Cost:
One license costs $39.99, but for $20 more, you can protect up to 9 additional computers via a "home site license". There is also a 5% coupon code that many potential customers are unaware about: "VIPRE2013-Save5".
Purpose:
Vipre Antivirus's developers aim to clear out existing virus and malware infestation as well as providing a bulletproof, venom-like protection from any future virus attacks.
Support:
ThreatTrack Security, the owner of Vipre Antivirus, provides outstanding support. Even from a neutral standpoint, there guarantee is simple-- if Vipre Antivirus doesn't fix your virus problem, their well trained virus technicians
will remotely access your computer while staying on the phone with you until the problem is 100% solved. Period.
Layout:
The main window is very straight forward and intuitive. There is a very simple four tabs that enable you to manipulate the program:
Changing the settings aren't complicated either--they're right on the screen:
Clicking on the settings reveals a comprehensive list of options that are already preconfigured by default. The list includes:
Vipre Antivirus also has 0day protection in the form of their "Active Protection" feature. This is great when (God forbid) you haven't had a chance to update Vipre Antivirus in a couple of days and accidentally try to download a virus that hasn't been discovered yet. Vipre Antivirus also known virus's too (of course):
Vipre Antivirus also scan's through your email too (includes Anti-Phishing as well):
You could also set Vipre Antivirus to wake up when a scan is scheduled to be performed but your computer is asleep (antivirus programs can't scan the hard drive or RAM while sleeping):
The scan tab reveals the three main depths of scanning:
The third tab is labled "Manage". From here you can view the history, quarantined files, file exceptions, scheduled scans, and the update module:
"Tools" is the fourth tab. Included with the Vipre Antivirus suite are the following features:
Here is a picture of the PC Explorer utility:
Changing the settings aren't complicated either--they're right on the screen:
Clicking on the settings reveals a comprehensive list of options that are already preconfigured by default. The list includes:
- the option to scan for viruses within zip files and rar archives (so that no virus goes by undetected)
- scan at a lower priority, which means that Vipre Antivirus will use less CPU resources to complete the scan. If you've ever had your computer run REALLY slow during a Norton/McAfee Antivirus scan, you will appreciate this
- the option to NOT scan removable thumb/external drives (they are always scanned by default)
- scan for internet cookies that attempt to steal your personal identity
- the option to scan your Windows registry for any virus embedded key's (enabled by default)
- the option to scan programs running in your RAM in addition to those in your ROM (enabled by default)
- the option to scan for rootkits, self executable programs that create a server on your computer which allows an attacker to remotely control your mouse, keyboard, view your keystrokes, web history, upload/delete files on your pc, etc
Vipre Antivirus also has 0day protection in the form of their "Active Protection" feature. This is great when (God forbid) you haven't had a chance to update Vipre Antivirus in a couple of days and accidentally try to download a virus that hasn't been discovered yet. Vipre Antivirus also known virus's too (of course):
Vipre Antivirus also scan's through your email too (includes Anti-Phishing as well):
You could also set Vipre Antivirus to wake up when a scan is scheduled to be performed but your computer is asleep (antivirus programs can't scan the hard drive or RAM while sleeping):
The scan tab reveals the three main depths of scanning:
- A quick scan to check the most likely parts of your computer to be infected
- A deep scan to check all files and folders on your computer (the best type but also takes the longest--still shorter then other tests we ran on Norton, McAfee, NOD32, Kaspersky, etc.)
- And a custom scan for advanced users to configure
The third tab is labled "Manage". From here you can view the history, quarantined files, file exceptions, scheduled scans, and the update module:
"Tools" is the fourth tab. Included with the Vipre Antivirus suite are the following features:
- Secure File Eraser to completely and totally eliminate a file from your hard drive (normally, files that have been emptied from the recycle bin can be easily recovered via freeware recovery applications like "Pandora Recovery" or "Recuva")
- History Cleaner (more advanced users can obtain cleared history even if deleted)
- PC Explorer: awesome utility to view your downloaded activeX, view currently running applications that are accessing the internet, a summary of all currently running processes (like ctrlAltDelete), a summary of programs that autostart when windows starts (you can greatly speed up your computer by disabling some of these. Don't worry if you are scared, it won't let you disable programs that are important), View a list of Internet Explorer Browser Helper Objects (these usually aren't needed--disabling them will greatly increase the speed of Internet Explorer on your computer), a summary of your Hosts file (you can use this file to block all kinds of ad-ware ridden sites), a summary of your computers Windows Layered Service Providers, and a list of all custom Shell Execution Hooks so that an attacker can't set custom programs to run when you use your command line.
Here is a picture of the PC Explorer utility:
Protection:
Vipre Antivirus was tested with numerous scripts meant to defeat the antivirus detection algorithm. In all instances, Vipre Antivirus was able to detect and eliminate these foreign threats--especially those that were downloaded from the internet or a USB/CD drive.
Support:
Just absolutely outstanding warrenty and support. If you have a problem with virus or malware/spyware related issue, these guys will issue a remote connection to your PC and physically, by hand, remove the threat for free.
Experience:
All in all, I really enjoyed the layout of Vipre Antivirus. I also like that it caught each dummy virus we threw at it as well. Vipre Antivirus is comparable to, and even better in some important ways, than other big-budget antivirus software like McAfee, NOD32, Norton, Kaspersky, and others. I have tried them all, and can definately say that Vipre Antivirus is one of the best antivirus's in so many ways:
- The price: Vipre Antivirus is only $39.95
- Performance: Vipre Antivirus introduces features that few other antivirus software could compete against
- Help & Support: Vipre Antivirus guarantees it's removal of your virus or malware issue for life. If you don't get your problem fixed, ThreatTrack Security will remotely connect to your PC with their highly trained staff and fix your problem--now that's true user experience!
Overall:
I would definately say that this software is worth the entry price. For a nominal fee, you get much more value then any other software out there on the market. The price, coupled with the intuitive design and powerful virus detection algorithm make this software one of the best in the world of antivirus. (use "VIPRE2013-Save5" for 5% off by clicking here)