End of BlackIce

[tec505]

{QUOTE-> Sunbelt Software Announces Special Offer to BlackICE PC Protection Customers
Registered users of BlackICE can switch to Sunbelt Personal Firewall for free

Clearwater, FL — Aug 2, 2007 — Sunbelt Software, a leading provider of Windows security software, today announced it is offering current customers of BlackICE PC Protection (formerly known as BlackICE Defender) a one year subscription to a full version of its award-winning Sunbelt Personal Firewall for free.

IBM Internet Security Systems announced on Tuesday, the End of Life for BlackICE PC Protection. BlackICE will no longer be sold after September 19, 2007 and will not be supported after September 29, 2008.

"We are excited to extend this offer to current BlackICE customers," said Stu Sjouwerman, vice president of marketing for Sunbelt Software. "Sunbelt is committed to providing security protection to Windows users and wants to reassure BlackICE customers that their PCs are protected while online, using Sunbelt Personal Firewall."

Availability and Licensing
Under this special promotion, all registered users of BlackICE PC Protection can get a free one year subscription to the full version of Sunbelt Personal Firewall and includes all of the features, toll-free support, and updates of a standard subscription. To benefit from this special offer, users can visit http://www.SaveBlackICE.com/ and complete a short form or call toll free at 1-800-336-3166. The special offer period begins today and will be available for a limited time. <-QUOTE}


Best regards
Mike

[WSFuser]

Cool. Will check it out.

[ccsito]

BlackICE was one of the earliest firewall programs offered for PC users. It wasn't as popular as other firewall programs and usually did not rate too high on many tests.

http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_dynamic.main?SP=1&PN=11&sid=26412

[Perman]

Hi, folks: I traded in . and got a new one year lic for Sunbelt personal firewall. The installation was so easy and simple. It presently runs very smoothly. It comes with HIPS,NIPS and Application Behavior blocking features. I had used Kario fw few years ago, and liked it. Now Sunbelt has made this app even better. As an unhappy former ZA pro user, I am glad to find a relatively sensible firewall to work day in and day out.

[mercurie]

{QUOTE-> BlackICE was one of the earliest firewall programs offered for PC users. It wasn't as popular as other firewall programs and usually did not rate too high on many tests.

http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_dynamic.main?SP=1&PN=11&sid=26412 <-QUOTE}
Yes. That is correct. I think in this case it was about the brand just not being viable anymore. Still I hate to see the "oldies" die this way.

[acr1965]

{QUOTE-> Hi, folks: I traded in . and got a new one year lic for Sunbelt personal firewall. The installation was so easy and simple. It presently runs very smoothly. It comes with HIPS,NIPS and Application Behavior blocking features. I had used Kario fw few years ago, and liked it. Now Sunbelt has made this app even better. As an unhappy former ZA pro user, I am glad to find a relatively sensible firewall to work day in and day out. <-QUOTE}

Has this firewall's HIPS been ran through a set of tests? I would be interested in seeing the results as the firewall sounds pretty interesting.

[ASM]

{QUOTE-> Yes. That is correct. I think in this case it was about the brand just not being viable anymore. Still I hate to see the "oldies" die this way. <-QUOTE}Like Agnitum Outpost, they are the pioneer in Window-base Firewall. Sad to hear that.

[Seer]

In the last Firewall poll, one (1) person voted for BlackIce. So I guess not much tears will be shed over this death. :) 'Oldies' have to die eventually you know, and this is not such a bad way to go. A generous offer from Sunbelt, I see Perman is quite satisfied. ;)

[Perman]

Hi, folks: Yes, Seer, SPF runs very smoothly so far so good. Much comfortable than ZA pro and more updated than McAfee desktop fw 8.5. I had BlackIce for few years as a complement to primary fw, not a bad backup; it did stop few intrusions that main fw has missed . I will not cry its death over some one's shoulder, in the mean time , I really appreciate Sunbelt's generous offer. Finally I have a reliable fw to lean onto . I am not a pc tech, therefore I do not know how to conduct those tests requested by acr1965. Sorry. perhaps some gurus can take over from here? Have a nice one.

[Seer]

Hello Perman. :)

{QUOTE-> I do not know how to conduct those tests requested by acr1965. <-QUOTE}

These are basically leak tests (as this is request for testing HIPS). You could (http://www.grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm) download (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/pcAudit-Leak-Test.shtml) a few (http://www.pcflank.com/pcflankleaktest.htm), run them and post the results. :)

[Perman]

Hi, seer: I was able to d/l two tests: first one, leakage test by GRC, result=passed. However, the second one by pcflank.com; result=failed. I am using v.4.5.916. Why two extreme results? I have to shut down prevx2 and BoClean to conduct these tests properly, otherwise they will be blocked by these two apps.

[Seer]

Hi again.:)

{QUOTE-> Why two extreme results? <-QUOTE}

They test different things, two different types of attacks. You can see on this link so often posted (http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/leak-tests-results.php) that SKPF also fails PCFlank's...
There are more tests you can download from Mr. M's page (http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/introduction-firewall-leak-testing.php) and try them yourself.

[Perman]

Hi, seer, thanks for the links, it will take me few evenings to read and digest them, I will. In the meaning time, I need to strengthen fw's leakage concerns. I am considering DSA, perhaps its strength in leakage protection can somehow remedy SPF's deficiency. What do you think? Thanks.

[Seer]

Honestly, I still haven't looked into DSA close enough to comment. I just saw it the other day for the first time. There would certainly be substantial overlapping between SKPF and DSA as DSA is actually a HIPS with inbound and outbound control... but not with a full firewall as there is no packet filter in DSA. I believe DSA would be a nice supplement to a packet filter (Windows firewall or Ghostwall i.e.) You could start a new thread though, there are some members more familiar with DSA (bellgamin comes to mind).

[Perman]

HI, seer, thanks for the help. I have prevx2 and winpatrol plus already installed, perhaps these two will remedy the deficiency of SKPF. I checked an article in castlecops web site, and have learned that DSA has no protections in these areas vs prevx2: Dll loading, password protection, default whitelist, blacklisting, community database and buffer overflow. I will await DSA's next version. Have a nice one.

[Zombini]

BlackIce was known for its Intrusion Prevention, but even that is useless in detecting today's obfuscated drive-by downloads.

[19monty64]

{QUOTE-> Hi, seer: I was able to d/l two tests: first one, leakage test by GRC, result=passed. However, the second one by pcflank.com; result=failed. I am using v.4.5.916. Why two extreme results? I have to shut down prevx2 and BoClean to conduct these tests properly, otherwise they will be blocked by these two apps. <-QUOTE}
The f/w may not have passed all the "leak-tests", but your layered approach passed. :thumb: :thumb:

[kdcdq]

Hello all,

I traded in an expired/obsolete BlackIce serial number that I haven't used for years for a one year free license for Sunbelt personal firewall. I'm not saying this is the "right" think to do but it worked for me...

[acr1965]

Does Kerio still have the resource issue? I remember reading that it sometimes ran at close to 100 mb's.