ESET NOD32 Antivirus |
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| Developer(s) | ESET |
| Stable release | 5.0.95 / 7 December 2011 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, DOS, Novell NetWare, Solaris, Windows Mobile |
| Type | Antivirus software |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Website | www.eset.com |
ESET NOD32 Antivirus, commonly known as NOD32, is an antivirus software package made by the Slovak company ESET. ESET NOD32 Antivirus is sold in two editions, Home Edition and Business Edition. The Business Edition packages add ESET Remote Administrator allowing for server deployment and management, mirroring of threat signature database updates and the ability to install on Microsoft Windows Server operating systems.
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The first version NOD32 - called NOD-ICE - was created in the 1987 by Miroslav Trnka and Peter Pasko when computer viruses were becoming increasingly prevalent.
Initially the program gained popularity with IT workers in Eastern European countries, as ESET was based in Slovakia. Though the program's abbreviation was originally pronounced as individual letters, recent worldwide use of the program has led to the more common single-word pronunciation, sounding like the English word nod.[1] The company reached its 6000th update to virus definitions on March 30, 2011.
The acronym NOD stands for Nemocnica na Okraji Disku ("Hospital at the end of the disk"), a pun related to the Czechoslovak medical drama series Nemocnice na okraji města (Hospital at the End of the City).
On March 10, 2010 ESET released ESET Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange Server, which contains both antimalware and antispam modules.[2] It supports Microsoft Exchange 5.5, 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2010.
ESET Mobile Security is the replacement for ESET Mobile Antivirus, which provided anti-malware and antispam functionality. ESET Mobile Security contains all the features of the older product and adds new anti-theft features such as SIM locking and remote wipe as well as a security audit and a firewall. Versions for Windows Mobile and a Symbian OS version are currently available for both home and enterprise users.[3][3]
ESET Remote Administrator is a central management console designed to allow network administrators to manage ESET software across a corporate network.
On November 5, 2007, ESET released an Internet security suite, ESET Smart Security version 3.0, to compete with other security suites by other companies such as McAfee, Symantec, AVG and Kaspersky. ESET Smart Security incorporates anti-spam and a bidirectional firewall along with traditional anti-malware features of ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
On March 2, 2009, ESET Smart Security version 4.0 was released, adding integration of ESET SysInspector; support for Mozilla Thunderbird and Windows Live Mail; a new self-defense module, an updated firewall module, ESET SysRescue and a wizard for creating bootable CD and USB flash drives.[4] .[5] There were initially compatibility problems between ESET Smart Security 4.0 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 but these were remedied by an update.[6]
On August 17, 2010, ESET Smart Security version 4.2 was released with new features, enhancements and changes.[7]
ESET SysInspector is a diagnostic tool which allows in-depth analysis of various aspects of the operating system, including running processes, registry content, startup items and network connections. Anti-Stealth Technology is used to discover hidden objects (rootkits) in the Master Boot Record, boot sector, registry entries, drivers, services and processes. SysInspector Logs are standard XML files and can be submitted to IT experts for further analysis. Two logs can be compared to find a set of items not common to both logs. A log file can be saved as a service script for removing malicious objects from a computer.
ESET has released free standalone removers for malware when they are widespread, such as Mebroot[8] and Conficker.[9]
In July, 2009, ESET released a program called ESET Uninstaller to help uninstall ESET NOD32 Antivirus and ESET Smart Security versions 3 and 4.[10]
On June 1, 2010, the first release candidate for ESET File Security for Microsoft Windows Server v4.3 was made available to the public. This program is an updated version of ESET NOD32 Antivirus Business Edition designed for Microsoft Windows Server operating systems and contains a revised user interface, automatic exclusions for critical directories and files and unspecified optimizations for operation on servers.[11]
On April 22, 2010, ESET Mobile Security for Windows Mobile and Symbian OS went into public beta.[12] The Home Edition was released on September 2, 2010,[3] and on January 20, 2011, the Business Edition went into beta.[13]
On April 29, 2011, ESET a beta test version for Android was released.[14] On August 10, 2011, the release candidate was made available.[15]
On December 2, 2009, ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Mac OS X Desktop and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Linux Desktop were released for public testing. ESET stated the release automatically detects and cleans cross-platform malware, scans archives, automatically scans removable media such as USB flash drives when mounted, performs real-time scanning, provides reports and offers a GUI similar to the Microsoft Windows version.[16] The second beta test versions were released January 9, 2010, and the third on June 10, 2010.[17]
On September 13, 2010, ESET released ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Mac OS X Business Edition.[18] and announced a release candidate for ESET Cybersecurity for Mac OS X[19]
On September 24, 2010, ESET released a Release Candidate for ESET Cybersecurity for Mac OS X[20][21] and on January 21, 2011, ESET released a Release Candidate for ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Linux Desktop[22]
On May 5, 2011, ESET released a beta test version of ESET Smart Security 5.0. The beta version adds parental control, a cloud-based file reputation service, gamer mode, HIPS and improvements to its antispam, firewall and removable media control functions.[23] On June 14, 2011, ESET released a release candidate for ESET Smart Security version 5.0.[24]
ESET Mobile Antivirus was aimed at protecting smartphones from viruses, spyware, adware, trojans, worms, rootkits, and other unwanted software. It also provided antispam filtering for SMS messages. Versions for Windows Mobile and Symbian OS were available. ESET discontinued ESET Mobile Antivirus in January 2011 and provides ESET Mobile Security as a free upgrade to licensed users of ESET Mobile Antivirus.[25]
On 1 February 2010, ESET discontinued version 2.7 of NOD32 Antivirus and all previous version of NOD32 Antivirus. They were removed from the ESET website, including product pages and e-Store. Version 2.7 was the last version supporting DOS-based Windows operating systems (95/98/ME). Update servers for trial users are now offline, but servers for paid users are still online as Virus Signature Database updates and Customer support for version 2.7 will remain available till 1 February 2012.[26]
On a network, NOD32 clients can update from a central "mirror server" on the network.
As of 27 April 2011[update], NOD32 Antivirus holds ICSA Labs certifications.[27] Also as of the same day, NOD32 has accumulated sixty seven VB100 awards from Virus Bulletin; it has thrice failed to receive this award.[28]
In comparative report that Virus Bulletin published on 2 September 2008, NOD32 detected 94.4% of all malware and 94.7% of spyware. It stood above competitors like Norton Internet Security and ZoneAlarm but below Windows Live OneCare and Avira AntiVir.[29]
On 28 April 2008, Robert Vamosi of CNET.com reviewed version 3.0 of NOD32 and gave it a score of 3.5/5.[30] On 6 March 2009, Seth Rosenblatt of Download.com reviewed the 4.0 version of NOD32 gave it a rating of 5/5.[31]