Sunbelt Software, the makers of the popular CounterSpy Antispyware introduced their new product called VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware. Like you, I'm interested to know how VIPRE differs from existing antivirus or antimalware software in the market. Read on to find out more in this VIPRE review.
Introduction
Sunbelt Software have released a new program called VIPRE. VIPRE™ combines antivirus, antirootkit, antispyware and 3 other neat tools. The new product received a Checkmark antivirus certification by West Coast Labs which makes the product easy to recommend to users who want to use a security solution that has been tested or reviewed by senior IT security professionals.
VIPRE installs quickly (less than 2 minutes), no compatibility issue and has a straighforward user interface. The Sunbelt website states "Antivirus slowing down your PC? Ditch your old antivirus software for high-performance, next-gen antivirus + antispyware that IS NOT a resource hog." I can agree with the statement that it is a next-gen antivirus + antispyware but I will disagree that it is not a resource hog.
Installation and Set-up
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I did not have to get up from my chair when I first run the installer of VIPRE. In less than 2 minutes, the program has been installed. I am disappointed though that I have to restart the computer before I can proceed with the configuration and updating. I'm using another antivirus solution and I can update, use and configure the program right ahead without the need to restart.
Another disappointing stuff is the computer is not protected because the 12MB installer does not include protection signatures. The notification area in Vista is showing two VIPRE icons: Protection is disabled and the definitions is out of date. Sunbelt states that they prefer this method so the user will get the latest definitions instead of using the old one. In my opinion, the notice to users that the "definitions is out of date" means there is a definition but requires updating. It should be more clear to new users of the security tool if the notice is "No definitions is installed, VIPRE need an update".
User Interface
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The user interface of VIPRE is very straightforward. The options to configure the program’s features are easy to find. Users need not to dig on how they can configure VIPRE antivirus + antispyware. VIPRE's system tray icon includes handy menu, to enable or disable the protection, to update the program without the need to launch VIPRE, to shutdown VIPRE, to run a quick or deep scan, to pause, resume or abort a scan and to launch the program.
Unlike other security software, VIPRE successfully report its status to Windows Security Center. The first window in VIPRE will show the status of the installed definitions, email and real-time protections, subscription and scan status. It also includes the risk detection statistics on the user's PC and worldwide threat level. VIPRE allows me to run a single, quick, deep or custom scan. It took only 4 minutes to finish the quick scan.