Comodo releases free 2012 security software

Comodo has launched the 2012 range of its free security products. Standalone antivirus and firewall products Comodo Antivirus and Comodo Firewall are joined by Comodo Internet Security 2012 Premium, which combines both products in one app.

The products, which sport a relatively minor version number (5.8), promise to be faster, lighter and stronger than previous releases, sporting revamped user interfaces alongside bug fixes and a handful of new options.

Users of the 2011 versions will be automatically updated next week, but those key to try the new features now can either install the relevant standalone version over the top of an existing build or, as recommended by Comodo,  by uninstalling the existing build before installing the new one from scratch.

New features, reflecting the build’s relatively minor release number, are thin on the ground. Comodo promises a new simplified installation experience, and claims it will integrate seamlessly with Comodo’s ESM 2.0 Business Edition software.

Comodo Firewall and Comodo Internet Security also beneft from a stronger Defense+ firewall component in 64-bit operating systems, while all three apps provide new options for the user to control the appearance of popup and anti-virus alerts.

Comodo also promises reduced resource consumption and a corresponding performance improvement across all three products.

Various fixes have also been applied, correcting problems with the firewall component working over Bluetooth PAN adapters, anti-virus crashes when scanning files residing on bad sectors and various conditions that allowed malware to evade Defense+ protection.

Comodo Antivirus 2012, Comodo Firewall 2012 and Comodo Internet Security 2012 Premium are all available now as a freeware downloads for PCs running Windows 7, Vista or XP.