Immunet#cite note-8
{{Short description|Software}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Immunet
| logo = Immunet logo.svg
| screenshot =
| caption =
| developer = Cisco Systems
| latest release version = 7.5.10,[https://support.immunet.com/topic/34816-new-release-751021498/ New Release : Immunet 7.5.10]
| latest release date = {{release date and age|2023|6|9}}
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date =
| operating system = Windows 7 and later
| genre = Antivirus
| license = Freemium
| website = {{URL|http://www.immunet.com}}
}}
Immunet was a free, cloud-based, community-driven antivirus application, using the ClamAV and its own engine. The software is complementary with existing antivirus software. In January 2011 Immunet was acquired by Sourcefire.{{cite web|last=Friedrichs |first=Oliver |title=Immunet Acquired by Sourcefire |url=http://blog.immunet.com/blog/2011/1/5/immunet-acquired-by-sourcefire.html |publisher=Immunet |access-date=10 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413030018/http://blog.immunet.com/blog/2011/1/5/immunet-acquired-by-sourcefire.html |archive-date=13 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Sourcefire Announces Acquisition of Immunet|url=http://investor.sourcefire.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=204582&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1513329&highlight=|access-date=10 April 2011|date=5 January 2011|agency=Business Wire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110185812/http://investor.sourcefire.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=204582&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1513329&highlight=|archive-date=10 January 2011|location=Columbia, MD|url-status=dead}}
The application is free-of-charge, although a commercial version is available. It claims to be lightweight and provides always up-to-date protection against the threats.{{cite web|url=http://www.immunet.com/index |title=Free Antivirus Software Download and Endpoint Security |publisher=Immunet |access-date=2012-08-23}} Virus signature files are stored in the cloud, not on individual computers, so signature downloads are not required. Once a virus is detected and blocked for one user, all other Immunet users receive the same protection almost instantly. The software is noted for its ability to allow individual users to easily author their own signatures.{{cite web|last1=Kerner|first1=Sean Michael|title=Sourcefire Immunet 3 Lets You Write Your Own A/V Signatures - eSecurity Planet|url=http://www.esecurityplanet.com/news/article.php/3924236/Sourcefire-Immunet-3-Lets-You-Write-Your-Own-AV-Signatures.htm|website=www.esecurityplanet.com|access-date=3 October 2016|date=9 February 2011|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207185118/https://www.esecurityplanet.com/news/article.php/3924236/Sourcefire-Immunet-3-Lets-You-Write-Your-Own-AV-Signatures.htm|url-status=dead}}
Products
Immunet was previously provided by Sourcefire in two editions, Free (for personal use),{{cite web |url=http://www.immunet.com/main/index.html |title=Immunet |publisher=Immunet |date=2015-06-27 |access-date=2015-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823070028/http://www.immunet.com/main/index.html |archive-date=2012-08-23 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://github.com/vrtadmin/clamav-faq/blob/master/faq/faq-win32.md |title=Clam Anti-Virus FAQ |publisher=Clamav.net |date=2014-09-11 |access-date=2015-06-27}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.immunet.com/eula/index.html|title=Immunet AntiVirus|website=www.immunet.com|access-date=2016-08-29}} and Plus (for commercial use). As of June 10, 2014, the commercial version was discontinued, though Cisco (having acquired SourceFire) continued to support the free version.{{cite web|url=http://www.immunet.com/plus/a/index.html|title=Immunet Plus Antivirus|date=27 June 2015|access-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629232617/http://www.immunet.com/plus/a/index.html|archive-date=29 June 2015|url-status=dead}}
At version 3.0 {{As of|2014|lc=y}}, Immunet Free offers protection based upon the virus definitions in the cloud, and an option to include the ClamAV off-line virus definitions for use when not connected to the Internet. Immunet advises that the free version be used alongside another antivirus program, and supports several particular such programs in the sense that they co-install properly and work in tandem during normal operations without any obvious interference or resource drag.{{cite web|url=http://www.immunet.com/faq |title=Immunet Frequently Asked Questions
|publisher=Immunet |access-date=2015-06-27}} This is a significant difference between Immunet and other contemporary antivirus products.{{cite web|last1=Rosenblatt|first1=Seth|title=Cloud security upstart Immunet aims for antiviruses {{!}} The Download Blog - CNET Download.com|url=http://download.cnet.com/blog/download-blog/cloud-security-upstart-immunet-aims-for-antiviruses/|website=download.cnet.com|publisher=CNet|access-date=3 October 2016|date=17 June 2010}}
Effectiveness
While independent testing has been performed, PCMag, in 2010, rated the product to be fair in its effectiveness.{{cite news| url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365103,00.asp#fbid=bpkKrAsRi0U | work=PC Magazine | first=Neil J. | last=Rubenking | title=Immunet Protect Free 2.0}}
Immunet's virus definitions are stored on servers available over the Internet, requiring less memory and system resource than antivirus programs that reside on the user's computer. Cloud protection has been known to give better protection and detection, on the other hand, offline protection is not particularly good.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}} Overall, the effectiveness of the Free product is average; the company recommends that users employ the Free product as an additional protection, rather than using it alone.
In Windows 8.1 and 10, older versions of Immunet such as 3.x only satisfies Virus protection but not Spyware and unwanted software protection in Action Center alerts on toolbar unlike other commercial antiviruses which satisfy both.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}
Discontinuation
On 1st January 2024, Immunet has ceased its services. The product will no longer have a connection to the cloud servers. According to its main website, Cisco aims to continue contributing to cybersecurity through Talos threat intelligence, but Immunet does not fit this purpose. The Immunet Forum also shut down all operations on 1st February 2024.{{Cite web |title=Immunet AntiVirus |url=https://www.immunet.com/index |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027084316/https://www.immunet.com/index |archive-date=2023-10-27 |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=www.immunet.com}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.immunet.com/}}
- [http://www.clamav.net/ ClamAV website]
{{Antivirus software}}