What’s new in ESET Smart Security 7 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 7?

The removable media blocking module used in versions 5 and 6 of ESET products has been replaced with a more advanced Device control module. Device control allows you to scan, block or adjust extended filters and permissions and select how users can access and work with devices including disk storage, CD/DVD-ROM and FireWire storage devices. The top 3-5 most popular stand-alone malware cleaners are now included with the product as Specialized cleaners. Specialized cleaners are designed to remove complex malware from your computer. The status icons that indicate the protection status of a computer have been unified for better usability.

Figure 1-1

The updated HIPS module In ESET Smart Security 7 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 7 includes the Advanced memory scanner, which scans running applications when their state is changed to look for possibly suspicious or malware-like behavior. Exploit blocker is an additional layer of protection that protects applications that are known to be highly exploitable (for example,  browsers, mail clients and pdf readers).

Figure 1-2
Click the image to view larger in new window

Personal firewall IDS options have been extended with the ability to add IDS exceptions, which can be used to customize Personal firewall behavior upon various IDS detections. A user can choose to block, log and/or notify ESET about malicious activities including port scanning, poisoning attacks, security hole attacks, etc. by adding an IDS exception. Users can modify IDS exceptions in the IDS exceptions editor located in Advanced setup Network Personal firewall.

As in previous versions of ESET Smart Security, IP addresses that have been detected as sources of malicious activities are automatically added to the Blacklist to prevent connection for a certain period of time. In version 7 of ESET Smart Security, users can now modify the blacklist by removing IP address from the blacklist or prevent future blocking of an IP address by creating an IDS exception. To access this feature click Setup Network View temporary IP address blacklist.

Figure 1-4
Click the image to view larger in new window

New notifications displayed at the bottom of the screen are clearer and more informative.

Figure 1-5

Anti-phishing improvements

Anti-phishing in ESET Smart Security 7 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 7 includes improved blocking of scam websites with questionable reputations or that include potentially unwanted content.

Figure 1-6

Submission of files and websites for analysis to ESET

Enhancements to the Submit a sample for analysis feature allow users to categorize the URL of a Suspicious site as possibly infected, phishing or scam. Users can also submit a False positive site if a secure website is being blocked for no reason or for incorrect reasons.

Figure 1-7
Click the image to view larger in new window

Changes in MSI installation

ESET Smart Security 7 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 7 include improved speed and reliability of installation and a modified user interface when installing offline. The automatic initial scan will run 20 minutes after installation or restart to scan a computer for malware.

Figure 1-8

Improved compatibility

ESET Smart Security 7 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 7 including ESET SysRescue and notifications in Metro UI are fully functional on Windows 8.

Minor changes

• Gamer mode has been moved from the Tools tree to the Computer tree in Advanced setup.
• String changes to improve readability, usability and user experience.