360 Internet Security: FREE Triple antivirus engine, BitDefender included

Kindly asking for official source with clear notice of "stopping" 360 IS?

There were talks on making TS modular which users could customize it [on/off switches] to look like IS, but no confirmation on that either....

 

360IS is much better than TS in my opinion.

 

I'm genuinely interested in your opinion as to why do you think IS is much better than TS.
In my opinion, TS weights more in:
- Avira
- Windows Patchup
- Startup Optimizer
- Network Protection
- Cleaning up HDD
And it will be expanded with more features/functionality in the upcoming versions...

 

Hi,

If I may, EXACTELY these are the arguments for TS being worse than IS:

Windows Patchup-----------------> Windows Update does an excellent job
Startup Optimizer----------------->Check MSConfig yourself and disable in start-up what you do not need
Network protection----------------->is part of Win 7
Cleaning up HDD---------------------->Disk Clean up /defragmenter in every version of Windows

Who needs these? And why making TS modular which users could customize it, in fact removing all this junk an remaining with IS.

 

I agree, I like that they added Avira, but all the cleaning/optimizing should be put in a separate program. Have one security program, and one optimizing/cleaning program.

I was just thinking, I wonder if the Avira sigs are already part of 360IS via the cloud. I would bet they are, and they just don't give you the option to download them locally.

 

Sure you may, this is a civil discussion and everyone is entitled to an opinion.
So, let me respond to the "junk" argument
Windows Update------------> Does not provide optional updates such as Adobe flash/air, java, etc... Also, Qihoo 360 continues with protecting Windows XP whether Microsoft stopped delivering patches. As to newer systems, install fresh OS on 2 PC's, and on one use Windows Update, and on another use Qihoo PatchUp. On first pc, you'd have to download & install patches and restart your computer at least 11 times, while on PC #2, you'd do it probably up to 2. Why? Because you can rescan if something is missing after installing without restarting and restart only when prompted when Windows really asks you to. Which you do, rescan, install, rescan, install, done. A huge time saver. Speaking from 37 experiences, majority of them laptops. OS's were Windows XP's, Vista's and 7's, also majority were 64 bits...
Also this: http://kotaku.com/china-hangs-on-to-a-dying-windows-xp-1559710935
And this: http://www.360safe.com/news/?p=802
MSConfig---------------> Does not provide any description or recommendation as to what certain service/startup does and is it recommended to turn it off or leave it on.
Sure you could look for it on Google, but that could take time to crawl through all the entries. And I admit, not all entries descriptions are updated in Startup Optimizer, but it will get there
Part of Win7--------------> I don't think it is a smart idea relying on Windows only to protect critical infrastructure as it simply does not have the capability to filter out good from malicious packets. A test to that is, it has not been hacked so far http://malwaretips.com/threads/360-news.25043/
Disk Clean Up -------> Not as through as this one, as it supports more programs than windows in cleaning their junk/unwanted/plugins:
- Web Browsers 23 programs supported
- 40 Audio/video programs supported
- Game/Application programs 127 programs supported
- 23 Windows areas covered in cleaning
- 15 mobile phone programs supported in cleaning.
Defragmenter is not covered in Qihoo 360, but I personally use Iobit Smart Defrag 3, which has auto defrag and ability to turn off PC when done, also turn off VSS when defragging.
I am just speaking in numbers here

Do not agree. It's called Total Security for a reason, because each of these modules do help a computer in each category. It would be the best if people could choose what to install/uninstall, but then again, if you don't need a specific module, you just don't use it at all.
As for IS' Avira, no, because if it was part of the cloud, you'd see it's icon along with others indicating it's online status [connected to avira cloud....].

 

For me 360IS is better than TS :

360IS is much more light than TS, IS uses about 30-35 MEG RAM (TS uses here +150 MEG RAM with all engines)
My boot time is very fast with IS, boot time increase with TS up to 15 seconds more than IS. (even after a speed up it has a slower boot time!)
Cleanup with Ccleaner and also manage start-up items with this utility.
Detection rate TS (with one extra engine from avira) is Not yet better than IS (see virus exchange @ www.malwaretips malware packs)
Network protection also in IS.
No need for windows patch-up, my windows recieves all updates, so up to date.

So more stuff we dont need (except a firewall for TS) .... how do we call that Bloat Bloated ..

 

@Spokesman
It would be a little bit unrealistic to expect 2 heavy duty av engines shrink to 30 megs.... If the minimum RAM is not achieved for normal operation of the computer [minimum 1GB], TS will advise against enabling them. Honestly, if 150MB is too much, then additional RAM module should be considered, or, stopping unnecessary background apps from running and eating up all that RAM. Besides, RAM exists to be used in the first place.
Having at least 10 PC's transitioned from IS to TS, I observed and increase of startup [HDD activity stops] from 3 to 20 seconds after optimizing. So we have different experiences, I have good, you have bad.
I don't dispute the effectiveness of CCleaner. I find it also very effective. I just like having all-in-one at my fingertips, not starting up additional programs to do something I could
easily done it all with one click of a button
As for the detection rate, I wouldn't comment on a claim like that since TS and IS share same technologies [hips used to be stronger in IS than in TS], same cloud engines, same bitdefender sigs, with additional of avira [which may or may not detect malware depending on zero day samples], I find it a little bit... illogical. Still, a normal user with moderate torrenting/cracking should be protected. Those looking at virus/hack forums refreshing F5 every second or buying malware on the Deep Web, not even Comodo D+ would help them, sandboxing/virtualization included, and all that running inside VMWare Workstation
- Network protection also in IS: I stand corrected.
Also interesting thing about Windows update I just remembered. It was supposed to install 4 updates on a W7 64bit machine, on a client computer. Installs, asks for reboot, then same 4 updates all over again, over 10 times. One is for Windows providing fixes based on user feedback crash report, and the rest was for Office 2013.
Nevertheless, Windows was unable to install them properly while Qihoo was without needing for a reboot on the first try. Not saying Win Update is crap, just I find it more convinient.
Some not-so-technical users even turn off Windows Update because they don't even like popups or slow shutdown "Do not turn off your computer....." and they turn it off anyway because they don't like to wait. I don't need to tell you what happens then. [Hint: corrupt system files due to need of exclusive access needed to replace them with new version].

And for the last, additional bloat, that is, better RAM management [killing unoptimized processes, cleaning up junk in RAM and speeding up PC by turning of CPU intensive programs] I don't consider a bloat. In fact, I welcome the change.
IS is always available for people to use, for others, TS is also there.

Firewall would be a welcoming change!

TS can be used WITHOUT using ANY "bloat", that is, just for AV scanning purposes. It's easy, just don't touch one click experience, and the rest of the tabs and you'll be just fine
As for IS, it will keep running, and remain "pure" as it is.

NOTE: My definition of bloat: in the free av versions, constant popup "buy me", better protection if you buy premium/professional/ultimate, crippled functionality, inclusion of toolbars for "better protection", scanning of windows registry and having to buy it in order to "fix it", flashy GUI which needlessly slows down whole system, or including "tech support for cash" to fix PC problems with other/3rd party tools..... Of course, all this is just my opinion and should not be taken as absolute truth, as, we live in a society where we come from different backgrounds, different way of life, different understanding of things and different wishes.

And to anyone wondering, I respect @Spokesman opinion on the matter, I just don't agree with it due to arguments provided. It's just a friendly conversation

 

At least, they should make a custom installer option.

 

I agree.
Already been submitted for consideration, still unknown at this time will the Management approve of it until the next major release...

 

I have always hated the "buy more ram to allow programs to be inefficient" argument.

 

Hi

No problem, i respect your opinion too.
I have asked them several times to reduce the amount of Ram usage (via feedback).
So IS using 35 megs with BD engine, how much with TS ? its a huge difference in Ram.
Personally i have enough Ram (4GB) but i'm also thinking about people using an older computer (xp machine) with less than 1 GB or a net/notebook.
Also i want my computer to be ready as soon as possible, so for me 360 IS doing a good job, this speedup thing in TS doesn't work for me... once TS reaches the same result at startup i might/will considering to use TS
even with some stuff that doesn't fit in an AV
But we all agree 360 products are awesome, with a high detection rate.

Edit: i see an update for TS in v 5.0.0.2018 (improved performance)

 

@Spokesman Cloud engines will take care of a machine of under 1gb with no problem. Just add HitmanPro or Emsisoft Emergency Kit as second opinion, maybe even MBAM and quick scans should do the job. Regarding RAM usage, I will talk to Qihoo guys next week and present them with all concerns and issues here (ram, additional tools etc....) And will post back any reply I have.
I promise I will do the best I possibly can to please everyone

 

About the ram usage, I noticed another thing: even if you enabled only bitdefender engine, without Avira, it starts consuming about 140-150 mb. That's a bit strange if you consider that 360 IS with bitdefender uses much lower ram.

 

Thats what i'm trying to say here, its Not normal that TS uses 140-150 meg with BD. When IS using only 30-35 meg with bitdefender engine.

 

Has anyone even noticed an improvement using the engines locally versus the default settings. The tests if seen done with default settings seem to do just as well.

 

1. The Statup optimizer is a joke. A Security Vendor that trying to disable google chrome auto update, srsly? So, its better to run a outdated chrome version?
2. The Windows update even patch something up even microsoft tells me im up to date
3. is have sometimes a better detection rate than ts, u can find some malwaretesting links on malwaretips.
4. ts is bloated like hell and u have no option to do a costum install
5. facebook login, srsly?
nothing to say more.
i would never recommend this product to my friends or any other person until all this bloated can be canceld on a costum install. i dont want a fb login on my antivirus program, i dont want extra cleaning on my av programm. there are better stand alone products for this. i dont want it to disable some autostart entries, specialy when it comes to updated browsers and microsoft processes.

ts is just not mature and need alot of work. maybe on version 7. im looking again how its going.

 

1: Google Chrome auto-update is really not necessary to start at boot which adds seconds to the whole process. Google Chrome would still get updated when used, with this it will not be checked right at startup right away to see if it is outdated. I'm with Qihoo on this one, but then again, I'm just one guy here
2: Qihoo Patch does not only patch MS Windows, it supports other vulnerabilities like Adobe, Java, etc....
3: If protection on TS was set to Security [default is Balanced, which means BD and AV were disabled] and updated, and still scored less than IS, then it will be a subject to an investigation. I will look into it.
4: You consider bloat extra features which are present in TS. I don't. Still support custom install, as I wrote before, it is under serious consideration, if the Management approves of it, it will be implemented. In the meantime, TS is not forcing end user to use those extra modules, it is easy not to use them, just don't click on them.
5: So you can share how fast your machine boots and to compare your results with the others. Never done it, but it's a nice touch to bring in new users to use Qihoo product, after all, Facebook can be/is a powerful marketing tool. Again, if you don't like that feature, simply don't use it.

So to sum up what you must use [Click on it] and what you must not use [Simply don't click on it], going from top down:
1: Facebook login. You can use it or ignore it
2: Examine button. You can use it or ignore it
3: Virus scan. You can use or ignore scans, BD and/or AV engines
4: Speed up. You can use it or ignore it [Related to this is in the settings to show boot time, disable it if you don't need it]
5: Clean up. You can use it or ignore it
6: Protection. If you don't want protection, disable the whole thing. If you don't want BD/AV, you can balance/performance/custom it. If you want the whole security mode, go with security mode.
7: Toolbox. You can use it or ignore it.
8: Patch Up. You can use it or ignore it. [Related to this in the setting to show patch popup, disable it if you don't want it.]
9: Sandbox. You can use it or ignore it. [Shortcut to this is in the right click so no need to go via GUI]
10: New features voting system. You can use it or ignore it.

So far, I found 0 modules/settings forcing you to use something if you don't like it. Not using it will not degrade protection in any way [although patching the system do help to fix the holes, just in case...] and it can be used as any other AV/Suite....

But I do get it, really. It's just I am not involved with Qihoo and am just a simple user as any of you and do what I can. We shall see if the custom installer is in the works or not.
Until that moment, all I can provide is "patience" and "when it's ready".

Cloud engines are capable for normal user. Torrents/cracks/keygens, I'd recommend security or at least BD active, with sandboxing anything unknown/suspicious.

Will report to Qihoo high Ram usage.

 

Both of which have auto updating built in.

I would sooner use CCleaner and I would sooner Qihoo focuses on making a good antivirus rather than spreading themselves to thin and making mediocre cleaners, start up tools etc etc. A company should concentrate on one or two things and not try to do everything.

 

I partly agree. Here's why.
Both do have auto check for new version, which notify you when there is a new version. So you first have to download it, then install it, manually.
With Qihoo, adobe installs silently, no additional prompts.
As far as java goes, it is mandatory to have [uninstall first, install new] their upgrade procedure respected.
As far as Second part of your statement goes, I agree with improving their products. I do not agree their cleaner, startup tools etc to be mediocre. They are actually capable of doing the heavy work, just need to expand the database a little bit to cover even more areas.
Since this is still a very young release, there will be even more stuff to cover even more areas of protection. Personally, I am very happy with it and would use it all.
You won't, because you don't like it. And that is OK. Simple, just don't use it.

As for good antivirus, IS is pretty good antivirus-only as it is. Not using it, but if nothing changed from the last time I used it, it should cover all your needs.

NOTE to the mods: I appologise for going off topic with Total Security in the Internet Security topic.
This shall be the last, unless I forget about it....

 

Wrong on both counts. With Adobe Flash, not sure about their other products, you have the option to let it silently auto update. As to Java updating it's update checker just requires you to click install when informed of a new version and it does everything for you.

The sooner TS goes modular the better although I cannot see why they could not keep IS available alongside TS for those who just want anti virus and then add Avira to IS. Also wish they would add proper download scanning. I regularly download viruses so I can check them on VirusTotal to report to those that don't detect it but TS has yet to stoop me downloading any that is has later detected when I have told it to scan it. Not tried to actually run it as I'm not that stupid.

 

I understand you wish avira engine available in IS. I shall report your suggestion to qihoo.

Regarding download scan, did you install/enable extension/add-on for supported browser?

 

See now that's another thing. Most other AVs manage to scan the internet stream without needing to have some browser add on installed. Why can't it just run as an ALG and intercept all browser traffic rather than requiring that the user installs something else?

And it would be pointless adding Avira to IS if they are going to stop IS.

 

Malicious file is not really in danger unless it is run after download, either via user execution and/or exploit/script. Nevertheless, I shall forward your suggestion for web filtering without the need for extension/addon.

As for IS, there is no official notification of ending support for IS. If there is, it would be on Facebook/Twitter/Website and even then users would have 6 months period to switch to TS or another product.

Again, the matter is under internal discussion/review and at this time, NO OFFICIAL notification has been presented by Qihoo indicating end-of-life for Internet Security.

Personally, I don't think we would see Avira get on IS suite, as it is already marketed for TS on IS web page, that blue bar....
I will try to talk with Qihoo guys about this....