SecureAPlus vs. Voodoo Shield

A few observations for those contemplating using one of these software programs...In the last few weeks, I have tried both SecureAPlus and Voodoo Shield. I tried Voodoo Shield first, in that it seemed to be higher rated than SecureAPlus on CNET and Softpedia (among other sites)...I was not happy with Voodoo Shield in that it was SO intrusive, always popping up a box asking for approval to run .exe programs, even though the program itself was likely quite effective...I simply got tired wasting so much time with the never-ending pop-ups...I then uninstalled Voodoo Shield, and installed SecureAPlus..After having read the mediocre reviews for it, I though it would likely end up uninstalled as well, and I would go searching for a replacement; however, I was VERY happy with SecureAPlus..It seems to be just as effective as Voodoo Shield, with much less in the way of intrusive pop-ups. SecureAPlus even automatically checks any running process with VirusTotal, and gives you their findings to review before allowing software to run...Well designed and implemented! I also would love to see software review sites like CNET break down user ratings by timeframe, i.e., how are recent user ratings vs. older ratings...Sometimes software can start out with poor ratings, only to be dramatically improved as the software itself improves, and user reviews tend to be all lumped together with no indication as to the trend over time.

 

AV vs another isn't aloud I believe..

 

That only applies if comparing AV's. Voodooshield is not an AV.

P.S. I run both, but in different snapshots. I do agree with the OP that SAP is very quiet, and has few pop-ups.

 

Still the same Principle IMO A vs B

 

Since this forum doesn't allow A vs B, then perhaps you can go here
http://malwaretips.com/threads/voodoo-shield-vs-secureaplus.38563/

Btw, did you used VoodooShield training mode?

 

Once I took the time and had the whitelist configured VS only alerted me to "new" things that tried to run, but your right untill you have all your exe's listed it is a little pesky.
I have used it for nearly a year now and I love it.

 

Past threads would not support this;

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/thre...shield-or-novirusthanks-exe-radar-pro.377372/
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/appguard-or-voodooshield-for-unattended-office-use.354254/

 

been using SecureAPlus for many months and it has been perfect. show me a single malware that can bypass it even with real time disabled like i choose to do.

 

+1

 

I wonder what version of VS you were using? The latest beta [2.79] is pretty quiet once you get used to the idea of putting VS in training mode when installing or updating programs. I have never used SecureAPlus so can't comment on that.

 

@Krusty13
Same here, havent gave SA+ a second look.
Does anyone know if it out does Malwarebytes ?
I would love to see how it compares to Malwarebytes and FortiClient.

 

voodoo shield also checks programs on virustotal. if that is the above basis for calling secureaplus an antivirus program, then voodoo shield also qualifies. i personally consider them to just be anti exe programs ... though, it is blurry.

 

Well...they're both whitelisting applications. Voodooshield is a full blown anti-exe and protects all windows system EXE's from command lines and scripts. Including those of which that would result in a DLL injection as well as all fileless malware.

SecureAPlus works off its whitelist and multi-database blacklist. On silent mode, it will make decisions based on readings from those two components. As a bonus the application whitelisting also protects against DLL's PYD's and even JS's and JSON's The applcation whitelisting also protects quite well against fileless malware and it protects against scripts that make use of a lot of windows system EXE's and even a few commonly used applications. (all of that information was gathered from my own tests against malware and also at random times when fiddling with it.

I use both, but at the present moment, if I had to pick one, I'd go with S.A.P.. They both offer more or less the same protection at the end of the day, but S.A.P., even on the whitelisting settings I set it to, comes up with many fewer false alarms. Their support over Email is better than voodooshield whenever I tell them about a flaw or performance problem it has.

When I first started using voodooshield, their support over Email got back to me within 20 minutes or less (depending on the time of day) and now it sucks. it sometimes takes them days to get back to me about an issue I'm having that turned out to be a super simple fix.

 

The problem is that Dan (the VS dev) has a life and another business as well, so he has to find time, and I guess that's not always easy.

 

I don't think I ever got replies from a guy named Dan from their email support "Tyler" was one name I saw.

That's fine if he has other things to do, but I don't think he's the only one who handles customer support.

 

I don't know about customer support but as far as I know it is only Dan and another guy doing the development work. He may of hired someone else to help out.

I have only ever received emails back from Dan, but as VS has been pretty much flawless on my machines lately I haven't needed to reach out.

 

@treehouse786: Uhhh... if you disable real time, how can SAP block a malware?

 

Haven't used the product in a long time. But perhaps it's simply disabling the antivirus and letting the whitelist functionality block the malware.

 

Realtime scanning with the antivirus off. All other components turned on.

And to @treehouse786. I have seen a handful of things get past S.A.P. with the whitelisting settings set to trust based on just a publisher signature. But when the whitelisting is set to "name and thumbprint in the list." THEN SecureAPlus is bullet proof. Damn near perfect...in silent mode.

 

YEP!

 

When you have SAP do an on-demand scan, does ONLY the antivirus component do the scan, or is the whitelist ALSO part of the scan. I ask this question from the standpoint that a .exe may have been on board PRIOR to installing SAP.

 

Just the antivirus does the scanning, but the whitelisting is the bulk of the protection

 

Thanks!

 

Hi @ Wilders

I am considering using SecureAPlus in view of the positive comments in this thread. What I am not clear about is whether the comments related to the paid versions or the LITE version. Could someone clarify please

Indeed what would be your views of SecureAPlus Lite v Voodooshield Free?

Thank you

Terry

 

The free version of SAP sucks now.