DriveSentry – Lifetime Updates Scam & My Original Review!
Update 22/06/09 – Lifetime Updates Scam!
DriveSentry is now named Drive Sentry SecuritySuite and now costs £15, $15 or 15 Euros, but existing paid Drive Sentry customer aren’t being looked after when they are supposed to have lifetimes updates to the software. The latest update to DriveSentry isn’t included to existing users as they have changed the name of the package, yet the screenshots are identical as DriveSentry SecuritySuite is clearly just a slightly later version of DriveSentry. Also the download link is removed so existing users can’t reinstall when they have problems and there are bugs in DriveSentry that sometimes requires this, but these won’t ever be resolved, it will be most like taken up as an issue with DriveSentry Security Suite which is very unfair. They are literally breaking their promise to loyal existing paid users (UPDATE 22/06/09: you can still freely download the original DriveSentry unofficially from 3rd party sites at the time of writing – please click here for details).
Please read my latest comments for full details and updates about my complaint.
Original Review
(written when DriveSentry was free with an optional £10 for lifetime updates including trickle updates!)
DriveSentry is a totally free antivirus package for Windows 2000/XP with unique additional levels of protection so far not seen on any other software to date. You never ever have to pay a penny to continue using DriveSentry to almost it’s full potential, but if you don’t pay a one off £10 fee after 1 month you are regularly hounded to update your virus database signatures manually. Paying the £10 however is in my opinion very cheap and well worth it considering what DriveSentry offers.
As with many traditional virus checkers, DriveSentry checks for viruses when files are accessed and also checks for suspicious activity even if the program / file isn’t known as a virus on the database. It additionally protects and monitors all vital windows components including internet settings, start-up programs, registry entries and much more, warning you of every attempted change to your settings or system files at your discretion, giving you the option to refuse the change. It warns and checks any new or changed program executed and keeps a list of your trusted programs, but what makes DriveSentry unique at the time of writing is it’s massive advisor database. Even when a virus isn’t detected by any traditional methods, it actually rechecks the suspected program / file once more by putting it to a vote on the advisor panel of thousands of users to decide whether it might be a threat or not. Anyone can be an adviser and your vote is added to the database when you accept a program / file Etc. as trusted. It’s a simple, but a very clever and effective concept, and because it also intelligently monitors only what it needs to, it doesn’t slow down your machine noticeably either like many other virus scanners, for-instance Norton and Mcafee. This means that Drivesentry can be run perfectly well on many older machines while still providing an excellent level of protection. In fact, amazingly there’s even a smaller version of DriveSentry that will actually run on a USB stick.
It’s easy and quick to install DriveSentry and unlike many other antivirus checkers, you don’t have to plough through pages of options to configure the software to your exact requirements. The only fault I can find at that at the time of writing is there isn’t enough advisor’s yet voting on programs / files. Because of this many programs / files haven’t got the minimum amount of advisor ratings to decide accurately if they are in fact safe. This will however improve as DriveSentry’s user base increases over time. It’s such a great piece of software and in my opinion it would be criminal if this software didn’t make it as big as well known antivirus giants like Norton and Mcafee.
For £10 you get trickle virus updates for life which means that instead of updating your virus signatures manually, it updates in real time as they are discovered and added to the database, one by one sometimes. If you want to use DriveSentry totally free, you get the trickle updates for 1 month. After 1 month you are asked to update your signatures manually when DriveSentry warns you and you are rarely as up to date as a paid member unless you update very often. As a free member it can get a bit annoying and it’s obviously designed to be more of a nuisance to get people to pay the £10 fee. Updating each time for free users takes a good few clicks, not just one but isn’t I suppose totally unreasonable. You might have just updated your signatures and sometimes a few minutes later, your protection icon changes from red (fully protected) to yellow (not fully up to date and protected) again. After sometimes only a few hours you can be hounded by messages saying a few hundred new viruses have come out since your last update, urging an urgent update.
Often DriveSentry can be very annoying, especially when you are installing or running new applications as it often asks for your approval, but it is very secure and you can increase the lowest level of threat reported from all to slight, minor, major or critical threats. If you think you are doing something that puts your system at serious risk of getting an infection or at worst you suspect you already have a virus, you can click “lock-down” which temporarily turns on absolutely every protection and warning possible, but it also slows down your PC and bothers you about the slightest of things.
Other free anitvirus products don’t in my opinion provide the protection of DriveSentry, but if you really don’t want to ever pay the cheap £10 upgrade charge for DriveSentry’s automatic trickle updates (it’s well worth it) and don’t like manual updates, then here are some traditional totally free alternative antivirus products that do provide automatic updates, please see Avast, AVG or Avira. I strongly recommend Avast as a 2nd choice to DriveSentry as it by far provides the most complete protection out of these three and is as good as some paid antivirus software products. AVG & Avira provide only a basic level of antivirus protection for free and ask customers to pay for upgraded software.
Please click here to visit DriveSentry’s official site and to download (UPDATE 22/06/09: you can still freely download the original DriveSentry unofficially from 3rd party sites at the time of writing – please click here for details).
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Comments:
Comment from admin
Time June 7, 2009 at 11:09 pm 
DriveSentry are now promising the following,
“We are planning to release a updated version (3.3.1) of DriveSentry Desktop in the next few weeks for both free/paid users which will have various bug fixes/tweeks”.
This is good news, but I will believe it when it’s released. The question is will they continue to keep releasing new updates for the original DriveSentry? I somehow doubt it, they are probably doing this as a one off because of various complaints from loyal existing customers. Why are they releasing this when they should be giving existing paid users DriveSentry SecuritySuite as this is a slightly later version of DriveSentry!
Comment from admin
Time June 22, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Complaint Posting in DriveSentry Support Forum!
I have sent a personal message to DriveSentry Support instead as follows:
“DriveSentry still has bugs, when things change on my PC, E.g. installing new applications, I have to reinstall it sometimes as it hangs when loading DriveSentry when starting my PC. It sits there in task manager using up more than 50% of my CPU time.
Are you still supporting Drivesentry? It appears that you have brought a new update out for DriveSentry and named it Security Suite! So are you likely to work on fixing the bugs? I doubt it as you will be working on Security Suite instead, this isn’t fair or right. I have seen the screenshots for Security Suite and they are identical to DriveSentry because it is a slightly later version of DriveSentry. It isn’t right that existing full DriveSentry users aren’t getting these updates and fixes as it was sold with “LIFETIME UPDATES”!
Also where is the download link for DriveSentry as paid existing users need to reinstall it at times because of the bugs or if they choose to reinstall Windows. It looks like you have abandoned your existing users. I won’t buy Security Suite as in a year or so, you’ll probably change it’s name again and abandon users with lifetime updates yet again.
I am writing a blog about this as I’m not very happy.”
I am now awaiting a response…
Comment from admin
Time July 24, 2009 at 2:08 am
DriveSentry assured me that they would be releasing an update to the original DriveSentry too, but have failed to. They have just put DriveSentry Security Suite for trial download. I have downloaded it and it is in fact a slightly later version of DriveSentry, the menus and system is THE SAME! It is THE SAME SOFTWARE and this therefore should be part of the lifetime update.
So why haven’t I had this with my quote, “lifetime updates”? This is in my opinion totally out of order and I’m now writing another complaint to DriveSentry. Incidentally, I tried logging into Drive Sentry Security Center with my so called lifetime updates login and it failed.
Comment from admin
Time July 24, 2009 at 2:36 am
I have written another complaint to DriveSentry by a personal forum message as follows:
“I wrote the original complaint, added at the bottom of this text as you clearly advertised lifetime updates with DriveSentry for £10 in the past. DriveSentry Security Suite is CLEARLY A SLIGHTLY LATER VERSION OF DRIVESENTRY with Drive Sentry Portable added! It has exactly the same layout, exactly the same antivirus engine and the same everything else – IT IS IN FACT DRIVESENTRY! You even admit this by allowing people who have brought DriveSentry within 30 days to upgrade to the latest version. The original DriveSentry is full of bugs that you clearly have no intention to resolve now you’ve simply changed the name of the software slightly. You are wrongfully abandoning existing customers that have paid for lifetime updates and this is false advertising. These are the same customers that supported DriveSentry when your organisation was starting out from virtually nothing, is this the way you thank them?
You should now give everyone with paid lifetime update DriveSentry licences an update the the latest version immediately which is named Drive Sentry Security Suite or you should re-release the latest DriveSentry for existing customers without the extra portable version. You should continue providing, “LIFETIME UPDATES” as promised and agreed. I have written an on-line blog about this on a very popular website and will be reporting DriveSentry to Trading Standards unless this problem is resolved and you honour the agreement to your customers.
In the last response you said you’d be releasing a later version of DriveSentry shortly and you haven’t, instead you are only working on the latest version of Drive Sentry which is called DriveSentry Security Suite. You have simply changed the name and have broken the agreement to all your loyal customers who have brought lifetime updates.
I certainly won’t be buying Drive Sentry Security Suite as in future you will probably simply change the name of the software again and won’t keep to the lifetime updates promise. I will be advising all my readers to avoid this software unless you promise to honour the lifetime agreement by giving existing users the latest version. This is in my opinion a horrible scam and I expected much better from DriveSentry. It’s a real shame your company are operating like this as your software is in fact in my opinion very good, except for bugs which you are forcing people to pay to get resolved even though they have already paid for lifetime updates.
I notice you’re now including a “trail version” download for DriveSentry Security Suite (the latest version of DriveSentry), yet existing accounts for DriveSentry fail to even offer a trial. I discovered that Drive Sentry Security Suite is in fact a slightly later version of DriveSentry using someone else’s PC.
PLEASE REPOND AND HONOUR YOUR LIFETIME AGREEMENTS ASAP AS THE NEXT STAGE OF THE COMPLAINT IS TRADING STANDARDS!“
I also included the original complaint, see comment above.
Legal Disclaimer
This article and it’s comments include my own personal opinion and are without prejudice to DriveSentry or any other organisation. My full legal disclaimer applies to this article and it’s comments.
Comment from admin
Time July 26, 2009 at 12:23 am
Drivesentry’s Response to My Complaint Above:
“Hello Paul,
Thank you for your email.
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify a few points and update you on the DriveSentry roadmap moving forward.
Regarding your query about Lifetime Updates, for paid products we have never stated this includes free upgrades to a newer version of the same product (or another product for that matter).
It has always been our intention to offer free lifetime signature updates. We invest a lot of resources in providing this service and will continue to do so.
Our policy regarding Upgrades is that users will receive FREE upgrades to the current minor version e.g. 1.0 -> 1.1 ->1.2 etc. We offer discounted rates when releasing major new versions (e.g. 2.0) for those users who have purchased a previous version (1.X) within a qualifying period.
Since the release of Security Suite we are also offering paid Desktop users a discounted upgrade path.
I should also point out that version 3 of DriveSentry has been available for over 2 years and we have published numerous updates over this time without incrementing to a newer major version and pushing users to upgrade.
We have mentioned already we will be releasing new versions of both DriveSentry Desktop and Security Suite. DriveSentry Desktop will be released next week and will now be completely free (no trickle feed).
Anyone using the free version already will of course be upgraded. Users who have purchased DriveSentry Desktop previously will continue to receive updates of the free version but benefit from trickle feed (automatic signature updates) which they purchased.
The goal is ultimately to offer a free simple antivirus product whilst offering a premium product with extra features such as data encryption and backup for those users who need additional protection. This is not dissimilar to strategies by companies such as AVG.
I hope that you will choose to post the above information on your blog. We have never set out to deceive anyone and hope the above clarifies any misunderstanding.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us.”
My follow up to response:
The argument above only stands if there’s a major new release to the software as they are calling Drive Sentry Security Suite a different product to DriveSentry, I strongly disagree! Drive Sentry Security Suite ISN’T another major release of DriveSentry as it’s identical in every way including screen shots, the front end, the anti-virus engine and just about everything else. Drive Sentry Security Suite is clearly a very slightly later version of Drive Sentry with probably more bug fixes and some added extras. IT IS THE SAME PRODUCT! In other words, existing paid customers should have been given the latest version of Drive Sentry Security Suite without the extras immediately when released AS WITHOUT THE EXTRAS IT IS IN FACT THE LATEST VERSION OF DRIVESENTRY!
They still promise to release another update to the standard DriveSentry in a week or so, but this will be months after the latest Drive Sentry Security Suite was released and they first promised this a few months ago and didn’t deliver then. Okay, they will probably release it eventually, but is this only because of complaints and will they continue to update in future as I doubt it.
Comment from admin
Time July 31, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I’m now using Panda Cloud Antivirus which is totally FREE. It’s a brand new concept of Antivirus protection. I will be reviewing this system very soon. (UPDATE: PLEASE SEE COMMENT BELOW AS NO LONGER RECOMMENDED!)
Comment from admin
Time March 26, 2010 at 5:25 am
Don’t Use Panda Cloud (Not yet anyway):
Further to my previous comment, I’ve unfortunately had numerous problems with Panda Cloud Antivirus on more than one PC, see please my full review and please also ensure you read my comments about the problems I encountered. In summary, during tests it allowed a very serious virus to infect my PC that it certainly should have stopped easily and there was other serious problems on my PC and also a friend’s, I don’t currently recommend people install it. I sincerely hope Panda Cloud is improved as the concept and idea of providing antivirus protection using an on-line cloud from all it’s users instead of having one virus database stored on the client’s PC really deserves to work.
Too Many Technical Problems with DriveSentry:
DriveSentry was a great idea too and when it worked it provided an excellent level of protection along with their excellent idea of an advisor database based on existing user decisions, but unfortunately I’ve also had to de-install it permanently due to far too many technical problems to list here. I’ve tried reinstalling it on numerous occasions and it would work for a while then fail again a week or so later. It’s a great shame and I sincerely hope DriveSentry is perfected in future, but for now, I don’t recommend it unless you’re an advanced PC user who’s feeling adventurous. Okay, it might work for some people, but be prepare for potential problems.
I Now Use NOD along with WinPatrol:
I’m now a happy user of NOD by Eset, although it’s not free there is a months free trial available. It’s not perfect, but it’s still one of the best anti-virus packages available with an optional firewall with NOD Smart Security. It has a small footprint and is low of resources with a high amount of protection. I also use WinPatrol by BillP Studios to monitor and inform me about important system changes for extra protection, it’s free, but the pro-version allows monitoring in real time, where the free version checks every 1 minute minimum. The pro-version also allows access to a comprehensive database which can give detailed descriptions of any system resources, like programs or services. I recommend Winpatrol only if you’re a reasonably advanced PC user, but it should only be used alongside good antivirus software as on it’s own it doesn’t provide adequate protection against malware.
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Comment from admin
Time May 28, 2009 at 3:07 pm
DriveSentry’s protection has been brilliant, but it’s also been rather annoying and there has been quite a few bugs. The problem is the lifetime updates are no longer and soon the original DriveSentry software will be obsolete and will compromise security!
LIFETIME UPDATES SHOULD MEAN LIFETIME UPDATES!
The $10 charge for Drivesentry was supposed to include lifetime updates, yet the compnay have just released a later version called DriveSentry Security Suite costing £15 to all, even people who have already paid for lifetime updates! Why isn’t the latest update included for people who have already paid for lifetime updates as agreed? I have complained to their support forum and am awaiting a response as this isn’t fair or right, unless they give existing customers the latest Drivesentry software, then it’s a SCAM in my opinion. Lifetime updates should mean lifetime updates, they shouldn’t release an update and call it something slightly different as it’s still Drivesentry, it’s NOT a separate package at all. If you look at the screen shots, most of it is IDENTICAL! Unless Drivesentry honour the agreement, they cannot be trusted in future as eventually they will rename Drive Sentry Security Suite and everyone whose paid the £15 for lifetime updates will be forced to pay yet again. I will update!
See:
http://forum.drivesentry.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=297&p=1087#p1087