Is it free of it's own spyware in the program itself? In other words is it safe to use without adding spyware like some programs have been known to do? If it is safe, after a free 30 day download from Webroot, do you get to keep using it or does one have to purchase it?

Well, it usually is regarded pretty well. I am on the free trial and I like it. How much better it does than AD-Aware or Spyblaster I don't know yet. I believe it has a SpywareBlaster-type prevention function to it, and it's actually a bit easier to configure for in depth scanning than Ad-Aware, IMHO. I do know once the trial runs out, you have to pay or it goes away. Who knows, it may be one of those situations where it catches something another program doesn't, but I haven't had it long enough to give you definitive answers. All I can say for now is so far, so good.

Spy Sweeper is not ad-bundled AFAIK, so you can rest assured you are not installing any scumware when you load it on your PC, and it is pretty darn good too. If you are interested freeware stick with Ad-Aware & Spybot but if you want something a little more robust, effective and don't mind supporting the author(s) then get GIANT. -- Always do what you are afraid to do --

I can verify that SpySweeper is clean. I trialled it last month. I would recommend taking Giant Antispyware for a free test-drive also. JB.

Thanks for the input. Ad Aware and Spybot missed a couple of spywares that also added themselves to the msconfig-start-up. Checked them out via searches and they were indeed spyware so was looking for yet another program to add to them. Thanks for the input.