Vipre by GFI Software is new to this review site and it's an internet security suite to watch. It is beginning to collect a handful of passing antivirus, antispam and wildlist test scores, and it can perform fast, low-drain full system scans. This security suite includes tools for monitoring zero-day threats and can detect suspicious behaviors of unidentified viruses or phishing campaigns.

Though we do download and install all the software we review, we still check third-party test results for security software to give us a broader perspective on how they perform. Vipre products have tested adequately in the past two years. Since 2010, Vipre has passed four of six email protection tests with an average score of about 96%. They have also passed four AV-Tests running Windows XP, Vista and 7 within the past year. Their most recent Windows 7 AV-Test scores rated an average of 3.8 out of 6. Their antivirus and antispyware software passed wildlist tests with West Coast Labs six times since February 2010. They also have received certifications for ICSA labs for Windows Vista but have not yet been tested running Windows 7. So far, Vipre has proven to provide adequate virus and email protection but fails to reach the lofty test ranges of our highest-ranked products.

Our experiences with Vipre have been positive. We found the software simple to install and configure. The interface is straightforward and uncomplicated. We like that it includes easy-to-implement default options as well as advanced configuration options. The overview screen clearly relates scan, protection, update and firewall statuses so you can easily check your security status without digging into the logs or reports. You can schedule scans or initiate a manual quick, deep or custom scan. Our first quick scan only took 1 minute, 27 seconds to scan 3,531 files, 40 processes, 135 cookies and 26,516 registry items. It will also auto-scan attached devices such as USB drives and discs before you download files to your hard drive. As mentioned, GFI is known for its email protection abilities. This software works with Outlook 2000+, Outlook Express and Windows Mail as well as all SMTP and POP3 email protocols. Vipre Internet Security does not include parental controls, a gaming mode, application control or the ability to create a rescue disc.

Vipre provides customer and technical support by telephone, email and chat. You can also peruse their forum, FAQs and help topics, or you can submit a case online. Unlike other internet security suites, Vipre includes help files within the software that you don't have to access the internet to view. This internet security suite is compatible with all Windows operating systems, including Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2008.