers. In addition it controls which programs are allowed access to the Internet. To avoid the initial plethora of popup queries it starts in "learning mode", assuming that any program not detected by antivirus or antispyware is legitimate. Once it has learned your normal programs it can alert to anomalous behavior. According to Webroot it uses a "unique packet inspection technology to detect and block unauthorized access to systems".

So, does it work? The answer to that question will have to wait until PC Magazine can put it through a full evaluation. But since the antivirus and antispyware protection is the same as that of our current Editor's Choice for antispyware, it certainly has a head start.