ATFCHECK.RVW   930430
 
                               Comparison Review
 
Company and product:
 
Roger Lindberg
Cyklonvagen 3
451 60  Uddevalla
SWEDEN
FLIST and FCHECK
 
Summary: change detection software
                              
 
Cost  Pounds 5
 
Rating (1-4, 1 = poor, 4 = very good)
      "Friendliness"
            Installation      
            Ease of use       
            Help systems      
      Compatibility           
      Company
            Stability         
            Support           
      Documentation           
      Hardware required       
      Performance             
      Availability            
      Local Support           
 
General Description:
 
 
 
                  Comparison of features and specifications
 
 
 
User Friendliness
 
Installation
 
FLIST must be run first in order to make a FILELIST.LIS comparison database. 
Thereafter, FCHECK can be run in the same directory as the database in order to
note changes.  (FCHECK can be run from the AUTO folder as long as FILELIST.LIS
is present as well.)
 
(A sense of humour!  When invoked, the program presents a message box stating
"I am not a wealthy man  Please consider a donation", signed Roger Lindberg
1991.  The acknowledgement "button" does not state the normal "OK" but rather
"I WILL".  :-)
 
Ease of use
 
If FILELIST.LIS exists (which it does, in the distribution file), it must be
deleted first, or a new name must be chosen.  (The documentation states that
the name *must* be FILELIST.LIS.)  Creating the file is not exactly
straightforward: the file must be created, then loaded and then a new menu
selected to add those files to be checked.  Files must be selected
individually.  Then the file must be saved before exitting the FLIST program.
 
The FCHECK program has no options: it simply checks the file length and
checksum against the stored values.  It must be watched: if their is some
problem the fact is noted, but the program does not leave the information
onscreen before it terminates.
 
Help systems
 
None provided.
 
Compatibility
 
Unknown.  Generally should not be a problem, but will report changes in
programs which alter their own code.
 
Company Stability
 
Unknown.
 
Company Support
 
Unknown.
 
Documentation
 
Not extensive, but adequate if read carefully.
 
System Requirements
 
None stated.
 
Performance
 
Reasonably quick operation, once set up.  A bit difficult in doing the initial
installation.  No attempt to "diagnose" changes on the disk.
 
Local Support
 
None provided.
 
Support Requirements
 
Likely will require assistance of at least intermediate user and someone versed
in the potential of viral programs to alter other program files.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   ATFCHECK.RVW   930430

======================
DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" (Sept. '94) Springer-Verlag