Dark side of COMODO...

[Creer]

Comodo is a popular name in the software business. Comodo provides multiple free, and excellent, products for home users including, but not limited to, the award winning Comodo Firewall (now bundled with Comodo Internet Security). Comodo has also recently become a big name in multiple front-page controversies including the issuance of its SSL security certificates to known malware distributors/scam websites and a row with Softpedia over the inclusion of a third party toolbar in their software. For those that don't know I will do a quick recap for you:
Comodo has been caught selling its popular SSL certificate to malware distributors/scan websites. Now in Comodo's defense, whenever a malware distributor/scan website which has Comodo's certificate is brought to their attention, they remove it; furthermore the purpose of the SSL certificate, technically, is not to verify the contents of the website but rather to verify how secure it is to buy from (the irony). However the question of why Comodo is repeatedly selling the certificates to known malware distributors/scam websites (there have been cases where a website with the same exact layout, interface, and "product" except different name has been issued a certificate even though their earlier one was revoked) is still a significant one and still an on going issue.
Softpedia, once upon a time, labeled Comodo Internet Security as "malware" because CIS included SafeSurf, an optional third party toolbar considered to be malware by Softpedia. Of course Comodo did not like that, so they tried to get Softpedia to remove the label. Softpedia, standing by their high standards, refused. So in the end the result was (is) Comodo Internet Security was (is) removed from Softpedia's download database.

Full article:
Paying a price to use free software: the dark side of Comodo products | Headline | dotTech [.org]

 

[Dinesh]

Comodo sucks.

 

[Tews]

Comodo sucks.

Dont mince words on us Dinesh ... tell us what you really think about Comodo??

 

[Dinesh]

Comodo sucks.

Dont mince words on us Dinesh ... tell us what you really think about Comodo??

The AV engine is very poor in terms of on-access protection. The firewall will keep throwing pop ups at you every 15-20 secs wanting your action. When i tried to update Comodo internet security, it was stuck at 30% for a long time. The Interface is complex. NOT RECOMMENDED.

 

[Creer]

Comodo sucks.

Dont mince words on us Dinesh ... tell us what you really think about Comodo??

The AV engine is very poor in terms of on-access protection. The firewall will keep throwing pop ups at you every 15-20 secs wanting your action. When i tried to update Comodo internet security, it was stuck at 30% for a long time. The Interface is complex. NOT RECOMMENDED.

Another thing... They still don't fix issue with their HIPS implemented in Defense+ module. This HIPS can give not clearly information about running actions in your system for example in Conficker aka Kido case (Information from OA vs information from Comodo Defense+:
Wilders Security Forums - View Single Post - Downadup/ Conficker worm versus HIPS

This issue is well known Comodo stuff for months but they do nothing with it...

 

[Dinesh]

Dont mince words on us Dinesh ... tell us what you really think about Comodo??

The AV engine is very poor in terms of on-access protection. The firewall will keep throwing pop ups at you every 15-20 secs wanting your action. When i tried to update Comodo internet security, it was stuck at 30% for a long time. The Interface is complex. NOT RECOMMENDED.

Another thing... They still don't fix issue with their HIPS implemented in Defense+ module. This HIPS can give not clearly information about running actions in your system for example in Conficker aka Kido case (Information from OA vs information from Comodo Defense+:
Wilders Security Forums - View Single Post - Downadup/ Conficker worm versus HIPS

This issue is well known Comodo stuff for months but they do nothing with it...

Good find.

 

[TheSchaft]

Everybody has their own preferences. I use Comodo's firewall and Defense Plus, but not their AV on two machines, and Windows 7 firewall on the other. All are running MSE for AV.

Since I've been using Comodo for a few years, I'm comfortable with the interface, more so that with the Windows firewall. (The number of alerts popping up is probably more a function of Defense Plus than the firewall. Interesting article on taming this - How to Tame Comodo Defense+ Without Disabling It)

I've been trying out the Windows 7 firewall, and without the Windows 7 Firewall Controller, I didn't see any alerts and no popups asking about blocking outgoing, benign programs like MS Media Player, which I do want to block. (default Windows firewall settings).

Like I said, different strokes...

I'm going to give On Line Armor's free version a shot on one of my machines to see if there's a better solution.

 

[johngalt]

Comodo (and anyone else that partners with Ask) will not be on my machines anymore. Been well over a year an a half since I allowed anything partnered with Ask, and I will keep it that.

 

[Dinesh]

Comodo (and anyone else that partners with Ask) will not be on my machines anymore. Been well over a year an a half since I allowed anything partnered with Ask, and I will keep it that.

Once i installed nero and NOD 32 detected it as a trojan. then after more research i found out that it was the Ask toolbar within nero which was detected as a harmful item.

 

[Barman58]

I am also against the inclusion of the Ask toolbar - which is why I never choose to install it

 

[gamepro127]

Okay Im not a COMODO fanboy or anything but for starters the Ask toolbar was removed and its been removed for a while.
Ive used COMODO, I actually used their security suit with AntiVirus until I got eset and never had any problems. If you know how to use it, great! If not, forget it. COMODO needs to be configured right to work well.

The AntiVirus is pretty good, MUCH better than avast (No offense) as it picked up a LOT of objects avast missed (This was version 3.9).
Also, COMODO is resource-friendly. The internet security suit with settings on high, firewall, Defense+ and AntiVirus took less than 15MB of RAM for me.

And btw, this is old news, as its been discussed in COMODO forums MANY times. The Admin stated that their doing something against it. Remember, COMODO is free. They gotta make money some how, but giving SSL certificates to malware sites is just a horrible and un-acceptable behavior, especially from COMODO.

I myself use Secure DNS on my router and never had any problems with it though.

If anyones looking for a good replacement for COMODO firewall, try one of theses.
http://www.eset.com/smartsecurity/ (NOT free, Use of their antivirus required)
Windows Firewall (Basic, easy-to-use protection against hackers)
PC Tools Firewall Plus - Free Firewall Download (FREE) My favorite for a free firewall

 

[johngalt]

I beg to differ.

Check out this thread over at Calendar of Updates - it is 8 pages long, and yes, fanboys on both sides are going to point to only one or two posts - Calendar of Updates: Windows, Security Updates and Software Help

Also, check out Calendar of Updates: Windows, Security Updates and Software Help

 

[TheSchaft]

Comodo has some vocal opponents, there seem to be two or three who work to fire up the crowd on "issues".

The cert. issue is not really valid, and most people who post about is do admit, at some point, that Comodo is faster deleting bogus sites than Verisign. The real issue there is the type of cert. and the way they are cuurently handled.

The add-in toolbar issue is also bogus, unless you can't read and decide what to do when the accept box asks to install.

I suppose there are folks who will beef about the offer to put in secure DNS IPs too.

You can't please everyone all the time, or convince most people that something is either good or bad.

My advice is to pick something you like from trial and error or the reviews, and go with it.

 

[7mm]

Okay Im not a COMODO fanboy or anything but for starters the Ask toolbar was removed and its been removed for a while.
Ive used COMODO, I actually used their security suit with AntiVirus until I got eset and never had any problems. If you know how to use it, great! If not, forget it. COMODO needs to be configured right to work well.
The AntiVirus is pretty good, MUCH better than avast (No offense) as it picked up a LOT of objects avast missed (This was version 3.9).
Also, COMODO is resource-friendly. The internet security suit with settings on high, firewall, Defense+ and AntiVirus took less than 15MB of RAM for me.
And btw, this is old news, as its been discussed in COMODO forums MANY times. The Admin stated that their doing something against it. Remember, COMODO is free. They gotta make money some how, but giving SSL certificates to malware sites is just a horrible and un-acceptable behavior, especially from COMODO.
I myself use Secure DNS on my router and never had any problems with it though.
If anyones looking for a good replacement for COMODO firewall, try one of theses.
Firewall, Antivirus, Antispam: ESET Smart Security Has It All (NOT free, Use of their antivirus required)
Windows Firewall (Basic, easy-to-use protection against hackers)
PC Tools Firewall Plus - Free Firewall Download (FREE) My favorite for a free firewall

Comodo has some vocal opponents, there seem to be two or three who work to fire up the crowd on "issues".
The cert. issue is not really valid, and most people who post about is do admit, at some point, that Comodo is faster deleting bogus sites than Verisign. The real issue there is the type of cert. and the way they are cuurently handled.
The add-in toolbar issue is also bogus, unless you can't read and decide what to do when the accept box asks to install.
I suppose there are folks who will beef about the offer to put in secure DNS IPs too.
You can't please everyone all the time, or convince most people that something is either good or bad.
My advice is to pick something you like from trial and error or the reviews, and go with it.

Humm..., looks like we've got thread that's just mixed bag in the end. I'm not sure about the Certificates as I've never used them. As just a user, all I care is how the installed software works (Good / Bad). And for that matter I care about what they specialized in, Firewall. Just check this Firewall Shootout, including Security Suites from major players.

 

[manhunter2826]

May I just ask, given the controversy around Comodo firewall, can anyone recommend an absolute freeware and tried and trusted Firewall for XP (I know the firewall for W7 is a huge improvement). Thanks.
Anyone agree with below or can offer alternatives; much appreciated.

If anyones looking for a good replacement for COMODO firewall, try one of theses.
Firewall, Antivirus, Antispam: ESET Smart Security Has It All (NOT free, Use of their antivirus required)
Windows Firewall (Basic, easy-to-use protection against hackers)
PC Tools Firewall Plus - Free Firewall Download (FREE) My favorite for a free firewall

 

[GeorgeB]

I downloaded Comodo Time Machine(free) and it destroyed my system. Will never download anything from Comodo again.

I had a very bad experience using the software.

 

[Corrine]

manhunter2826: The only two free-for-personal-use firewalls I recommend are Online Armor and Outpost:

• Online Armor Free
  -- Setup instructions at Online Armor Web Help - Welcome to the Online Armor Online Help
  -- Additional assistance at the support forum at Online Armor forums - Powered by vBulletin
• Agnitum Outpost Firewall
  -- Guide at Outpost Firewall Guide - Home for Outpost Free Firewall
  -- Outpost FREE FAQ at the support forum here: Outpost Users Support Forum

Having had personal experience with the CEO of Comodo, I want nothing to do with any of that company's products.

 

[hackerman1]

If anyones looking for a good replacement for COMODO firewall, try one of theses.
Firewall, Antivirus, Antispam: ESET Smart Security Has It All (NOT free, Use of their antivirus required)
Windows Firewall (Basic, easy-to-use protection against hackers)
PC Tools Firewall Plus - Free Firewall Download (FREE) My favorite for a free firewall

ESET ???:roflmao:

gamepro127: take a REALLY good look at Results and comments - www.matousec.com

ESET is #27 on that list ! (#9 from the BOTTOM...)

i have tested some firewalls, the results with ESET was so bad that i couldn´t believe it,
so i decided to run the tests a second time, which gave the same results.

do NOT use ESET´s firewall if you want protection !

i use Comodo right now, because it has a very good protection, 100% score at Matousec,
and it also blocks all unwanted OUTGOING connections.
in fact, it was the only firewall of those tested that really blocked.

if you want a really good FREE firewall, but not Comodo,
then i suggest one of those at the top of the list: PC-Tools, OnlineArmor, Outpost.
i have not used PC-Tools as it´s earlier versions had some problems with Firefox, but now that it also has a 100% score, i´m considering trying it, just because of this toolbar-crap etc. with Comodo.

i have used OnlineArmor (earlier version), it had some problems on W7, but worked well on Vista.
i know Outpost works well on W7, it´s also a lot easier to configure than Comodo, so it´s a good suggestion for normal users.

 

[yadielfeliciano]

I also use comodo, and it has been working for me better than norton ever did.

 

[hackerman1]

hi yadielfeliciano !

good to hear it works, since i recommended it for you.

but if you and others (not referring to previous posts) take a good look at the subject for this thread &
also read through previous posts, you might see that it´s about why you should NOT use Comodo.

to all members: PLEASE do *NOT* turn this into yet another "Best firewall"-thread !

we have enough of those already....