DefenseWall HIPS - Best Type of Internet Security!

Written by:  • Edited by: Bill Bunter
Updated Feb 4, 2011
• Related Guides: Antivirus Software | Malware | Graphical User Interface
4

DefenseWall HIPS doesn't use the flawed anti-virus method, but instead it puts applications into two sections: trusted and untrusted. The untrusted programs can't do actions that might infect the computer. In this way, you can achieve almost perfect security.

Technique
Rating Excellent

DefenseWall HIPS (DefWall) uses a fairly new technique of partly isolating programs. These isolated, or untrusted, applications cannot modify original critical files/registry keys (DefWall creates a "virtual zone" for them with copies of those important objects). Files untrusted programs create are untrusted too (so if you download a malicious file, the file will run isolated).

Installation

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User-Friendliness / Visuals
Rating Good

DefenseWall is a bit basic in its GUI (Graphical User Interface), but that makes it easy for "newbies" to use. But that will not limit the advanced user, as there are settings available to customize. (See the Advanced section in the online help file.)

One thing that I noticed is that there is no way to quickly tell if a file is untrusted. You can see if it is in the File Properties (see this picture ). But that is a round-about way of doing it.

DefenseWall HIPS

Tray Icon MenuStop Attack TabUntrusted Apps TabEvent Log TabAdvanced Tab

"Advanced Tab" Sections

OptionsDefense ExcludesSecured FilesDownload AreasCheck for UpdatesPassword ProtectionResource Protection

Security
Rating Excellent

So how affective is DefenseWall? To sum it up, if you have your "threat gates" untrusted/isolated, you can't be infected. "Threat gates" are programs such as browsers (Internet Explorer), mail clients (Outlook), and instant messengers (Windows Live Messenger); they all can receive malware or be exploited. And DefWall comes with a list of popular "threat gates".

I have never found any isolated malware that could bypass DefWall. The problem is making sure that malware will be isolated. There is a chance of:

  1. Someone thinking malware is okay and setting it as trusted.
  2. Someone getting malware from a source that isn't untrusted. Maybe by some fairly unknown email client that was installed via a CD. (Removable drives are untrusted by default, while CD/DVD drives aren't. Change this in the options menu.)
  3. Someone disabling DefWall's protection and forgetting to turn it on again.

Despite these chances, I believe that you are safer with DefenseWall than just an anti-virus, though they can work alongside each other.

I would recommend running a firewall too, since DefenseWall doesn't have one. (Outpost Firewall Free and Comodo Internet Security [firewall only] are both good choices.)

Price to Value
Rating Good

For such excellent protection, $29.95 isn't a big deal. Yet GeSWall, a similar product, has a free and paid version (but DefenseWall has a better GUI and doesn't mess up as much isolated programs; also it is cheaper).

To its credit, DefenseWall does have a 30 day trial to help you get used to it.

Summing It Up
Rating Excellent

DefWall is a step into new technology needed to fight the next-generation malware which can't be all stopped by traditional anti-viruses. Secure your computer with DefenseWall HIPS today.


Comments

Showing all 7 comments
 
Larry Apr 27, 2011 8:20 AM
Too intrusive!
Seemed to be working fine until I tried to change something from untrusted to trusted. I'll mess around with it some more but seems too intrusive and I don't have time to mess with settings all the time.
Jeremy Bost May 10, 2010 7:52 AM
Re: What 'cpu' is..
Hello Mark,

Yes, some people say "CPU" and mean "computer"...but I'm such a nasty person I jump all over them. :-)

As for CIS4 non-beta, I have had a few requests for updating. Right now I am in the process of looking deeper at CIS, so it should be soon.

Thanks,
Jeremy
Mark May 10, 2010 5:52 AM
What 'cpu' is..
Hi Jeremy, regarding Lyuda's comments, I'm quite sure when he/she says "cpu" they mean "computer". I used to see that a lot, people abbreviating "computer" with the letters "cpu" back in the day but rarely anymore. That's a good thing since CPUs (central processing units) have a much higher profile today than 10 years ago, so that abbrev. should be dumped entirely.

BTW, you mentioned Comodo Internet Security, can you get around to updating your review with the non-beta version? I was considering giving it a try but want to see an in-depth review first.

Thanks
Jeremy Bost Apr 9, 2010 8:35 PM
Reply to Lyuda
Don't say it causes trouble for everyone, as problems like these arise from software conflicts, generally.

"...wiped off the cpu..."

If your computer repair man really said that, I find it amusing (and somewhat sad). A CPU _processes_ the data...nothing is really "stored" on it that could need to be wiped off later.

"I was told it conflicted with Microsoft Essentials, Prevex, the Umbrella icon software, and possilbly Norton but not for certain on that."

I hope you don't use all of those at the same time. (BTW, the "Umbrella icon software" probably is some Avira program.)

****

"If you see your cpu starting to not respond...shut down and take to the repair shop....this program can quickly spread throughout all your apps."

If your CPU "doesn't respond" it isn't caused by DefenseWall, I bet. And I don't know how you can "see" it stop...often hold-ups/freezes have to do with the hard drive (at least in my case).

****

"With the newer version you never know when it will go rogue on you after you have downloaded a safe application"

As I said, I don't think it happens for everyone.

****

"you will never know until your cpu freezes for good....too late then"

I think you have a misunderstanding of a "CPU". Sometimes, like all hardware, it can fail. And yes, often you then buy a new one (or take to it a bumbling useless computer repair shop...). But DefenseWall, at the most, would only cause an OS reinstall. If you backup often, that shouldn't cause *too* much trouble.

It might do a lot of good. Your PC should run like new.

Jeremy
Lyuda Apr 9, 2010 10:05 AM
RE: DefenseWall HIPS - Best Type of Internet Security!
Defense Wall wrecked my laptop!!

Defense wall may have been good in 2009 but the version, 2.56? I tried absolutely destroyed windows to the point that I had to take it to a repair shop...he worked on it for three days before finally saying that windows would have to be wiped off the cpu and reinstalled which meant resetting email server addys which sounds simple but took a long time to do,
Defense wall version that I used (the latest update on the internet at this time) froze apps and made it impossible to execute file searches, runs existing antivirus software, etc...so not good.
I was told it conflicted with Microsoft Essentials, Prevex, the Umbrella icon software, and possilbly Norton but not for certain on that.
If you see your cpu starting to not respond...shut down and take to the repair shop....this program can quickly spread throughout all your apps.
Forget about getting your money back voluntarily from softshere....
It's a great idea in theory but the newer version killed my cpu. The old version I liked. With the newer version you never know when it will go rogue on you after you have downloaded a safe application....you will never know until your cpu freezes for good....too late then.
Jeremy Bost Jul 23, 2009 2:48 PM
Late Reply to Maya
Hi!
You probably won't see this very late reply, Maya, but I decided that it was best to write this anyway. (I didn't notice your comment, because for some reason I didn't get an alert about it.)

You have a point there, and I forgot to mention password protecting. I guess because I usually like to be able to modify settings at a moment's notice, and having to work around a password could take a bit of time (though I admit, I have explored password protecting in DW much at all).

Jeremy
Maya Jun 27, 2009 4:07 PM
DefenseWall HIPS review
[quote] 1. Someone thinking malware is okay and setting it as trusted.
2. Someone getting malware from a source that isn't untrusted. Maybe by some fairly unknown email client that was installed via a CD. (Removable drives are untrusted by default, while CD/DVD drives aren't. Change this in the options menu.)
3. Someone disabling DefWall's protection and forgetting to turn it on again.
[/quote] Well Jeremy, if you took a few minutes only to explore the options and read Help, you would see that password protecting DefenseWall will disallow any changes to settings and security, thus guaranteeing a secure operation no matter who uses the computer.

Nice review! DefenseWall offers Bullet-proof defense.
 
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