Webroot offers antivirus solutions for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It can scan your devices fast and detect common malware or viruses in cybersecurity databases. Here’s a breakdown of its services:
Webroot’s cloud-based infrastructure enables it to perform faster scans than other antivirus programs. Quick scans take about 20 seconds, and Webroot claims on its website that it is 60 times faster than competitor antivirus software.
Webroot identifies threats and protects against malware and viruses. It places objects in quarantine for review, checks sensitive drives, and uncovers rootkits that can secretly gain control over devices. The software uses enhanced heuristic capabilities—estimating the threat likelihood of an item and blocking it before it does damage.
You can also go to Webroot settings to add scans for the Master Boot Record and potentially harmful apps.
Courtesy of Realtime Shield, Webroot provides real-time security to safeguard your identity and data from cybercriminals. It can guard against intrusion, remove threats, and block webcam vulnerabilities, preventing Trojan malware from hijacking the camera. The Firewall/Web Shield feature blocks intrusion from external networks, phishing, or ransomware attacks.
Additionally, Webroot has the Infrared feature, a next-generation multilayer protection engine, which can block zero-day threats—software vulnerabilities that the vendor is unaware of or unable to resolve before they’re exploited.
The company offers an app, Webroot Mobile Security, to protect iOS and Android devices. It can scan for malware and viruses, store and manage passwords, block malicious websites, hide your identity when browsing, and monitor your protection status for threats. Moreover, its small digital footprint means it won’t use up a lot of your mobile phone’s memory and resources.
Webroot Antivirus has extra features for removing online activity traces, improving system performance, and providing custom-built Chromebook protection. It also has a password manager powered by LastPass to guard account logins and passwords.
Webroot is straightforward to use due to its simple, clean interface, with clearly labeled menus. It has a small installer and leaves only a minute digital footprint on your phone, computer, or tablet. You can navigate and select different menus—such as Quick Scan—or visit the settings page and select your preferred options.
The software operates seamlessly in the background due to its low use of system resources. Once you pay for a subscription on the website, you’ll receive clear prompts to download and install the software and begin using its services.
Webroot’s malware and virus detection solutions work well, but they aren’t as robust as other renowned antivirus software solutions. In a 2020 product review independent security auditors AVTest gave Webroot a protection score of 3 out of 6 and a performance score of 5 out of 6. Compared to the industry average protection percentage of 97.6%, Webroot received 72.6%.
Webroot has had no independent testing since then, which casts some doubt on its capabilities in comparison to other anti-virus software.
Webroot offers a 14-day free trial period and doesn’t ask for your credit card when signing up. There’s also a 70-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like the service.
The first subscription plan is the Basic Antivirus, whose features include threat protection, fast scans, ransomware and anti-phishing prevention, firewall and network monitoring, and website blocking.
Advanced plans offer Basic plan features plus device protection, custom-built defense for Chromebook, and password management. The high-tier Premium and Premium Family plans provide all previously mentioned features plus identity theft protection solutions.
Here’s a breakdown of the antivirus plans and pricing:
| Basic | Plus | Premium | Premium Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Device | 3 Devices | Up to 5 Devices + 1 Identity | Up to 10 Devices + 10 Identities |
| $49.99 per year | $69.99 per year | $129.99 per year | $249.99 per year |
Due to Webroot’s cost and lower detection and reliability scores compared to other antivirus software, it doesn’t represent great value for money. Additionally, you must pay for a higher-tier Webroot plan to use it on more devices. The Basic plan also lacks mobile device protection at a time when smartphones have become the most used devices.
Webroot’s customer service operates 7am to 5.30pm (MDT) for business clients and up to 7pm (MDT) for non-business clients. It offers phone and email support, as well as a help page, informative cybersecurity education resources, user guides, community assistance, a detailed blog, and support ticketing.
Live chat assistance is only available to Best Buy customers. Moreover, unlike rival antivirus companies, Webroot doesn’t offer additional premium technical support services.
Webroot is a feature-filled antivirus software that scans, detects, and removes viruses and malware from your devices. It works on macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android and provides a straightforward download and installation process. Its interface is intuitive, and menus are clearly labeled.
Webroot also offers a 14-day free trial and a 70-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not happy with the service. While the software offers several subscription plans, it doesn’t provide strong value for money compared to some competitors. Overall, Webroot can work well for beginners who don’t visit harmful sites and want a simple, average solution for scanning and blocking viruses.
Craig the Tech Teacher is your source for common sense advice for the tech in your life. For over 10 years I've worked with technology, so let me work with you.
