REG RUN NIVA PLATINUM
http://www.greatis.com/security/
Reviewed April 2007

What’s It Do?

Reg Run creates backups of your security information, configures your security settings for higher security, optimizes your Windows startup, detects known and unknown Trojans and spyware components, and removes them.


Does it do what it promises?.

Reviewer 1: As far as I can tell, it does protect my system. It did, for example, call attention to changes in the Registry as well as to changes it discovered at shutdown in my autoexec.nt file. However, a number of its features assume a higher level of technical expertise than I possess, so there are many features I didn’t feel able to evaluate.

Reviewer 2: Reg Run is a tool kit for protecting your computer from Windows System registry changes, various types of adware, malware, Trojans and viruses by not allowing them to auto-start without detection. The program checks all Windows startup processes, and looks for startup holes where it can find and remove "unknown" viruses. Reg Run has a rootkit utility, UnHackMe, a tool that works in tandem with Partizan by comparing the information that Partizan provides when it opens the command file and executes the tasks listed there, UnHackMe notifies if it finds any suspicious changes in those files. Partizan can be used to delete viruses. Though the Greatis Database for known rootkits, Trojans, viruses and spyware is comprehensive, new problems arise daily and some detected problems will simply be identified as unknown-suspicious.

Reviewer 3: I was unable to determine (see comments below).

Reviewer 4: Reg Run does provide a comprehensive set of tools. They can help analyze one’s computer, find out what processes and programs are running in the background (and foreground), and try to ferret out viruses, rootkits and other malware. It will also perform other useful activities, such as closing all open windows (very helpful at times) and even shutting down one’s computer when it becomes unresponsive.

Reviewer 5: Yes, for the greatest part. For all the processes that could be proven (some could not, because nothing detected). In other words, every process functioned, but how effectively cannot be answered definitively. Its method of protecting one’s system is not by definitions but rather by monitoring and quietly running diagnostics while the computer is otherwise in use. There is a very wide spectrum of utilities. Some are not really new or different, just handier. As examples, the clean boot program will load minimal vital programs as safe mode would, but without the hassle. To help diagnose problems it will allow the user to suspend or pause active programs, then return them to active status with one click.


Was it easy to install?

Reviewer 1: Yes, eventually. However, when I first tried to download the file from the Greatis Web site, what downloaded was not a zip file but an .exe file that was corrupted. I tried again, with the same results. I then wrote to the company to report this. Eleven days later, after getting no response, I wrote again, but I again received no response. Three days after the second note to the company, I tried again to download the software, and this time all was well. I downloaded a .zip file, unzipped it, and it started up without any problems. A second installation some months later also went very smoothly. (I should add that though my two earlier email messages to the company went unanswered, more recent messages—some sent through their Web site, some by email--have received prompt response.)

Reviewer 2: Download, unzip and installation had no problems. The footprint for Reg Run Platinum is 9.5MB, yet when looking at it in Add/Remove Programs it's size currently is 20.5MB.
Utilizing the quick help tips encouraged me to set the program up on the Medium security level for Moderate computer users, which then allowed me the time I needed to further explore the program with it running, while not overwhelming me with it's many options.

Reviewer 3: No. The initial download of 9.5MB while not small and is but a portion of the total download as you eventually find out. You must then also download the Reg Run Reanimator at 3MB to remove viruses, the Latest Application Database at 600kb, the Application Database Manager at 700kb, and a 500kb instruction manual. All told ,the download becomes closer to 15MB, a quite sizeable download. Furthermore, the installation and registration was confusing and cumbersome. Finally, removing the program left over 100 empty or useless entries in the Windows Registry.

Reviewer 4: I installed this program on three different computers. In each case, the installation was straightforward and did not need the computer to restart. The registration process is a little complicated and not that evident. You have to go to Reg Run via the Start Menu, and pick out the Register Reg Run module. Once you have figured that out, it works OK.

Reviewer 5: I found it easy to download (less than 10 MB zip file) and install. The default settings are quite reasonable and after some experimentation, I returned to using them. The instructions are well-prepared and the setup was not complicated.


Good Points:

Reviewer 1: Reg Run combines an impressive number of features in one moderately-priced program. It monitors start-up programs as well as changes to and problems with the Registry and changes it discovers when you shut down your computer; it can help diagnose and fix a variety of startup problems; it scans for viruses, Trojans, and rootkits (but it does not perform the thorough scan of a dedicated anti-virus program—rather, it quickly checks Windows startup holes and claims to be able to find and remove unknown viruses); it will clean temporary files and (some) browser caches (it doesn’t include Firefox on its list of browsers whose cache it will clean), etc. It also provides very extensive information about processes, DLLs, network activity, the Registry, and more. In theory, if you have this program, you may not need to buy several others.

Reviewer 2: Reg Run Platinum is filled with a variety of tools to keep one’s computer clean from unwanted viruses, rootkits, trojans and spyware. With Watchdog running in the background I am notified of any changes to my registry quickly, having set the time for the default to a 10-minute system check. Leaving Partizan and UnHackMe in place to check my system at startup for rootkits, and also utilizing the Check for Trojans at startup tool, alerts me to any problems that exist and prevents new problems from executing. Customer Support was of help in analyzing any conditions when I was uncertain what to do with an item identified, especially items identified as unknown. When utilizing the scan for viruses tool, the user can examine detailed information to figure out for themselves if this is truly a virus or a program that Greatis does not recognize in their database. I found that leaving the security settings at Medium level with these aforementioned tools in place provided me with excellent protection. I have RunGuard enabled and Registry Guard as well. The occasional Check Startup in Windows mode before Windows Shell starts is a nice feature as well, though I don't recommend doing so on every system reboot. I utilize Check system files for replacement attempt and have had no alerts. I utilize registry tracing for .bat, .com, .exe, and .pif files and Check Active Setup Key with no problems. I activated "Set trap for viruses”, which performs in Windows Mode periodically when the system is tested. A detailed system report can be sent to Greatis Support and they will return a special file for auto-cleaning the computer. The support team cautions unskilled computer users from making changes based on the results of utilizing any of the tool kit utilities because any changes to the Windows Registry can be potentially harmful if not outright damaging to one’s system. Reg Run makes backups of the registry and important files and can restore a computer to its previous state even if it does not boot up. Reg Run can be set for a system check at any time interval chosen. It notifies of any registry changes made with a prompt to accept or decline the change. Reg Run has a scan for viruses utility, registry search and replace options, a registry compression tool, a WinSock 2 recovery tool, Process list and analyzer tool, sysedit replacement process, batch job manager, a job scheduler, startup optimizer, Win cleaner, file extension manager, Anti-virus coordinator, a host of security tools including black and white listing, file protection, Trojan analyzer, and run guard to name a few of the many tools in this program's tool box. It analyzes Windows executable files to detect if they have been changed or replaced by dangerous codes. Thus, it prevents virus, Trojans, etc. from becoming embedded, causing system instability or other damage from these changes. Reg Run’s Watch Dog can be set to be on patrol to detect any registry changes.

Reviewer 3: I was unable to determine (see comments below).

Reviewer 4: Reg Run monitors what is going on and will pop up with warnings of changes of which the user may not be aware. For example, I was testing a new version of One Note and told the program to terminate certain activities. When the computer was shutting down, Reg Run stopped the shutdown process to ask if I wanted Windows to delete certain files; when I checked further they turned out to be those I had told OneNote to terminate, not changes that would have been harmful to my computer. On the other hand, in using Reg Run for about six months, it has never notified me of any potentially harmful changes.

Reviewer 5: A very comprehensive set of tools are included in this suite. Unlike many other broad-spectrum suites, each of the functions seems to perform well, with little duplication and bloating which would result in a large footprint and noticeable slowing of other windows operations. Reg Run claims to monitor and notify of attempts at taking advantage of windows security holes and to check for and note scripts. The Partizan function automatically runs at startup to check for rootkits before windows is engaged. This function takes only a few seconds to run, does not slow startup to any noticeable degree. Help is available specifically within each function with well-written and comprehensive screens. Some programs that make changes in one’s settings offer a simple choice of accepting the settings or reverting to the original settings. Reg Run offers an additional choice of “undoing” the last modifications with a simple click to restore defaults without the need to locate the last saved file in order to restore the registry to its previous state. Since the program does not depend on definitions it does not require a subscription renewal at an added cost. I was very pleased with the ease of navigating through the various selections, which are clearly described as to function. The program really can be thought of as a series of modules, each performing its own functions, with separate well thought out guidance for each.


Weak Points:

Reviewer 1: I found Reg Run somewhat difficult to use and at times surprisingly unreliable. Though I have used computers for many years, I do not have a technical background. Reg Run seems to assume a level of technical expertise that I don’t have. For example, upon examining my startup programs, Reg Run “strongly recommended” that I launch the Advanced Optimizer feature. When I did so, I was confronted with a screen with four tabs: Active Setup, Shell Loggers, BHO Items, and Shell DLLs. The Active Setup tab was open, presenting me with a list of what seemed to be Registry key values, program paths, and the following explanation of Active Setup: “Active Setup registry key is used to store information about installed software components. If a subkey contains StubPath value, the component may execute any program stored in the StubPath value. Usually this component sets Is Installed value to 1, to prevent launching it in the future. Most of the items concern making Windows and Internet Explorer. Make a backup before change.” I did not have the technical knowledge needed to understand the explanation, let alone use this “strongly recommended” feature. Reg Run was at times confusing in other ways as well. For example, it reported that my computer had a number of suspicious programs and was “probably infected by a virus,” and that I should press the Disinfect button to begin, but there was no button called Disinfect (there was one called Fix Problems). Also, it flagged as “suspicious” C:\Windows\System32\dllhost.exe, but when I clicked on “more info,” it told me that this was part of the Windows OS and is necessary! Almost all the programs it listed as “suspicious” were standard parts of routine software programs on my computer. Some of those programs are quite well-known, such as Adobe Acrobat, Sun Java 2, WS_FTP, RoboForm, and McAfee Anti-Virus, while others were parts of perhaps lesser known but hardly obscure programs such as ClipMate, Directory Opus, Powermarks, Web Research, and Copernic Desktop Search. I decided not to take Reg Run’s suggestion that I remove these “suspicious” files! I should note, too, that in spite of Reg Run’s claims that my computer contains suspicious programs and is probably infected by a virus, repeated scans by McAfee plus several updated anti-spyware programs such as a-squared, AVG Anti-Spyware, CounterSpy, and Spybot Search and Destroy turned up no viruses or other suspicious programs. At one point, I received an email message from a tech support person at Reg Run informing me that MyWay Adware was on my computer and that I should uninstall it using Add/Remove Programs. It was not listed in Add/Remove Programs nor in JVPowerTools’ Software Manager. I then ran hours of scans with a variety of other anti-malware programs, none of which found anything. I exchanged daily messages with Greatis’ tech support asking how they knew I had MyWay Adware and how I should get rid of it. Finally, four days later, a different tech support person contacted me, and after I again posed these questions, I was informed that the message about MyWay Adware was an error, and that my system did not have that program or any other adware, viruses, or Trojans. I was happy to hear this, but I would have been happier had I been informed more quickly and had not spent hours trying to deal with this non-existent problem.

Reviewer 2: I found myself accepting changes I didn't fully understand and had to rely on Reg Run’s support. I am very uncertain whether or not to accept registry changes without assistance.

Reg Run claims to be compatible with other Anti-virus and spyware tools, so I configured Reg Run to recognize all current tools being utilized by my computer; yet, it identified SpySweeper's exe file to be Dangerous, Prohibited in the virus scan mode. There seems to be a problem with Terminating programs on virus scanning as well. The scan would find a file key, identify it as "file not found" so I would kill the program. Upon rescan the file key would be found again. Reg Run required that I actually delete the item in order for it not to resurface.

Also noted, there seems to be a problem with mc21.tmp, mc22.tmp, mc23.tmp files that can be associated with Spyware Doctor and Spy Sweeper but also can be the hiding place for a rootkit called AFX created by Aphex in 2004, or a Backdoor.Graybird. Spyware Doctor and Spy Sweeper creates a new driver file during every Windows boot. After loading the driver into memory these programs delete the file because it isn't required for Windows system to operate. Therefore, the file doesn't exist in the Windows Temp Files folder and it can be impossible to decide if this is an actual rootkit or backdoor.graybird process trying to access system files or not because Reg Run only identified the temp file name, not the actual file source. Customer support advised me to use my own discretion and only recommended that I remove Spyware Doctor and Spy Sweeper. If Reg Run professes to be compatible with other Anti-virus and Spyware programs then they need to work around this issue. I don't believe that one should be advised to uninstall a perfectly good program because another finds a conflict it cannot resolve effectively. I have had several problems with utilizing Startup Analyser, finding that when I have completed the process, programs that previously functioned without problem would not even start. I had to resort to system restore on three different occasions to get my programs working again. I also found this to be a problem when I invoked Registry Tracer. Upon doing so I was presented with screen after screen of hotkey information that gave me no source file to determine if I was accepting a good change or restoring to a better default. The User's Manual is so extensive it requires printing to follow every step in a process. It sometimes lacked information, indicating merely how to start and complete a process or report without indicating the purpose of the process/report.

Reviewer 3: Over a six-month period, I made four attempts to seek support with this program and resolve a problem that prevented me from fully testing it. After three attempts through the online support ticket procedure, I wrote a letter to Greatis’ President:

February 15, 2007

Mr. Dinitri Sololov, President
Greatis Software
Turgeneva, 1-65
Yaroslavl
150054 Russian Federation

RE: Reg Run Security Suite Platinum

Dimitri Sokolov,

I am one of the reviewers/analysts for Neat Net Tricks which is reviewing your Reg Run Platinum Suite. I have still not yet been able to complete a thorough testing of your program after five months due to problems with your software and have made three previous attempts to resolve this through your support option (A Team) all which have gone unanswered. Additionally, I have attempted to find help on your support forum but as you can see from the single posting under the General Heading, the forum for Reg Run will accept no posts (and correspondingly there are none!). I have had to uninstall the program permanently until a couple of serious problems can be resolved. First, some basic information.

I am using Windows XP Pro SP2 with a Pentium IV 3.4G, 1G Ram, 500G HD. The system is clean of any malware, spyware, Trojans, viruses. The only programs running at startup are: Sygate firewall, WinPatrol, and currently WebRoot’s Spysweeper antispyware. I have a DSL 3.0mb high speed connection and also use AOL as an ISP.

Immediately upon installing your software program back in October 2006, I found that I could no longer connect to AOL. I then found that I had difficulty even connecting to the Internet as some of my TCP/IP parameters had changed and my network connection had been disabled. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling but the same problems occurred. I tried disabling all of my aforementioned startup programs one at a time to see if I might find a conflict but none seemed to exist as the problems remained. On the third attempt I uninstalled your software, cleaned my registry (which, by the way, showed over 100 empty or invalid registry entries remaining from your program after uninstalling!!), disabled all startups, and disabled my DSL connection before reinstalling. After installation, I reenabled my Internet connection and reenabled my start-up programs. My network and DSL connections were now operative but I could still not connect to AOL (which is also my mail server). I contacted AOL but they could find no reason that I was unable to connect since I have an “always on” DSL connection, but your software was somehow causing a conflict with the AOL software.

Unfortunately, I can find no way to simply disable your software from running as when I attempted to simply kill those processes associated with your software I received a warning from Windows that doing so would cause Windows to close down(!), so I had no choice to uninstall (again!) until this issue can be resolved.

Your assistance will be greatly appreciated as until I can reinstall your software without disabling my AOL connection and/or having to constantly reconfigure my network adapter, it will be impossible for me to review your program thoroughly and/or accurately, and a review of your product needs to be completed by April 20, 2007.

All communications to this company have gone unanswered. One caveat: I did not place an overseas call to Greatis Software although their telephone number is available. This was the only other method of trying to reach this company that I did not attempt.

Reviewer 4: I have several concerns about this program. My first relates to Support. Early on in using the program, I sent in some questions abut licensing the program. Although I tried several times, my questions were never answered nor acknowledged. As one of my main criteria for purchasing a program is to be sure that it will be supported, I feel that this is a very serious drawback. There are other things that the program does which I find to be annoying. Several times a week, when I boot up my computer early in the day, Reg Run does a Registry Backup. making it impossible to do anything else while that process is going on. Although I like a program to advise when an upgrade is available and afford the option to download it, Reg Run frequently runs its upgrade at start-up time (when it is not backing up the registry) and this conflicts with the start-up of other programs. I have found out that I must allow Reg Run to finish its download, because by trying to clear out the other programs, Reg Run seem to get confused and hangs up. If I allow the upgrade to download, I then have to browse for the file and run it from where it has been embedded. This is one of the most awkward methods of downloading and installing updates that I have seen and, for convenience, I often simply ignore the updates. I have recently begun to receive a message at boot up: “Rthdcpl.exe - Illegal System DLL Relocation. <snip>.” On the Reg Run Web site, I discovered that this was a Windows bug, and not anything harmful to my computer. In recently downloading a new program, Reg Run advised "This file contains code that can be dangerous for your computer -- test by antivirus.” I told it to go ahead and test it. Essentially, it was similar to using the context menu to right-click on the file then selecting "Scan for Virus" or "Scan for Spyware." However, with Reg Run one must be in the folder where the file is located.

Reviewer 5: Unfortunately, though Reg Run promises to coexist well with all other programs, this is not quite true. On several occasions, my computer hung during a Reg Run sweep and it could not be restored by task manager. Even after manually rebooting several programs did not work properly and I had to do a system restore and settings had apparently been changed. Reg Run warns against CounterSpy and NOD32 and those programs acted the same towards Reg Run. I would not call this behavior peaceful coexistence. The real-time Watchdog, which checks at 10-minute intervals for changes, continued to prompt whether I accepted all changes that had been made to the registry. After a the third time such prompt, it no longer required my acceptance. Using the cleaning function the first time, to be cautious I unchecked selections except for the recycle bin. Even though it seems only the contents of the bin should have been affected, several of my cookies must have been deleted since some Web sites required reentering my name and password. On one occasion, I was again asked to register my previously-registered copy of Reg Run. Reg Run does a very thorough job of finding what it considers problems and its reports are too large to deal with. At other times when detail is sought, it may often not be forthcoming or so sketchy that one has no idea of the best course of action. . It would be very helpful if RR either made direct recommendations or labeled the threats by categories such as harmless, slight risk, possible risk, high risk or evil. A “weakness” of this program is caused by the multiplicity of functions and the potential harm one might do unless fairly experienced.


Other Comments:

Reviewer 1: It may be that someone with a lot of technical expertise would find Reg Run a very useful program. It does provide a lot of information. However, its seemingly unfounded accusations about the “suspicious” nature of many of my software program files and the error about MyWay Adware make me wary. I think that people without substantial technical expertise may find this program more confusing than helpful.

Reviewer 2: Reg Run Platinum is an extremely complex program. The user interface is so extensive that on first glance I wished I hadn't chosen to review this product, yet find I am glad to have it in my arsenal. Though the average computer user can benefit from owning this program, its overflowing toolkit will more than likely overwhelm most people. Having tested the many options available with Reg Run, I found that I was presented with undecipherable reports that were meaningless to me even with the user's manual firmly in hand. I am asked to make complex decisions regarding my registry, and simply hope for the best. Though I am not a computer "Techie", I would place myself in the above-average computer user category; yet, portions of this program overwhelmed me.

Reviewer 3: At nearly $70.00 this is a very expensive program. Whether or not it is worth the cost is irrelevant because any program is only as good as its support. In the case of Reg Run Security Suite, this support seems to be invisible.

Reviewer 4: When I installed this program, Win Patrol advised that Reg Run was an unnecessary duplication and could be removed. I tend to agree. Although it appears to be safe, there are a number of tools there that can only be safely used by someone who is already a competent computer user. I do not see many safety features built in that would warn the user if he is venturing onto dangerous ground.

Reviewer 5: program stands out for the ease and unobtrusiveness of rootkit detection, real time monitoring and its rich selection of functions. Most or all of these can be performed by other programs, but RR's suite approach enables you to reduce the need of programs whose functions are duplicated. The functions within RR seem non-redundant, with all of them quite capable in performance. I wish the decision guidance was better and that additional safety steps or warnings be more prevalent, since the user can so easily and deeply effect proper computer functioning due to changes made. An amazingly lot of program for such a small size, and without noticeably degrading performance. Very well written but perhaps too bold, certainly for an inexperience user, who should better be protected while using this program.


Will You Continue To Use It?

Reviewer 1: No

Reviewer 2: Yes, but I will most likely leave it on the Medium Security setting with Watchdog in place to detect registry changes and check for rootkits on startup. I will not utilize many of the other tools available simply because of the lack of guidance to make them understandable and of value to me.

Reviewer 3: No.

Reviewer 4: No.

Reviewer 5: Yes, but in all likelihood using only the Partizan and the watchdog function, also trying it as one additional tool, if needed for removing stubborn malware.

Greatis Software, producers of this software, replied: …We just released RegRun 5.4 with UnhackMe 4.5 Beta. It’s a major update with a lot of changes. Probably some issues changed in the new version.

OPERATING SYSTEMS USED IN THIS REVIEW
Windows XP Pro, XP Home, XP Media Center Edition

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