Comodo Internet Security
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COMODO Icon | |
File:ComodoIS.png | |
Developer(s) | Comodo Group |
---|---|
Stable release | 4.0.4167.742
/ March 3, 2010 |
Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
Type | Internet Security Suite |
License | Proprietary |
Website | www.comodo.com |
Comodo Internet Security (CIS), developed by Comodo Group, is an all-in-one Internet security suite available for Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. Comodo Internet Security currently includes a firewall, a HIPS, antivirus software, and buffer overflow protection on all applications.
All CIS components are optional when installing allowing the user to choose which components they wish to install. The components can be activated/deactivated by user preference.[1]
The standard version is available as a free download. There is also a paid professional version available, which includes TrustConnect and online support.[2]
Layered Security
Comodo Internet Security was designed around the concept of layered security[3], by integrating components designed to prevent intrusions upon a computer system (the Firewall, Defense+, and Memory Firewall), with components designed to resolve any intrusions which the other components miss. (Recently the antivirus component integrated Comodo's anti-malware program BOClean).
Components
Firewall
Comodo's Firewall generally wins high scores on Firewall testing sites, such as Matousec, and has regularly been included in the top three firewalls.[4] The firewall component has been declared Editor's Choice by PC Magazine[5] and Gizmo's Tech Support Alert[6].
HIPS (Defense+)
Comodo's HIPS (host intrusion prevention system), known as Defense+, is designed to provide protection against unknown malware. It is designed to restrict the actions of unknown applications, and restrict access to important files, folders, settings and the Windows Registry. Defense+ employs Default Deny [7] Protection, by default refusing any unknown file permission to install or execute except when specifically allowed by the user or when the file appears on Comodo's whitelist.
Antivirus
Comodo's Antivirus Software[8] was publicly released along with the Comodo Internet Security Suite on October 23, 2008[9]. Ever since CIS 3.8, it offers a heuristics engine built into the scanner.
Online Scanner
The Comodo Automated Analysis System is an online scanner[10] that scans suspicious files and reports back its findings.
Memory Firewall (Buffer Overflow Protection)
Comodo Memory Firewall, integrated in CIS 3.8, is designed to protect against buffer overflows and the infamous Return-to-libc attack. The memory firewall protects all applications. Comodo Memory Firewall detects buffer overflows occurring in the STACK and HEAP memory, as well as ret2libc attacks and corrupted/bad SEH Chains.[11] This buffer overflow protection is part of Comodo's prevention layer in the security suite. The need for BO protection is ever increasing due to their increasingly common use in computing to exploit end users.[12]
On the attempt of a buffer overflow attack, CIS raises a pop-up alert. This provides protection against data theft, computer crashes and system damage, which are possible consequences of a buffer overflow attack.
ThreatCast
ThreatCast is a community-based advice system, which gathers information about decisions other users have taken regarding certain actions on a user's computer. These statistics are then displayed in alert windows, giving the user an idea as to whether the action is safe, or dangerous.
Criticism
A common complaint about Comodo Internet Security is the excessive number of alert windows displayed.[13] A whitelist has been implemented in an attempt to reduce alerts for trusted applications.
Another complaint is that it is currently not possible for users who mainly use the keyboard (e.g. the accessibility-challenged) to respond to CIS pop-up alerts via keyboard shortcuts.[citation needed]
Also, a major criticism has been the low detection rates of the antivirus component. [14]
Photo Gallery
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Summary of CIS
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Antivirus Alert
COMODO Internet Security V4
COMODO Internet Security V4 was released for beta testing on 11 January 2010, and the final version was released on 3 March 2010. Among other features, version 4 has a new user interface theme, built-in Comodo Live Support integration, application sandboxing, reduced pop-up alerts and the ability to easily take system snapshots or create restore points.[15]
Reviews
- Comodo Internet Security Pro 3.8 (Review) Robert Vamosi, PC World, May 28, 2009.
- Comodo Internet Security 3.5 (Review), Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 3, 2008.
- "The Best Security Suites for 2009", PC Magazine, October 29, 2008, updated August 24, 2009.
- Comodo Internet Security 3.5 Review, Bright Hub, November 6, 2009.
- Comodo Internet Security 4 Review, Bright Hub, January 16, 2010.
References
- ^ http://www.optimizingpc.com/howtouse/firewallcomodo.html
- ^ http://www.comodointernetsecurity.com/index.html
- ^ http://www.melih.com/2008/05/05/a-door-a-burglar-alarm-and-insurance-all-you-need-for-computer-security/
- ^ http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php
- ^ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2240716,00.asp
- ^ http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-vista-64-bit-software.htm
- ^ http://industry.bnet.com/technology/10001432/microsoft-trying-to-change-its-security-identity/
- ^ Download Comodo Internet Security Suite
- ^ http://www.comodo.com/news/press_releases/28_10_08.html
- ^ Comodo online scanner
- ^ http://www.memoryfirewall.comodo.com/
- ^ http://secunia.com/secunia_research/
- ^ http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/93.htm#swfw
- ^ http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/290845/review/internet_security.html
- ^ "Release Notes". Comodo Group. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2010-03-04.