Online Armor 2 - Public Preview release

[MikeNash]

Hi Everyone,

There's a publically downloadable version of Online Armor v2 and Online Armor AV+ v2 (both with builtin firewall) over at our site for those that might like a play. My post and download links are Here! (http://support.online-armor.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=816)

Existing licenced users of Online Armor can install it no problem. If you don't have an OA licence, you can download a 30 day trial version.

There are some limitations and bugs to be fixed, but we anticipate that public release is now pretty close.

Thanks in particular to our beta testers who have been patient, helpful and supportive as we've tested and enhanced Online Armor over the last year.


Cheers


Mike

[Bio-Hazard]

Thanks Mike, i cant wait to have a look at it. I am at work so i have to give it a go tomorrow. Keep up the good work.:)

[Legendkiller]

if i am not wrong they also use kaspersky's av...

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "if i am not wrong they also use kaspersky's av..." }-

In the AV+ version, yes thats exactly correct.

[Bio-Hazard]

I am really intrested to know how good the firewall is?

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "I am really intrested to know how good the firewall is?" }-

Detailed Firewall info is available here (http://support.online-armor.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=539), and current leaktest performance is available here (http://support.online-armor.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=538)

There's still some more work to do but overall I am pleased enough with the results to give this public preview. Many of our beta test team have been using it for months now.

[Bio-Hazard]

Thanks Mike for the information. Looks good.

[egghead]

Had problems installing OA v2; after removing cyberhawk it worked.

First impressions are very postitieve: easy to use and intuitive program. 8)

[Baldrick]

Will KIS/KAV Users ever be able to install/use OA v2?::)

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Will KIS/KAV Users ever be able to install/use OA v2?::)" }-

Absolutely, there is just a conflict to be worked out.

[Baldrick]

-{ Quote: "Absolutely, there is just a conflict to be worked out." }-
Cool. I will be interested to investigate the non Firewall & AV features. Hope it won't be long.;D

[LoneWolf]

Would I have to remove or disable any of my security set up to try out the new OA2 ?

[lucas1985]

Online Armor will overlap with LnS, Win Patrol, Snoopfree and Process Guard.

[stapp]

I have been lucky enough to be one of the testers and have no conflict at all using OA+plus firewall with SASfree, avira and avg antispy. Also I run opera with no problems.

The firewall, I have found easy to use (just what I need!)

[simmikie]

i also have been fortunate enough to test OA+FW in it's various ver2 beta builds.

Online Armour has worked well on my system with:
1) Dynamic Security Agent latest version
2) Safe'n'Sec latest SNS FW disabled
3) Cyberhawk latest version
4)SSM paid & free latest
5) Prevx1 currently using--network detection disabled as this does conflict on my system with OA

ancillary softs:
6) Sandboxie current beta
7) Bufferzone 2.1 (i believe--not currently using)
8) ShadowUSER latest ver.
9) Rollback RX
10) forgot....Regdefend free
11) Wormguard

it has been my experience that OA is a very laidback app, willing to play well with most anything i have thrown at it, while providing strong (and easy to understand) protection. i recently threw it up against some drive-by malicous code sites, and this beta app worked it's heart out protecting my system. it finally locked my browser up....but it is in beta and Prevx1 which was my intended test software slept through most of the events (seperate test). support has been unparralleled through Tall Emu led by Mike Nash.

in my estimation, worth a download and a thorough going over, i doubt you will be disappointed.


Mike

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "Would I have to remove or disable any of my security set up to try out the new OA2 ?" }-

I think our beta test team have had all of these programs running alonside OA at one point or another, with the exception of LnS... you can eaisly remove OA in safe mode if there is a super serious conflict.

[starfish_001]

-{ Quote: "I think our beta test team have had all of these programs running alonside OA at one point or another, with the exception of LnS... you can eaisly remove OA in safe mode if there is a super serious conflict." }-


NOD , PREVX , SSM , pg, appdefend , regdefend, Regrun, Defensewall can all coexist in my experience

You won't need all of them at the same time of course ....

[Peter2150]

You would want to remove any other firewall, but the OA firewall status screen is a thing of beauty. I have run with Prevx,SSM, and up until the last couple of builds KAV. I know Mike will beat that one.

On the KAV thing, as an aside, if you have KAV, it might be interesting for you to try it, as long as you are comfortable with going into Safe mode for an uninstall. It isn't crashing me, but as part of the log on the conflict hits and initiates a shutdown.

Pete

[MikeNAS]

Thanks for public preview. I used beta couple of months ago but I have always license problem (I reinstall windows too often). Everything works fine and Online Armor AV+ is maybe the first program which I buy (before this I use freeware only).

EDIT: Is v2 price same than v1 (1x License $69.95)?

-MikeNAS

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for public preview. I used beta couple of months ago but I have always license problem (I reinstall windows too often). Everything works fine and Online Armor AV+ is maybe the first program which I buy (before this I use freeware only).

EDIT: Is v2 price same than v1 (1x License $69.95)?

-MikeNAS" }-

yes, its the same price in both cases - not only that, but if you also own v1 it is a free upgrade

[JRCATES]

Congrats on the inclusion of the firewall in this version, Mike, and for also implementing OA to now operate at the kernel level. I know that this has been in the works for while and is a long time coming, but I'm following with interest to see how others receive it and what all they have to say about it.

Good job on all your hard work and continued success with OA :thumb:

[lodore]

could be the perfect adition to nod32 on the pc im building soon.
no32 student license for AV and then use online armour for HIPS and firewall
and superantispyware for antispyware
lodore

[Bio-Hazard]

First time i tried to install OA v2 i got blue screen...no harm done. But now i have installed it. It is working fine, great program. I really like the fact that you can decide to uninstall firewall. I havent tried the firewall yet, i will wait for the final release. OA v2 seems to be much lighter and faster than version 1...well atleast on my computer.

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "First time i tried to install OA v2 i got blue screen...no harm done. But now i have installed it. It is working fine, great program. I really like the fact that you can decide to uninstall firewall. I havent tried the firewall yet, i will wait for the final release. OA v2 seems to be much lighter and faster than version 1...well atleast on my computer." }-

Give the firewall a try. I think you will really like it.

Pete

[MaB69]

-{ Quote: "Give the firewall a try. I think you will really like it.

Pete" }-

Hi all,

I think so and i really like it (used nearly all the most famous FW)

You can find more informations here (http://support.tallemu.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=539)

Regards,

MaB

[Bio-Hazard]

-{ Quote: "Give the firewall a try. I think you will really like it.

Pete" }-

How does it compare to Comodo? Is it lighter than comodo?

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "How does it compare to Comodo? Is it lighter than comodo?" }-

I've never tried comodo, so I can't compare. But it doesn't affect download speed at all, if that's what you mean. I even download to my virtual machine, so data is going thru the firewall twice, and even there I don't see any effect.

[Gene Benson]

Ciderman 77 wrote:
-{ Quote: "How does it compare to Comodo? Is it lighter than comodo?" }-

I have used Comodo and my feeling is that OA is lighter. OA has 2 tasks running: oaui.exe which is currently using 8,192 KB and oasrv.exe at 8.240 KB, after about 4 hours. These can vary up to +/- 1 MB depending on what is going on at the moment. The firewall does not have a separate task, so those values are for OA plus the firewall. I would call that very respectable, considering what you get.

Niether OA + firewall or Comodo slowed down my computer OR my surfing at all. Download speeds with both were at full capacity.

Personally, I prefer the firewall in OA. It has to be the easiest firewall to configure that I have used, and I have used quite a few. For the novice it is very easy to understand and setup. For those who like to configure things down to the smallest details, then OA will probably satisfy as well (at least as far as you can satisfy this particular group :D ).

[MikeNAS]

Is there any student prices or other promotions code to buy Online Armor/Online Armor AV+?

-MikeNAS

[Bio-Hazard]

-{ Quote: "Ciderman 77 wrote:


I have used Comodo and my feeling is that OA is lighter. OA has 2 tasks running: oaui.exe which is currently using 8,192 KB and oasrv.exe at 8.240 KB, after about 4 hours. These can vary up to +/- 1 MB depending on what is going on at the moment. The firewall does not have a separate task, so those values are for OA plus the firewall. I would call that very respectable, considering what you get.

Niether OA + firewall or Comodo slowed down my computer OR my surfing at all. Download speeds with both were at full capacity.

Personally, I prefer the firewall in OA. It has to be the easiest firewall to configure that I have used, and I have used quite a few. For the novice it is very easy to understand and setup. For those who like to configure things down to the smallest details, then OA will probably satisfy as well (at least as far as you can satisfy this particular group :D )." }-

Thanks for the advice. Just one more question, how good is OA inbound protection?

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "Is there any student prices or other promotions code to buy Online Armor/Online Armor AV+?

-MikeNAS" }-

Not at the moment, no.

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for the advice. Just one more question, how good is OA inbound protection?" }-

OA works a bit different to other firewalls. We also get a "Stealth" rating over at SheildsUP if such things appeal to you.

By default, all connections are blocked in both directions. In Standard mode, trusted applications (on the OA Whitelist) gain internet access automatically (you can turn that behavior off if you like) without having to set up rules.

So, for example, if you run a chat program - you just choose to allow it, and it will gain the access (inbound or outbound) that it needs.

You can also specify the "restricted port list" - simply this is a list of ports that if requested, should not be granted internet access.

Lastly - you can filter ports by IP range or country. My favorite example is this:

Setup VNC or remote desktop on your PC.
Place a restriction on the port that says "Only X.X.X.X can access it" where X.X.x.X is the address of your office computer.

You can nicely access from your office, but it's not available to anyone else.

[Bio-Hazard]

-{ Quote: "OA works a bit different to other firewalls. We also get a "Stealth" rating over at SheildsUP if such things appeal to you.

By default, all connections are blocked in both directions. In Standard mode, trusted applications (on the OA Whitelist) gain internet access automatically (you can turn that behavior off if you like) without having to set up rules.

So, for example, if you run a chat program - you just choose to allow it, and it will gain the access (inbound or outbound) that it needs.

You can also specify the "restricted port list" - simply this is a list of ports that if requested, should not be granted internet access.

Lastly - you can filter ports by IP range or country. My favorite example is this:

Setup VNC or remote desktop on your PC.
Place a restriction on the port that says "Only X.X.X.X can access it" where X.X.x.X is the address of your office computer.

You can nicely access from your office, but it's not available to anyone else." }-

Thanks for that Mike. It appeals to me that OA gets stealth rating from the SheildsUp, but i is not everything i look for in a security program. I am average computer user so i dont do much configurating. So i need something which is easy to set up. OA firewall sounds like it is easy to set up and use. I am not familiar with restricted port list configurations, so do i need to do anything with it or can i just leave as it is by default?

Kristian

[stapp]

-{ Quote: " I am average computer user so i dont do much configurating. So i need something which is easy to set up.

Kristian" }-
Can I just cut in here Kristian and say that before I beta tested the OA firewall, I had never used a firewall before apart from the built in windows one.

What I like about the OA one is you DON'T have to mess around with ports and rules if you don't want to. It is set up to protect me from the start without me having to do that (standard mode) Although there is plenty of opportunity for those who like to tinker(advanced mode)

I do the setup wizard at the start in which I just tick which programs I want to allow to run, and others that I don't tick will pop up and ask me. After using things once it's virtually popup free apart from warnings about any nasties.

The only thing I change is to untick "automatically allow trusted progs to run" then play a windows media player file, up pops permission request to tell microsoft what I am playing, I block it, and retick "automatically allow trusted progs internet access"

Apart from the above I don't need to do anything else, it's so easy to use and I feel safe.

[JRCATES]

I'm really looking forward to independent testing and reviews from various firewall testers and web-sites on the OA firewall....

as well as from our own Stem, of course ;D

[Bio-Hazard]

To stapp, thanks for your comment. You convinced me to give the OA firewall a go. I am going to try it out soon, I am bit busy at the moment. What you said about using OA firewall is exactly what i look for in a firewall. Sometimes Comodo can drive you nuts with its pop ups.

Kristian

[Bio-Hazard]

-{ Quote: "I'm really looking forward to independent testing and reviews from various firewall testers and web-sites on the OA firewall....

as well as from our own Stem, of course ;D" }-

Same here aswell.

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: " I am not familiar with restricted port list configurations, so do i need to do anything with it or can i just leave as it is by default?

Kristian" }-

Its hidden in standard mode - you would not need to mess with it.

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "I'm really looking forward to independent testing and reviews from various firewall testers and web-sites on the OA firewall....

as well as from our own Stem, of course ;D" }-

Once it goes gold, this will be happening.

[Rilla927]

Hello everyone,

I have been beta testing OA+FW, used numerous FW's and I could never get the port and rule thing, with OA+FW you don't have too worry about that. It is the most simplistic FW I have honestly ever used, at the same time if you want to go advanced you can. It comes in both flavors. I think the added bonus to OA is the stellar support you get for this product, too me that's very important. And don't forget, OA detects "Active X" with added capabilities of keyloggers. It protects your host file, filters spoof messages from your email, and the web shield has support for Opera amongst many others.

It has banking mode to do transactions safely. The file system scan will scan for virus etc after you install. So there is more here than meets the eye and OA is only going to get better.



@Ciderman

Glad to see you will give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

The security programs I have run at different points in time with OA+FW is:

Kav 6.0.2.614
Super Antispyware Pro (on demand)
BOClean
SSM
Regdefend
AppDefend
GesWall Pro

Pete mentioned some folks may run into a issue with Kav. I think it depends on ones system because I run Kav 6.0.2.614 with all modules active and it runs fine. It's when I first install OA the modules sometimes may fail to start. All I have to do is shutdown Kav and then OA and restart Kav first, then OA and it's fine from there on. There are no problems with scanning etc.

A few folks have made comments comparing OA+FW and Comodo.

From my experience OA+FW is lighter and easier to use.

All I can say is if you don't try it "you don't know what your missing"! It truley is the most simplistic FW you could ever use.

[Bio-Hazard]

Thanks everybody for your comments. I have now started using OA firewall. So far everything is ok. Firefox and IE opens quicker than with comodo. Like you said it was easy to set up and ireally like the firewall status window.;D

Kristian

[Rilla927]

-{ Quote: "Thanks everybody for your comments. I have now started using OA firewall. So far everything is ok. Firefox and IE opens quicker than with comodo. Like you said it was easy to set up and ireally like the firewall status window.;D

Kristian" }- Good to hear, Kristian! OA+FW is truley the easiest FW you will find and you can't beat the kernel level of protection it gives. Mike set out to design something easy to use and I think he achieved that goal and OA is only to get better.

[MikeNAS]

Any opinions for that AV part? Should I buy OA + NOD32 or OA AV+? Which one is best option? Total price is in both cases allmost same.

-MikeNAS

[danieleb]

From what I have gathered the AV used in the AV+ version is Kaspersky, so it looks like the classical choice: NOD or KAV...

[lu_chin]

OA AV+ uses the Kaspersky AV engine and OA's AV scanner is used when launching processes. Currently, the user cannot change the AV scanner's settings for fine tuning. Personally I will go with OA + NOD32 to have realtime+background scanning, hidden files scanning, email scanning, etc. abilities from NOD32. OA 2.0's firewall and HIPS features are very good IMHO and will complement NOD32 well.

-{ Quote: "Any opinions for that AV part? Should I buy OA + NOD32 or OA AV+? Which one is best option? Total price is in both cases allmost same.

-MikeNAS" }-

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "OA AV+ uses the Kaspersky AV engine and OA's AV scanner is used when launching processes. Currently, the user cannot change the AV scanner's settings for fine tuning. Personally I will go with OA + NOD32 to have realtime+background scanning, hidden files scanning, email scanning, etc. abilities from NOD32. OA 2.0's firewall and HIPS features are very good IMHO and will complement NOD32 well." }-

yup thats part of blackspear's setup nod32+online armour plus a third party firewall but he said he would use the firewall in eiether the nod32 secuirty suite or the firewall in online armour once version2 comes out
lodore

[Espresso]

Just tried the trial beta on 2003 Server SP2. Got this error at start:

Access violation at address 77E637E2 in module 'kernel32.dll'. Read of address 00000208

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "Just tried the trial beta on 2003 Server SP2. Got this error at start:

Access violation at address 77E637E2 in module 'kernel32.dll'. Read of address 00000208" }-

Thanks Espresso - we haven't tested on 2003 server - will do so and correct this.


Mike

[Vikorr]

In relation to OA's firewall.

I would class myself a beginner in software firewalls (I've only ever previously used ZA...I tried a few other software firewalls over the years, but uninstalled them immediately after installing, based on their confusing GUI's).

For beginners, OA offers a fantastic firewall...it allows autoconfiguration of files that are in OA's trusted list...meaning there's less configuration to do than for any other firewall (that I know of). There will be some who would not like this feature (because they want to configure everything themselves), but for me, this is the one particular feature that I like more than any other.

Of course for those that do want to do all the configuration themselves, you can easily switch to advanced mode (as I'm no guru on that, I wouldn't be able to offer a knowledgable opinion on the advanced features).

[ankupan]

Is it stable or beta version ?

I am using OA 1, but I am looking for OA with FW

waiting for response ....


-{ Quote: "Hi Everyone,

There's a publically downloadable version of Online Armor v2 and Online Armor AV+ v2 (both with builtin firewall) over at our site for those that might like a play. My post and download links are Here! (http://support.online-armor.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=816)

Existing licenced users of Online Armor can install it no problem. If you don't have an OA licence, you can download a 30 day trial version.

There are some limitations and bugs to be fixed, but we anticipate that public release is now pretty close.

Thanks in particular to our beta testers who have been patient, helpful and supportive as we've tested and enhanced Online Armor over the last year.


Cheers


Mike" }-

[MikeNash]

-{ Quote: "Is it stable or beta version ?

I am using OA 1, but I am looking for OA with FW

waiting for response ...." }-

Hi Ankupan,

We're still in beta, but this version is quite stable on most systems. I decided to release this as a "preview" release so that anyone who was interested could take a look, rather than constantly hear me saying it was coming soon...


Mike

[Bio-Hazard]

-{ Quote: "Is it stable or beta version ?

I am using OA 1, but I am looking for OA with FW

waiting for response ...." }-

I have started using OA v2 beta with firewall few days ago. I havent had any problems at all. Firewall is light and i have noticed that FF and IE opens up quicker than when i was using Comodo. Setting it up was very easy. It also works well with the programs i have on my signature. Give it a try, you wont be dissapointed!

Kristian

[ankupan]

Hi,

Right now I am using OA 1 + LnS ?

I am using OA 2 than will I get better protection than LnS ? and speed too ?

[Bio-Hazard]

-{ Quote: "Hi,

Right now I am using OA 1 + LnS ?

I am using OA 2 than will I get better protection than LnS ? and speed too ?" }-

I havent used LnS so i cant really say anything about that, sorry.

[Gene Benson]

ankupan wrote:
-{ Quote: "I am using OA 2 than will I get better protection than LnS ? and speed too ?" }-

As far as protection goes, OA 2 will give you much better protection than OA 1. I also haven't used LnS, but I have no slowdowns with the OA firewall. Downloads of large files go at full speed and browsing is also good, so no worries there.

Just don't run both firewalls at the same time.:D