Intego VirusBarrier X Virus Definitions - 12/03/2007

Like others, I have used both VirusBarrier and NetBarrier for a number of years. I have had no problems with them. They have both proved superior to other applications I have used. VirusBarrier has caught viruses that both Virex and NAV missed. I no longer even have Norton on my computer and only have Virex because it was free. Unlike another post, I do find NetBarrier a little harder to work with than I would like, but that is in part because it does as much as it does. I would like a list of ports somewhere so I know what I might have to open when I need something obscure to open. Otherwise it is powerful and effective. I recommend both VirusBarrier and NetBarrier to new Mac owners. I don't like the annual upgrade fee for NetBarrier since they don't seem to add much for it. I (and others) seem to review VirusBarrier and NetBarrier at the same time because there is a feeling they do go together. Both are good and I recommend both. I have rarely needed support so I can't comment on that. Years ago I did call them and received good service. That was my only need for a service question. I know Intego messed up a while back with their news releases, but their products are good. Hopefully, they learned from that episode.

I have used NAV for over 10 years, and I've been using it along with VirusBarrier X for the last 5 months. I must attest to the fact that Virus Barrier X is far faster than NAV at scanning drives (minutes vs. hours), but this is due to the fact that VBX keeps track of the files and only scanns the ones that have changed (which I don't see as a bad thing at all). I have also never had a problem with the stability of features of the app. Many grip about the daemon, but it has been flawless. In fact, it has done a better job scanning incoming email than NAV does. NetUpdate has also never caused me a problem either. The only thing NAV does better than VBX is that they update their defs weekly whereas Intego only does it each month. This app is a very fine one. Try the demo for yourself and don't be turned off by the numerous negative reviews.

Part of my job is to review software for thousands of Macintosh computers. I reviewed virus software and Intego was at the top of the list at the time. This was prior to Norton scanning for PC viruses or Sophos being a complete product. Then the communication with them stopped. It eventually started again with some excuses about how they have move, ended up changing some personnel, etc. I gave them another chance. Then the communication stopped again and never returned. This was for a minimum of 450 licenses if they were picked as the best and could have been used across the board. My guess is there is no chance an individual would get better support. I rated the Support Poor, but n/a may have been more appropriate. Sophos has by far the best support of the anti Virus companies.

Do not buy Intego´s products if you want to avoid any trouble, technical support does not exist in that company.

I too suspect folks that have the issue where the VirusBarrier X daemon does not launch successfully on their Macintosh also are running the haxie, by UnSanity, named FruitMenu.

When you boot up your Mac a VirusBarrier error message appears on the screen just at the end of the startup process. Right?

I believe versions of FruitMenu up to the current version - v3.1.1 - will prevent the VirusBarrier X daemon from running in Mac OS X, Jaguar.

The solution to the VirusBarrier X daemon not running when you boot up your Mac is to include the VirusBarrier X application program in the - Excluded List - in FruitMenu. This is accomplished by launching the Mac OS X System Preferences, then inside click on the FruitMenu icon, then go the the tab labeled - Exclude List - then click the button on the top right named - Add - then quit out of the System Preferences.

FruitMenu says changes will take effect the next time you launch the excluded application, namely VirusBarrier X. For better confirmation I recommend putting VirusBarrier X back into the System Preferences - Login Items - then reboot your computer. The problem should not occur this time. Issue Resolved.

I am not a tech support person for VirusBarrier X. I am just a long time Mac user.

Hope I helped.
Extraordinaire