Security vendor Webroot has announced the release of the latest updates to its SecureAnywhere product range. And while the new builds are officially described as the rather low-key “version 8.0.4.17”, this is no minor upgrade: with more than 4,000 improvements across the product, many significant, it’s effectively Webroot SecureAnywhere 2014.

One particular highlight sees all SecureAnywhere editions now including real-time antiphishing. There’s no reliance on database checks to figure out whether a site is safe; SecureAnywhere analyses sites as you access them, automatically detecting and blocking anything dangerous.

A new threat detection engine, Webroot Infrared, uses data from the cloud-based Webroot Intelligence Network to better detect zero-day malware.

A simplified interface ensures you can access most SecureAnywhere functions in a couple of clicks

The previous Core Shield, Behavior Shield, and Zero Day Shields have been replaced by an all-in-one Realtime Shield, while a new Rootkit Shield offers better protection against stealthy threats.

A new option to “detect potentially unwanted applications” helps to find and remove all kinds of possible risks: programs to detect browser or email passwords, say. This can be annoying for technical users who regularly download low-level tools, but fortunately it’s easy to turn off (Settings > Scan Settings).

Elsewhere, a redesigned interface aims to simplify program use; resource use has been cut; malware cleanup and detection is better, and of course there’s full compatibility with Windows 8.1.

SecureAnywhere is available in three flavours. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus ($39.99) includes the core antivirus and antiphishing engines; Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus ($59.99) adds password management, and protection for Android and iOS devices; and Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete ($79.99) adds extra privacy tools, and an online backup/ file sync service with 25GB of free space.