TDS software line discontinued

Discussion in 'Trojan Defence Suite' started by Wayne - DiamondCS, Jul 22, 2005.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Kevin McAleavey

    Kevin McAleavey Security Expert

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    Posts:
    376
    Location:
    Upstate New York
    Nah, we're STUCK with this for AT LEAST the next four years under contract with a number of government and corporate contracts. NO way out even though that would help my OWN sanity immeasurably. Just as an example, things have been SO insane on this end that I'm still working on WEDNESDAY. *DID* manage to cop a three hour nap about 22 hours ago - MORE for the lab again and there's just four of us here given it's "vacation time" and yet NOT vacation time for the "skiddies" and Integrated Search Technologies Corp and dozens of others that pay THEIR people better than ten times what I can afford to pay *OUR* people.

    ONLY reason that less than 99.9% of ALL computers aren't Pwn3d yet is that there's STILL a few of us out here with the RESOURCES and the TALENT to keep up with these sodders. I can count the number of QUALIFIED "anti-malware specialists" on two hands with no change left over. However the number of people PAID to "jack your box" now number in the tens of thousands who are WELL paid. Most DEFINITELY not a "fair drop." :(

    Like I said in truly genuine congratulations to Unca Wayne, "YOU got out alive and sane" ... for those of us HERE, it only means we've got to hire MORE people from the same "not making money" pot we already have. SOMETHING has got to give, and unless we get more corporate purchases, we're going to HAVE to change something to bring in more money to cover the research expenses for those (at least once daily) updates. BIGGEST mistake we made though was becoming popular among "single user" licenses. Supporting a corporation with thousands of desktops with ONE contact ain't so bad. Individuals asking for me to comment on every single thing that goes bump in the night that was detected or "this newsgroup needs a reply" ... well, THAT gets expensive. :(

    But as MUCH as I'd like to do ANYTHING else myself, WE ain't going nowhere. Don't have a choice actually, at least for the next four years. And as long as Microsoft does stupid things like buying "GIANT" (hahahahahaha!) or Symantec can't keep their antivirus from being deleted by every worm du jour and ZONE ALARM still insists that a stack pointer in an LSP along with capturing "windows messages between windows" is all it takes for "security" then ... well ... looks like there's STILL plenty of work for us to do for QUITE some time. :(

    The most POPULAR security programs out there ... well ... looks like we ain't going NOWHERE.
     
  2. richrf

    richrf Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2003
    Posts:
    1,907
    Hi Kevin,

    Health is important - both corporate and individual. Good intentions and ethics are important for corporations and individuals, but so is a good business/revenue model. I always believe that everyone should benefit from a product - end-users and developers alike. This ensures a nice, long life. Seeing as how the security world is changing, I think that all organizations that have excellent products should re-look their business model and, where necessary, modify it to ensure good,competitive technologies for users and good, competitive rewards for developers. I believe that this would be the healthiest approach to both business and life. :)

    Cya,
    Rich
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2005
  3. Webmastersas

    Webmastersas Guest

    The same here i only purchased a few months ago with PG as well on recomendation
     
  4. wawadave 1

    wawadave 1 Guest

    i,m sorry to see this go!!! i have not used it my self. but have recomended it in the past. i hope this does not escalate as a trend!!!
    i can here the caviar and vodka opening now!!!!
     
  5. Atomas31

    Atomas31 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2004
    Posts:
    923
    Location:
    Montreal, Quebec
    What about the technology?

    Hi,

    I am wondering what will happen with the technology develops for TDS-4? Will it be sold to a competitor? Does the concept of TDS will be sold? If it is sold, who can buy it and continue the developpemento_O?


    Thank you,
    Atomas31

    PS. : Can we, now, hope for a release of Wormguard 4 or will it be discontinued as well?
     
  6. Bubba

    Bubba Updates Team

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2002
    Posts:
    11,271
    @ Atomas31
    I have merged your thread into this thread. Hopefully the comment Wayne made in his beginning post above adequately answers your question concerning development.

    As for your Worm Guard question....if you will visit the WormGuard Forum....you'll see the below thread. In that thread your question concerning discontinuation of WormGuard was answered by Wayne.

    This thread---> Will Wormguard survive?
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2005
  7. Morpheus

    Morpheus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2003
    Posts:
    45
    Well, whilst I am a little sad to see it go, TBH the writing has been on the wall for a while and ever since I switched to KAV I haven't really felt a great need for TDS-3. Whilst I still run (or at least did run) weekly scans with TDS-3 it has never really caught anything for me and lately has been more for comfort/habit than a feeling that their was a gaping hole in my PC's defenses which was the case when I originally purchased it a few years back.

    Best of luck in your future projects, I don't know if its just luck but as I have just started using the freeware version of ProcessGuard as I was having problems with KPFs built in feature, the above offer has come at a time when I was considering purchasing it and like TDS-3 originally did this helps with my overall sense of security.

    Thanks for all your efforts.

    Morpheus
     
  8. This may be deleted, but I'm NOT understanding at all. I'm very angry that this product was stopped. What happened was you over-extended and now looking at the lifetime product updates and not enough new people signing up, you're discontinueing it because it's a financial liability. Any company that will do that to their subscribers is not run well and I'm no longer interested in their products.
     
  9. rx2pc

    rx2pc Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2004
    Posts:
    34
    Is there a possibility to have this offer apply to WormGuard 4?
     
  10. Pilli

    Pilli Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2002
    Posts:
    6,217
    Location:
    Hampshire UK
    Hi dandelionstray
    Guest,

    Most ppl that have bought TDS have had exceptional service from DCS.
    No company can afford to sustain a product that is not pofitable or likely to be in the future, Wayne and his company have always given their best but even they have to draw the line when it may affect the food on the table.

    As stated by Wayne DCS is still offering licences for other products for those that have licences and feel a bit miffed, i.e those that have probably purchased TDS in the last year or so.

    Let's look forward to more superb products like ProcessGuard & Port Explorer, bitterness will not make anything better.

    Pilli
     
  11. se7engreen

    se7engreen Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    Posts:
    369
    Location:
    USA
    Wayne,
    I have a single license for each DCS program available. By trading in the TDS license for another(for lack of better description), would that upgrade a single license to an unlimited? Or would it be 1 additional license?

    TDS-3 is a great program, but I've come to rely on it less and less with the advent of proactive progs like PG.
    Thanks
     
  12. richrf

    richrf Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2003
    Posts:
    1,907
    I agree that DiamondCS, from a business point of view, has its challenges. It should not sell products unless there is a strong business/revenue model. This is best for both the company and its customer base. Customers who recently purchased TDS-3 on the promise of an upgrade, which be afforded some compensation in the form of either a discount or a free upgrade to any forthcoming products. This makes the most business sense to me.

    Rich
     
  13. myguess

    myguess Guest

    My guess is DCS is working on a new program that can compete with Online Armour and Prevx's latest baby. Good Idea guys to add the same type of features as those two programs to Process Guard, or a new program, as I think they are more the future of anti-malware prevention. ;)
     
  14. BillPStudios

    BillPStudios Security Expert

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2004
    Posts:
    23
    Location:
    Scotia, NY
    Hi Wayne,

    Sorry to hear that you're going to let your baby go but I certainly understand. It's tough to step back and let go but it appears you're heading in a good direction. Your offer of Process Guard to current customers is admirable. I have no doubt about your sincerity to meet the needs of those folks who have supported you over the years.

    The competition from more greedy companies is making it tough for all of us but I'm sure you'll continue to provide a great product for many years.


    Keep up the good work,

    Bill Pytlovany
    BillP Studios
     
  15. Arctic

    Arctic Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2004
    Posts:
    46
    Well this is certainly shocking to me. If TDS is gone what antitrojan software should I use? As for the free offer I already have processguard, port explorer and wormguard. I must say I am very upset. I always recommended TDS to everyone I know. My friend's computer had so many viruses on it the antivirus would not work. I installed TDS and cleaned it right up. She had 537 viruses on her pc because her mom kept opening every email and attachment she received. lol. But TDS did the trick. I am so dissappointed. Can anyone recommend another anti-trojan software to use? :'(
     
  16. se7engreen

    se7engreen Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    Posts:
    369
    Location:
    USA
  17. Pilli

    Pilli Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2002
    Posts:
    6,217
    Location:
    Hampshire UK
    Hi Artic.
    KAV with extended bases, NOD32 is my favoutite and has made great progress Trojan wise in recent months with excellent heuristics, either of those with ProcessGuard and RegDefend for starters :D

    Pilli
     
  18. Notok

    Notok Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2004
    Posts:
    2,969
    Location:
    Portland, OR (USA)
    Actually, why not collaborate w/ one of the other small companies? Seems like OnlineArmor would be a good one.. I know they hire contractors. It seems like it would be a good way to keep the 'baby' from dying completely.. even if just for signatures or something.
     
  19. clive_4974

    clive_4974 Guest

    will dcs will make another anti - trojan software in future ?
     
  20. ?-?

    ?-? Guest

    The situation (too many new trojans) was well-known for at least 12 months. Nevertheless DCS offered a free TDS-4 update to purchasers of TDS-3. It therefore seems to me that DCS was determined to finish and release TDS-4 (regardless of the malware flood).

    Also the piracy issue was certainly not the reason for DCS's decision: TDS-3 did not have a working protection mechanism and this fact is well-known to DCS. It is sufficient to delete a registry entry in order to extend the trial period. DCS never changed this because they know that not every software pirate can be turned into a paying customer.

    In my opinion, TDS-4's success was mainly endangered by the market entry of two competitors: Ewido and A2.

    Ewido became better and better so that it is hard to imagine what a traditional signature-based scanner can offer "on top".

    A2, which was supposed to be a mere "marketing bubble" by many people including Wayne, was actually released and, in the meantime, it features a unique IDS concept (although the rest of the scanner is still crap).

    In addition, traditional AV developers have developed or will develop sophisticated heuristics for there products (e.g., Eset or Kaspersky).

    Against this background, there is reason to believe that TDS-4 would have been "just another good AT" (but no revolution). It is therefore a wise decision to continue TDS.

    The remaining questions are:

    -- what innovative products will be released by DCS?
    -- what will happen to Gavin (who was responsible for the signature database)?
    -- what will happen to the people who purchased a "free upgrade to TDS-4" and who do not need or already have ProcessGuard?
     
  21. Don Pelotas

    Don Pelotas Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Posts:
    2,257
    Or one of the Anti-trojan competitor's who are still not packing it in, like BOClean Or Ewido. ;) :D
     
  22. VirusMaaannn

    VirusMaaannn Guest

    I'm not surprised... Since when? 2002... TDS 4 was promised to be around the corner, it was beginning to sound like the 2nd coming..LOL..

    Anyways, good luck and whatever, I kinda expected this... Your product was TOOO specialized and too "nichy" to attract the general masses..
     
  23. Don Pelotas

    Don Pelotas Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Posts:
    2,257
    This was the first thing that entered my mind, when i saw the announcement. :)
     
  24. ?-?

    ?-? Guest

    Just another thought:

    This may be the end of all signature-based scanners for non-replicating malware ...

    Maybe DCS realized that the future lies with generic detection.
     
  25. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493
    This is my opinion also. Ewido and a2 took TDS-4 to the cleaners. I am just a end-user but it is hard to think of ways that TDS-4 would have been vastly superior to Ewido and a2. Those two companies would have competed well enough to take enough users away from TDS-4 that would have made the maintenance of the program a super-money loser.

    I am also looking at what KAV and NOD32 are doing. Both companies are making the concept of a pure play AT or even a pure play AS obselete. Only companies with the financial muscle of a KAV or a NOD32 or even Symantec or McAfee may have the resources to keep a large group of people dedicated to creating signatures.

    a2 might possibly survive longer than anyone gave them credit for, maybe a lot longer than the "top AT" companies. It will be interesting to watch it all play out.

    I think within the next few years there might not be such a thing as a AV or AT or AS company. There will probably be just anti-malware scanners, different versions of IDS protection systems and very specialized security products companies. Looks like DCS is going the way of being a specialized security software company. a2 looks to be going in the direction of a IDS protection system. I think Ewido has intentions on being a top anti-malware company that can compete with the big boys.....but that remains to be seen...lets see how that scanner develops and just what will be added to their "Ewido suite". They could go in numerous directions depending on their financial resources.

    What will Trojan hunter do? What will BoClean developers do after their 4 year contract is up? Will Kevin go find a job in Wal-Marts or will he also develop a specialized product company.....remains to be seen. I think it is likely though that they hey-day of the AT scanner is over. The AS scanners will probably be the next to fall.



    Starrob




     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2005
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.