eTrust EZ Antivirus 2005 r7.0.7.7 - Mini review and thoughts

[Sputnik]

Hey all again,

Personally I've never been using or atempt to use this one, expect the ZoneAlarm with Antiviurs wich uses the same (VET) engine. Now the local computer shop gives one year licenses with their computers, and a collegue asked me about my opinion on this one... I couldn't give him proper advice, I'll write down the thought I had, and please correct me or add me where you can :)

Installation:
Easy as it can get, run the setup, provide your serial number and reboot. It downloads the most recent engine + signatures during installation. I even think those components are not even part (included) in the installer.

First Start:
It displays a little screen after bootup with it's status, so you can check if it's working. I found no configuration needed since all default settings are good enough. Also there are not many configuration possibilties.

Interface:
Very attractive and easy to use, the colors and interface style do remind me on F-Secure in some way. I found the interface n00b proof and simple like other home products like Norton.

Recource usage:
It feels very very light, not a single slowdown noticed. It feels lighter then NOD32 and F-Prot, but F-Prot uses less ram tho... eTrust using less then 8mb Ram when running in Realtime.

Detection:
Well then, here's the big question. I really don't know how to rate it's detection. I know it won't be as good like Kaspersky, BitDefender ect. But how does it compare to other products like avast!, TrendMicro and so on... CA says that eTrust has "Advanced Hereustics" anybody can give information on this?

Hope my threat makes sense. I really want to know how this antivirus is, since my collegue can use it for free a year, that saves money :)

[Sputnik]

Recource usage:

[Honyak]

I have EZ 7.0.6.7 installed on the kids comp for about 4 months now and I am impressed with it's protection. It has caught a lot of malware so far with nothing slipping by. I verify this by doing backup scans occassionally with Drweb cureit and Kaspersky online scan and neither has found any malware that EZ has missed.
As far as the heuristics, I cannot say how good they are.
It does system scans very fast and is extremely light. I would like to have more in depth details on the features of this AV as it has done a very good job of protecting so far but CA does not post a lot of info on it's features. Also I have not had to contact support so I cannot vouch for their responsiveness or lack there of.
All in all, I think it is a good AV and I would have no problem recommending.

[iwod]

HTTP scanning?

[Honyak]

-{ Quote: "HTTP scanning?" }-

Not that I am aware of. But maybe someone can confirm this.

[Sputnik]

-{ Quote: "HTTP scanning?" }-
No, just ordinary real-time scanning.

[pvsurfer]

-{ Quote: "Detection:
Well then, here's the big question. I really don't know how to rate it's detection. I know it won't be as good like Kaspersky, BitDefender ect. But how does it compare to other products like avast!, TrendMicro and so on... CA says that eTrust has "Advanced Hereustics" anybody can give information on this?" }-
The only 'info-bytes' I can add here is that my brother uses the Zone Alarm Security Suite (ZASS) with CA's Vet AntiVirus engine. He seems to believe that since CA's eTrust has won the respect of many US companies (including the large Fortune 500 company he works for), it must be pretty darn good.

However, insofar as its implementation in ZASS, I have noted that while it's detection appears to be very good, it's virus cleansing/removal capabilities leave much to be desired. To be specific, while it clearly identifies infected archive files, it can not remove the virus imbedded within an archive file! I don't know if the 'full version' of eTrust EZ Antivirus 2005 has the same limitation, but I certainly consider this to be a major weakness of ZASS' CA Vet implementation! :P

[Honyak]

The full version of EZ will not remove a virus from an archive but it will detect and remove/repair upon opening.

[I who know nothing]

I wouldnt use it, I did for short time and got infected right away. I used to go out of my way to mentally delude myself that the lesser lights were just as effective as the heavy hitters and that their 100% ITW certification was proof but this theory proved flawed in real life so I use the obvious choice Kaspersky.

[mercurie]

Fellow Creatures,
Purchased this for the family machine today. Recommended by Best Buy Geek Squad guy ::). So what, right.

Could not pass up the price on this. $19.99. Might be able to get a rebate if I can locate my old paper proof of prior purchase, bring the cost down to less then $10. :)

For those interested. The stores that I noted this may be obtained at this price: Staples and Target. At least in my part of the forest.

Nice review here as to what I should expect. Thanks. ;)

[SDS909]

-{ Quote: "Fellow Creatures,
Purchased this for the family machine today. Recommended by Best Buy Geek Squad guy ::). " }-

That shoulda told you to run, and run very fast, to another AV. :P

PS: There are still places to get ezTrust for free I believe. (i've seen links posted)

[Honyak]

I think you will be fine with this on the family machine. I did basically the same (kids comp), and it has provided very good protection, with nothing getting by it so far.
Inexperienced users do not have to make decisions as what to do when a virus is found, EZ takes care of it.

[bellgamin]

You can get 1 year free or buy a 2-year license HERE (http://home.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=PYPCTrialPage&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715&CID=185351).

EZ (Vet) has a good ITW record at VirusBulletin. Hey Merc, it might be wise to run an AT alongside it, wot? Ewido, maybe?

[mercurie]

-{ Quote: "That shoulda told you to run, and run very fast, to another AV. :P

PS: There are still places to get ezTrust for free I believe. (i've seen links posted)" }-Understood, but I am in the data base as already gotten one free year.

Version 6.3.09 Free License to expire Aug. 15 2005.

They are already sending me emails to renew at full loaded price way above $19.99. Also how bout "Pest Patrol are you full of spywares try us out"... I will pass on that one as I feel I made a wise choice years ago and passed on it before CA bought it and went with BoClean.

I'm sure someone will tell me there is a way to fool them and get another year free. But I have standards too. ;)

This thread shows a nicer GUI then the old 6.xx. I did note some on the shelf 6 versions. Upgrades I'm sure would be allowed at any rate.

[mercurie]

-{ Quote: "You can get 1 year free or buy a 2-year license HERE (http://home.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=PYPCTrialPage&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715&CID=185351).

EZ (Vet) has a good ITW record at VirusBulletin. Hey Merc, it might be wise to run an AT alongside it, wot? Ewido, maybe?" }-Thanks my friend. As you can see above I run BoClean, Spybot SD and will likely do Anti-Spy after it is out of beta. I knew of this link. I was wondering if they would allow me to do two Years...seeing as I had one free decided I would not try. I really did not set out to buy this today. I almost bit on the Dr. Web Green special. But that is o. k. can't purchase and load them all. ;D

Yes, Honyak I remembered your post number 3 or someone posting something similar. Thanks. ;)

[Honyak]

-{ Quote: "Understood, but I am in the data base as already gotten one free year.

Version 6.3.09 Free License to expire Aug. 15 2005.

They are already sending me emails to renew at full loaded price way above $19.99. Also how bout "Pest Patrol are you full of spywares try us out"... I will pass on that one as I feel I made a wise choice years ago and passed on it before CA bought it and went with BoClean.

I'm sure someone will tell me there is a way to fool them and get another year free. But I have standards too. ;)

This thread shows a nicer GUI then the old 6.xx. I did note some on the shelf 6 versions. Upgrades I'm sure would be allowed at any rate." }-

I got the two years for $19.95, but I have to renew the license at the end first year. I have heard this can be an exercise in futility from others.
It is interesting to see that you state they want a higher fee for renewal, as I would have thought it would be the same or lower. There is always oem versions for $12.00 at software sites if that is the case. No wonder they do not post renewal fees on CA site.

Sorry for the repeat, I forgot I posted that earlier. Dopey me.

[SDS909]

Pest Patrol is a top-kit product.. Even with CA purchasing them, I don't think their quality has degraded in the short time CA has been dealing with them.

<Self Edited to remove comments that might offend fans of CA products.>

[solarpowered candle]

funny you should say that honyak as I remember now about 2 ago I got a years license for the firewall at $19 or so . The renewal was to be $12 the following year they sent me a renewal notice for more than the first years price .. I didnt renew as I decided to load back look n stop. I am using kav lite (cyberscrub ) its a 5 yr license and after all the discounts it has only cost me $35 for 5 yrs. Its so simple and has always been my first choice in the days when Kaspersky sold it. excellent all round protection and perfect for the family as you really do not need any thing else apart from a firewall .

[mikel108]

-{ Quote: "Pest Patrol is a top-kit product.. Even with CA purchasing them, I don't think their quality has degraded in the short time CA has been dealing with them.

Also a tidbit about CA. I had a friend that worked there (Mid Level Management), and said they are one of the most cuthroat corporations he's ever seen. They have this empty office in their HQ, once a month some really mean lady named "Helga" (or something), comes and sits in the office, organizes pinkslips, and then walks around firing people like crazy.

Knowing this friend wouldn't lie, that alone turned me off to CA as a company. I know it might be trivial to some, but it just sounds wierd to fire people like that every 30 days and not build trust and commitment with your employees. I try not to send my money to evil empires where possible." }-

@SDS909 .... I tried to explain to you in another post that facts should be backed up. Would you mind putting your friends name in the thread so that this info can be confirmed. I am sure that you understand what libel is. Please either retract the previous statement or prove fact.

EDIT - Thread sent to Computer Associates for review

[mikel108]

In response to certain allegations being made here on Wilders.

[SDS909]

<Edited so not to offend fans of CA products>

[Labrie]

-{ Quote: "Oh please.. Come to think of it, i've actually had the same story told to me by two seperate industry professionals. So I choose to believe them, and as a result, I don't patronize CA's products.

These insider "Sources" wouldn't be very good sources if I disclosed them, now would they? I'm not here to convince you of CA being evil, i'm simply saying MY personal opinion based on data i've collected from reliable sources.

Nothing more, nothing less." }-

So if you cant prove what you say is better not to bash a company as Computer Associates.

[solarpowered candle]

wow that was a fast response to you Mikel 108. Iv been trying through countless emails following countless circles trying to contact CA for a legit update link for e trust v7 promo and engine etc that they promised would be available for life for those who subscribed back in 2003 .I have not had one response in 12 months yet you get a response within a few hours . and not from a machine . Im impressed.

[SDS909]

I edited my posts so not to offend fans and users of CA's products.

Although that doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't touch their products with a 10 foot pole because I don't approve of their company policies for employees AND it hasn't had good results measured against my malware collection.

The point being - all of that has little relevance to this thread, and was only serving to derail it.

[Honyak]

-{ Quote: "I edited my posts so not to offend fans and users of CA's products.

Although that doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't touch their products with a 10 foot pole because I don't approve of their company policies for employees AND it hasn't had good results measured against my malware collection.

The point being - all of that has little relevance to this thread, and was only serving to derail it." }-

You are certainly entitled to your convictions and opinions, but you are right, It had little relevance to this thread.
Just some members relating their experiences with the product, I failed to see any fan posts.

[mercurie]

-{ Quote: "You are certainly entitled to your convictions and opinions, but you are right, It had little relevance to this thread.
Just some members relating their experiences with the product, I failed to see any fan posts." }-This would be my position on all of this CA business decision stuff. Yes, you are correct I am not what you would call a fan. I have used several different AV products over the years. They have all done a fair job of protecting me. Only one bug in over 4 years. While I certainly have my opinions too. All I want is good basic virus protection from my AV. All the rest is just for my fun and enjoyment meaning the features and GUI. Which is likely why at the end of the one year licenses. I switch around...just to keep things fresh.

As for layoffs and poor treatment of employees this happens at large companies generally. Most of it is not personal. It is sad however. Just today HP had layoffs in the thousands I think. But I do not want to go here as this I believe was way off topic.

Thank you all for your comments and I hope we helped Stylewarz as much as he helped me with his screen shots and review (his opinion). :)

[mikel108]

Contacting Computer Associates was very relavent to this thread. If someone wants to post their experience with a certain product I am all for it. I do feel however though, that if someone posts outlandish statements that "so and so" said this, then that company should have every right to respond. If you were to post such a statement about NOD32 do you not think someone from Eset would not respond. People come to this board looking for advice on how to secure their computers. If false statements are made, then they should be corrected. This will give people a much better review of the products. This was staying on topic. As for being a fan of EZAV, well lets just say it's an anti-virus people. Not a huge thing in my life. I have said before that if I had to pay full price, and I was the only one on this PC then I would have made a different choice, but overall I have been pleased with the product.

[SDS909]

-{ Quote: "Contacting Computer Associates was very relavent to this thread. If someone wants to post their experience with a certain product I am all for it. I do feel however though, that if someone posts outlandish statements that "so and so" said this, then that company should have every right to respond. If you were to post such a statement about NOD32 do you not think someone from Eset would not respond. People come to this board looking for advice on how to secure their computers. If false statements are made, then they should be corrected. This will give people a much better review of the products. This was staying on topic. As for being a fan of EZAV, well lets just say it's an anti-virus people. Not a huge thing in my life. I have said before that if I had to pay full price, and I was the only one on this PC then I would have made a different choice, but overall I have been pleased with the product." }-

Don't be so fast to proclaim the statement I made as "False" without any evidence to claim such other than a PR email from some corporate suit. If you were half expecting CA to respond and say "Yup, we do this, and he is right!" in their reply, then pal you have no understanding of how corporations work.

I worked for Stardock, and can tell you I think the company sucks and treats their employees bad. Go ahead and "Email" Stardock corporation for their reply, and post the canned "We are a great company that treats their people right, this person is false." reply back.

Rivetting stuff, I tell ya! Keep up the good work.

[Graystoke]

-{ Quote: "Also a tidbit about CA. I had a friend that worked there (Mid Level Management), and said they are one of the most cuthroat corporations he's ever seen. They have this empty office in their HQ, once a month some really mean lady named "Helga" (or something), comes and sits in the office, organizes pinkslips, and then walks around firing people like crazy." }-

Helga? Is he sure it wasn't Frau Blooker? I've heard she was really mean. ;) ;D ;D