CNET Editors' review
ThreatFire offers real-time prevention of virus and malware infections by identifying suspicious behavior ("zero-day" events) as it happens, before malicious code installs itself on your PC. Formerly known as CyberHawk, ThreatFire has made some dramatic and noticeable feature improvements since it was bought by PC Tools.
ThreatFire seeks out rootkits, heuristics-based threats, viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, keyloggers, and buffer overflows. The software real-time protection didn't noticeably slow down our computer, and the customizable advanced settings were excellent. Users can pick and choose their preferred trusted processes and create rules for detection, such as scanning for SCR files created by an e-mail client. You can also avail yourself of the scheduler, and create a system restore point before moving threats into quarantine. The IntelliScan took about 15 minutes on our machine, but it didn't lock us into scanning mode. We were still able to check out other panes in the ThreatFire interface.
The only problem encountered was that occasionally, threats would be detected but without a name label. This made it hard to determine if they were genuine or false positives. ThreatFire has improved markedly, though, and working as a complement to your currently-installed antivirus it should be considered a serious protection tool.
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
Traditional antivirus solutions cannot protect you until after they have discovered a new threat and produced a signature to counter it. ThreatFire does not rely on signatures, but instead provides behavior-based protection. It is designed to be used alongside your existing antivirus software and it fills the gap in protection between your antivirus signature updates. ThreatFire protects you against major security threats including viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits and even some spyware. Its advanced ActiveDefense technology intelligently analyzes the behavior of processes and programs on a system and immediately halts any malicious action. It continuously monitors all activities on your PC at a very low system level and uses a proprietary combination of analytics, risk algorithms, program histories and tolerance thresholds to identify and shut down threats so you are always protected, no matter how new the threat. ThreatFire is easy to use, instantly effective, and very light on system resources.
What's new in this version: Version 4.7.0.53 includes various compatibility and malware detection fixes.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 508 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Great Unless You Use Majicjack"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
It's really great! During installation it checks your system for needed security software before installing. It checks for Firewalls, Antivirus programs, and whatever else is need for layered protection. This is because it doesn't claim to be an all in one solution, just an addition to protection. Great User Interface. Easy downlaod and install.
Cons
Doesn't work on my system because of Magicjack. I disabled Majicjack for awahile and worked perfect.
Summary
Perfect Complement to security if you don't Use Magicjack. Everybody else...Get this!!!
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"It's free!"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
A better free anti-malware than most.
Cons
It just doesn't seem as good as before.
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"good but not great"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
Fair protecshion
Cons
needs to do more then fair.
Summary
NEED TO DO MORE THEN FAIR a good product people buy ok they don't.
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"You could do worse"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
Offers real time protection for free and not many anti-spyware do that. Light on resources.
Cons
Average detection rates but at least it is better than MS Defender. The scanning process is sluggish and drags your machine down to a crawl so only scan when you don't need to use your machine for a while.
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"Very Efficient Anti-Malware/Spyware"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
Very light on System Resources; very few false positives; works in coordination with any standard anti-virus program; fills the gap where your anti-virus will fail; great zero-day protection.
Cons
None whatsoever!
Summary
I have had Avast installed on all my computers at my house, and it is a great free full-featured program, unlike the stripped-down free version of some of the other programs. However, I became very concerned about its protection level. I was trying to spy on my teanage daughter, and i decided that i was going to install a keylogger on her laptop. Granted the keylogger program comes from a reliable source, but I was upset to find out that I did not get an alert message from Avast. The program was allowed to run and execute without a whisper from Avast. I scanned my system with Malwarebyte after that, and it alerted me about a dangerous program on my system. That's when I decided I was going to add some extra protection on all my PCs. I came across Threatfire on the web, and boy, I have no regret. Threatfire works flawlessly with Avast and other anti-virus programs. It provides that extra layer of protection that anti-virus programs may lack. It was able to alert me and stop the process when i tried to install that same keylogger program that Avast had missed. Avast has been great to me over the years, but I was very uncomfortable with that sequence of events. I am not writing this here to discredit Avast, for it can protect your system in some ways, but it is not the same without the addition of a program like Threatfire. Excellent program, you go for it!
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"GREAT BU AT ONE POINT GOT DISAPPOINTED& UNINSTALLED IT"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
ONE OF THE BEST APPS BEEN USING IT SINCE I BOUGHT MY PC. ITS REALLY GREAT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENED
Cons
theres a malware on my browser and it sent spam on my accounts i didnt open my accounts i was watching tv my friends informed me bout the spamming. my browser kept telling me theres malware but whenever i scan using threatfire it shows theres none. i had to change my browser and malware protection eventually.
Summary
REALLY GOOD. U CAN TRY IT. HAD IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME BUT I GUESS ILL STICK WITH IOBIT SINCE IVE BEEN USING THEIR OTHER PRODUCTS SO ILL TRY THEIR ANTIMALWARE TOO
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"Mediocre at best, it still needs a lot of work."
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
1. Average virus/malware/spyware detection.
2. Easy to use interface
3. The little flame looks cool on my toolbar.....Cons
1. This program considers just about any .exe file you activate to be a trojan, and tries to auto prompt/quarantine any program from windows update to firefox which connects to the internet.
2. A *LOT* of false positives in detection and prevention.
3. Program does not remember the 'allow program' function.Summary
I've tried every setting I could find in this program to lighten up the overly aggressive detection and prevention in response to .exe files and the internet. No avail.
It's not a bad program if you can tolerate its lack of learning ability in relation to allowable programs and program types. But if you are not a patient individual and don't want to spend several minutes a day just waiting on it to allow you to allow a program. Then I would go with something else. -
"POS Restore points removed, all other protection gone"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
NONE, PCTools still sucks
Cons
everything you never wanted,disables restore points and everything needed to eliminate itself
Summary
Even disables bad reviews
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"Installed easily, jammed my system immediately"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
Installed easily
Cons
Wouldn't work, kept everything on my laptop from working, wouldn't uninstall, spent hours scanning and purging, Windows firewall still won't stay engaged, tripled the boot time, who knows what else.
Summary
The reviews said that ThreatFire "played well with other programs," but that was not the case on my system. I would really appreciate better testing in your reviews. A couple years ago Cnet recommended ZoneAlarm firewall, so I tried it. All was fine until I got Qwest internet service which came with Norton Antivirus, apparently ZA and Norton have serious incompatibility issues. My computer was in the shop for 3 months, Qwest fought liability, the hard drive and the drivers had to be replaced, and I lost all my bookmarks, settings and files. WHO KNEW? You SHOULD KNOW! That's why we go to your reviews.
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"An Added Layer of Security"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.7.0.53
Pros
Works with your other Security Software.
Light on resources
Auto updatesCons
Does give alerts to some "false positives" but it is nice its letting you know whats going on when it sees something suspicious.
Summary
If you are a beginner with computers do not set sensitivity above Default setting or it may make you paranoid and confused.
I have Been using a while with no problems. If using D+ on Comodo Firewall Like I do there has been occasion of D+ flagging Threatfire.
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