Eset NOD32 3.0
ESET's NOD32 3.0 is ideal for users who value speed AND effectivity in their computer applications. This software product has a light footprint and conducts fast scans - qualities that are hard to find in the numerous anti-virus software programs being sold today.
NOD32 3.0 also boasts of the ESET's ThreatSense technology, which enables a more proactive virus detection and is hailed as one of the best heuristic programs to date.
Features
The NOD32 3.0 sports an improved version of ESET's ThreatSense technology, which is a patented scanning engine that combines heuristic detection of new and unknown malware with signature detection of known malware.
Compared with other anti-virus programs that rely on signature updates to detect viruses and worms, ESET's ThreatSense technology is able to analyze and decode executable codes and identify evolving threats such as bots, rootkits, and trojans.
The ThreatSense technology is effective in providing protection against constantly evolving threats that other scanning technologies do not detect.
Another cool feature of the NOD32 3.0 is that it allows users to either push the scan into background or toggle the scan window to the forefront while it's scanning. This means that you can still browse and work on your documents without the scan window getting in your way. The NOD32 3.0 version also sports a new user interface and has more customization options to speed up the scanning process.
NOD32 3.0 provides several layers of protection that includes anti-virus protection, real-time email scanning, rootkit scanner, and anti-spyware protection. The software's email scanner is easy to use because it can be directly integrated into MS Outlook and other POP3 email clients.
One of the downsides to the product is that it lacks the Parental Control option, which enables parents to control and block the sites their kids can visit online.
NOD32 also automatically removes threats, which can be quite problematic especially if there are certain components you need for a game or program. The good news is that you can change these settings by right-clicking on the quarantined selection and restoring the items removed.
Installation and setup
To install NOD32 3.0, you will need to first close all running programs and uninstall any other anti-virus programs you have stored in your computer. This is because some components of NOD32 3.0 may conflict with the ones used by other programs and cause the NOD32 3.0 to slow down or become less effective.
The software can be installed even without an Internet connection, but ESET recommends establishing an Internet connection during the installation process so that you can take full advantage of what the program has to offer.
NOD32 3.0 provides users with two installation options: via the installation CD or by downloading the NOD32 3.0 file, which can be found on the company's website. Once the installation process is complete, ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus will start automatically. And unlike most anti-virus programs thatrequires a system reboot before it can be used, ESET NOD32 3.0 works right away and runs in the background while you continue working on your computer.
NOD32 3.0 is one of the very few anti-virus software products that still support Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
User Interface
The Version 3.0 sports an intuitive and user-friendly interface that comes in two versions: standard and advanced. At the left side of the interface, you'll find quick shortcuts to the following sections: Computer Scan, Protection Status, Update, Setup, Tools (in the advanced interface version), and Help.
The right window pane, on the other hand, presents information and updates on the specific feature currently in use. If you choose the advanced interface version, you'll also find a toolbar at the top part of the window where you can easily access and tweak advanced configuration settings.