There is no perfect security software on the market. If you look at reviews and tests of security software you may notice that the tests come to the conclusion that security software a manages to eliminate or stop 99.9% of all malware and spam. Guess what, that means that every 1000th attack slips right through the defenses.
What’s the best way to protect the system then? Making sure that security solutions stack up to protect the system, and of course to avoid unnecessary risks on the Internet.
Hitman Pro is a program that comes into play when you want to test that defense, or suspect that your computer has been infected with malicious software but your regular antivirus solution cannot find it. Even better, Hitman Pro is compatible with any security solution already installed which cannot be said automatically for running two antivirus apps side by side.
Hitman Pro Review
Hitman Pro offers two options during installation. It is possible to install the program normally on the PC to use it on a regular basis or perform a one-time scan of the system that does not require installation at all. Very handy to quickly check an already infected system.
Hitman Pro does not run in the background all the time even if it is installed. The security software runs a scan of the system, reports the results and closes down after everything has been handled. The scan itself takes a few minutes the most, depending on the speed of the hard drive and the overall performance of the computer. A typical scan on my fast solid state drive took less than a minute to complete.
Hitman Pro combines a behavioral scan with cloud computing. Suspicious programs found during the scan are automatically submitted to the cloud where they are tested with five different antivirus engines. The engines used are
by the companies Dr.Web, Ikarus, Emsisoft, Prevx and G Data.
The cloud then reports back to the computer with the results of the scan. Hitman Pro can remove viruses and other malicious software from the system. Each item and the user’s action is recorded in the History with options to remove them completely or restore them if needed.
The program is super-easy to use, simplicity by design one could say. The first screen offers to perform a scan, close the program or open the settings. A quick scan and standard scan is available, and a click on the little down icon next to the Next button will reveal the selection.
The settings can be used to configure some aspects of the program. Here it is possible to configure a daily scan on computer startup (postponed until the hard disk activity nears the idle state), enable a Scan with Hitman Pro entry in Windows Explorer, configure connection and proxy settings and enter the license code if the program has been purchased or won.
The Hitman Pro download weights in under 7 Megabytes which is small compared to other antivirus solutions which nowadays come near or over of 100 Megabytes easily.
But how does Hitman Pro handle infections in detail? That depends on the infected file. Non-critical files that are infected are marked for deletion right away, while critical files like core Windows files are handled differently.
First, Hitman Pro tries to find an uninfected copy of the file on the system. If it finds one it exchanges the file with the infected one on reboot and cleans the infected file from the system. If no safe copy of an infected file is found Hitman Pro asks the user to insert a Windows CD or DVD to replace it. This means you will never end up with a non-booting copy of Windows because a core system file has been removed by the antivirus solution.
When the file is classified as malicious by the Scan Cloud, the Hitman Pro client is placing the infection into quarantine. Various techniques ensure that all infections are completely removed without false positives.
Close handles (e.g. unload DLL from winlogon)
Close processes (e.g. winlogon stays)
Remove object from disk
Schedule object removal using PendingFileRenameOperations
Remove references like shortcuts and registry entries
Restore standard registry keys to default values (e.g. Userinit)
Disable service drivers
Deploy native NT bootdelete to remove resilient disk objects
After reboot retry removal and rescan to ensure complete removalWhite Listing
It is a huge problem when anti virus programs remove legitmate files from the computer (false positives). Especially in the case of Windows system files, it could lead to parts of the computer to malfunction. Most anti virus vendors have experience with such a horror scenario. To prevent this, Hitman Pro 3 contains a large white list with “Hashes” of these legitimate files. Hitman Pro 3 has a white list of standard installations of Windows 2000 to Windows 7, Office 2000 to 2007 and all updates and services packs.
Hitman Pro Video Review
Hitman Pro Verdict
Everyone can use Hitman Pro. That’s excellent, especially combined with the fact that the application can be run without having to be installed first. It is ideal for those cases where a family member of friend calls you to help with a virus infection on a computer.
Hitman Pro offers additional security next to standard antivirus software that runs all the time on the computer system. The software is lightweight and uses five different antivirus engines to verify suspicious files in the cloud.
The “second opinion malware scanner” is available as a 32-bit and 64-bit edition for Windows operating systems. It supports all Windows versions from Windows XP up to Windows 7.
Hitman Pro Giveaway
We have ten Hitman Pro licenses to giveaway. Please post your current security setup in the comments for a chance to win one of the licenses. Users who want to test their system right away with Hitman Pro can download a fully functional version from here.
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Safe Returner Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]SUPERAntiSpyware Professional Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
AVG Internet Security 2011 Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
360Amigo System Speedup Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
Sandboxie Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
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Oh, I’ve been hoping this would be one the giveaways! I currently use Vipre and Malwarebytes (on-demand). Please count me in! Thank you!
I am trying Avast Internet Security 2011. Please enter me in the giveaway.
I use avast antivirus and from time to time do the scan with Spybot – Search & Destroy.
I am running;
Avast free;
WinPatrol (registered version);
SuperAntiSpyware (registered vresion);
OnlineArmour(free);
KeyScrambler(free)
I might change avast – to ESET Nod32 which I have a pro license for and add Zemana Antilogger to this as well.
To this arsenal of defense I would love to add hitman pro. I also use Virus Total and I am considering installing the free version of threatfire and maybe changing online armour to comodo firewall because I have heard it is better (but also more intrusive for the average user).
Please count me in the draw!
So far I have been protected using Avast and Malwarebytes Antimalware with the occasional scan with Superantispyware.
Avast 5 Free version
SuperAntiSpyware (not in real-time)
Malwarebytes (not in real-time)
AntiSpamSniper for WLM
I got NAV & Outpost Pro in my machine.
Hopefully can win Hitman Pro with integrated multi-AV for second opinion scanner.
Please count me in.
Thanks & Regards
Thanks for another great review and giveaway. Please count me in. My current security setup is Avast AV Free only.
I often read a review of this software, and I really want to have the full version
now I use eset and premium online armor
Hi Martin
Thank you
Windows 7 ultimate edition (desktop PC)
Avast Internet Security v 5
MalwareBytes’ AntiMalware Pro 1.50
Winpatrol 2010
ClearCloud DNS
Cheers
Nice review and great giveaway :)
Currently using Norton Internet security. I’ll certainly lile to try this. It doesn’t uses much resource and love the cloud feature.
Thank you
I use avast free and the outpost firewall pro and sandboxie
Hope to win a license for hitman pro
definitely count me for this
current setup is :
avast pro + online armor
it would be great to have hitman pro as its best breed of cloud antivirus with the integration of best anti-virus engine. You will ensure that your PC is protected with different scan engine to detect many viruses. Although it uses many scan engine, the performance is fast and light.
I have comodo premium firewall (free), avira antivirus personal free and immunet protect free. Hitman Pro may be very nice and most useful addition for me.
Thanks
Hi, I use PC Tools IS 2010 with a-squared
Hope I win one
Thanks
I have this combo of the ff:
comodo firewall w/ defense+
avira antivir free
sanboxie pro
winpatrol plus.
I hope to win one license. Nice giveaway….
I am using Avast antivirus with Outpost firewall. Thanks and keep up the good work.
I hope I can win this Giveaway to strength my Windows Security Level..
THX, LJBU!
Currently using Norton 360 + Mamutu
Active Protection : Outpost Firewall, Panda Cloud Antivirus, WinMHR, OpenDNS or ClearCloud, and DropMyRights with all progs that connect to the Internet. Passive protection : Spybot – S&D, SpywareBlaster, and a custom HOSTS file. Scanners : MalwareBytes’ AntiMalware, SUPERAntiSpyware. And when I visit web sites I don’t trust, I use Wondershare Time Freeze.
I want to say a word about surfing the Web without protection, just with your marvelous discernment : Do you have a 12-year old child ?
I use Microsoft Essentials with Windows Firewall and Malwarebytes Free.
Thanks and please include me in!
I use Emsisoft Anti-Malware + COMODO Firewall
Hi everyone,
I only use Comodo Firewall with Defense+ active, and by doing daily scans with Hitman Pro (Free version), I have managed to maintain my PC fast, clean and secure :D
So having Hitman Pro License will surely improve my security :)
Thank you,
Best Regards to All,
Joao Machado
I’m currently using avast! Free Antivirus 5.0 and Privatefirewall 7.0 plus Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware 1.5
Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m using Avira Free and Malwarebytes free.
ESET NOD 32. Thanks for the giveaway.
My comment was not displayed :(
I tried several times. Even asked a friend to try on my behalf
Microsoft Security Essentials + SUPERAntiSpyware free + No Autorun and Safe Returner on Windows XP.
Ok now I see my comment. Using chrome now. Would not accept my comment in FireFox :(
My security setup:
Windows XP Home SP3 fully patched
Avast free AV/ Online Armor Premium/ Superantispyware Pro/ Win patrol plus
On-demand : Malwarebytes free
FireFox with Sandboxie, WOT, No-script, and Key scrambler free
I am totally paranoid, LOL :)
PS: please forgive me if u got multiple comments. as I mentioned above my comment was not displayed in Firefox :(
I am currently using only Eset Smart Security, I am very interested in this software!