Pest Patrol (rant)

[marti]

I'm not happy with PP! The definition files were updated on 06/19/02.

Finally, today, they updated them (but they are dated 07/03/02???).

I rebooted and ran a scan. PP came up with a false positive. This is not the first false positive, and I'm sure it won't be the last. (Yes, I did report the false alert to them; yes, I'm 100% sure that it's a false positive.)

marti

[UNICRON]

ya, but is it n00b freindly? :)

[Paul Wilders]

marti,

Indeed, the update frequency is an issue.


{QUOTE-> I rebooted and ran a scan. PP came up with a false positive. This is not the first false positive, and I'm sure it won't be the last. <-QUOTE}

Most probably a sub7 flag..just guessing. Anyway: in essence, false positives aren't that bad at all IMHO; heuristics might be an issue here. Personally, I prefer a false positive above no flag at all. Apart from the fact, this one should be ironed out - could it be, people/security software users should accustome to the fact, there's no in-between: either accept false flagging and check, or rely on apps not flagging at all (no good, in my personal view)?

{QUOTE-> (Yes, I did report the false alert to them; yes, I'm 100% sure that it's a false positive.) <-QUOTE}

Yes, I'm sure you are right here! ;)

regards,

paul

[marti]

Last false positive with PP seemed to take forever to resolve.

They want you to report things on their forum, but then days often go by before anyone responds. When the problem is fixed, they don't respond either; you have to find out the next time you update.

Their PP updater is often "broken" and has had many problems since I installed the software (last August).

PP seems to be a good program, when things are working properly. :D

[Paul Wilders]

Marti,

Instead of posting over on the PP forum, you might drop David Stang from SaferSite an email; could speed things up:

dstang@pestpatrol.com

regards,

paul

[TonyKlein]

I may be out on a limb here, as I don't know Pest Patrol at all, but isn't this a classic case of a program wanting to be all things to all people, but lacking the resources to really deliver?

IMHO, people could spend their money a lot better by getting a dedicated antitrojan, a dedicated program to detect and remove spyware/foistware, and what have you.

[marti]

Tony,

I purchased PP because I "got a good deal on it," and it seemed like a useful program. I have since purchased Trojan Hunter.

Since my license for PP is still valid, I thought I would continue to use it. However, they (PP) are almost out of chances, as I have better things to do than put up with the problems and the hassle of reporting them.

I would not recommend this program to anyone, in it's current configuration.

I'm not sure why I haven't dumped PP by now, but guess I'm hoping that they "get their act together." I did dump an AV program, after a little over a month, because of problems.

[Paul Wilders]

Tony,

{QUOTE-> I may be out on a limb here, as I don't know Pest Patrol at all, but isn't this a classic case of a program wanting to be all things to all people, but lacking the resources to really deliver? <-QUOTE}

Actually, the app did surprisingly well for quite some time. For some reasons, it seems they are going downhill lately. I do hope the author's do get their act togheter again soon.

regards,

paul

[TonyKlein]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Forum Admin link=board=25;threadid=2255;start=0#16323 date=1026294465]
I do hope the author's do get their act togheter again soon.

<-QUOTE}

So do I; if they manage to pull it off, that will be quite a feat indeed.

Taking care of trojans, spyware, and all other imaginable pests should be more than enough to keep a number of people rather busy round the clock...

[Paul Wilders]

{QUOTE-> So do I; if they manage to pull it off, that will be quite a feat indeed. <-QUOTE}

Well, PP representatives lurk over here frequently - in fact, I'm pretty sure this thread has been noticed. Thus, let's hope for the best!

regards.

paul

[marti]

Hi Paul,

Wonder if my comments caused the "very early" renewal notice I received from PP today?

This is a quick email to remind you that your initial year of Product Updates and Support will expire on 8/27/2002.

[Paul Wilders]

marti,

{QUOTE-> Wonder if my comments caused the "very early" renewal notice I received from PP today? <-QUOTE}

LOL! Seriously: I'm sure they didn't. All these things are databased and trigger off automaticly.

regards,

paul

[marti]

PP just issued a new update. It solved the "false positive" problem that I had.

I received an email from David Stang this morning, in reference to my forum post. He verified it was a false positive and told me that a new update would be available soon. It was!!!

[Paul Wilders]

{QUOTE-> quoting: marti link=board=25;threadid=2255;start=0#16496 date=1026405282]
PP just issued a new update. It solved the "false positive" problem that I had. <-QUOTE}

That's good to hear!

{QUOTE-> I received an email from David Stang this morning, in reference to my forum post. He verified it was a false positive and told me that a new update would be available soon. It was!!! <-QUOTE}

David is a very nice guy, and I'm sure he and the PP Team will do whatever they can to solve problems. I really do hope this is the beginning of a new way back up in regard to PP! I know they are working hard, and personally I do wish them all the best - no doubt about that.

regards.

paul