VIPRE Virus And Spyware Scanning In One Application

Windows XP with SP3. Filled with viruses. Virus switched off automatic updates. As a Computer Resource Specialist I have a wealth of sources to download viruses from. However this is done in a sandbox, a machine totally cut off from the Internet and local network so spreading the virus further than this machine is not possible.

Even though the computer was full of viruses, VIPRE installed with out a glitch. In some cases viruses will switch of any virus scanner found or in the worse case scenario it will not let you install antivirus software at all. This did not happen with VIPRE.

After the VIPRE installation you will have to restart your computer. This is considered a common practice by me and there are more antivirus applications that will make you do this. After restarting you will have to go through a wizard in order to finish the setup of VIPRE. In the wizard you will be asked to setup your connection then they want to make sure you're not behind a firewall. Also a automatic scanning schedule can be set up. I always advise to do this especially when you have a computer that is always online. VIPRE doesn't put a big strain on system resources. Which is important as well since you don't want your machine protected and not be able to work with the computer. After all that the update of the virus definitions starts.

After installing and running the wizard, I ran a quick scan which detected most of the viruses. When the quick scan was done, it prompted that viruses where found. It informed me that it's better at this point to run a deep system scan to make sure that the viruses are completely removed.

After the deep scan all viruses where removed.

After close analysis of the hard drive, all the viruses are gone. To make sure that my test was accurate I used some of the newest viruses out there. VIPRE anti virus had no problem picking them up and the these viruses where only a few days old. What does this tell us? This means that VIPRE is up to date and on top of there definitions. That's important as usability, but if the definitions don't get updated enough then the product is not worth a penny (even if it's free).

This article is mostly geared towards the anti-virus portion of VIPRE. VIPRE how ever also has a spyware scanner built in. Here is what the VIPRE site says about its capabilities.

“Advantages of VIPRE

Antivirus +

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• High-performance threat protection with low impact on system resources
• Scans email for malware threats
• Kernel-level Active Protection guards you 24/7
• Advanced anti-rootkit technologies
• Small, regular definition updates greatly reduce update downloading time
• VIPRE has three extra bonus tools: a history cleaner, a secure file eraser, and the PC Explorer for advanced users. ”