not good for existing threats on your machine, which essentially means, good only if you plan to install on new PCs only

Unfortunately I have installed this piece of crap. On the second day it crashed. Afterwards - after rebooting the computer - all network connections were lost, the USB port did not work properly, my G15 keyboard lost half of its capabilities (LCD monitor and the extended function keys).

I wrote an e-mail to the perpetrators (who committed this - you put here the proper word) I had no answer
Uninstalling this s*** did not help, as did not help upgrading Windows, either. Trying to make a repair Windows - another masterpiece - did not recognize an existing installation and started a new installation session. To my fortune I was quick enough to turn off my computer, so at this time I seem to loose only some settings (beside the not working network).

Do you want such hassle? Yes? The best way install Buffer Zone.

Dear Untrustware representatives! Have you ever heard about Software testing. Your product does not seem to undergo this procedure.

I would suggest you people, do not trust Untrustware

Nice concept behind the software but very poor execution. After installing the software in my desktop and notebook PCs all of them slowed to a crawl. I mean it was a difference between day and night as far as the PC speeds were concerned before and after installation of this software.
Needless to say, I immediately removed the software from My PC and defragged all units to get rid of it completely. Thanks for the freebie, Giveawayoftheday and the software publisher, but needless to say, I will never install the software in any of my several PCs again in the future even if it was free! It will stay permanently in my black list, forever,

I've used Sandboxie a lot (the free version, of course :), but I like THIS better!

After installing on restart crash and burn quick kill to my pc lost it all :[ I was looking forward to using this software. I will try one of the alternatives and Thanks for the 411

Yes, it is a good APP. But I do prefer the Returnil Virtual System. that is the one you once installed and will never want to remove it from your computer.

Yeah I think Ill stick with Returnil ... Its a great program and offer a free version for home users. It's great too if you have kids because they can't mess up your computer. Turn on the protection and password protect it and they cant get out of it. (Unless there smart enought to task disable it) :P
But for the avg user its one of the best out there especially being a free version for us poor peeps with kids out here!!! lol

Have a great day!

I tried this last time it was offered. I still have system problems even though I uninstalled it, maybe something from their "challenge" at their website is causing the problems. Hopefully the suggestion of getting BOClean from Comodo will get rid of anything it left behind. Thanks to whoever mentioned it, Comodo rules!

I had no problems the first time around with this program and have found it does what it promises. It has an excellent help file and tutorial as well as a direct link to send feedback. For those who can only say that there are freeware alternatives, you can get a lighter version of buffer zone as freeware also.

I personally like the red border around windows that are working in the buffer zone, it does help to distinguish them from non buffered windows.

With respect to those that mention the 'new' word 'Automagically'. It's obviously a typo error. Look at the G key and you will see that it's just below the T key. Exchange those letters and you get the correct word Automatically. Why people have to bring up such trivia is beyhond me. I will be buying this when I have to. hopefully when the developers have patched it to work with Vista. Until then I will enjoy the security I have gained since using this excellent program.

8 out of 10 for functionality and ease of use (once you've read the instructions and followed the tutorial that are available) Nice one Trustware and the Giveaway team.

By the way you can see the word 'auto-magically' being used often for example:

http://cambridgelug.org/node/57

http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/Mozy--Backups-That-Work-AutoMagically/

http://www.componentdesigns.com/library/article.asp?a=3

http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/snort/2004-03/0533.html

So the typo error may have only been a - as opposed to t, however........:) lol

I'd like to thank the GAOTD folks not just for the free software I have been getting for over a year (admittedly some good, some not so good), but also for having this free access forum in which to discuss the releases. I have thoroughly perused the comments and I will be passing on this program as a result. I WILL be checking this site again tomorrow though :) Thanks guys.

Is it maybe possible to have a special page where we could post programs we love & freebies, so peeps don't feel they must post them here where a company was so kind as to give us their product free? Hope so, as it takes so much space in comments & makes me feel bad. Thanks. Wecould still post negative reports but just not refer others to a different product on this page. Thanks.

THANKS bunches......i downloaded this this mornin' and i absolutly loved it!! i recomend it to everyone...

I was like wow! when i saw the give away.. i was like this is exactly what i need for my computer, then i started reading the reviews and all the problems you guys were having. so i decided not to and downloaded Returnil, looks like a way better program. and the home edition is free
with no limitations.

I like returnil virtual system the most. Somehow that program just backs up all your C:\ into ram (mine is 512) so that the real C:\ doesnt screw up.

This one reminds me of Greenborder, bought by Google (I have the free version).

Even though I take a look sometimes at the "giveaways" here, lately I have not downloaded, nor installed any of them, as freeware alternatives (e.g. Returnil, Sandboxie), after doing some informed research, are always better.

Why wouldn't "Gaodt" (i.e.: "GOD") offer some day, a free Bible-reading software, or some "life-management software", for improving your relationships with your friends and family, instead of exclusively favoring this greedy and totally useless American virtual-software consumistic mentality? (*In 10-years from now, you will realize, maybe too late, you have been losing a lot of time, with all these obsesive and useless software downloads, instead of taking more time with spouse and friends).

#27, E K, first of all, it's a senseless test. If you have any sort of security software at all, you have to go through a dozen security dialog boxes to even execute the test. Second, it asks you to give it permission to access the Internet, and when you do so it claims that it breached your Internet security--well, duh, you just gave it permission to do so. Sandboxie doesn't include a firewall, it uses yours (you do have one, don't you?) Third, Sandboxie has more ability to exclude access to folders and registry keys than BufferZone does--but you need to read the documentation on the website and configure it, it doesn't read your mind.

I skipped this last time after reading the reviews and seeing that it has serious compatibility problems on some systems. Sandboxie is much more configurable, although less user-friendly. Sandboxie is much more compatible, supports multiple sandboxes, lets you easily see added and changed files (but not deleted files), and tracks registry changes--the only problem with that is that I haven't had any luck accessing its registry-change files, and my standard registry-dump utility malfunctions within Sandboxie.

The problems with sandboxes--many programs don't run properly, programs that install drivers and such generally can't be used, and security software can't see into sandboxes and frequently can't be installed inside them. This does matter, as sandboxed malware which has Internet access may be able to send screenshots out (I'm not sure about capturing keystrokes which are directed to applications outside the sandbox, but obviously keystrokes within the sandbox can be captured and sent out).

I have no use for virtualizing my entire computer, as Returnil does. The chances of losing information is too great, and my computer is always doing something important, so it's impractical for me to virtualize it anyway (or use any of the other numerous rollback options, which is all that Returnil is).

There are some occasions when I'll test things inside a sandbox, but for the most part, I prefer to use solid security software.

If you want to control what starts when you boot up, you should check out Mike Lin's free software (donationware).

For example, his Startup Monitor
( http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml )
warns you when a program tries to insert itself in startup (folder or registry) and lets you decide "yes" or "no."

I tried the trojan on their website.. didn't do a darn thing. When I opened AVG antispy it spoted it right away when i tried to execute it. It sounds like a big hassle, and if you have any clue about internet security you don't need this software.

#61
#62
This seems to do the trick:
-disable autorun of bufferzone in registry (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run)
-set the services of bufferzone(there’s 3 of them) to manual.
(run-services.msc)

Now you can start the program whenever you need it(start-programs-bufferzone) or any shortcut will do.

By the way
anyone else lost his registration key when updating PREVX?

#61
#62
This seems to do the trick:
-disable autorun of bufferzone in registry (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run)
-set the services of bufferzone(there's 3 of them) to manual.
(run-services.msc)

Now you can start the program whenever you need it(start-programs-bufferzone) or any shortcut will do.

Possible solution to not having this program (or any other) start up automatically: download and install Winpatrol (fantastic freeware) and disable the program's auto-startup function on the auto-startup tab. Reset it if you wish for it to start.

Having read these comments I have been persuaded into Downloading and installing Sandbox.

Thanks for the offering, GAOTD but thanks, even more,to you guys, for your opinions and to those that have suggested Sandbox..

Sound like I have saved a lot of hassle

#1, what do you need a condomfor?

There is no activation key. All it does is ask for Giveaway of the Day's details. What am I meant to do with that?!

Last time I downloaded and compared SafeSpace from http://www.artificialdynamics.com and found it is FREE and has similar features as bufferzone which are implemented better than bufferzone and it works in Vista.

is this software similiar to Returnil

Joke!!!!!!!
Do not waist your time!!!!!!! Downloaded and could not install program needs code number and none is available!!!!!

Waist of time!!!!!!!!!!!!

#7, I tried Sandboxie in FIREFOX and it works fine. I uninstalled it though as I believe it is not really necessary if you have a good firewall, antivirus and antispyware.

I tried this program the last time it was offered and was very disappointed in it. Shortly after installing it, I upgraded my TrueImage. When I tried to install TI, it would get almost to the end, then uninstall with a message that there was interference from another program. I zeroed in on BufferZone since it was the only program I had installed around that time and set it to NOT include TI in its zone. That did not work, so I disabled BufferZone. No change, so I shut it down. However, I still could not install TrueImage...kept getting the same message. After wasting time checking out everything, I finally discovered that even if you shut down BufferZone and disable it from starting and reboot, it STILL RUNS!!!! I discovered that it always runs hidden in the background even if it is disabled and/or set to not run at startup [I learned that when I saw it in Task Manager after setting it not to start with Windows and rebooting]. At that point, I uninstalled BufferZone and cleared everything connected with it from my computer [the uninstall leaves a lot of junk behind, including its virtual drive that still contained programs even after I had "supposedly" cleared them from BufferZone]. Once I got all that deleted and my computer was free and clear of BufferZone and all its attendant junk, I was able to install my new copy of TrueImage without incident.

I feel that the fact that you cannot completely disable or shut down BufferZone, plus the fact that it ignores commands to not include certain programs, makes it a definite no-no. I could NEVER recommend this program to anyone.

51# Hempman if you are having problems with BOClean try their forum as it's simple light on resources and and self contained with a very large database works perfect with Sandboxie on xp and vista 32bit 64bit and free ware simple straightforward security software. Buffer zone causes problems and expensive problems at that...try removing and moping up afterwards...and they expect you to pay for this..i wouldn't rate it above sandboxie if it ware free ware

Nice and useful program!
I would prefer however that it shouldn't be launched automatically.
There should be an option not loading it on startup.
Does anyone has a solution?

(previous comments-#32,#53)
PLEASE HELP......
I cant see the LOCK SYMBOL AROUND 'MY DOCUMENTS'folder as per stated in the tutorial of this software...
I have installed this software in Ddrive...My OS is in Cdrive and 'my documents' folder is in Edrive..
Cdrive and Edrive are on one harddisk and Ddrive on the other harddisk..uninstalling and reinstalling also didnt help.............

This worked okay for me the last time GOTD offered it, and I would have kept it if it wasn't for one big problem: there was no way to start the computer without it. Yes, I could turn BufferZone off once the computer started, but that was too much to deal with -- I would often forget and it was just too much trouble. I wanted to use the program only in special circumstances when I try a new software, not every day! I will not try this again until the developer makes load on startup optional.

51- Either you don't know how to use Comodo products, or you really are shooting yourself in the foot. I find them easy to use, and in fact, use Comodo Firewall (which blocks more then ZoneAlarm, I must say) and Comodo Backup (which is better then most of the giveaways here.)

As for this program, the next day after it was given away, it killed my computer. And I don't have a whimp computer, I have a 3.01 Ghz CPU, 2.5 gigs of ram, and two 500 gig harddrives. Now, you tell me, which is worse? the piece of lagging dirt that this is? or trying to run Sandboxie or Returnil?

I will NEVER buy or even pirate this program, it is that shotty. And the free versions are even worse. It is buggy, it is crashworthy, basically, you are paying for carp if you buy it out of the Giveaway, but even for FREE or being PAID TO USE IT... I wouldn't.

Thumbs WAY down to BufferZone for being a pile of stinking dung. As go GAOTD... no worries. I know how it feels to be giving out stuff and have people whine over it. I'm not whining, and I do like today's game. So it works out :)

Would you believe I just uninstalled this today, and its back.

OK it does what it says on the box, but surplus to my needs and too fussy to set up.

incompatible with SSM and most likely others HIPS software la ProcessGuard, Kerio/Sunbelt PF 4.x, Comodo PF 3.x and etc.

btw. in past was possible to obtain key after using activate prior install and now it's not possible (ie forced to install software asap?)

I have been running this program on my computer since last offer. I like the red border. I know which programs and files have been virtualized. I think you could run windows update manually after you turn off the program. I also run zone alarm. Have had no problems there either. When I download GOTD programs, I have to right click on the main file and say "Move out of buffer zone" then I can unzip and install the program fine. Just my 2 cents worth.

Installed this from the previous giveaway in August 2007. Caused various problems on my computer which was serious enough to caused me to uninstall it. Uninstall went badly and I had to reinstall windows xp. Have gone back to using Returnil which has given me no problems so far. Give Returnil a try - very easy to use and virtualises the whole PC ... great for surfing and testing programs that do not need a reboot.

#40, yah i know what you mean. i didn't realize it would wipe out all the files i saved during cleaning. i didn't know i had to take those things out of the bufferzone, which is a pain.

one time, when i took a file out of the bufferzone, i got the blue screen of death. o_O it scared the crap out of me. not sure why it did that.

it also makes browsers inoperable unless you restart them after cleaning is done. one time my session was reset and my bookmarks weren't saved. so i disabled the cleaning. i have to do it another way, which takes alot of time.

And even when i took the program out of my starup program list, it still works in the background. i can't save anything from the web anymore without it going to the Virtual folder :(

So, if you guys can't handle this software, give Sandboxie a chance. i'm going to right now. i'm just really annoyed right now.

(my previous comment#32)
I finally could get this product activated when i shut down my zonealarm firewall...activation was having some problem when zonealarm firewall is active.Now everything works like a charm.
I had tried this product previously when given away by GOTD earlier and loved it...but i lost it when my system crashed recently and i wished that it wud be nice if its given away again on this website soon...but it was abit surprising that my wish came true so soon.

HOWEVER,THE BUFFERZONE TUTORIAL TOLD BE THAT I CAN SEE A LOCK ON THE MY DOCUMENTS FOLDER AFTER COMPLETING BUFFER ZONE WIZARD.TBUT I CANT SEE ANY LOCK ON MY DOCUMENTS..how should i correct that?
another concerning flaw i found with bufferzone is that its not showing a healthy compatiblity with zonealarm forcefield.The system just hangs up indefinetly when I try to open my browser window(IE6) with zonealarm forcefield when bufferzone is active.
another flaw is that i couldnt try AVG anti-root kit by installing it in bufferzone.i got an error message.I found the same happening when i tried to install few other softwares in bufferzone too.
ON the whole its a pretty good software...but has few flaws in compatiblity when it comes to installing/opening softwares in the bufferzone.
Though i must say that whatever is installed/present in bufferzone couldnt interact with my files in real system.

Also tried it the last time around, but I do prefer Returnil (see post #29) simply because it gives more control over the whole process. It has been a very useful addition especially in trying out a lot of programs and games from GOATD.
When running Bufferzone the chat part of Skype disappeared, which well, is something I use a lot. I also did not like that everything got saved to a virtual file format, so it went right out the door.

Although stable, this is buggy. The FREEWARE Sandboxie has never created any issues for me; I've been using it since early last year and never had a single problem.

BTW, Comodo and BOClean are even more problematic than this offering. Some people seem to have no problems, but I suspect that people with not problems are running with minimal security settings. I run Sandboxie and ZoneAlarm at full scurity (well, next to - I do allow internet connections) and have had no issues.

I had it downloaded and installed last time. It interfered with my other software, some software won't run well with it, and the ones you download to the "virtual" file won't run on software like NERO. It was so cumbersome I had to deactivate it at last and now use it sparingly only when I have large downloads from internet, first into the virtual folder and then when I do the checkups, I send the downloaded file to the real world of my computer, otherwise I can't work with it fully.

Beware of this program. I downloaded this last time they gave it away and it put my computer in a non-bootable state. The only way to get my computer back to working correctly was to boot to windows safe mode and uninstall the software. See my comments from the last time they gave this away for more info. If you find that this program does this to your computer, don't freak out and wipe the hard drive. Go to safe mode and uninstall it first.

I don't know if this is a newer version, but based on my prior experience I'll never let this thing touch my computer again.

Clicked submit too fast.

Please note this is the same version (2.50-42) as what was previously given away. I checked through the application and see no improvements that may have been made without updating the version number. With that said, my review above is the same as the review on August 24th, 2007.

As well, people who already have BufferZone Pro from the August 24th, 2007 likely don't need to update their version to this one, as seeing they are both the same version.

Hello all! Today's 15-Minute Review is up! Check it out!

http://www.bladedthoth.com/reviews/15mrs/bufferzone-security-pro-v2-50-42/

KC (Post #7): Sandboxie does also work in Firefox and Opera. Or so it says in their tutorial...
Mr. Awesome (Post #3): You may be surprised to know that this is NOT the first commercial product to use the word "automagically" to describe a function of their product. In fact, if you search on Google, you will actually find there are 1.96 MILLION results for the word!

I got this software last time it was a giveaway. I've been using it ever since. It's great software, the only problem I've had is copying and pasting with Mozilla Firefox running in the bufferzone. Also, someone complained about the red border, personally, I like it, but there is also an option to delete it too.

I installed this one last time around. I use WinXP and it installed without any problems and I found i liked it enough to actually pay for a license so that i would be able to keep using it should i need to reinstall it at a later date.

It was only this past week that i discovered a serious problem that required a full uninstall. Now to be fair, I have not yet been able to contact the company regarding the problem, (It was only Sunday that i discovered it was the culprit) but in short something with the program made it so that I was unable to access Windows Update.

It was a drawn out process with Microsoft support in trackiing down what the problem was (while very courteous and helpful they did not uncover the problem - I did - on a hunch.) End result - After doing a full uninstall (I had already disabled the program as one of the first things when i discovered the problem with accessing Windows Update) I was able to access Windows Update and install all updates without any further problems. The other problem was that the uninstall did not go well - it hung at the very end with the result that I had to power down when my system crashed to get out of it - ctrl-alt-delete would not work.

I fully plan to take advantage of the access to support my paid version allows me. It will not be in time, however, to be able to share the results with folks wondering if they should install this one.

It worked quite well for what i used it for, but unless i can have it installed AND be able to access Windows Update (the ONLY problem I have recognized connected with BufferZone) then i will have to chalk this one up to "live and learn" (albeit a little bit "poorer.")

My current recommendation is "User beware!." By it's very nature it hooks itself into your system in ways that change it at a root level. It does not do a clean uninstall. And it does NOT truly disable itself when you choose that built in option.

This is NOT a program for users who are not functioning at a more "advanced" level of computer understanding. I have a feeling that it has a lot more power than I thought it did and that my problems can be addressed, but the free version offered here does NOT come with support.......so........be warned!