Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 03:56 AM PDT

We have probably heard this too many times to count. “I have the latest security updates for (insert name of anti-virus and anti-spyware software here), but my Windows computer still runs so slow at times! There must be something else still on my computer.”

It is possible that the security software missed something. It is also possible that some other factor is the cause, such as defragmenting, or lack thereof. Of course, there is always the potential for the culprit to be the security software itself.

To be fair, security software is generally memory and processor intensive when it comes to running a full computer scan. For those of us without Big Blue running underneath our computer’s hood, this means starting the “deep scan” type option, and leaving the computer alone for an hour or more.

If you are not certain that your anti-malware package is a resource hog, begin running a full scan, then try opening things like Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, or Internet Explorer. Perhaps they will take a few minutes to open, if at all. You may also experience the wind tunnel effect when you hear your computer’s cooling fans prepare for take off.

Not all security software attempts to consume all possible resources though. Being service and performance flexible, Sunbelt’s VIPRE Antivirus and Antispyware (found here) attempts to prove that your computer does have to lend the bulk of the available processor and memory usage to malware scanning, and have an easy to read interface. This is not the first time a gauntlet like this has been thrown, but we will determine if these claims hold water or not.

Before we get to the scanning test, let’s look over VIPRE’s interface a bit. Any type of security software should not be complicated and a trial to navigate. Looking at VIPRE’s main screen, it appears that we are off to a good start. Here we can see our current standings for things like status of Updates and Active Protection. If we have to get into one of these section’s settings, there is a convenient link to the right of each editable entry.

Towards the upper right-hand portion of the graphical interface, there are four menu tabs. Moving from the Overview to the Scan tab, we are presented with a quick list of manual scan types to choose from. This is common in other security software, but it is nice to be able to scan only the registry or only the running Windows processes.

When in the Manage tab, we can look at Quarantined items from past scans, historical information on what VIPRE has scanned and removed on your computer, block and allows lists, and your current times for scanning. In similar fashion to the Overview tab, each item here has a link on the right-hand side, which may allow you to edit specifics of view additional information. Although, the link for the blocked items will not hold any information until you allow VIPRE to block the actions of a virus or other program.

In the Always Allowed list, we have added a handful of programs that we want VIPRE to ignore if they run. To add a program, click on Add, use the Browse selection to find your file, then add it to the list. As an option, you may also add an entire folder versus a single file. This proves handy if you have a program with different executable files that may or may not trigger VIPRE’s defenses when they run. Adding the whole folder covers all the files within it.

The Quarantine section holds any item placed into the Quarantine as the result of a quick, deep, or custom scan. Here you can look over a list of programs and files caught in its net. You can view a more through description of any of the threats here by selecting one then clicking on Risk Details. You may also release these items using the Restore from Quarantine button, if you think one was mislabeled.

The last tab on this list, Tools, hold three utilities that are very useful. The Secure File Eraser, though not activated by default, adds an option to your normal right-click menu allowing you to thoroughly remove files from your computer (far more stringent than the Windows Recycle Bin).

History Cleaner is not just for the Internet; it also covers recently opened documents in addition to clearing out your web browsing tracks. Finally, PC Explorer allows you to view items that are normally obscured from your view, such as Active X entries for various programs on your computer.

On the interface side of the equation, VIPRE’s screens are easy to manage and move about in. However, the other half of the matter is the resources it does, or does not, allocate for its consumption. The next screen shot was taken of the Window Task Manager while VIPRE was running a full computer scan. The service name is SBAMSvc.exe.

This test was run on a Windows XP Professional (SP3) computer, 3GHz P4 Hyper-Threading processor, 1 GB of RAM, and a 80 GB 7200 RPM hard drive. At the time the computer was running two active windows of Firefox 3.5, two active windows of Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft Outlook 2003, iTunes 8, the Task Manager, and Microsoft Word 2003, with no hiccups or interruptions.

Each time another application or application instance was opened, the processor load adjusted accordingly. Does this make VIPRE superior to other security programs? Not necessarily, but it definitely puts it ahead of many from a performance standpoint.

You can also check out my review of SUPERAntiSpyware, another free program that you can use to remove malware from your computer. Spyware Terminator is another favorite spyware removal tool for many people. Enjoy!

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VIPRE Antivirus and Antispyware Review

Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

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