Why Is My Webroot Antivirus Not Finding Cookies Anymore?

1. Casca Longinus Says

   I wasn’t aware webroot could find anything…
   See this comparative:http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/st…
   Page 13 has the final ratings, webroot is ALWAYS in the basement when they test…
   Find a new AV…Really.

2. Greg Davis Says

   Hello,
   This is Greg from Webroot Support Team and I can explain why this change was made in our new products.
   As you know Webroot SecureAnywhere has been completely rebuilt from the ground-up and instead of using the traditional method of having to download definition files, SecureAnywhere uses a combination of our cloud database and behavioral file analysis to keep your computer protected against the latest threats, in real-time. If a Cookie or any other file was behaving strangely, SecureAnywhere would monitor the file and determine if it is a threat.
   The reason for the change is that Internet, cookies, and our insight into how to treat them have evolved since their introduction. Cookies are designed to provide a service many Internet users find beneficial by delivering directly to you specific information based on your preferences. For instance, if you make frequent online purchases from your favorite store, you might be reading an online article and see an ad next to it offering free shipping on your next order at that store.
   All of the latest browsers have cookie protections built in; you can delete and altogether block cookies if you’re concerned about tracking. Each browser has slightly different instructions on how to set these configurations. Please visit the Support site for your browser to change the settings to your preference.
   I hope this answers your question and if you need clarification, please let me know.
   Thanks,
   Greg
   Greg Davis
   Webroot Support Team

3. Dunbar Pappy®ϟϟ Says

   A cookie distinction should be made:
   “1st party” assets are from the site you ask the browser to ‘fetch’. They are usually helpful, usually harmless and are often required to view and interact with the site. They can be anything at all: text, video, audio, tracking cookie, HTML cookies, or images.
   It’s actually better to keep these oft’ visited site cookies, because they save your site settings, preferences, log-in’s, ‘wish lists’, and so on.
   You may want to exclude them from cleaning with any utilities or clearing “when browser closes” (a browser setting).
   This strategy does have certain security implications, which can be convoluted. Analyze your entire threat landscape to make the best judgment.
   Your browser simultaneously fetches 3rd party assets: again, anything at all: text, video, audio, tracking cookie, and so on. These are not on the primary URL address site, but from remote servers; and are normally associated with advertising.
   Because there can never be any certainty about what exactly is being returned, you should stop those 3rd party ‘assets’ from even getting inside your system in the first place; then fall back to removal tactics with a ’scrubber’, such as “CCleaner” or “Glary Utilities” (for the less evil ’stuff’); and a malware remover such as “MalwareBytes” http://www.malwarebytes.org/ for the really bad stuff.
   (See GRC for simple diagrams on how browsers fetch and display 1st and 3rd party ‘assets’; https://www.grc.com/cookies/operation.ht…
   Start by getting Firefox as your default browser & use it for everyday surfing; fall back to IE only for “last resort” viewing of substandard websites & Windows updates.
   The following mods help, but methods (vectors) constantly change.
   ►FIREFOX: Tools> Options> Privacy> top-slot, drop menu; tick “Firefox will use custom settings…”> Check ‘Accept Cookies from sites’
   & ►► Un-Check ‘Accept 3rd Party cookies’
   My recommended Firefox Collection, for improved security, and a tad bit of ‘appearance’ mod’s.https://addons.mozilla.org/collections/d… which includes flash cookie blocker.
   ►► At minimum get “NoScript” which blocks scripted assets (and tons of leverage vectors) until you specifically allow them.
   IE does not have exceptional “3rd party” blocking or control of anything really, and should not be used at all. You have been warned.

4. Anonymous Says

   Because cookies aren’t important. Webroot is more focused on finding REAL threats. Not cookies. They’re pretty well harmless. So it’s no problem. It’s looking for actual threats instead.

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