In addition to antivirus and antispyware protection, Vipre features other useful tools such as a secure file eraser that writes 1s and 0s over deleted files, a history cleaner that goes beyond just what's in your Internet browser cache, and something called PC Explorer, which reveals processes and services running that are suspect or known to be malicious. Many of these tools are also featured within Sunbelt Software's standalone antispyware product, CounterSpy v2.
Missing from Vipre is firewall protection, which is available in some antivirus software.
Performance
Vipre scored well in both our CNET Labs' Windows XP performance tests, however, there are no public third-party tests that we can point to at this time. On our iTunes test, Vipre was in the leader of the pack at just 1 second above our test system. On our Microsoft Office test, Vipre came in near the middle at 1,378.67 seconds. For scanning a single folder with multiple files, Vipre came in first at 122 seconds. And in boot speed, Vipre again came in first place, with a speedy 28.73 seconds. To find out how we test, see CNET Labs' How we test:software:antivirus.
In terms of protecting your PC, Vipre is too new for us to be able to cite results from independent antivirus testing organizations at this time.
As for antispyware results, CNET Labs tested CounterSpy v2 in November 2007; in March 2008, CNET Reviews named it our Editors' Choice. Vipre uses the antispyware technology found within CounterSpy v2.
Support
Sunbelt Software provides a wealth of support options. We like the contextual Help files--when you are on the Tools page, Help opens to the sections on tools. There is also a list of online help URLs, e-mail help addresses, and a toll-free telephone support available on every Help page, so that if you still can't find the answer, you are welcome to try other areas of support. You can even send feedback on the Help file itself. Unfortunately, telephone support is only available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, so if you have a critical problem on the weekend, you'll have to send an e-mail.
Conclusion
Vipre is a worthy addition to a crowded antivirus field. Sunbelt Software says it will continue to develop CounterSpy as a standalone antispyware product. Future releases of Vipre will probably include Sunbelt Personal Firewall code. However, Sunbelt Software is shying away from calling the resulting product a security suite.
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Vipre Antivirus + Antispyware:
