PC Tools observations...

[tookerjeff]

I see that the new 2011 version of PC Tools Internet Security is slated to be available on Amazon October 7th...I wondered what others thought about PC Tools products/Company?


I have read a lot of reviews discussing it's effectiveness as far as removal too and not just detection (though the "expert" reviews rarely have any product over the course of a week or so), but the free version of their antispyware/virus products give mixed reviews.


I know Matousec ratings are controversial and are misunderstood as to what is being tested, though PC Tools has REALLY taken quite a nosedive in that dept. (I know Symantec and PC are still two different companies but hmmm... As far as a regular firewall that is very efffective though PC Tools is great. Too bad about the free one being discontinued.


One thing that really irritates me is the fact that they don't allow a full trial of their program, meaning detection and removal or cleaning, which most other vendor's do. How does someone know if they really are infected with something real or not? I know they are a legitimate company, but it kind of reminds one of scareware a little when they used to have the free scanner! :/


Anyway, just some thoughts. I still think the actual products are decent (seems like they turned around after 2009 version) but the way they are marketed seems a little unfortunate. Should I mention anything about the automatic renewals? Has anyone dealt with their customer service and had problems with charges?

[drkoopz]

PC Tools software has been rather ugly and bloated for awhile now, but their scanning and removal of a lot of spyware and malware is pretty top notch stuff. It's really their bread and butter and when you see their malware protection praised by media outlets, it's not surprising they're going to protect that feature from free use. After all they are a company who needs to pay bills and make money for their shareholders. I wont hold that against them.

I think the reason why PC Tools may not garner much praise from the security community is simply because its paid software is simply not as desirable as other paid software and their free software isn't as desirable as other free software. They simply don't have anything that stands out. Oh and did I mention their software was ugly?

[bradtech]

I always liked Spyware Doctor, and when they implemented a version of threatfire into it that helped stop a lot of zero days from installing without any signatures. Only problem I ran into it was that it isn't light on resources.. They have cut down on RAM usage but overall it felt a lot slower than some other protection.

[Firecat]

The software is good, but does not stand out in terms of features. It leaves some drivers behind after uninstall, is not all that resource-efficient compared to some others, and support could be better.

But all that aside, PC Tools have some good products that work well for protecting a PC.

[atomomega]

IMO, PC Tools software is very ugly indeed. It's not attractive at all. It looks like a toy program. I've never liked the GUI nor the icons. Besides that, it's a great piece of security software, very effective and trustworthy.
Anyways, every vendor has it's own niche and audience.

[Nevis]

i agree exactly with @atomomega
also its heuristic is weak but signature based detction is strong

[Ibrad]

Its good, but it really depends on how long it lasts due to the Symantec buy-out.

[cp4eva]

My guess it that Spyware Doctor and the Internet Security products will be all that is left. Seeing the Firewall get discontinued makes me think that Threatfire can't be far behind. They most likely will be integrated into the other products they carry.
Personally, I think there's better free alternatives out there to what PC Tools offers for pay.

[tookerjeff]

Thanks for the observations everyone. Oh, I still think PC Tools is a great Internet Suite as it has it were it counts, and I looke forward to the 2011 release her in about a month or so. (I happen to kind of like the "toy" icons haha though I know what you mean. I think Online Armor's icons beat them out though as far as pixely/cartoony graphics which I'm trying out right now) Hopefully PCT's may consider offering a full trial sometime instead of limited., as well as their billing dept. I downloaded it longer ago and really liked it until I saw the fine print about only detection and not removal. :/ Anyway, Cheers.

[Vladimyr]

Originally Posted by tookerjeff

Thanks for the observations everyone. I looke forward to the 2011 release her in about a month or so.

What do you mean, "in about a month or so"? http://www.pctools.com/internet-security/

[tookerjeff]

Hi Vladimyr,

Oops, you're right! I was thinking of the Amazon release date: http://www.amazon.com/Pc-Tools-Inter...3667049&sr=8-8

Originally Posted by atomomega

It looks like a toy program. I've never liked the GUI nor the icons.

Originally Posted by cp4eva

Seeing the Firewall get discontinued makes me think that Threatfire can't be far behind.

There's nothing more to say

[tookerjeff]

hi progress,

not sure I would be concerned with the icons (I liked Online Armor ++ and their interface looks worse/not cleaned up) but yeah, I agree about Threatfire may possibly be smothered out here soon... :/

[tookerjeff]

Threatfire will prolly get reincarnated into Norton eventually in some or another...

[drkoopz]

One thing about PC Tools software is that I'd be perfectly fine recommending it to my Mom or Grandmother but if I recommended it to a personal friend who is somewhat knowledgeable on PC's I'd fear I might be offending them. There's something about PC Tools marketing and how their software looks that makes it seem perfect for older computer illiterate folks but almost embarrassing for anybody else.

[tookerjeff]

Haha Yeah. The software reminds me a little of SUPERantispyware with the "infection bugs" looking similar as well as other icons too. Hopefully there will be some more reviews of the new version soon...

[tookerjeff]

Toys "R" Us Internet Security 2011

[bradtech]

Originally Posted by Nevis

i agree exactly with @atomomega
also its heuristic is weak but signature based detction is strong

Weak Heuristics no doubt, but their behavior guard is great along with relying upon cloud based URL blocking.

[bradtech]

They got a lot of products which I think may confuse someone on what to buy.. They need to just focus on their bread and butter which would be Spyware Doctor with AV or offer and the internet security suite.. I've found some of their other products useful though.. I am speaking in terms of security software alone.. Their free AV isn't very good IMO, and they can add Threatfire/Firewall into other product lines.

Originally Posted by cp4eva

My guess it that Spyware Doctor and the Internet Security products will be all that is left. Seeing the Firewall get discontinued makes me think that Threatfire can't be far behind. They most likely will be integrated into the other products they carry.
Personally, I think there's better free alternatives out there to what PC Tools offers for pay.

Originally Posted by tookerjeff

Toys "R" Us Internet Security 2011

[drhu22]

Originally Posted by tookerjeff

I see that the new 2011 version of PC Tools Internet Security is slated to be available on Amazon October 7th...I wondered what others thought about PC Tools products/Company?


I have read a lot of reviews discussing it's effectiveness as far as removal too and not just detection (though the "expert" reviews rarely have any product over the course of a week or so), but the free version of their antispyware/virus products give mixed reviews.


I know Matousec ratings are controversial and are misunderstood as to what is being tested, though PC Tools has REALLY taken quite a nosedive in that dept. (I know Symantec and PC are still two different companies but hmmm... As far as a regular firewall that is very efffective though PC Tools is great. Too bad about the free one being discontinued.


One thing that really irritates me is the fact that they don't allow a full trial of their program, meaning detection and removal or cleaning, which most other vendor's do. How does someone know if they really are infected with something real or not? I know they are a legitimate company, but it kind of reminds one of scareware a little when they used to have the free scanner! :/


Anyway, just some thoughts. I still think the actual products are decent (seems like they turned around after 2009 version) but the way they are marketed seems a little unfortunate. Should I mention anything about the automatic renewals? Has anyone dealt with their customer service and had problems with charges?

Actually spywaredoctor starter edition does allow cleaning
also real time protection
I think the 30 day trial does too...no?

[Ibrad]

Spyware Doctor starter was discontinued and the free spyware detection was merged into PC Tools Free AV.

[quanzi_1507]

Spyware Doctor starter was discontinued and the free spyware detection was merged into PC Tools Free AV.

Can you provide more details on this? Any sources?

[drkoopz]

Quanzi it's part of the Google Pack

google.com/pack

I personally use it for on demand scanning as a companion to malwarebytes. Very good second opinion scanner.

[PC_Pete]

From a previous post

"There is now:

an apparently free-for-all-users version of 'Spyware Doctor with Antivirus' called 'PC Tools AntiVirus Free' (now 8.0.0.605),

a free-for-non-commercial-use version of 'Spyware Doctor with Antivirus' available in some language groups via 'Google Pack' called (comparatively straightforwardly) 'Spyware Doctor with Antivirus - Starter Edition',

a paid version of 'Spyware Doctor with Antivirus',

and, a paid version of 'Spyware Doctor with Antivirus' with added firewall and spam control called "PC Tools Internet Security'.

There is also 'Security for Netbooks' which I know very little about and think it might just disappear due to lack of interest and/or lack of a trial version." - hate to say I told you so