CNET Editors' review
Vipre Antivirus and Antispyware requires Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista; it is not compatible with Windows 95, 98, or ME, Macintosh, or Linux. The 15-day free trial is fully functional; a review of the paid product can be found on CNET Reviews.
Installation takes a few minutes and does not require a reboot. After installation, a wizard asks a few predictable questions. Overall, the Vipre interface is one of the cleanest we've seen on any antivirus product. It's intuitive and easy to use. Four tabs across the top take you to Scan, Manage, Tools, and the overview page. Much of what we like about Vipre is beneath the hood--which is where it should be. Vipre scored well in both our CNET Labs' Windows XP performance tests, however, there are no public, third-party tests that we can point to at this time.
What we like most about Vipre, though, is that it packs a lot of extras--extras that other antivirus products should have but often do not, such as a secure file eraser that writes 1s and 0s over deleted files, a history cleaner that goes beyond just what's in your Internet-browser cache, and something called PC Explorer, which reveals processes and services running that are suspect or known to be malicious.
Many of these tools are also featured within Sunbelt Software's standalone-antispyware product, CounterSpy v2. Missing from Vipre is firewall protection. Sunbelt Software does not provide an uninstall function; you will need to use the Windows Control Panel's Add and Remove Software feature.
Publisher's Description
From GFI Software:
Get everything you need to protect your PC (and nothing you don't) with VIPRE Antivirus 2012. VIPRE combines antivirus and anti-spyware into a single, highly efficient solution that detects malware threats in real time via dynamic code translation, heuristics, behavioral analysis and tradition, signature-based technologies. The result is clean, fast and comprehensive malware protection that doesn't slow down your PC. VIPRE was developed with you in mind. It's the easy-to-use and affordable way to safeguard against viruses, worms, spyware, Trojans, bots and rootkits 24/7. So chat with friends, log into Facebook, play games, shop and pay your bills online knowing that your PC is protected. VIPRE licenses protect between one and 10 PCs for a period of one year to the lifetime of the PC. All licenses include free tech support from knowledgeable, friendly technicians and an 100% money-back guarantee.
What's new in this version: Version 5.0 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 179 votes
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Current version:
2.4 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
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"**** BOUGHT IT!! IT SUCKS & SUCKS & SUCKS ****"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
Easy to install. Great History cleaner.
Cons
Slows both computer down: 32sec boot time on one (windows vista), 51sec boot time on other (windows 7). Specs came straight from windows trouble shooter. There is no weekend phone support sucks. Vipre had a average antivirus in 2011 for the money. The 2012 version is worse than a free anti virus. Mastercard will be getting my phone call shortley. REFUND REFUND
Summary
I bought Vipre in 2010 ran it for 2yrs. With a few minor problems. My subscripiton expired so I bought a 2012 for 2yr. 2012 SUCKS & SUCKS. I am very disapointed in cnet for there review on this antivirus. I am going to have to research somewhere else for reviews.
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"DO NOT DOWNLOAD VIPRE Antivirus 2012 Free Trial"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
Downloaded and ran quick scan correctly first time.
Cons
Immediately slowed my whole Windows Vista system down to a stand still and almost locked it up.
Could not open any other programs.
Was a very teadious and hard process to Uninstall (I had to go to Control Panel and remove the folder from Programs in "C" drive.)Summary
I would not recommend downloading VIPRE Antivirus 2012 Free Trial.
I downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials which is more compatable and caused no problems with my HP computer. -
"Straight on straight off"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
Easy to use and does install pretty quickly.
Cons
Too intrusive.
Summary
Started a 30 day trial. This program was only on my computer for 1 of the 30 days because no sooner had it installed, it started to interfere with network settings eventually preventing me from viewing any webpages, even with firewall and web block settings turned completely off. Uninstall fixed my net problems confirming that Vipre is nothing but trouble and I advise that you avoid. Try each of the alternative antivirus programs on their trial base first and then decide whether to buy. Choosing is too much of minefield otherwise.
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"Don't buy it"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
You computer runs faster after you uninstall Vipre
Cons
1) Doesn't find any viruses
2) slows down computers
3) cannot install on servers
4) Scans keyboards and mice
5) Average (no) customer service call is two hours.
6) Asks you reboot after new definitionSummary
We had Vipre for about 3 years at our company. We have it on about 500 computers. So far we have got hit by conflicker about 4 times. Every time we have to look for another tool to clean it. We get hit by other viruses too. It bottlenecks our computers every time we do deep scans on computers. It scans keyboards and mice when we plug a keyboard or a mouse to a computer. One time we installed one of the definitions and it shut our shop. The definition had bug here it ate up all the CPU. It is the most dumbest software I have ever seen. I thought one of my coworker wrote bad programs. But Viper has created a worst product. I tell my coworker if you can write a program better than Vipre he will be a good programer.
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"Newer is not better"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
The old (pre 2012) version is fast, reliable and easy to use.
Cons
The new 2012 version is full of problems and bugs that they can't seem to fix.
Summary
I started using Vipre a year ago and it installed easily, worked well and was relatively trouble free. A few months ago they sent an upgrade to the 2012 version and it has been nothing but trouble. First it has a bug that prevents communications with my network printer unless I dsiable the firewall. They have been working on a fix for this for over two months now. Then, the new version started seriously slowing down web page loading. They told me to turn off the Internet filter to stop that. Next, something in the automatic updates causes those updates to get slower and slower to install and finally quit working at all. They are working on that as well. Last week Vipre let a virus into my computer from a bad internet site. Getting rid of the virus required installation of a different antivirus (SUPERAntiSpyware) because Vipre couldn't remove it and several hours of my time to remove. Vipre says it is because I didn't update my files - duh! Today Vipre crashed and I had to reinstall it but I still have the above problems plus it now appears to have caused MsMpEng.ext to run at random and eat up memory and processor time. I'm tired of having to fix and work around their problems so I'm going to uninstall it and use something else.
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"For this PC it is the best fit !"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
See Summary, Vipre is the best match for the PC I am typing this review on. Only Vipre solved the problem I was having since the latest Microsoft Security Updates.
Cons
None, but some reviews say Vipre is weak when installed on an malware infested PC. Hmm, most ALL antivirus products may be ineffective when installed on a PC with some really virulent nasties running. So that 'con' is not valid to me.
Summary
Suddenly after the latest Microsoft Security Updates of January 10, 201, my installation of Avira Antivirus 2012 combined with those updates produced a computer that would not boot-up: It would get halfway through the boot-up process, then stall in a catatonic state. I tried everything to fix it: System Restore; Last Known Working Configuration from the boot-up menu; uninstall and re-install Avira, nothing fixed it. So I tried several other AVs to replace Avira: AVG caused false positives; AVAST caused my system to lockup on occasion, so did Panda Cloud antivirus and PC Tools free Antivirus. I never liked Microsoft Security Essentials, it slowed down the PCs I tried it on: So in desperation I searched around and found Vipre on CNET Downloads: CNET gives it 5-star 'Excellent' rating and I agree - at least, for this PC - because it installed flawlessly and reasonably quickly, and it just as good about low resource usage as was Avira. No sluggish response, it does the job without the user noticing; and seems to update reasonably often in the background without user intervention. I'm sold, at least for this PC because my PC is bootable again with Vipre running, and all the critical MS Security Updates installed.
Correction, that date, in my original review, for the MS Security Updates should read: January 10, 2012. Heh, they had no antiviruses or PCs in 201 A.D.
Updated on Jan 12, 2012
Updated on Jan 13, 2012Couple days later: I AM AMAZED at how LIGHT this Antivirus is, even lighter on resources than Avira Antivirus 2012: And I thought nothing could get lighter than that.
Vipre uses only TWO services running - plus a process for the Tray icon, for a total of 3 processes - whereas some antiviruses use up to TEN processes running in memory. -
"Does everything exceptionally. Love it."
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
It doesn't hog system resources, catches what it needs to and lets me get on with my business.
Cons
After using many other high profile antivirus programs, this one is the fastest, lightest and most effective I've found. No downsides...
Summary
VIPRE Antivirus has been very good to me, so it's a big thumbs up from me.
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"Not for beginners!"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
Very secure from more angles than most. Has some handy tools.
Cons
Maybe too secure for everyday use. Causes more problems than it solves with beginners and casual users. Too many hidden protection items that are not disabled when real time protection is disabled, and have no access from the summary page hindering troubleshooting efforts drastically.
Summary
I'm a full time computer repair tech I've got a customer that by advice of another tech bought and installed Vipre on his system. Apparently they encountered too many problems in a string of visits and called me. They have in less than one month had three service calls that were all generated by functionality blocked by Vipre. It is not unusual for protection software to block function, but most of them are easily disabled to allow for fast troubleshooting. In two of the three cases where Vipre blocked function, the problem didn't go away when the summary page items were disabled which led me into other time consuming areas of troubleshooting before going back and either uninstalling Vipre or digging down into and wading through advanced settings to find other functions still operating. This kind of antics adds a great deal more time and expense to solve what would normally be an easy quick fix. Between the extra effort required to disable all of the product and the fact that it has so frequently blocked function is good reason to never sell or install Vipre on any of my customer's machines. This aspect is rarely explored by most reviewers so take note.
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"Vipre 2yr user switching to free antivirus!"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
takes less of computer resources
Cons
doesn't catch viruses - recently (dec. 2011) koobface and 6 other viruses. free online scanners caught them!
active protection doesn't work. -- MUST manual scan or manually update many times re-installed program.
Bought for 2 extra users and didnt go through for them.Summary
BOTTOM LINE: We are now switching to the free virus programs - 2 of them caught what Vipre Antivirus did not!
Don't waste your money or your time!
It SEEMS LIKE VIPRE is working when IT WAS JUST A PRETTY FACE Sitting on your tool bar.
DONT BOTHER - 2+ year customer [No More}] as of the end of subscription in January 2012. Right now I have 2 other free antivirus programs running on my laptop and they are catching everything vipre isnt!!!! -
"Nightmarish"
Version: VIPRE Antivirus 2012 5.0
Pros
Nice setup - easy to use. User friendly to a point.
Cons
My system is Vista. I have tried this product for a few days and it has been difficult. After loading it - my wireless printer would not work unless I shut down the Vipre firewall.My computer has shut down several times in the middle of the night for no reason since installing Vipre. I tried to delete Vipre using the normal procedure in the control panel. In the middle of the removal, my computer crashed. After recovery I checked to see if Vipre had been deleted and it was still listed plus the icon was still on the desktop. So I did the delete function for the second time and I got the message that "you can only delete software you have installed". No delete was possible. However, the icon is still on my desk top and the software is fully functional. I cannot delete Vipre. So I am stuck.
Summary
I felt the Vipre has some great ideas... however, the firewall business was totally confusing.They had all these different categories and selections which an average person has no idea what all this means. Even the default was confusing. I clicked it one time and a box was checked. I was experimenting. So I clicked it again and that same box was not checked the second time. How about firewall that is on or firewall off. And then a button for advanced users if they want to play with the subtleties of fire walling. Don't even show me what is possible. Just an on or off switch. Come on I just want a firewall that works. Also, give me one that will allow my wireless printer to work. The pop up help windows would be great - I am sure Vipre has a way to do that but when you have spent hours trying to get your printer to work and you discover that it is your antivirus software perhaps, not for sure causing it, you don't feel like searching for a help feature.
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