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Hi All - I recently (well, yesterday actually) came across a very different kind of security software called GeSWall, which is a portmanteau of [b:11ow7kwo]Ge[/b:11ow7kwo]ntle[b:11ow7kwo]S[/b:11ow7kwo]ecurity[b:11ow7kwo]Wall[/b:11ow7kwo]. It certainly is not new freeware but definitely one that is not well known. It's a difficult product to classify, the site includes fair information on what GeSWall does but practically nothing on how it does it. After hunting around for more information I have gleaned that it, somehow, isolates web based programs and services but no further information on how that is achieved. It sounds similar to sandboxing but not quite. Here is a link to the site: http://www.gentlesecurity.com/
Perhaps our security expert Ken can shed more light on the subject....Ken, are you there mate?
If anyone has any ideas or information please post here, all comments most welcome.
cheers.....JIM
Thanks for the link Jim. Decided to give the program a try (actually had no choice since I wanted to see the demo in action, and one of the prerequisites is to d/l and install). In doing so (getting the demo to run), the instructions are to d/l one of their files. Well, it seems I'm better protected that I thought, since Kaspersky blocked (Denied Access) to that infected file. Don't you just love it when this sort of thing happens. From what I've read so far, this program seems impressive, but since it offers FREE and $$$ versions, the tiny hairs on the back are flickering (like a spider sense)
Hope to devote more time this week(end)....
I surprised myself, found the time and have a bit more to add. Installed onto another computer (not protected by Kaspersky) and was able to see the demo in action. Not what one might expect - I'll not spill more, other than you can view some screen shots of what does on somewhere on their site. As for the pro version, they offer a 15 day trial (no $$$ upfront - reverts back to Freeware if not purchased which is a plus in my book), so I'm testing out the pro version on two computers now. Much more to follow later , Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
That's great Mindblower, a big thank you for taking the time and effort to check it out. It's a really difficult product to get a handle on. All reviewers and freeware sites merely quote the blurb direct from GeSwall's site. I often use 'download.com' to help with assessing a program's credentials, particularly the user reviews. In GeSWall's case they alternated between 'Terrific' and 'Terrible', just about 50/50...so not much help there. One common comment there is that GeSWall does not offer any 'allow/deny' options when blocking suspicious activities, making it nigh on impossible to install new software or update existing titles. Mind you, those comments related to older versions, maybe the latest release addresses those problems.
Anyway, looking forward to hearing more from you.
thanks again,
JIM.
Does the feeling that it sounds too good to be true right about with you?
Did find one interesting quirk - when visiting MS to scan for updates, you need to [b:1oa2vazm]Disable[/b:1oa2vazm] in order to regain access. Seems one looses Admin rights and bestows them onto the program.
Kinda strange. We want software to protect us, yet we don't want to lose control in the process. Wonder if this is what makes this program so different, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
Hmmm, yes...well that gels with the user comments on 'download.com'. Seems the 'take control' aspect of the program is still in place then. Also sounds as though the author has merely added a 'disable' function to help overcome that officiousness.
Mindblower - Is it safe to assume that the 'disable' feature is available via a right click context menu from an icon in the system tray (notification area)??
Thanks for the updated information mate, much appreciated.
JIM
Am I the only one doing the work around here ozbloke?
Yes, to temporary prevent the program from working you right click onto [b:2f8jgapu]Disable GeSWall Policy[/b:2f8jgapu] (Who thought up this crazy expression -> Policy???)
I've noticed both computers have slowed down, and I attribute this to Big Brother (aka GeSWall). So I've removed it from my primary, and will allow it control on the other, where security over rules speed. The speed I'm referring to is simple Windows operations. Each window opening takes longer to process, sometimes it stalls, and it does not matter if I'm online or not. Doing my own maintenance I know where the problem lies.
Break time........................
Took a break (pause) since I delayed the reboot process after removing the program, was able to experience the slowness while I typed (and it's below a crawl) Well maybe I spoke too soon. Might be the forum at fault. Find it almost impossible to highlight any word. Strange, very strange.
I'll keep the program on the other computer possible till the end of the month and see what more info it generates. Oh yes, the fact one cannot turn off the report to mother feature really me off, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
LOL...Yes, apparently it's all up to you MB.
Hmmm, sounds as though GeSWall would not be satisfactory to the average user...most do not regard slow downs as acceptable behaviour. And most definitely would not be happy with the program reporting back to 'mother'.
Thanks again for the testing and info MB....keep up the good work!
cheers.....JIM
Get the noose ready ozbloke, I'm going for the kill and say most average users have no clue why their computer is slowing down - corection - that their computer is slowing down. Like a car you dive for years, you kindda get used to it!!!!
Most of what I found out by myself, is posted on their site. Finding the info is something else, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
That's it. I'm done trying out this software. Personally, [b:rn979er8]DO NOT[/b:rn979er8] recommend. After less that one week, grin and bearing it on one to two computers, the results (so to speak) are not good. Seems that when you Disable the program (you expect the program to be not active - you wish), it is still active and imposing it's will (telling you not to do that action).
I got tired of the slowness so I clicked to Disable the program. Everything worked fine. The slowness was gone. When I accessed the browser, the protective logo vanished, as one would expect. It's only after I d/l a file, (saved to harddisk first for safety) and tried to run (Winrar I believe) that I was forced to click through several screens informing me what I was attempting was dangerious to the system and use extreme caution (like I was a grade school kid with no brains).
This is when I had to terminate GeSWall (take it out to pasture and execute the uninstall - come to think of it, they do not supply their own uninstall - guess they don't want you to remove it).
Here are my top 4 reasons why you should NOT use this program;
1) slows computer functions whether you're online or offline.
2) removes admin controls so you cannot d/l from Microsoft.
3) even when you Disable the program - it's still somewhat active.
4) reports to mother (no kill switch, and only after extensive reading are you informed of this.)
As to if it is useful, don't have a clue. The jargon they use of how many hits, blocks, and so on if not on a typical user level. Could not even discover the difference between their [b:rn979er8]free[/b:rn979er8] and [b:rn979er8]pro[/b:rn979er8] version. But if you've got nothing better to do, go ahead and try it out for yourself, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
Hey MB - Terrific job, thanks mate. I must admit, in the end, your findings were pretty much what I had expected. You have almost exactly mirrored the negative user comments on the 'download.com' site.......nice to hear it straight from the horse's mouth though (if you'll pardon the expression ).
thanks again MB..much appreciated,
JIM.
LOL....Yes, but they didn't go into any detail/reasons. e.g..."This is good, works for me, etc.". Whereas the negative comments always gave reasons, main one being the officiousness of GeSWall.
I don't trust the 'official' editor reviews on download.com either, never have put much faith in them but I can often gain a sense of a product's usefulness via the user comments, provided there are enough of them.
Anyway, now we have the verdict direct from one of our own......thanks again.
cheers mate....JIM
[quote="ozbloke":1hf929lo]Hi All - I recently (well, yesterday actually) came across a very different kind of security software called GeSWall, which is a portmanteau of [b:1hf929lo]Ge[/b:1hf929lo]ntle[b:1hf929lo]S[/b:1hf929lo]ecurity[b:1hf929lo]Wall[/b:1hf929lo]. It certainly is not new freeware but definitely one that is not well known. It's a difficult product to classify, the site includes fair information on what GeSWall does but practically nothing on how it does it. After hunting around for more information I have gleaned that it, somehow, isolates web based programs and services but no further information on how that is achieved. It sounds similar to sandboxing but not quite. Here is a link to the site: http://www.gentlesecurity.com/
Perhaps our security expert Ken can shed more light on the subject....Ken, are you there mate?
If anyone has any ideas or information please post here, all comments most welcome.
cheers.....JIM[/quote:1hf929lo]
Not to be a total cynic, but I'm extremely picky when it comes to security software. It looks like Mindblower pretty much confirmed what I would have suspected from my research. I didn't try the program because I can find NOTHING in any peer sites or reviews that provides any evidence that the program is useful and trustworthy. In fact, I got the impression that most of the "reviews" and mentions I found were spam, since they all appear to say virtually the same thing. This makes me wonder if the program is actually a rogue and installs some sort of back door or rootkit.
There appears to be a server version that integrates with group policy, but I would not deploy it on any network I maintain. Their explanation of the technology is vague while claiming to make things like Firefox "safe to use," whatever that means. I don't trust the program. Use Sandboxie.
Mindblower, did you run any antispyware or antivirus scans after you uninstalled the program? I have to wonder if it left anything behind.
Thanks Ken. what you have said pretty much reflects my opinion and MB's findings. What you have highlighted, i.e. the lack of any useful information/reviews/details is very suss....even the info on the official site is sparse, to say the least.
Thanks to MB again for the time spent testing and ta again Ken for confirming the hypothesis.
I reckon this may be one to leave well alone.....case closed!!!
cheers....JIM
Come to think of it thegeek, one computer did spot some malware and isolated it. Yes I do run several checks (both online and offline), and nothing else was detected. Not sure if this was planted by that program or not, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
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