Webroot Spy Sweeper 6.1

March 2009. Reviewers put Spy Sweeper 6.0 (just incrementally updated as Spy Sweeper 6.1) just behind top-rated Spyware Doctor 6.0 (*est. $30). Spy Sweeper still does very well on malware detection and removal, according to tests, and it has a new gamer mode that keeps it from interrupting movies or games. Owner feedback is also fairly positive, although a contingent of long-term users say they find the upgrade to the current version less than satisfying. Some sources recommend uninstalling third-party anti-virus programs to prevent conflicts. One alternative is to use a full-featured Internet security suite that protects against multiple types of malware, including viruses and spyware. Norton Internet Security 2009 (*est. $45) is a standout this year, with an anti-spyware tool that rivals standalone applications.

Spy Sweeper 6.1 is too new to have been widely reviewed, but we found editorial coverage of Spy Sweeper 6.0 at Download.com and TopTenReviews.com. Download.com also has a growing number of user reviews, many of which are from repeat Spy Sweeper customers comparing the new release to previous versions. There are also a few reviews on Amazon.com.