Posted By: Janine Delacroix

By Gregg KeizerTechWebThu Oct 12, 12:56 PM ET

U.S. anti-spyware developer Webroot has licensed anti-virus technology from U.K. security vendor Sophos to create consumer and enterprise titles that protect against both spyware and viruses, the two companies announced Thursday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Webroot's new software, which will be available later this year, will combine its popular Spy Sweeper anti-spyware technology with Sophos' anti-virus engine to scan for both types of malware.

"In the past year, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in not only the prevalence and maliciousness of spyware but also the blending of these threats with varying payloads," said Webroot's chief executive, David Moll, in a statement. "By integrating Sophos's highly-advanced and proven anti-virus technology into our Spy Sweeper product, we will protect users from these threats with a single, intuitive solution."

Various analysts have pegged stand-alone anti-spyware software as a dead end because of Microsoft's free Windows Defender and its inclusion in Windows Vista, and because comprehensive suites from the likes of Symantec and McAfee have added spyware detection to their armories.

Webroot said it will offer up more details of the combined software later this month.

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