VIPRE Ultimate Security combines malware protection, tools for inspecting personal records and an encrypted Internet connection. The package contains three separate applications: Advanced Security, Privacy Shield and Internet Shield VPN. Their platform coverage differs. Advanced Security runs on Windows and Mac, while Privacy Shield serves Windows PCs. The VPN extends to Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Personal records
Within VIPRE Ultimate Security, Privacy Shield inspects information stored on a Windows PC. It finds browser credentials, personal profiles, browsing histories and cookies for review or deletion. Credentials can also move into an encrypted vault stored locally on the computer. Moving or deleting them removes the browser’s saved copy, so it no longer fills those login fields automatically. Users can leave credentials in place instead.
Document scans look for files that may contain personal information. The results offer a choice between leaving documents where they are and moving them into an encrypted vault. Users can also add selected files or folders themselves, then decrypt stored files when they need them outside the vault.
Other Privacy Shield controls block the webcam or microphone. Browser extensions provide tracking controls, with blocked-attempt statistics inside the application. Its breach search checks an email address against exposed databases associated with the dark web. The search can reveal exposure, but it cannot find every instance of compromised information.
Device protection
Advanced Security handles malware detection and removal. On Windows, it combines antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-rootkit functions with manual scans and scheduled checks. This component of VIPRE Ultimate Security also monitors executed files in the background through Advanced Active Protection. A scan can remove a detected threat or place it in quarantine. The quarantine list provides details about those items and separate controls to restore or delete them.
The Windows application includes a bidirectional firewall for incoming and outgoing traffic. Web Filtering blocks pages when it detects exploit code and displays a warning in the browser. It also allows exceptions for websites the user chooses to unblock. Email protection scans inbound and outbound attachments when enabled for a supported desktop mail client. This module does not cover browser-based email, encrypted email traffic or non-Microsoft IMAP clients. Email detections have their own history, and related quarantined items remain accessible through the antivirus controls.
VIPRE Ultimate Security includes Auto Patch through its Windows Advanced Security component. Auto Patch checks installed third-party software for missing patches and can download and apply them. It offers manual checking or automatic operation, with an option to require approval before installation. Coverage depends on the supported application catalog. Some patches require a computer restart before they take effect.
Encrypted connection
Internet Shield VPN, included in VIPRE Ultimate Security, encrypts VPN traffic and masks the device’s real IP address with an address supplied by the service. Desktop and mobile applications connect to the VPN independently of the Windows privacy scanner. In the Windows client, minimizing the interface to the system tray can keep the connection active. Quitting the application disconnects it, and a separate closing option displays a confirmation prompt before the application closes.
The Windows VPN client can connect automatically at startup and reconnect after a dropped connection. Startup choices include a selected country or automatic server selection. An optional kill switch stops Internet traffic when the VPN disconnects.
