A review Main features Review Review of RegRun Security Suite Gold version 3.30 System in use is a Dell Dimension 4100, PIII 700MHZ, with 256 Megs Ram OS is Windows 2K SP3, Opera 6.05, Outpost Firewall, and DrWeb AV Install went smooth as did the application of the registration key. Suggest a prompt at the end of the install to place a desktop icon of the Regrun Control Center. Following is a list of the features and my comments about each. My first overall impression is that this program would be best suited for intermediate to advanced users. Although the interface is pretty much user friendly, users need to have some idea of how the registry works and have some experience in editing the registry. Start Control Provides an unusually friendly interface to users, who can easily and quickly provide detailed information about, suspend, resume, alter, or delete any of the programs within the Windows startup. Comment: Perhaps my favorite feature. Can be used for security and convenience in troubeshooting. Gives absolute control over what starts up when you load Windows. I particularly like the ability to pause services and then activate them again with a click of the mouse. Secure Start Analyzes the Windows registry, initialization files, and .vxds and warns the user if any changes have occurred. Secure Start is activated BEFORE Windows startup - in both W9x and W2K/WXP. It allows you to reverse any modifications, additions, or deletions. Comment: Excellent tool to guard against malware activation upon booting up. Clean Boot Using "Clean Boot," the user will boot into Windows without unnecessary or problematic programs and processes. This is a quick and handy alternative to Windows "Safe Mode". Comment: Did not find the need to use this. Watch Dog Provides silent monitoring of the startup programs during your Windows working session. Watch Dog will pop up and advise you of any changes in these areas, and allow you to reverse any modifications, additions, or deletions. Comment: Excellent protection against file swapping or deletions by malware. Keeps a close watch on key registry entries. System Files Protection System Files Protection is an extremely useful function, serving to protect your computer from viruses, trojans and malfunctioning programs. It checks system files for adulteration, and offers the option of restoring them if necessary. You have the option of adding additional files for its protection. Comment: A good place to put your AV and AT exe files for protection from being tampered with. I find if you include the vxds, the popups become excessive and difficult to keep up with. This feature is very desirable in this day and age when many viruses are terminating AVs and ATs in order to avoid detection. Infection Detector This is not signature scanning, but rather "infection scanning". During a session, it opens and monitors a number of "bait" program and macro files which are vulnerable to infection by any active virus. If any of these files change, it will advise you. Comment: None Application Database Includes descriptions of always-used programs as well as malware. Watch Dog monitors applications as they start, and compares them with this database, looking for dangerous programs. Users may contact Greatis Software for information about unknown programs; Users can add their own programs. Comment: None. Antivirus Coordinator Coordinator detects the well-known antivirus programs (it can be customized to incorporate lesser-known AV programs), and uses this information to quickly check startup files and folders, if necessary. Comment: Some may find this desirable. I did not use it. Process Manager Allows you to analyze and control all of the processes and modules that are running on your computer. Comment: A tree view of running processes. I'm not sure there is a need for this enough to justify the space it takes. Perhaps some may find a use for it. System Files Editor Looks like a Microsoft's SysEdit but it is handier and allows you to quickly and easily open your files subset. Comment: Very convenient. Launch Soon Allows a delayed launch of your programs. This is particularly useful on smaller systems that launch many programs simultaneously at boot up. Comment: Could be very handy in situations where you need a little control in your startup timing. Used Files Shows all the files that are open on your computer. Comment: Somewhat redundant, I think. File Extension Manager Helps to manage Windows file extensions. Comment: Did no need to use. Registry Assistant Includes registry search and replace, tips and tricks collection, registry shortcuts, useful links and utilities. This includes a full, 32-bit application that allows fast, multi-threaded searches of the Registry; a very useful tool for those accustomed to working with the MS programs. Comment: Useful for working in the registry. Inexperienced people should use with caution. Registry Tracer Registry Tracer monitors selected registry keys, and advises of changes. It allows you to reverse any modifications, additions, or deletions. Comment: Did not use although I can see some may find it useful. Run Job Advanced batch manager. Allows you to launch several programs simultaneously, delayed, or by "chain" - a series of jobs; each waiting for completion of a previous program. Comment: Did not use Rescue Backups registry and system files and allows the user to quickly restore them. Comment: Looks to be a great backup tool. I did not use it since I already use a registry backup and recovery tool. If you do not already have a backup program for the registry, I highly suggest using this one. Port Monitor Monitors ports and applications that allow access to the Internet. This feature can advise you whenever a new program connects or listens to a port, allowing you to terminate it if necessary. It also looks for the connection of common trojans. Comment: Does not appear to be available yet. Script Checker Advanced Script Checker Analyze script files (VBS, JS) or HTML files before execution. It will warn you of suspicious or dangerous scripts, and offer the option of preventing execution. Sophistocated, and unlike most "script blocker" tools, Advanced Script Checker works at the .dll level - assuring that it works even if the script is initiated by a false extension, or has been hidden within an email or web page. Comment: Does not appear to be fully implemented yet. I have scripting disabled on my machine. Trojan Analyser Monitors applications for suspicious be-havior, including registry and file activity, and reports if any questionable action is detected. Comment: Not available for Win2K and XP. Macro Checker Analyzes Microsoft Office documents before opening and warns if a dangerous macro is detected. Comment: I do not use MS Office. WinCleaner Clears Internet cache, temporary files and other files assigned by user. Comment: Excellent utility for privacy issues, especially for someone that does not already use a program such as Window Washer or IE Clean. Bootlog Analyser Bootlog Analyser allows to troubleshoot Windows startup and shutdown using generated by Windows startup log file (bootlog.txt). Comment: Excellent! Finally a boot log analyser that works with Win2K. Very useful in troubleshooting startup problems and finding any delays in your boot sequence. Startup Analyser Startup Analyser allows to unhide Windows startup process. Must have tool for troubleshoot strange problems on startup. Comment: Windows 9x and ME only. Too bad. I would like to have that available. This program was very stable on the test machine. I noticed no problems either with the program itself or with the implementations of its features. The program works as advertised. I think maybe a single interface window for access to the settings and options would cut down on a little confusion. For instance the RegRun Control Center offers access to the settings of the various features, yet when you open the Start Control interface and click on options at the top, you have the features listed again. Initially this confused me as I could not be sure there was not something there, that was not offered in the Control Center. In future versions, perhaps the interface could be slimmed down a little and redundancy minimised. There are so many features, it is somewhat intimidating at first. With a little effort at familiarizing myself with the structure however, I soon became comfortable with choosing what options I wanted and was able to add considerable security to my system. I consider this to be a "must have" program for anyone that wants to be serious about having a secure machine, with the control being in the hands of the operator. The program is fairly priced at $49.95 USD and there are two, less costly versions available that would certainly be better than no using RegRun at all. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, I give it a 10+. Test and review by: Ghery.