Well it’s because Webroot don’t support all browsers as it would cost to much to keep up with them all so they only support the major browsers you mentioned. https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/desktop/worldwide

I understand what you are saying, but Vivaldi is not an entirely different browser, but a Chromium based browser and thousands of Chrome webstore extensions work fine on it. I use Joblin’s webclipper, adblock plus, web of trust, trace, privacy badger and more just fine. So,  it would in fact make sense, in my opinion, for Webroot to determine why their extension is blocking Chrome’s warning message (thereby reducing security) for unique programs in this instance. This is somewhere between a different browser needing support, and simply a different usage of the extension, or the extension being used in a different context. When 99.9% of the extensions work fine, and Webroot’s does not under special circumstances only, it would be reasonable, in my opinion to investigate. The extension works in term of blocking dangerous sites, and presenting search site notifications (if you use privacy destroying search engines). It just fails by blocking Chrome’s warning which Vivaldi is waiting for when the program is unique.

This is particularly disturbing because Webroot is supposed to be giving us Internet privacy and security protection, but requiring us to use privacy destroying Chromium based browsers (Google’s Chrome or Edge). At least they allow us to work with Firefox.

However, my question remains. What web protection remains if any, when the browser filter extension is disabled?

I will ping @Tarnak@Baldrick  @Ssherjj as they use Vivaldi. https://community.webroot.com/tech-talk-7/vivaldi-anyone-using-it-279773

Thank you. As much as I am bothered by this issue with the filter, and also with the filter not working with Duck Duck Go search engine, which WOT does, I still haven’t found a better anti-virus. It seems that none of them are perfect.

I am not sure whether I am understanding the premise of the OP’s query.   I believe Vivaldi  to be a  safe and secure browser, .  -  Vivaldi Blog: “Your browser, antivirus and other network intercepting software” -  https://vivaldi.com/blog/network-intercepting-software/

When downloading any file, exe, etc,  I  make sure I have the adequate resources installed on my  Surface Book laptop to make  that determination. Hope this helps.

For a year I struggled with a problem downloading files with Vivaldi. It only happened occasionally, so it might be a month or two without an issue. When the issue occurs, Vivaldi downloads the entire file, but never closes the download. It just keeps spinning and imagining it is downloading. The file doesn’t get closed. I have to cancel the download and download with another browser.

Eventually, I figured out that the problem only occurs when I’m beta testing new software or downloading a program update. Then I determined it was  a Webroot / Vivaldi issue. Finally, a Webroot filter issue. What I think is happening, is that when a download isn’t on someone’s whitelist (either  Webroot or Google), Google sends a message warning that “this kind of file can harm your computer..” The user can then either keep or discard.

However, when Vivaldi is downloading that message never appears. It seems to be blocked and Vivaldi waits for the message. For files that are older, the message doesn’t appear and the file is downloaded. If I turn off the web filter I get the message and can complete the download. When I turn it on, the message does not appear and the download never completes. If I download with Firefox, I get the message even with the web filter and the download completes.

I sent a ticket to Webroot, and they were not interested in checking the incompatibility issue. They said I should use Chrome, Firefox or Edge.

So, Here is my question: 

If I disable the Web filter, what Internet protection am I loosing and what still remains?

I think this question is one, now , that maybe should be asked of Vivaldi, preferably.

Why would Vivaldi know exactly what the Webroot Filter does and what protection Webroot offers without it? I did post this on the Vivaldi forum and they asked the question, “Doesn’t webroot protect you without the extension?” - 

Perhaps I just wasn’t clear enough. Webroot provides some protection. The Browser filter adds some protection. What does the filter add? What remains if the filter is disabled?

When the filter is disabled, Webroot’s dashboard still claims that the Web Shield is on. Does webroot just not know the filter is disabled or is there a web shield even without the filter? If there is, what does  it do? What does the filter add?

This really shouldn’t be such a difficult concept to understand.

So, no one at Webroot or in the community knows what the Browser Extension “Web Filter” actually does and what if anything the Web Shield is? There is no white paper or anything explaining these things? Does any Internet protection remain if the web filter browser extension is turned off?

The Web Shield is all this! https://www.brightcloud.com/

And here: https://docs.webroot.com/us/en/home/webthreatshield_userguide/webthreatshield_userguide.htm#WebThreatShieldUserGuide/WebThreatShieldUserGuide.htm%3FTocPath%3DWeb%2520Threat%2520Shield%2520User%2520Guide%7C_____0

HTH,

SecureAnywhere includes the following types of shields:

• Realtime Shield — Monitors unknown programs to determine whether or not they contain threats. Blocks known threats from running on your computer that are listed in Webroot’s threat definitions and in our community database. You should never disable this shield.
• Rootkit Shield — Blocks rootkits from being installed on your computer and removes any that are present.
• Web Shield — Blocks known threats encountered on the Internet and displays a warning. The Web shield maintains information on more than 200 million URLs and IP addresses to comprise the most accurate and comprehensive data available for classifying content and detecting malicious sites.
• USB Shield — Monitors an installed USB flash drive for threats, blocks and removes any threats that it finds.
• Offline Shield — Protects your system from threats while your computer is not connected to the Internet.
• Script Shield — Protects your system from malicious scripts.

https://docs.webroot.com/us/en/home/wsa_pc_userguide/wsa_pc_userguide.htm#ShieldingYourPC/PCShieldsOverview.htm%3FTocPath%3DShielding%2520Your%2520PC%7C_____1

And this: https://docs.webroot.com/us/en/home/wsa_pc_userguide/wsa_pc_userguide.htm#ShieldingYourPC/ManagingWebThreats.htm%3FTocPath%3DShielding%2520Your%2520PC%7C_____3

This is very frustrating. I feel I am being intentionally deceived. I cannot believe that no one can understand a simple question and why you continue to answer questions that aren’t asked with sales crap. Since the Web Filter breaks A common browser (Vivaldi), when downloading new executables, and Webroot doesn’t want to deal with that,  I want to know what additional protection the webfilter gives. If the web filter is disabled and the web shield is enabled, then what protection do I lose or have?

Does the filter only provide safety icons on searches given by privacy invading search engines? In that case it is worthless to me, because I don’t use Google or Bing or Yahoo search. In that case, I still have all the protection the webshield offers. 

On the other hand, the filter could provide critical infrastructure needed by the Web Shield, so I am no longer protected from phishing sites or other malware sites at all and all the functionality of the webshield is essentially lost.

Can anyone tell me what the Web filter actually does and what it is needed for and what web protection exists if the filter is disabled? Telling me that Webroot provides a USB Shield, or a Script Shield in no way addresses my question. Telling me that a fully functional web shield would be really good and do lots, also does not tell me whether it still functions if the web filter is disabled so I can download files with Vivaldi.

Listen I’m a Volunteer and Vivaldi is not supported Officially by Webroot! The Web Filter, Web Filter Extension is all part of the Web Shield. There is a Web Filter Driver as well but I don’t know if it will block unsafe web pages with Vivaldi?

https://docs.webroot.com/us/en/home/webthreatshield_userguide/webthreatshield_userguide.htm#WebThreatShieldUserGuide/UnderstandingFilterResults.htm%3FTocPath%3DWeb%2520Threat%2520Shield%2520User%2520Guide%7C_____4

Use this link for a Test: https://www.amtso.org/feature-settings-check-phishing-page/

Thank you. The link was useful. It appears that to protect you the filter is needed. I get protected if the filter is on but not if it is disabled. So the smartest option could be to only disable it if attempting to download a beta test program or other very new software.

Your very welcome, happy surfing!

@steveshank here is some info from the Business side:

This solution addresses Webroot Business Endpoint Protection.

The Web Threat shield protects your endpoints as users surf the Internet. If it detects a website that might be a threat, it opens an alert for users to block the site or continue despite the warning.

When they use a search engine, this shield analyzes all the links on the search results page, then displays an image next to each link that signifies whether it's a trusted site, indicated by a green checkmark, or a potential risk, indicated by a red X, assuming the Show safety ratings when using search engines setting is enabled.
 

Since, I  do user Vivaldi on occasion, I went to that link posted by @TripleHelix , and it worked., as you can tell from the following - https://wf.webrootanywhere.com/ConsumerBlockpage.aspx?brsn2=57&flg=0&bpass=0&bcat=57-&bcri=10&extra=&token=01hMidMikTTwgRN7ufNNlxmi6PO3FWKBwcD7Z3mrOyIVvYz/ixx7Q0ts2mYWgA4mDG5A+cqwal+CEiUqQxy0E87i+fJ+pC1pBBEpF0ghfTMOplACnBHrMgTbtDDfJlBjOw9LD8dfYsnZD6xJ9HIqKuHwbWul7iPybn3prHmpLoUJUXZTXj3zNmfKmOgsJbfVoFSRQchU9jm6UlJtaF8XZ/huwrsTCRDL0zqhJFJ2wE8ag=&burl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW10c28ub3JnL2NoZWNrLWRlc2t0b3AtcGhpc2hpbmctcGFnZS8=