New NOD32 4 & Smart Security 4 Released!!!

[Mr Smiley]

Hello All

I thought some of you might like to know (if you don't already know that is!), that ESET have recently released NOD32 Anti-virus 4 and Smart Security 4.

I am currently using ESET's Smart Security 4 30-Day trial and must say I am delighted thus far with the new features.

ESET Smart Security 4 Key Benefits
Protection from the Unknown — Our award-winning ThreatSense technology uses multiple layers of threat detection to deliver the most effective protection possible against attacks. And ThreatSense is smart; it not only generates far fewer annoying false positive alarms than any other products that use heuristics, but finds malware other antivirus products miss.

Built for Speed — ESET Smart Security is lightning fast, so fast you won't even notice it's there. Even disk-intensive operations like performing a "full disk scan" run smoothly in the background while you work.

Easy on Your System — ESET Smart Security is "lean and mean," using just 48 MB of memory, a fraction of what other products consume. Because it's fast and "light," upgrading your existing Internet security to ESET Smart Security can literally be like buying a new computer. And laptop users can rejoice in the new automatic energy-sipping battery mode.

Easy on You — From its compact and intuitive user interface to its minimal use of alerts, self-training firewall, and other new features, ESET Smart Security is easier to use than ever before.

What's New
Smarter Scanner — Threats don't always enter in ways you expect. ESET Smart Security inspects SSL-encrypted communication channels like HTTPS and POP3S, and intelligently scans compressed files to find threats that other products miss. ESET's Smart Optimization feature makes file scanning faster than ever.

Time-saving Firewall — The new Learning Mode saves time by automatically creating firewall rules by observing how you use your computer, while offering advanced firewall modes for power users.

Upgraded Antispam — ESET Smart Security now takes care of annoying spam with a smaller, faster, and even more effective spam filter.

Removable Media Security — Threats can enter your PC from removable media such as USB thumb drives. For self-running media, ESET Smart Security scans autorun.inf and associated files on mount, in addition to scanning any file on any removable device when it is accessed, or during a full-scan of the media. Power users can adjust ESET Smart Security to perform additional levels of scanning on removable media.

System Tools — ESET SysInspector and ESET SysRescue simplify diagnosis and cleaning of infected systems by allowing deep scans of system processes to find hidden threats, and creating bootable rescue CD/DVD or USB drives to help you repair an infected computer.

Self Defense — ESET Smart Security has built-in technology to prevent malicious software from corrupting or disabling it, so you can rest assured your system is always protected.

Usability Improvements — ESET Smart Security has numerous speed, security and usability upgrades.

* Energy-sipping battery mode extends laptop battery life without compromising security

* Advanced Protection Status screen informs you of detected threats
* Information pop-ups are hidden when running full screen applications like games, video players or presentations
* Password protection prevents ESET Smart Security from being uninstalled by strangers
* New interface and keyboard shortcuts simplify use for visually impaired users

System Requirements
Processors supported: Intel or AMD x86/x64
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP (32- and 64-bit editions). Microsoft Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit editions)
Memory: 48 MB
Disk Space (download): 32 MB
Disk Space (installation): 46 MB

I hope this information assists those of you who are interested ... and NO, I am not associated whatsoever with the abovementioned organisation or its products.

With Kindest Regards

Neil

 

[Larry D]

Thanks Mr Smiley!

 

[Mr Smiley]

You are most welcome Larry D.

 

[rive0108]

If you want to give it a try-here it is NOD32 Antivirus (with Antispyware/Antirootkit)
note- for those already with NOD32 2.7/3.0 versions the download and upgrade to Version 4 is free. (x64 version download/x86 version download)
Version 3.0 was the only product to recieve "3 star" certification from AV Comaparatives (November 2008), and Version 4 blows 3.0 out of the water! IMO
Best Free Antivirus: ESET! Try free antivirus programs for 30 days.

 

[rive0108]

Free SysInspector Application: http://www.eset.com/download/sysinspector.php

(standalone application for troubleshooting malware infections)

ESET SysInspector is a free, state of the art diagnostic tool for Windows systems. It is also an integral part of ESET Smart Security 4 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4. It peers into your operating system and captures details such as running processes, registry content, startup items and network connections. Once a snapshot of the system is made, ESET SysInspector applies heuristics to assign a risk level for each object logged. Its intuitive graphical user interface enables the user to easily slice through the large volume of data using a slider to select objects of a particular color coded risk level for closer examination. ESET SysInspector is a convenient utility for the tool box of every IT expert and first responder.
Key Features:

• Ability to generate and save a detailed log to be used by an IT expert or uploaded to an online forum for diagnosis
• Option to exclude private, personal information from being saved in logs
• Integrated Anti-Stealth technology allows discovering hidden objects (e.g. rootkits) in MBR, registry entries, drivers, services and processes
• Ability to compare two existing logs for differences makes it easy to detect changes over time
• Log entries are assigned a color code risk level for easy filtering
• Intuitive hierarchical navigation of logs
• Fast and compact single file executable, ideal for first responders to run from a USB drive without lengthy installation

http://www.eset.com/download/sysinspector.php

 

[miki69]

rive0108,
according to their annual report (http://cms.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/summary/summary2008.pdf) overall winner is AVIRA.

Anyhow, I'm using ESS and it's totally fine for me, except there are some troubles in ESS v4 with firewall settings, can happen your network being blocked, as discussed here Version 4 Firewall problem - Wilders Security Forums I've had this problem as well, so had to re-install ESS v4, so far works ok.

Cheers,
Miki

 

[rive0108]

rive0108,
according to their annual report (http://cms.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/summary/summary2008.pdf) overall winner is AVIRA.

Anyhow, I'm using ESS and it's totally fine for me, except there are some troubles in ESS v4 with firewall settings, can happen your network being blocked, as discussed here Version 4 Firewall problem - Wilders Security Forums I've had this problem as well, so had to re-install ESS v4, so far works ok.

Cheers,
Miki

That is true- it was actually neck and neck between Avira and NOD32 3.0.
BUT Avira had an issue with detection of too many false positives in detection of new/emerging malware threats...

NOD32 was the best in detection of new and unknown malware threats with the fewest false positives (on demand scanning proactive scanning). NOD32 4.0 has exceeded all the features in the 3.0 version, and added new smart scanners, etc.

 

[gazz496]

had nod 32 now for about 5 months and it's by far the nicest most user friendly antivirus platform i've ever used doesn't hog the system and works a charm nice to know their is an update even though it's not really needed

 

[rive0108]

had nod 32 now for about 5 months and it's by far the nicest most user friendly antivirus platform i've ever used doesn't hog the system and works a charm nice to know their is an update even though it's not really needed

I would update- 4.0 it has new features that take a snapshot (SysInspector) and will help protect you from new and emerging threats as well as vastly improved definitions and scanning features, and self defense features to prevent malware from disabling the program.

 

[miki69]

rive0108,

thanks for the additional info. Like you said, all those articles were related to V3, so I'm very eager to see some real life V4 tests (and improvements over V3).

As for ESS v4, all I can say, scanning was much faster than v3. It's very nice they have added self-defense module, as this was one of the v3 downsides in most of the reviews. Also, there's huge improvement in firewall as well (also criticized in v3), but for some reason it gives a lot of headache to some users, hope this will be corrected in next installments. My only gripe for the moment is that update (signature definitions) process is kind of awkward, takes quite some time to actually connect to servers, but I guess this will also be corrected soon. As I said after clean install, I have no more problems with firewall.

Cheers,
Miki

 

[archie123]

edit...........i was just banging on about how if your a 3 user you can download 4 for free , i see from reading the posts properly you already aware of this..oooooooooooopppsy ;0)

 

[Joan Archer]

I've been using NOD32 for years and have just upgraded to v4 I only have the anti virus program though not the full suite.

I've never had any problems with any version I've used and I'm very happy with it.

When I was using it on my XP machine I was also using Zone Alarm Pro firewall for quite a long time, I then switched to Online Armor firewall and each time the combination worked very well. I'm now using Vista Home Premium but haven't bothered with a separate firewall, even though I still have over a years license for Online Armor.

 

[archie123]

according to the blurb and a little research version 4 seems to improve the AV bringing it inline with Avira , which has long since been considered the best AV suite out there.

I already had smart security 3 installed so the upgrade was painless as the install kept all my old settings , a quick reboot and all is well so far , no problems , aprt from my eset firewall flagging up its own online virus updater the first time i used it as "the application had changed since its last use" ha ha now thats attention to detail

 

[miki69]

Yap, NOD32 Antivirus + Online Armor make quite (bulletproof) combination. I was always for separate AV + separate Firewall instead of "Suites". But with ESS v3 I was pretty much content and now with v4 I'm also happy (luckily I don't have these v4 firewall issues anymore). v4 scanning speed (in full mode) is quite improved over v3 although ESET has built ESS on the glory of NOD32, and to be honest their firewall is quite mediocre but it does get the job done.

Cheers,
Miki

 

[Mr Smiley]

Hi Miki69

Thank you for your comments.

Can you please, however, enlighten us all as to why you feel the Personal Firewall of ESET's Smart Security 4 is "mediocre" as it's not the first time I've read this about it. Over to you ...

Warmest Regards

Neil

 

[archie123]

Hi Miki69

Thank you for your comments.

Can you please, however, enlighten us all as to why you feel the Personal Firewall of ESET's Smart Security 4 is "mediocre" as it's not the first time I've read this about it. Over to you ...

Warmest Regards

Neil

ESET's firewall is fine , as long as you set it to "interactive filtering mode" dont leave it on automatic , its a bit of a pain to begin with as it asks everytime a new app wants to acess the net , it does learn though and omly asks once after a few days yuo wont be bothered with it again unless an application changes or you install something new that neeeds acess to the interweb

My Eset smart package has passed every leak test/firewall test ive thrown at it , i tested it before i bought it , however im no expert.

test your firewall here https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 click proceed and then take the tests "filesharing / common ports" etc , remember to have it set to interactive , on automatic the firwall is very mediocre

 

[miki69]

Hi Miki69

Thank you for your comments.

Can you please, however, enlighten us all as to why you feel the Personal Firewall of ESET's Smart Security 4 is "mediocre" as it's not the first time I've read this about it. Over to you ...

Warmest Regards

Neil

Of course mate :
Results and comments - matousec.com (results are for ESS v3)

Here you can find detailed information, and various expert tests proving "mediocre" performance. Now don't get me wrong, I use ESS since v3, and so far it's "ok", but if you want some real deal then you should go for dedicated AV (I recommend NOD32) + dedicated firewall, instead of "Suite". Many people say Online Armor is one of the best standalone firewall solutions, along with Comodo...

Cheers,
Miki

 

[miki69]

Latest results from firewall testing:
Results and comments - www.matousec.com

They have tested ESS v4.0.417 and regarding its firewall protection it's total crap. So at the end I have uninstalled ESS v4, installed NOD32 v4 and Comodo Internet Security (just Firewall, btw CIS is totally FREE). Works as a charm, even my wireless network is recognized much faster now, almost instantly.

As I said before this indicates that there is no All-In-One best solution (Suits), rather you have to go after dedicated AV and dedicated Firewall in order to get best of both worlds.

Cheers,
Miki

 

[FLE]

Thanx for the post did not know it was out.

 

[archie123]

it seems after some research , that software firewalls are always exploitable , especially esets grr , you will never be fully protected with one whoever makes it , get a router get yourself over to the portforward site and configure yourself a proper hardware firewall it takes a little (alot on my part lol) of time to sort out but i have ESETS firewall and a hardware firewall , nothing gets through that i dont want too

SamSpade.org

it does seem though that eset have made a rather large boob here with this firewall , i wont be renewing my sucription to smart security but i will be keeping the eset AV , ill keep it for now because its paid for

so i stand corrected thanks for the info :D

it seems Commodo is a favourite and its free

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=1446620#post1446620