Are Stand Alones Heading For Extinction?

[Graystoke]

Hi. Thought this might make for an interesting discussion.

With just about every security software company producing a "security suite", do you think the stand alone antivirus and firewall are heading for extinction?

At the moment, I'm using a suite, but I tend to favor the stand alone products.

Just thought I would throw this out there to get other peoples thoughts on the subject.

[C.S.J]

id say no,

however, i think all vendors will have a suite as an option.

even drweb most likely

[the Tester]

I think most vendors will offer a suite.
But the stand alones will be available.

[Perman]

Hi, folks: For general pc users, all inclusive type of security app is in higher demand. Whereas, advanced users may opt for stand alone. It will be a majority versus minority situation.

[C.S.J]

my thoughts about this are a whole lot more simple.

if i need a firewall - i install a suite
if i dont - install AV only


nothing else needed!

[larryb52]

you probably right but I still thinl separates give better over all protection as alot of suites usually have a weak point somewhere, IMHO...

[Diver]

Not extinction, but stand alone security applications are definitely being relegated to the back shelf. It seems to be happening first with the dearth of stand alone firewalls available for Vista. Several technology writers have predicted the death of the separate anti spyware application, especially now that Vista comes with Defender. Initial tests of Defender showed it to be weak, but I bet next time will show improvement.

There is another issue here. Proactive protection techniques are likely to become integrated with the firewall component.

Those around here would rather play mix and match with different components, but the typical consumer wants an all in one solution.

[twl845]

We've had this debate a few times before, and my answer will always be stand alones are best. If you have a stand alone for each need, and one of them turns out to be a dog, you can just uninstall it and get something else. What do you do if you've got everything tied up in a suite? Disable the offending AV as an example and get a stand alone AV? Then you're booting the disabled AV and the new AV plus the rest of the suite. That in mind, I hope that stand alones remain available.

[Kerodo]

Good example of the problem with suites is, I've been running the Avira Suite now for a week or so but just found out that the firewall sometimes loses it's app rules after a reboot. Since it's a suite, I can't just ditch the firewall, so the whole thing has to go. Fortunately Avira makes the standalone AV, which I will now use, and find another firewall.

[JerryM]

I think that the average user prefers a suite. One does not want to select the various applications to be secure, and keep them working in harmony. I am finding that the suite suits me also.

I also think that the free stand alones will continue to be offered, and most who use it will settle for the Windows firewall and free AS applications.

Best,
Jerry

[GES/POR]

Originally Posted by Kerodo

Good example of the problem with suites is, I've been running the Avira Suite now for a week or so but just found out that the firewall sometimes loses it's app rules after a reboot. Since it's a suite, I can't just ditch the firewall, so the whole thing has to go. Fortunately Avira makes the standalone AV, which I will now use, and find another firewall.

The firewall didn't let newsleecher download so i could have posted on the avira forum but instead i ditched the firewall and replaced it with oa.

[tec505]

I use Avira + ZAP on my laptop, this combo run fine but the risk is to overlap security solutions.That 'cause security solution integrates more and more applications.

Mike

[Niels]

I prefer suites. Because you are sure that all parts wouldn't conflict with each other. With stand alone products you can have conflicts. That is my opinion. There will be always people who don't need all the features of the suites. But people want to buy everything in 1 solution to save money. I agree that they also can use freeware but not everyone is easy to convince that freeware solutions are good or even better then paid versions.

[LoneWolf]

Stand alone single apps for me.
I believe that is a much better way to go.
No they are not headed for extinction.
Suites are ok but if that one app fails/shutsdown you are left unprotected.

[GES/POR]

Originally Posted by Niels

I prefer suites. Because you are sure that all parts wouldn't conflict with each other. With stand alone products you can have conflicts. That is my opinion. There will be always people who don't need all the features of the suites. But people want to buy everything in 1 solution to save money. I agree that they also can use freeware but not everyone is easy to convince that freeware solutions are good or even better then paid versions.

Actually it is you who need convincing. In general freeware isn't as good as their paid versions lacking several features,functions,etc. but i agree that there is good freeware out there.

[Graystoke]

Nice responses so far. Thanks guys.

Another thing I don't like about suites, is the fact that more and more companies are adding more stuff to the suite such as, backup utilities, and defrag utilities. I know the average user out there might think that is a great deal, but I don't need all that stuff in my security app. Windows has it's own defragger, and you can get a good backup utility cheap or even free.

[C.S.J]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

Nice responses so far. Thanks guys.

Another thing I don't like about suites, is the fact that more and more companies are adding more stuff to the suite such as, backup utilities, and defrag utilities. I know the average user out there might think that is a great deal, but I don't need all that stuff in my security app. Windows has it's own defragger, and you can get a good backup utility cheap or even free.

yep, backup and defraggers are a bad idea, they should remove them from internet security suites.

[Perman]

Originally Posted by C.S.J

yep, backup and defraggers are a bad idea, they should remove them from internet security suites.

Hi, folks: When these apps are added into ISS, it is called Total Protection. Just look around, names such as McAfee Total Protection, BitDefender Total Protection 2008 and on and on, let me wounder what will be the next ? Entire Protection ? These apps developers just want everything for themselves.

[twl845]

Originally Posted by Perman

Hi, folks: When these apps are added into ISS, it is called Total Protection. Just look around, names such as McAfee Total Protection, BitDefender Total Protection 2008 and on and on, let me wounder what will be the next ? Entire Protection ? These apps developers just want everything for themselves.

The thought just occurred to me that if they include enough stuff in a suite they could call it an operating system.

[midway40]

It seems as of now you do have a choice between a suite or a "all-in-one" solution. I was worried for a while that Norton 360 would replace NIS. Trend Micro still offers a suite with an "upgrade" to the Pro all-in-one (btw I got my free Pro license this week for beta testing, lol) . I just hope that these all-in-ones do not replace suites in the future.

I once commented here that since the antispyware capabilities are getting better with antiviruses nowadays the stand-alone A/S days could be numbered. For example, SAS on my machine has had very little to do in the past 8 months.

As firewalls go, it appears that some FW companies such as ZoneAlarm and Outpost have seen what the future is bringing and have decided to enter the security suite field.

Personally the reason I went to suites was because of compatibilities.

[Niels]

For me the total packages aren't that good. If you compare the parts that has nothing to do with security with other products they(=total packages) score very poor. Also features such as duplicate file finders are very dangerous and I personally find that they shouldn't be included. Escpecially for users who don't know what they are doing. For example many programs use a same dll file in a different folder.

[EASTER]

Since standalones, or Portables if you will are independent from having to be permanantly tethered to your system resources, this frees up space and opportunity for other apps that can help better protect your desktop/laptop investment. For example employing virtual apps like Returnil or in my case i still fancy Power Shadow on some units. Then you have SandboxIE where everything passing thru your browser is trapped into a confined finite area which can be dumped easily and not attach to your disc IF it happens something malicious is been invited.

No, i say Suites will make product headlines but more educated and experienced users will allocate their resources wisely, and thats where standalones come in very useful IMO.

[trjam]

Antivirus field-still growing with some unique possibilities

Antispyware field-ancient relics, going nowhere

Firewalls-so much importance is put on them and they are either confusing or work poorly. Give me a good setup router.

HIPS-fashion statement, standalones will be hstory as most AVs will icorporate one.

Virtualization-the future hot potato with some endless possibilities. Coupled with aa good AV is a nice setup.

Future Suites=AV,HIPS,and Virtualization

[MikeNash]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

Hi. Thought this might make for an interesting discussion.

With just about every security software company producing a "security suite", do you think the stand alone antivirus and firewall are heading for extinction?

At the moment, I'm using a suite, but I tend to favor the stand alone products.

Just thought I would throw this out there to get other peoples thoughts on the subject.

Obviously, I think suites are the way to go because - well, if I didn't I wouldn't have gone that way with our product line.

With that in mind, we will see a trend towards consolidation of functionality (and companies, but that's a post for another thread).

We've seen over the past few years - products that were innovative in their day - ProcessGuard, for example, merely become features of suites. The key features in PG are now available in a good number of products to varying degrees.

Each time I see a new innovative product, I don't shudder in horror - I look at it as a possible feature for adding to a product. I'm sure other businesses that sell suites think along similar lines. The internal monologue goes along the lines of "Is that a good idea? How long before we can add a similar feature? Does it fit with what we're trying to do?"

A lot of innovation comes out of the one-function products - and, these are rapidly adopted by the enthusiast crowd. I don't see single function products (or specialist) products dying any time soon - but I'd be suprised to see them on the best seller list - outside of the enthusiast market people just want their computers to work. (yes, a sweeping generalisation I know)

However, there is always the possibility for a single-function specialist product to take the world by storm.... until it's included in suites, or the OS.


Just my 2c...

[MikeNash]

Originally Posted by trjam

Future Suites=AV,HIPS,and Virtualization

Couldn't agree more.