Having trouble deciding which antivirus software to use? In this article, we examine all of the features that Webroot has to offer, as well as Webroot’s pricing, usability, and whether or not it can compete with other companies in the field.
Webroot is an antivirus and cybersecurity company that was established in July of 1997. The company is privately held and has a presence in both the consumer and business antivirus industries.
It began with a solitary application that specialized in the prompt removal of one’s personal information as well as their history of online browsing.
In 2011, the company established its own modern antivirus suites that were geared for use in both homes and businesses. By doing so, the company brought together its various tools under a banner that was more cohesive. In 2019, Carbonite Incorporated was able to acquire it for the price of $618.5 million.
Webroot is a well-known antivirus programme, but should you spend your money on it, and can it compete well with other leading antivirus vendors? In this review, I will conduct an in-depth analysis of the consumer-grade security suites that are offered by Webroot in order to assist you in determining whether or not you should make use of them.
I wanted to find out the following things about Webroot antivirus as part of this review:
• How much of a slowdown will occur if I use this antivirus software on my laptop?
• In light of the findings from the independent lab tests, how does Webroot stack up against its rivals?
• Is it simple to use and set up the Webroot antivirus programme?
• Which of Webroot’s subscription options do you recommend for the typical user?
I will also think about the unique features that the organisation provides, with particular focus on safety applications like virtual private networks (VPNs) and secure browsers.
In the event that you do not have sufficient time to read the comprehensive analysis, I have provided a concise summary of my results below.
Although Webroot antivirus software can be considered adequate in certain contexts, it did not do very well in the tests that I ran on it. Despite this, the programme does not significantly affect the functioning of the machine. Because of this, it may become an appealing choice for a significant number of customers.
Summary
Pros:
• An encrypted automatic backup of up to 25 GB
• Low impact on performance and takes up little space on the disc
• Protection for passwords with LastPass
Cons:
• Unsatisfactory results in my own personal malware tests
• Does not appear on the rankings of the best comparison websites
• There is no protection for numerous devices
What are the new features included in the most recent version of Webroot?
Webroot continually revises its software to include protection against emerging threats. The most recent version for personal computers has resolved an issue that was previously causing a 1067 error to occur.
An problem that caused the antivirus scan progress bar to stop moving while the scan itself ran in the background has been addressed in a new update for the Mac version. In addition, known bugs have been fixed in the mobile version, which should result in an improved overall experience for the user.
Webroot Antivirus
Webroot has developed a product known as Webroot Antivirus specifically for the low-end of the market for antivirus software. This software offers protection against potential threats for computers running Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS, as well as computer scans, continuous identity protection, protection against ransomware, real-time anti-phishing that blocks malicious websites, and a firewall or network connection monitor.
One device can be protected for an annual fee of $39.99 with the Webroot package that is considered to be the company’s entry-level offering. On the website of the company, this is currently being sold at a discount of 35%, bringing the total for the first year down to $25.99 from its original price of $49.99.
Internet Security Plus, with Virus Protection
After Webroot Antivirus, the next price tier up is Internet Security Plus with Antivirus, which is included with Webroot. It provides all of the capabilities described above, in addition to coverage for mobile devices, as well as protection for accounts and passwords.
It is more expensive than the plan that was just described, coming in at a total of $38.99 per year at the time of this writing. This is being sold at a discount of 35%, which means that the regular retail price is $59.99. This offer provides coverage for a period of one year for up to three devices.
Comprehensive Internet Security, Including Antivirus
Internet Security Plus with Antivirus Complete once again provides all of the functions that were advertised for the higher-tier product. In addition to that, it comes with a system optimizer and the capability to delete all traces of your previous internet activity.
This is the most expensive consumer end product that Webroot has to offer, but at the time of this writing, it is also the one that is being significantly reduced the most. There is a reduction of 35%, bringing the price of the first year’s membership down from $79.99 to $51.99.
Efficacy in the fight against malware
In this part of the review, I will test the product’s effectiveness against a variety of different forms of malware to evaluate how it performs in both controlled and real-world environments.
To begin, I will investigate the effectiveness of the software in warding off various forms of malware infestation. I will be using samples from the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research that are not dangerous (EICAR). I will also test actual malware samples to determine how well it performs in comparison to examples of malware that an end-user may come across online.
The second phase is a study of the breadth and depth of a full scan. This is accomplished by comparing the amount of time that a scan takes to the total number of discrete things that are scanned by Webroot. After that, I will proceed to analyse Webroot’s score based on the results of multiple antivirus comparison laboratories.
EICAR sample testing
In order to duplicate malicious files, the EICAR generates a variety of samples.
First, I make sure that the software’s real-time protection is able to identify and prevent the downloading of the dangerous file before it is even downloaded (tested on both HTTP and the more secure HTTPS connections). After that, I turn off the software, download the files, and then check to see if the fast or full scans are able to locate and remove the file. At long last, I have the opportunity to test whether or not the antivirus software correctly prevents the execution of a file that appears to be malicious.
These aren’t exactly the most encouraging findings, as you can probably guess. My system was able to gain access to the entirety of the EICAR file catalogue thanks to the real-time scanner.
The EICAR check’s methodology is used in the following test, but real malware samples are used instead. There are two distinct varieties of malware contained inside these three samples. The first type of malware is known as adware, and it is responsible for infecting your computer or mobile device with a large number of advertisements that remain within your system and appear regularly on your desktop or in your browser. These produce passive cash for the hacker and can house extremely harmful links that might cause further damage to your PC.
Trojan horse viruses are the other category of malicious software. Once it is activated, a trojan can do damage to your system even though it appears to be an innocuous application file. Malware of this type frequently contains a variety of ransomware, which prevents you from accessing your computer and asks for payment to restore your privileges.
Rankings based on AV-Comparatives and AV-Tests
AV-Comparatives and AV-Test are two websites that evaluate antivirus software based on how well they perform in comparison to one another.
AV-Comparatives is responsible for two of the most well-known tests, although the company has not included Webroot in its lineup of antivirus solutions that it evaluates since 2012. On the other hand, AV-Test provides a test of Webroot’s suite that is more current than any other.
The most recent time that AV-Test included Webroot in their testing was in the months of May and June 2019. The Windows 10 Professional version of the software, version 9.0, was utilised for this review. This version is compatible with 64-bit computers. A “certified” ranking was provided to the product that was produced by Webroot, in contrast to the “top product” ranking that was given to products such as Bitdefender and Avast. This evaluation is comprised of multiple parts, and you will receive a score out of six for each criterion.
The first test is called the protection test, and it examines how well the product defends itself against zero-day malware attacks (the real-world testing assessment conducted by the firm) as well as how well it detects new malware discovered by AV-Test in the past four weeks.
The average industry score for the zero-day assault test is 97.1 percent, and the average industry score for the detection test is 99.8 percent. In the zero-day attack segment for May and June, Webroot received scores of 81.1 and 66.5 percent, respectively. In the detection test, Webroot scored better than its competitors, falling short of the industry average of 99.8 percent by only 0.5 and 0.9 percent respectively in the tests conducted in May and June. In terms of overall performance, Webroot received a score of two out of a potential six points in the protection evaluation.
The performance test is the next test that you will take. This examines to see how the product affects the speed at which the computer operates under normal conditions. Based on the results of this test, it was determined that Webroot marginally accelerates the process of launching popular websites (such as Facebook or YouTube), downloading applications and software programmes, and copying data in comparison to the average speed seen across the industry. In this category, Webroot received a score of 5.5 out of 6.
Last but not least, there is a test known as the usability test, which examines the entire impact that the cybersecurity software has on the user. In this category, Webroot received a score of 4 out of 6. It incorrectly identified four pieces of lawful software as malware during a scan in May (the average is four), and then it had 27 false detections during a comprehensive scan in June. The area that let it down the most was false alarms. It is remarkable that Webroot still scored so highly in the category of false alerts considering that it does not do the most in-depth scan compared to other antivirus programmes.
Added benefits and capabilities
Malware detection is the most essential component of any antivirus product, but users have become accustomed to having extra security tools at their disposal to further improve their online safety. In this section, I will examine the most notable additional features that are available with the Webroot suite.
Webroot WiFi Security and Virtual Private Network
Since Webroot’s roots are in browser security and optimization, it should come as no surprise that the company has developed a more cutting-edge and up-to-date solution to a challenge of this nature.
Webroot Wifi Security and VPN is a piece of software that can help you browse the web more anonymously, make your IP address more secure, and unblock restricted content, among other benefits.
It is a helpful tool for these purposes, and the VPN component, which is a nicely built app, satisfies some fundamental requirements for functionality. “Virtual private network” is abbreviated as “VPN,” and it refers to the connection that is made between your computer and the website that you are currently viewing. Your browsing experience may become more anonymous as a result of this, and you may also be able to access content that is normally restricted in your location, such as geo-restricted streaming services.
A growing number of antivirus software developers have recently begun offering virtual private networks (VPNs), in an effort to corner a larger portion of the ever-expanding market for security software. In general, VPN products offered by antivirus companies do not impress in comparison to the most popular standalone VPN services on the market, and Webroot’s offering is not all that dissimilar in this regard.
It does have AES 256-bit encryption and allows you to access blocked websites on three different devices (including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android), but such a basic VPN does have some drawbacks to it as well. Webroot’s service is limited to covering only 35 countries, whereas leading services such as NordVPN offer access to servers located in over 60 different countries. The VPN app does not permit you to switch between different VPN protocols, which is a feature that is typically available with specialised VPN providers.
This item is currently available for purchase at a price point of $39.99 per year for coverage of three different devices. When compared to other VPN providers, such as NordVPN, which offers a significantly more robust service and covers six devices at once, this one might not be worth the price. However, if you buy Internet Security Plus from Webroot, there is a plan that costs $84.98 a year and comes with Webroot’s Wifi Security utility. You can get this plan by purchasing Internet Security Plus. This provides a significant savings in comparison to the regular price of $119.99 for the two individual goods.
Influence on the functionality of PCs
In this part of the article, I will analyse how Webroot affects the overall performance of the system. Because searching through your complete computer can frequently need a significant amount of resources, having a low impact on the efficiency of your own computer is a significant bonus.
To evaluate the effect that Webroot has on a computer, there are a few actions that need to be followed. To begin, I have to perform a control measurement of the effect that it has on the computer while it is not conducting any kind of scan. After that, I’ll be able to run both scans and see how much of an impact they have on the overall performance of the system. It is important to point out that this is not a conclusive test of the impact of the suites because there are other activities running in the background that could affect the result. This will give us an idea of whether there is a difference that may be considered insignificant or one that is easily noticeable between the two results.
Examining Quickly
Instead of performing a comprehensive search throughout the entirety of the device, a fast scan is designed to zero in on those aspects of a computer that are most likely to be infected by malicious software. The table that follows illustrates the shift in the performance impact brought about by running a fast scan.
After Webroot completed a rapid scan, there was a 6% increase in the amount of time spent using the CPU, and there was an 11% increase in the amount of time spent using the memory. This has a minimal effect, especially when taken into account alongside the fact that the rapid scan just takes a single second to complete. On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that the rapid scan did not find any of the previous EICAR files.
Full Scan
Following this, we will discuss the effects that running a complete scan through Webroot had on the system’s performance.
When a thorough scan is performed, the CPU utilisation goes from 25 percent all the way up to 95 percent, which is an increase of 70 percent. The amount of memory that was being used decreased. This does not imply that the scan improves the performance of the computer in any way; rather, it suggests that the influence was so insignificant that it did not considerably raise the performance level. This effect lasted for a little over three hours.
Usability
The colour scheme used by Webroot is instantly recognisable thanks to its unique combination of light and dark greens, blue accents, and white writing. The lack of distinct lines that separate the buttons and the usage of tones of dark forest green that are quite similar to one another make the buttons a little bit difficult to notice.
In addition, the green does not show out very well on the sliding buttons due to its lack of contrast.
The white text against the dark background of the user interface makes it easy to read the protection status, the time of the most recent scan, the length of the scan, and the time of the next scheduled scan.
Assistance to customers
On each and every page of the Webroot website, there is a dropdown menu that allows users to contact the company’s customer care. On the support page shown in the image, there are options to manage your account, download different versions of the software, find your keycode, and communicate with customer service. The ability to submit a ticket is available for users who do not have a premium account, although those individuals do have access to live help.
Compatibility
The compatibility of Webroot’s products with the most popular versions of the Windows operating system (including 10, 8, 7, and Vista) as well as the operating systems for Macs, iOS devices, and Android smartphones and tablets is outlined in the table that follows. In addition to this, it details the various storage space requirements imposed by the versions compatible with a personal computer.
Best Alternatives
Webroot is an antivirus software that is offered at a reasonable price; however, the amount of additional functions that it provides is fairly restricted, and while it does protect your device from malicious software, its scores are not as good as those offered by some other suppliers. Here are some other options that you might want to think about.
ESET: The anti-malware scanner offered by ESET is consistently rated as one of the best available on the market today, earning high honours in the majority of lab tests that it has been subjected to. It is able to defend your device from a wide variety of dangers, including ransomware, trojans, malware, and phishing attacks.
Norton is one of the most well-known names in the anti-virus software industry for home users. Norton creates trustworthy software that guards you against dangers posed by the internet. There is a large selection of packages available, allowing you to pick the one that satisfies your requirements in terms of pricing and the features it includes.
Methodology for Testing Antivirus Software
We are able to evaluate antivirus software in a manner that is reliable because to the methodology that we have developed for testing antivirus software. The manner in which the programme addresses dangers posed by malware is the most vital component, and as such, it is the primary focus of our testing and the factor that is given the most consideration in our evaluations.
In the course of our testing, we do things like:
• Testing with a variety of malicious software, such as Trojans and adware
• Comparing the performance of the antivirus engine against viruses provided by EICAR for testing purposes
• Comparing our findings to the most recent findings from industry-leading antivirus laboratories
In addition to this, we investigate other features of the antivirus software that are significant to the end user. A few examples are the cost, availability of customer service, additional features, and how much the programme may slow down your device.
Verdict
It is important to keep in mind a couple of the challenges and benefits that we came across while conducting this research. Although Webroot is one of the more reasonably priced products, there are others in its price range that offer you additional features. There are various appealing package alternatives that come with additional tools. Although it is not a very impressive stand-alone product, the Webroot VPN functionality may be purchased as an add-on for a very affordable price. One further advantage is that the antivirus software has a manageable effect on your computer system.
On the other hand, there are a few things about the antivirus programme offered by Webroot that are alarming. It does not give a scanning tool that is as powerful as its competitors’, as it does not delve quite as deeply or remove quite as much malware as its competitors do (for example, the samples provided by EICAR). It is not viewed in particularly high regard in comparison to the most prominent competitors in the market. Both AV-Comparatives and AV-Test found that it had a performance that was below average in a number of different categories.
In conclusion, Webroot has an impressive history in the market for antivirus software, beginning with the administration and security of browsers. In terms of its antiviral offering, it provides users with a few helpful tools; but, the amount of security it provides is not comparable to that provided by its rivals.
