| Developer(s) | SurfRight B.V. |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 3.6 Build 138 / December 28, 2011 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/2000/2003/2008/7 |
| Type | Spyware removal software |
| License | Free Scanning, 30-day Removal |
| Website | Hitman Pro website |
Hitman Pro 3 is a computer program to detect and remove Rootkits, Trojans, Viruses, Worms, Spyware, Adware and other Malware using extensive Behavioural Analysis and Cloud Computing. The program is developed by SurfRight. First it detects viruses and other files that have a suspicious behaviour (behaviour analysis) and sends them then to the scan cloud via the Internet. The malicious files are detected in the scan cloud where these are removed by Hitman Pro 3. The new version of Hitman Pro, version 3, uses Dr Web, Emsisoft Anti-Malware, G Data AntiVirus and Prevx to detect malicious software (see also multiscanning). As the various virus scanners are not installed on the local computer, but in the scan cloud on Internet, there is a very low system load. This technology is called “cloud computing” and is possible using behavioural analysis that can differentiate legitimate from malicious software.
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Hitman Pro 3 is a completely different design than earlier versions of Hitman Pro that was developed by Mark Loman in the Netherlands. The previous version of Hitman Pro (version 1 and 2) automatically downloads, installs and runs third party anti-spyware and anti-adware programs that are freely available on the Internet:
This approach had a few disadvantages, the most important are: the scan time was very long, the program used many system resources and errors in the used third party programs could cause system instability. These disadvantages disappeared in version 3.
Hitman Pro version 2 had a large user base in The Netherlands, more than 3 million at one point. This resulted in large exposure for the third party programs. Webroot Spy Sweeper, PC Tools Spyware Doctor and ESET NOD32 saw their user base increase significantly.
The program has also opponents that claim that Hitman Pro is using other people’s knowledge without their permission. Software producer Lavasoft was in discussion with Mr. Loman over changes to the program before granting any official permission to implement their software and McAfee says they did not grant permission and claim no knowledge at all of the program with no further comment. This is in apparent contrast to the previous statements of Mr. Loman who claimed he had the agreement of all companies.[1]
Hitman Pro 3 has a completely different design than earlier versions and does not install software on the users PC. Files on the PC are scanned and suspicious files are analyzed in the scan cloud and then malicious files are removed from the PC. To speed up the scan time and to prevent mistakes (false positives), Hitman Pro 3 uses a white list that includes Windows system files and other (safe) files that are present on most PCs. Hitman Pro 3 also requires a license key to remove malware found on a user's computer, however it does offer a free 30-day trial, which does not let you remove any files identified. In version 3.5 the 30-day trial does let you remove identified threats. Hitman Pro 3.5 is the current version, so you can remove detected threats if you use this version.