Anti-virus programs running on your system may fail to offer complete protection from browser-based viruses and malware. A program then, simply capable of blocking all executable code can provide you relief in such cases. This ensures, every time an executable (may be malware file) wants to run, your permission is needed. Hereafter, you can allow only “whitelisted” programs to run and block others that are not. VoodooShield is one security program that may come across as viable option when you intend to do so. It is a free anti-executable security software to protect your Windows PC from malware and offers HIPS or Host Intrusion Prevention.
VoodooShield review
The paid version of VoodooShield Virus Protection is now available as a freeware for non-commercial use. It must be remembered this is the early version of freeware. The program might get updated, soon along with a user log and whitelist editor.
The tool is designed to be a better alternative to the Microsoft Windows User Account Control (UAC) that notifies you when changes are going to be made to your computer. Although it is compatible with UAC, VoodooShield works best with UAC disabled, and on computers whose user accounts run as administrator. During installation, VoodooShield will disable UAC so it can run in an optimal state.
Once turned on, the program will protect your status quo and not allow anything new to run. If something new does attempt to run, you will be notified and your permission will be sought to allow it or not.
When installed, the lightweight application resides as an icon in the system tray.
There, upon right-clicking the icon, you get 3 modes namely,
- Training: VoodooShield is off in this mode and incapable of offering any sort of protection to your computer.
- Smart Mode: VoodooShield is still off but protects your computer against programs run from the user space.
- Always On: The program is up and running and capable of blocking any program from running that is not whitelisted or in the Windows folder or installed software.
Two points are to be noted.
Firstly, the free edition doesn’t allow changes in the program’s advanced options – so you just cannot manage directories you want to be whitelisted. Secondly, the program automatically whitelists everything in the Windows folder. This, gives Voodoo shield a minus because, even if the malware file resides in your Windows folder, it will be allowed to run since VoodooShield defines that folder as whitelisted, automatically.
VoodooShield does require a bit of tweaking, but the devlopers of the application promise to make the changes ready shortly. If you would like to check this freeware out, visit this link.
Have a look at SpyShelter Personal Free too.
One thing I don’t understand about VoodooShield–if the shield shows as “Off,” then what’s the point? In “Smart” mode, it only shows “ON” when using an internet browser or email…otherwise, it says it’s “OFF,” so doesn’t that mean it’s not protecting my system? (And wasting resources at the same time)?
Voodoo has a HUGE footprint….meaning it is a resource hog. Unfortunately it is like most other AV programs…more bloat than performance.
Why these so-call “experts” keep recommending crap like this is beyond me.
“Anti-virus programs running on your system may fail to offer complete protection from browser-based viruses and malware. ”
You are using the wrong teminology.
Viruses is one form of malware, they are not two different things…
You should know that….
And why do you refer to Voodoshield as “antivirus” ?
From your description about how it works Voodoshield is a Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS),
not an antimalware-program.
And turning off UAC and letting an unknown program be responsible for the “basic security” ….!???
If you want to add a HIPS to the security then add a HIPS that really offers protection.
Take a good look at the testresults from Matousec: http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge-64/results.php
Comodo Firewall is #1 on that list with 97 % !
And it´s FREE, so why not use it ?
You can use only the HIPS not the firewall if you fx. want Windows Firewall instead.
That works, I know because I´m using that combination myself…
For more information see my posts in the forum.
Jim,
Yeah, that is a point, about performance, but my beef is–if I leave VoodooShield in “Smart” mode (which is the default), the only time it shows that it’s actually protecting my system (ON) is when I’ve got an internet browser open. Otherwise, it shows as “OFF,” which to me defeats the purpose.
The article explicitly says and I myself have posted this in other forums “the program automatically whitelists everything in the Windows folder” . So if you install this on a system that has an infection in the Windows folder it will automatically be whitelisted, so realistically, what good is it really? I’ve tried it, had no problems with it, but really, if your not going to protect the entire system then it’s really useless.
Hmmm, that is odd. I am running Voodoo right now and it is using 4.6mb RAM, zero CPU and zero HDD. What security solution has a smaller footprint than that? NONE!!!!
Honestly, if you research this a little more, you will find that most similar security software automatically allows a handful of Windows folders, protected folders that is. The only difference is that Voodoo gives you the option to turn this feature off, whereas the other simply allow these folders and do not give you the option to disable this feature.
Comodo is a fine product, but some users prefer to not be continually bombarded with prompts. Voodoo hardly ever bugs me with alerts or prompts.
Hmmm, that is odd. I am running Voodoo right now and it is using 4.6mb
RAM, zero CPU and zero HDD. What security solution has a smaller
footprint than that? NONE!!!!
BTW, how can you call something crap when you obviously have not even tried it?
Voodoo locks your computer when it is at risk and then protects your user space when your computer is not at risk, which is why it switches off. What else could you possibly need? For example, do you need to have your computer locked when you are typing a letter in Word? But you do need to have your computer locked when you are surfing the web, right? If you want a full time lock that blocks everything, go with Comodo like hackerman1 recommended. But if you want something that is smart enough to not unnecessarily burden you with prompts, then give Voodoo a go!
Interesting software. I currently use a similar solution called SecureAPlus which is a free application whitelisting program paired together with multiple cloud anti-viruses.
So instead of just asking yourself whether you tried running the blocked file/process, it also cross checks it against more than one anti-virus scanners.
It’s like having Voodooshield married to VirusTotal.