****What is it?****
Shield Deluxe 2009 is antivirus software powered by BitDefender that uses “integrated methods to scan for viruses and other nasty little things that may infect your laptop or computer and impact its performance. The Deluxe consists of antivirus, anti spyware and adware and rootkit detection. Supplying you do not use your pc for anything “too dodgy” or visit “threatening sites” this ought to offer all the protection you need for secure world wide web use.
****Method requirements****
The requirements for the Deluxe software is 128MB RAM and 10MB of difficult-disc space for program installation. The requirements are minimal, but considering that most antivirus software programs are modest and un-intrusive programs this is to be expected. Deluxe is compatible with numerous operating systems contain Vista, XP, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows ME, so even those of you with considerably older machines will be able to benefit from Deluxe.
****Downloading and installing****
This antivirus software program is downloaded direct form PC Security Shields web site. It is an very effortless method that involves setting up an account and logging in, checking the “download” box, inputting all relevant card details and submitting the information. Within seconds the download will be sat in your on-line account ready for you to install.
The exact download time of the software program will depend upon your personal computer and net connection type, but as previously stated it is a quite tiny program so shouldn’t take too lengthy whatever your personal computer/net connection mixture. I have a Inspiron Laptop running BT broadband (right out in the back end of nowhere achieving a download speed of 3M, which is nowhere near BT’s claimed 10M +) and it took about 10 minutes. As soon as the software is downloaded, the software program installation wizard kicks in. It is then merely a matter of following the on-screen instructions just before restarting your computer for it to take effect. It truly is that easy. Nevertheless, prior to installation you ought to disable your existing antivirus software and completely uninstall it from your computer, otherwise the install will fail.
****Making use of and updating****
Like all bits of antivirus software program Deluxe sits as an icon on the bottom toolbar monitoring world wide web use and alerting you when possible threats come along, which gives you the opportunity to take the suitable action.
When Deluxe calls for updating, like all antivirus programs do on a typical basis, you are informed and advised to take the suitable action. The updating method takes ages, much longer than McAfee but as lengthy as the pc is fully protected does it genuinely matter? In addition to lengthy updating times scanning also takes an age, again much longer than McAfee, and this is much more problematic in my opinion. Nevertheless, as all the scans were giving negative results, i.e. no issues, it appeared to be performing its job well.
****Price****
I paid .99 US for a year’s Deluxe protection, and this consists of the total package. Taking into consideration it came very highly rated by specialist websites and was regarded as to be better than more generally recognized antivirus software I thought this was great value at the time.
****My experience****
The Deluxe appears to be extremely rated in the world of computing and following seeing it in the top ten table of antivirus software from many “trusted” pc specialist web sites I thought it would be perfect, and since it was rated higher than McAfee (which was my previous selection and had given me 5 years of trouble and difficulty free of charge internet use) and Norton (which the computer systems where I function use) I really believed I was on to a winner.
As soon as I started using Deluxe I noted that the speed of my pc increased. I had read reports that McAfee is notorious for slowing down computers, but because I had never used something else on my residence personal computer I by no means actually appreciated just how much, so I was fairly pleased with Deluxe.
When the first round of updates came by means of and the “Issues that need fixing” box popped up I duly pressed the “fix” button and sat back and waited for Deluxe to do its factor. The method took ages, much longer than McAfee, but it finally reached the end. All issues, except for 1 were fixed so I repeated the method. Once again, it did not want to resolve one concern so I set it off once again. Soon after the fourth failure I gave in and went to contact PC Shield. The only contact details was an e-mail address so I fired off an e-mail for help.
Despite the unresolved problem the Deluxe appeared to be doing its job whilst I was utilizing the pc and I got all the usual notifications about pop ups becoming blocked, and warnings that some thing was attempting to be installed etc. and so on. so I was not overly concerned. Besides, the unresolved issue was in respect of updates.
Following two weeks of waiting I still had not received a reply from PC Shield so I fired off one more email. A response came two days later giving a link to the download instructions, along with a couple of lines of text suggesting removing the software program and re-installing it when a lot more, ensuring that any trace of my previous antivirus software program was eradicated. I ought to admit that this suggestions was pretty useless and they PC Shield were stating the obvious. Every person knows that if you can’t get software working correctly the first port of call is removal and re-installation, and this was one thing I had tried previously but to no avail. Not impressed with the advice I was given I sent one more email and numerous subsequent emails but to this day I have in no way received a response.
The nail in the coffin for Deluxe arrived two weeks ago when I managed to get a virus, my initial ever. Whilst using Ebay my personal computer crashed and after a reboot every little thing froze. I couldn’t use the net, open a word document, view a spreadsheet, listen to an MP3, view a Jpeg or watch a DVD. I couldn’t do something, other than run a virus scan with Deluxe.
My pop-ups had been going crazy and they all stated my laptop or computer was infected with a virus. Shortly after I was directed to a internet site selling the Anti Virus Pro 2009 software exactly where I was informed all issues would be sorted if I bought it. Following clicking “no” and then closing the window I was directed to an adult web site, and after closing this down I was directed to a Viagra internet site. This procedure went on and on whilst the personal computer was still running. As previously mentioned, I could run a scan with Deluxe which I did in order to identify what I had managed to choose up. The quick scan outcomes showed no difficulties so I a deep and full scan was run. This also showed there were no difficulties. What was going on? Why was Deluxe not choosing this up when there was clearly one thing wrong? Why did Deluxe not pick this up, and deal with this virus before it produced it to my laptop or computer? After doing an world wide web search, on my McAfee protected notebook, it appeared I had managed to get the AV2009 virus which appeared to be quite widespread.
****The AV2009 virus****
As mentioned above this is a nasty small virus that blocks all files and functions of your pc rendering it useless, and directing you to a internet site that sells antivirus software that will (supposedly) solve the dilemma. It appears that this software is a hoax, so if you are directed to this do NOT enter any credit card particulars at all. If you close this window you are directed to an adult website and then on to a internet site selling Viagra.
Whilst I had the virus I did some investigation on obtaining rid of the AV2009 virus, and whilst there were many articles, “how tos” and guides on Youtube, I couldn’t get one to function. I couldn’t even uncover 1 exactly where I could reach the end of the process as I couldn’t connect to the net on the infected personal computer. I didn’t want to invest a fortune obtaining a “specialist” to sort my laptop or computer out so I did a total factory restore and lost everything. Luckily I had backed all the essential stuff up, but I still lost a fair amount of stuff. A lot of folks said I really should have taken it to PC world or somewhere like that to get the information retrieved but soon after an event at work I am glad I chose the route I did.
The ironic factor was that the Thursday prior to me obtaining the virus one of the computers at work got a virus with the exact same symptoms I had, which we now know is the AV2009 virus, though we didn’t know this at the time. The pc was sent to a specialist for data retrieval and right after spending a long time attempting to retrieve the data they admitted defeat and wiped the hard drive. We were told there was nothing they could do and my employer was presented with a bill for £150. So, the same outcome was achieved but my employer parted with £150 in the process.
I admit that in the past I have been slack when it comes to backing up information and I only ever did it as my challenging drive became full. Luckily, my Inspiron’s challenging drive is only 40GB. I’d hate to believe how considerably I would have lost if I had a a lot more modern laptop with 240GB hard drive. I now make certain I back up my personal computer at least each other day, I appreciate it could be a bit of an overkill but the problems the AV2009 virus caused has made me a bit OTT, and I would strongly suggest other pc users back up on a typical basis as nicely.
****Conclusion****
Based on my encounter, I would by no means recommend Deluxe 2009, and wouldn’t touch any other antivirus software that PC Shield presently provides, or will be offering in the future, and I this opinion will remain regardless of how several PC specialists recommend it or how low-cost it may possibly appear. The following sales service is awful and their technical department is no support whatsoever.
The constant un-resolved issue, long updating and scanning times and the fact that it appeared to be working OK all add up to a poor performing product, nonetheless the true testament to how useless Deluxe is has to be the truth that the scans were negative and no issues had been found when I clearly had a virus. I was acquiring pop-ups galore stating the reality my personal computer was infected, I wasn’t able to do something and I was being re-directed to a internet site attempting to make me acquire antivirus software program, Viagra or sign up to an adult site but, according to Deluxe, there had been no difficulties at all. I just wonder what other gremlins and programs Deluxe let by means of with out detecting them. My pc must have been on a self-timer to destruction ever given that I purchased this useless piece of software.
McAfee previously gave me 3 years of issue free web usage and my experience with Deluxe has observed me go back to my old faithful protection, even though I still have over three months left until my Deluxe subscription expires. My laptop or computer may be running a small bit slower but the scans are quicker and I am employing the web secure in the expertise I am totally protected.
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