Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Editors note: This review was modified from the original to reflect changes in the publishers description of the product as a complementary rather than standalone package.
Called CyberHawk under its previous owners, PC Tools' ThreatFire is a useful program but only in limited situations. It offers real-time prevention of virus and malware infections by identifying suspicious behaviors ("zero-day" events) as they happen, before malicious code installs itself on your PC. However, ThreatFire does not offer an on-demand scan for viruses already on your computer, though it will perform an on-demand scan for other malware. The name says "antivirus", but if you're looking for an all-in-one on-demand bug killer we recommend looking for a product that includes both on-demand virus scanning and real-time protection.
ThreatFire does do some things very well. The software real-time protection didn't noticeably slow down our Windows Vista 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 email client. You can also avail yourself of the scheduler, and create a system restore point before moving threats into quarantine.
However, once installed, ThreatFire is difficult to remove from your startup routine without uninstalling it. The absence of on-demand virus scanning means that this app is best used in conjunction with a program that offers on-demand virus detection and removal. While ThreatFire offers some compelling features, competing freeware security programs provide a more comprehensive combination of real-time and on-demand virus scanning.
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
ThreatFire is unlike traditional antivirus products that rely on old fashioned "signature" technology and require updating every time a new threat occurs. ThreatFire's patent-pending ActiveDefense technology provides powerful protection against zero-day and emerging threats. It constantly monitors for both known and unknown viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, buffer overflows, spyware, adware and other malware. It uses behavioral analysis to hunt down and paralyze threats that are too new or too clever to be recognized by traditional "signature-based" antivirus software. ThreatFire is the perfect complement to traditional antivirus programs.
What's new in this version: Version 3.0.8 includes performance improvements.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 522 votes
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Current version:
3.1 starsout of 147 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"it is helpfull"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
try version 4.7.0 it workgreat without slowing out the pcs
Cons
it does not detect any virus or remove it
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"oerfect protection alongside other AV's"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
IT has found a vundo trojan, wich kept returnign other trojans. avast foudn the others but not this one, wich is the source.
This is a perfect addon to have alongside avast and a firewall.Cons
It took pretty long to scan compared to avast
Summary
Well, it finally got rid of the source of all evil on my pc. It took a while to scan but the result is more then worth it.
According to other reviews, it installs a keylogger, but it doesn't. It doesn't track anything, and it doesn't use much recourses - 25% cpu in full scan. -
"works very well with Avira antivir"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
I have NEVER had a problem with viruses using this in combination with Avira antivir...I have found the combination of ThreatFire along with Avira (the highest rated anti-virus program per AV comparatives), to have eliminated any threat to my PC..
Cons
Using ThreatFire along with Avira slows down surfing a bit, but is well worth the extra protection the 2 programs working together provide in terms of protection from viruses..It is a remarkably effective combination.. I have yet to detect a virus !
Summary
outstanding protection when used with Avira...My virus scanners have NOT found any viruses on my PC in the last 6 months, since I began using ThreatFire with Avira
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"Irreversible"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
warning, junk spy ware, tracks keyboard imput.
Cons
Sucks Big time. changes to registry, can not remove without total restore.
Summary
changes to many vital, if manually removed, destroys keyboard workings.
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"Easy use, good protection."
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
I like the protection of threatfire as it can destory anything that threatfire scans.
Cons
when threatfire destroys virus, it also deletes your program that is affected by the virus.
Summary
Threatfire protects my computer from any virus it scanned.
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"Does exactly what it should."
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
Quiet. little resource use. And it works.
Cons
Upto now. None.
Summary
Most people miss the point of this software. It is NOT a stand alone AV program.
It is to block unknown viruses and spyware. Detecting by behavoir.
I use it in conjunction with Spyware Doctor with AV. & Comodo firewall.
Rock Solid. Never a problem. -
"Great Antivirus for computers below 1.5Ghz"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
Great protection if you can't afford Norton or need an antivirus for old computer
Cons
No On-Demand Scan and doesn't have as big of a virus database as Avast and Especially Norton. Also doesn't have a safe mode counterpart for machines that are so infected they can't boot normally are have a virus like Vundo.
Summary
Good for slow computers or cheapskates. Basic antivirus with a real-time protection ad-on
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""From snail slow to a full computer freeze-up!!!""
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
NOTHING AT ALL
Cons
Along with freezing my PC up...It proved to be quite difficult to uninstall. CAUTION ON THIS ONE FOLKS!!!
Summary
Pretty hard to give an evaluation on it's bells & whistles.
When my only concern was to figure out a way to unfreeze my PC from it's grasp. -
"Don't use it if you have AVG 8."
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
None as it made machine get stuck
Cons
Make life miserable by installing it.
Summary
I have tried previous versions as well. They all have the same issue. With AVG 8 the software pushes your system into comma. This time i read all the instructions they have placed on their website for this bug resolution. But in spite of adding Threatfire into exclusion list, threat fire puts your Windows into NO DO ANYTHING mode, where you system does not respond to anything and you end up with a freeze system till you go for a safe boot and uninstall the program. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR GENERAL USERS. They serious need to fix this bug.
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"This might be the future"
Version: ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 3.5
Pros
Nice desktop icon, low resource useage, quick and easy to install, the zero hour firewall feature was very interesting, the way that it shows you where these new zero hour viruses have been detected on a whole map was cool and a few customisable feat
Cons
Took a long time to scan using this software, it was just over an hour and a half, but that was on full scan. This programme is very in your face to begin with, telling me that firefox is a high risk programme.
Summary
Yet again PC tools offers a decent bit of protection software, the zero hour feature is one which I think will be encorperated in to many more antivirus firewall combo programmes in the future. I think that this programme would be best used in conjuntion with a more commonl database style method of detected. As with most of these kinds of firewalls they tend to ignore minor threats to your computer, it seems that the antivirus and the firewall elements of the programme seem to ignore minor threats becuase they can do no real damage, but I always like to get rid of all kinds of threats major and minor, sadly, this only focuses on major which some people would argue is a positive thing, but I would say that if it ignores certain threats then it isn't fully protectign my system.
On a more positive note, the customising features of this programme are decent, they arent the best nor are they the worst, it has adjustable firewall settings which I have always been a fan of and very good background updateing, normally when a protection software like this one updates there can be a few moment s of lag, none where experianced during this programmes update.
One thing that i have noticed with this programme is that you are fromt he very beginning part of the community protection scheme, you aren't asked at any point if you wish to take part in this, the feature is automatically turned on when you install, it reminds me of WARN scheme from Webroot but at least they ask if you wish to take part. Luckily you can turn this feature off with you don't wish to be part of the scheme.
In Conclusion I think that it is another moderate peice of protection software from PC tools, the zero hour detection is something which I wish to see more in future protection programmes. I would suggest this programmes to a more knowledgable user than a novice, becuase to the adjustable levels of security that you can set a novice user may see every alert as an attack and block everything, which would be bad, where as a more knowledgeable user woudl know that when you click your Firefox icon and an alert appears that this is not an attack.
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