Webroot Internet Security Review

Every day we’re bombarded with PC Matic commercials and print ads from McAfee, Kaspersky, AVG, Avast & Norton among others. I bet you haven’t heard of Webroot though. So does that make the product unworthy of your consideration? I hope not. And 30 million users agree with me. (Btw, bet you haven’t heard of Hersheyets either – they put M&Ms to shame).

Admittedly, I have only used Norton, Prevx (purchased by Webroot in 2012) and Webroot on my machines in the past 20+ years for PC security. But I have encountered just about every other anti-virus product available today in my travels helping others get their computers back up and running. I haven’t found any other package to be as light on your processor, while being robust on protection, as Webroot. As they say, “it just works”.

Some bullet points:

• Advanced threat protection for PC & Mac
• Real-Time Anti-Phishing blocks harmful websites
• Lightning fast scans without interruptions (Really!)
• Firewall and network connection monitor
• Enhanced always on security for your data and identity
• Secures your smartphones and tablets (sorry WP folks – then again do we really need virus protection)
• Protects your account logins and passwords
• Eliminates traces of online activity (for the paranoid)
• 25GB of secure online storage, accessible from all your devices (if you really need it)

Webroot setup is a breeze. The download is about 700K and installs in a few minutes on most machines. After installation, which does not require a reboot, you really don’t have to make any changes to the default settings. But Webroot runs so silently, I make two changes to my devices to be sure that Webroot is there and working. First, I display the Webroot icon in the Taskbar to make sure it’s always active (and green – orange means trouble). Second, I go to Advanced Settings/Scheduler and deselect, “Hide the scan progress window”. Scans are really quick, typically under 2 minutes on most of my machines, maybe 4-6 minutes on slower, older processors. I want to see it’s working, even though it has never gone idle or disappointed. Note, that if you make any changes to the settings, try to disable or uninstall Webroot, you will be required to enter a Captcha to make certain your not some bot. Other than the suggestions mentioned above, copy/paste your Key after the trial period and enjoy trouble free computing for 365 days.

How about some comparisons.

Oh, and what do customer have to say.

Webroot comes in three flavors; Simple Antivirus, Internet Security Plus and Internet Security Complete. As I don’t need the 25GB of online storage, and I am not prone to covering my tracks in the snow (or more appropriately the sand down here in Florida), I opt for the Plus product. Available in various quantity configurations, I opt for the 5 device Plus package for $69.99, or $14/per machine per year. That’s less than 4 cents a day for those aren’t very good at math. It still puzzles me why so many machines remain inadequately, or totally unprotected. I use 4 or my 5 licenses for all my machines and the last goes to my exterminator friend who helped me out with a serious Crazy Ant problem. So yes, anyone can use your license key, up to the prescribed limit.

Although Windows 8.x, and presumably Windows 10, come with Windows Defender pre-loaded, you should already know that nothing worthwhile is free in this world. Note, that Webroot and Defender can’t run together. Once Webroot is installed, Defender goes to sleep in the background. That’s because Microsoft believes running two anti-virus programs at the same time is redundant and processor intensive. If your anti-virus program “does” run along side Defender, think about this. If you need two anti-virus programs at the same time to provide adequate protection, maybe they “both” need to be replaced. Just sayin.

Click here to download the free trial. No credit card required. What do you have to lose. Except maybe some bad code.