Dr.Web for Windows version 4.44 released. Now Dr.Web supports Windows Vista

September 25, 2007

Doctor Web, Ltd., a Russian developer of IT-security solutions under the brand-name of Dr.Web, announces the release of a new version of Dr.Web Anti-virus for Windows ? 4.44.

Technologies

* Dr.Web Shield? ? counteraction to rootkits
The so-called rootkits which actively protect themselves from detection by the anti-virus programs become the main trend in the development of viral codes. An anti-virus program without anti-rootkit technology makes the program a useless and defenseless computer toy, very often a very expensive one. Developers of new Dr.Web version have designed a special component for Dr.Web GUI scanner to counteract rootkits - Dr.Web Shield?. Designed as the driver, it secures access to virus objects hiding in the operating system.
* Origins Tracing? ? non-signature search of unknown viruses
Dr.Web developers have invented a unique algorithm of non-signature detection of malicious objects which supplements traditional signature-based search and Dr.Web heuristic analyzer, making the detection even more efficient. The names of ill-intended objects detected with the help of this new technology have the ?.Origin? extension.
The new technology significantly improves the quality of detection of unknown viruses. "Our analyzers and developers have achieved a substantially new level of anti-virus technology, - comments Boris Sharov, CEO of Doctor Web, Ltd. We have long explored the possibility to implement our new detection methods to be able to detect unknown viruses to assure the highest protection level for our customers. Hopefully, it will be a good present for them?.

Dr.Web Anti-virus ? CURES computers from viruses
The quality of the program?s operation and not just its presence in the computer has always been the characteristic feature of Dr.Web Anti-virus. Not only the ability of the anti-virus to detect viruses, but also to cure from viruses is extremely important for modern av-programs, the ability not only to delete the infected files from computers, but also to restore them. Dr.Web is one of a few anti-virus programs that cures efficiently from viruses. A comparative review held by www.anti-malware.ru in September, this year clearly shows unachieved for competitors leadership of Dr.Web 4.44 beta(!)-version of all 15 participants in the curing quality testing.

Support of Windows Vista
We understand that all our users have been waiting for Dr.Web for Windows Vista compatibility news. Microsoft Corporation has introduced many security features in Windows Vista that are supposed to block malicious programs and to enhance the overall security of the system, but, much to our regret, these measures made it extremely difficult for third party IT-security developers (of anti-virus programs in particular) to efficiently work in the system and to protect it. Real security means no compromise, and Doctor Web, Ltd. took a difficult for a company decision ? not to release the product until a real, and not declarative compatibility with Windows Vista is provided. Dr.Web for Windows version 4.44 now supports MS Windows Vista (for 32-bit systems only).

Efficient scanning speed
The scanning speed of the anti-virus is often the main reason for a user to choose one or another anti-virus program. But high scanning speed can be achieved by different ways. Sometimes, to increase the speed of the scanner av-vendors exclude from the scanning such important object as archives, mail bases, etc. Some often disable the heuristic analyzer, which also decreases the detection level of unknown threats. In the result, higher than with the competitor programs scanning speed is achieved on the account of the decrease of the protection level, but users impressed with the blazing speed of the anti-virus are seldom told about it. Sometimes, to increase the scanning speed some av-developers add the option, which allows to specify the areas of the drive which will be controlled by anti-virus monitor. It is done to increase the processing speed in programs which consume too many computer resources, when the hard drives are scanned and reduce resources consumption of their monitors at the cost of the lower protection level.
Developers of Dr.Web believe, that the idea of "selective" protection is defective, as users are offered to protect just part, instead of the whole system.
It is most important to combine high scanning speed with the efficient detection level. And this task is fulfilled by Dr.Web developers in new version in which scan speed is increased by 30%.