A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a quick post about a new security program called CyberDefenderFREE 2.0. Little did I know that there was going to be some controversy about this product (see the comments). It seems that there was some concern from the vigilant DCoT readers that this software may have been built by a company previously known for, of all things, spyware. Another reader pointed to a German website (English translation) that indicated that the software was slow and ineffective.

Amids the controversy, I was contacted via the comments by Alan Wallace, Senior VP for Corporate Communications for CyberDefender. He was quite concerned with some of the comments about CyberDefender. I offered him an opportunity for an e-mail interview which he promptly accepted. Here is the end result of that interview:

DCoT:
Please tell us about CyberDefender Corporation, its history, vision, and mission statement.

Alan Wallace:
CyberDefender Corporation is focuses on developing the industry’s most advanced early detection technology providing early threat detection while also providing earlier defense against Internet attacks. This is done via a secure high-speed distributed network where fast moving threats are updated in approximately an hour, as opposed to 12 hours or more for other security developers.

Company Founded
Expert software marketer, Gary Guseinov, chief executive officer, and Igor Barash, chief information officer, co-founded the company known today as CyberDefender Corporation in 2003. In early 2005, the team acquired its own proprietary broad spectrum computer threat management technology.

Early CyberDefender Success
While designed as an end-to-end technology for all types of threats, CyberDefender (then known as Cyber-Defender) was focused on infectious attacks, or viruses. It became a popular free antivirus Internet download, building a large network of users.

DCoT:
Tell us about your flagship product, CyberDefender.

Alan Wallace:
CyberDefender launched its revolutionary free security monitoring system and Internet security tools suite in November 2006. This revolutionary, patented early-detection technology defends against emerging spyware, adware, spam and other virus attacks before they damage computer systems helping prevent identity theft, and it complements other security software, providing an additional layer of security on the desktop with the proven ability to catch attacks earlier. The product displays non-intrusive advertising, which can be removed for a small fee by upgrading to CyberDefender’s Early Detection Center™.

DCoT:
How does CyberDefender set itself apart from it’s competition?

Alan Wallace:
Speed is our real asset. We detect faster with threats making their way to our early Detection Center faster and we update faster with fixes and protection making their way to your system faster than our competition.

DCoT:
If I were to install only CyberDefender on my computer and give my computer a live connection to the Internet, what else would I have to do to my system to ensure that it was safe?

Alan Wallace:
Install a Firewall – XP uses a very strong one already included with Windows.

DCoT:
There are some concerns by people that CyberDefender may contain some of the bad behavior its predecessors, Spyblocs and eBlocs, did; namely, aggressive & deceptive advertising and illegal force installs. (See http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#cybdef_note) How will you allay these concerns?

Alan Wallace:
Spyware Warrior has de-listed us and this is a new team with great track records in the industry. We have assembled this team to develop world class solutions.

DCoT:
On your website’s advertising policy page, you list a long line of requirements for advertisers. This may appear to some as a way of distancing yourself from old, more aggressive advertising practices while you could be still participating in these practices. How do you respond to such thinking?

Alan Wallace:
See previous answer.

DCoT:
A German website (http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/81399 and translated version http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=de%7Cen&u=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/81399) reviewed CyberDefender and determined that it was rather ineffective. As proof, the website stated that CyberDefender was not able to properly recognize the Sony RootKit, the Zlob trojan or the Nordex trojan. How do you respond to the website’s assessment that the product is essentially ineffective and more flash than action?

Alan Wallace:
I have emailed the publication to learn of their testing methods so that we can see why they have gotten these results, plus we have sent this review to our internal team. As always we will address any issues if they exist. We are working to build a world class solution – so if someone has found a problem we want to know about it right away and fix it when necessary.

DCoT:
What plans does CyberDefender have in the works for the future?

Alan Wallace:
We are currently focused on making this the best product it can be.

DCoT:
I understand that there is a CyberDefender beta group. How can readers become a part of this group?

Alan Wallace:
Send an e-mail to betatester@cyberdefender.com.

DCoT:
If the readers of this interview take away only one thing, what should that be?

Alan Wallace:
CyberDefender provides an extra layer of protection, we are the only suite that can be installed with another suite and we are free (ad supported in the product). Before CyberDefender you could never safely install more than one suite on a machine – without really messing up your machine. We have assembled a great team to build great solutions – security solutions have a history of needing too many system resources, not updating regularly or even problems with uninstalling. These issues have all been attributed to companies that are much larger than we are. We know how important and extra layer of protection is – large companies spend a great deal to accomplish this – we can give you that extra layer and protect you better for free.

Now, readers, it is your turn. Has Mr. Wallace’s comments changed your thinking? Would you consider installing CyberDefender? Tell us what you think in the comments.

I would also like to say a special thanks to Alan Wallace for being willing to do the interview.

If you found this post useful, why don't you buy me a cup of coffee to show your gratitude?

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Tim Fehlman