IOBit Security 360 – Beta
Update: Since the revelations in November 2009 that IOBit had stolen the database and intellectual property from Malwarebytes as well as also believed to be using the databases from other security vendors, Free PC Security can no longer support nor advocate the use of this or other programs from IOBit.
Users who download this or other IOBit programs do so at their own risk.
IOBit Security 360 is a free pc security program which claims advanced malware & spyware removal which can 'detect and remove the deepest infections,' protecting your PC from the usual onslaught of spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, bots, worms, and hijackers.
This is a Beta program that works in realtime which claims to offer good protection and is designed to be simple to use and run alongside existing antivirus programs. It packs many features including a combination of other utilities.
Installation is simple and straightforward, there are no toolbars or adware included, which is a bonus.
Once installed the user interface opens and the first step is to update the program with the latest definitions.
It has an automatic update feature but I found that it locked my machine before finishing the update.
After several reboots I decided that manual updating was better as it did not lock up.
Apart from the Scan button on the user interface there is also a security analysis button, which will scan for missing updates and junk files that are on your computer.
It will then give you the option of downloading and installing missing updates from Microsoft servers and removing any 'privacy problems'.
The Privacy Cleaner is very similar to CCleaner with its appearance and cleaning methods and require that all browsers are closed to clean properly, removing browsing history, cookies etc.
The Junk File cleaner removes remnants of any accumulated junk files that have been missed by the Privacy Cleaner.
Under the Tools button there is a Hijack Scan where users can create a HijackThis logfile and save a report as a text file to upload to various forums that can troubleshoot many problems that users experience.
It also lists all Processes, Startup Items which can be stopped, Running Services, BHO's, Downloaded files, IE Extensions and IE Settings. Many of these have a 'remove' button so unwanted items can be removed, but treat these with extreme caution as it is easy to remove a necessary item.
Passive Defense claims to prevent the installation of Active-X based components such as spyware, browser hijackers and restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.
By default these are all OFF and if using this program it would be advisable to Enable All.
Files that you want to remove but cannot because they are locked can easily be removed by either browsing for the file or using drag and drop into the Unlock & Delete box.
The Settings tab is where users set up schedules, check quarantined items, add items to ignore, update and notification, also in the Update section users can add Proxy Settings if using a proxy server and select the level of protection.
The Protect tab shows the status of auto-protection and advanced protection against malware and unknown threats, simply click on them to turn on or off.
Scan settings allow users to use a 'Smart Scan', 'Full Scan' or 'Custom Scan'.
I visited a small number of infected sites and downloaded rougue programs and installed them. IOBit Security 360 blocked the installation of AntiVirus Plus and the scan removed 6 threats on the initial scan.
I followed this with a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware which found 49 infected objects including Trojan BHO's, Trojan droppers, Rogue AV's, Fake alerts and so on, which were promptly removed.
To be honest, IOBit Security 360 did not meet my expectations and allowed me to install malware easily, whereas my normal defenses would have blocked or alerted me to the threats and even the basic version of Spyware Doctor performs better in realtime defense.
If you really want to give this a go, accept that it is a Beta program that has a lot of room for improvement.
Click here to download IOBit Security 360
This program will run on Windows 2000/2003/2008/XP/Vista and Windows 7.
Alternatives:
CCleaner
HijackThis
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
WinPatrol 2009
SpywareBlaster
Surf Safer, Surf with WOT - Click Here or the links below
Web of Trust for Internet Explorer
Web of Trust for Firefox
Web of Trust for Google Chrome
Free PC Security, IObit Security 360, Free Tools, Malware Prevention, PC Security, Realtime Defense, Beta Program
