Outpost Security Suite FREE 7.1

[techie]

Outpost is now offering a free security suite, it includes there firewall, anti-virus and anti-malware.

You can look at the full description here.

Outpost Security Suite FREE 7.1

 http://www.agnitum.com/news/2011-02-08-oss-free-7-1.php 

Direct download for 32 or 64 bit applications is located here.

 http://free.agnitum.com/ 

I have only been testing it for a couple of days. I have tested it as far as stealth testing, it did pass GRC quick stealth testing.

It was setup initially (default), in auto learning mode, it failed miserably, with GRC's leak test, it automatically allowed it. It may be that GRC is setup as a trusted server, but it did not even challenge the leak test, just approved it???

One of the major problems, it is limited as to what you can or cannot manage. The average user, this probably is fine, but for most advance users, not being able to change some basic settings could prove to be aggravating.

The anti-virus and malware seems to work fine. I found it could be overly aggressive sometimes for adware, on websites. If you choose to block it, you have no option that I can find to unblock it. If you choose to block it, it becomes annoying that any time you return to that site, you will receive a pop-up, from the firewall telling you it is blocked (OK already I said block it, leave it be). I find this to be more annoying than if I had received a pop-up advertisement.

I think overall it is functional, but needs some refinements. The leak test failure makes me wonder what else it may be allowing to flow automatically.

[techie]

Further testing, it is capable of blocking adware, but fails to block a known drive by site, that sets your computer is infected, and blocks you from continuing, with consistent pop-ups.

I don't know if it is ready, to be recommended, for overall protection. The strong point of Outpost should be it's tested firewall, but it has seemed to fail in some important areas tested.

[DaveG]

FWIW have been using the FREE Suite on a laptop for several months. First the Firewall only and lately the Anitvirus too. Only complaints are one blocked and not stealthed port and no download file of virus definitions (for updating PCs not connected to the internet), otherwise seems fast light and easy to use. Funny thing about the blocked port is if I reinstall Outpost it then shows stealthed when tested at GRC.

[techie]

Stealth wasn't the problem, with the testing. It was that the firewall allowed an unknown program run in the wild. It is a basic test that should have been immediately blocked.

I haven't retested it in awhile, but may see what has changed.