SpySweeper Trial is Detect Only

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave M
  • Start date Start date
D

Dave M

Webroot apparently decided to change their marketing tactics. They converted
the trial download of SpySweeper to detection only. To use the removal features
you must purchase the software. That means no more referrals to this one for a
quick fix. Ah well... it's gonna make MSAS all that more popular. Dumb on
their part, I think, but what do I know, I'm only a consumer.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15093091
 
Webroot apparently decided to change their marketing tactics. They
converted
the trial download of SpySweeper to detection only. To use the removal
features
you must purchase the software. That means no more referrals to this one
for a
quick fix. Ah well... it's gonna make MSAS all that more popular. Dumb
on
their part, I think, but what do I know, I'm only a consumer.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15093091
Click to expand...

It won't hurt them at all. I have used both and SpySweeper finds and removes
a lot more spyware then MSAS after running both on infected machines. If
people run the trial version of SpySweeper after running MSAS they will buy
it. All the people I have run both MSAS and SpySweeper have bought
SpySweeper and they made there choice on the results.
 
Hi Gary;
Don't get me wrong, I like SpySweeper as an application, I even own a license...
it's the new marketing tactic I have fault with. There are no more 'results' as
of 5 days ago for trial users. Detection maybe, removal no. I wouldn't buy a
product I can't have perform, just like I wouldn't buy a pretty car on looks
alone.

The real point of posting this is that nobody should or will send people off to
download SpySweeper Trial for emergency malware removal unless that person is
willing to lay out some cash first. That's asking a lot. It's actually
reminiscent of rogue A-S marketing tactics (i.e. SpyTrooper, SpySheriff.)
False positives working as a goad to purchase? Well no, perhaps real positives
as a goad to purchase.

Sorry Webroot, no more referrals from me, there are just too many no-cost
alternatives.

....and they still haven't fixed the JRE BHO conflict problem... darn it. ;)
 
I have found that Ewido is excellent. It finds and removesmost everything
and is free to use. Even after the trial period it will still continue to
find and remove items,
Ira
: Hi Gary;
: Don't get me wrong, I like SpySweeper as an application, I even own a
license...
: it's the new marketing tactic I have fault with. There are no more
'results' as
: of 5 days ago for trial users. Detection maybe, removal no. I wouldn't
buy a
: product I can't have perform, just like I wouldn't buy a pretty car on
looks
: alone.
:
: The real point of posting this is that nobody should or will send people
off to
: download SpySweeper Trial for emergency malware removal unless that person
is
: willing to lay out some cash first. That's asking a lot. It's actually
: reminiscent of rogue A-S marketing tactics (i.e. SpyTrooper, SpySheriff.)
: False positives working as a goad to purchase? Well no, perhaps real
positives
: as a goad to purchase.
:
: Sorry Webroot, no more referrals from me, there are just too many no-cost
: alternatives.
:
: ...and they still haven't fixed the JRE BHO conflict problem... darn it.
;)
: --
: Regards, Dave
:
:
: Gary wrote:
: >
: > It won't hurt them at all. I have used both and SpySweeper finds and
removes
: > a lot more spyware then MSAS after running both on infected machines. If
: > people run the trial version of SpySweeper after running MSAS they will
buy
: > it. All the people I have run both MSAS and SpySweeper have bought
: > SpySweeper and they made there choice on the results.
:
:
 
Actually, it looks like Download.com is just being their usual inattentive
selves. Downloaded the latest Spy Sweeper trial (v4.5.8.683) and installed it
on a test machine and it detected, reported, and cleaned everything like
normal.
Perhaps this limitation WAS added in v4.5.5.604 (which is the latest version
download.com has, as usual) but quickly removed in v4.5.5.607 (4 days later)
and newer.
 
Good and interesting catch, Sean;

Apparently the refresh of the disabled trial of SpySweeper hasn't made it to
Download.com yet, the actual latest trial is 4.5.8.683. So if you might want it
now or in the future, get it while it's hot and still functional on the
Download.com site, (save it to disk without an install, as it will expire in
some limited number of days upon installation.) I checked Tucows, and it's the
refreshed disabled SpySweeperSnoR.exe = SS no Remove (signed Dec. 16) which is
the same version at least on Webroot's own website.
 
Sean, did I miss-read your post? Did you get that download .683 from Webroot
itself, and it's functional? If that's the case, it's got to be the quickest
change in heart of any corporate entity I've ever heard of.
 
Yes, I'm saying that SS works fine now.
I think it was likely only that particular revision that download.com has
that doesn't clean. I use SS at work on an almost daily basis and never ran
across any problem like this with the various trial revisions I've installed.
 
I still can't find the versions y'all are talking about. I went to
download.com today and found the 4.5.5.604
version(SpySweeperTrialSetup3921_EN" but on the the Webroot site I get
version 4.5.7.642 (ssf-snr-a-setup_blah blah".

Looks like Filehippo doesn't carry this file.
 
Hi Jbob;
I can't be sure of what is going on here, but the way I'm reading between the
lines is that perhaps Webroot decided it wasn't such a good idea after all and
decided to pull the disabled version... of course this would take a while to get
out to the various download mirrors. So, you should be able to get the latest
(and hopefully fully functioning version 4.5.8.683) straight from

http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper/latestv.html

If that's true, that they pulled the disabled trial, it's real testimony to the
power of the internet and force of public opinion, and I would applaud Webroot
for a decision that's in the best interest of everyone involved. I can't test
it, because I already have the licensed version, but please let us know if you
do. I even attempted to call Webroot but the office is closed until tomorrow
for the holidays. I think the product is great from a technical standpoint, and
works well with MSAS, and my only quarrel is with that rather poor marketing
decision.
 
Thanks Got it. Have you installed this version and tried it out? I only
downloaded it to keep as a backup.
 
I have that version, but mine is the fully licensed (paid for) release, so I'm
reluctant to install the trial on top of the licensed one although I did
download the trial install file... which has the same digital signature date as
the licensed one, but the time is 50 minutes later for the trial download. So,
I'm pretty sure it should be fully operational, but probably with an additional
timebomb built-in to the trial version that will deactivate in some number of
days after an install... and that's a very fair and common marketing technique
among reputable Anti-Spyware vendors, which Webroot has always been.

I'll call Webroot again tomorrow and confirm, if I can, and I apologize to you
all if this has been too far off topic.
 
Hello Dave,

download this from webrood and is full functional!
ssf-snr-a-setup1_1838376297.exe
Version 4.5.7.642
I have no license.

Regards >*< TOM >*<

Dave M schreef:
 
Thanks very much for that report, Tom.

Here's the response from "Dan" who's a Webroot employee and active newsgroup
supporter:

All,
"First off, the 14-day trial is still available, it's just not the trial version
that we're pushing right now. You may have to look for the 14-day trial, but
it's there.

We are aware that some don't like the new free scan. I will pass this thread
along...

The purpose of the free scan is to allow evaluation of our detection and
prevention abilities. Both the detection engine and the shields are fully
fucntional - just removal is disabled."
<marketing material - snip>

Personally, I've seen an incredible amount of shifting around of downloadable
versions over the last several days... potential trial users should be aware
that the version their getting may or may not be disabled. :(
 
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