For a limited time (promotion ends 2 PM PST December 12, 2009), Gizmo’s is giving away DefenseWall HIPS v2.56 (no updates or support provides) for free. DefenseWall HIPS is a popular program known for its policy-based (as opposed to signature based) anti-malware approach; it creates a “trusted” and “untrusted” list of applications and reduces access for the applications on the untrusted list. DefenseWall HIPS works very similarly to GesWall which I have discussed in my article on best free security software.

Being a “HIPS” program, DefenseWall HIPS should not be used as standalone security software; it is what I call a “sidekick”. In other words, you should have other security software, such as anti-virus/anti-malware and firewall, installed on your computer. DefenseWall HIPS will play along fine with your other security software, as long as you are not running another HIPS program.

The only reservation about this promotion I have is the fact that no updates will be provided. While DefenseWall HIPS can fair well without updates because of the nature of how it works, I don’t know about you, but I would never run a security software that will receive no updates. Malware writers are continually “updating” their malware to break the newest and best shiny toys you can protect your computer with. It makes no sense for someone to use a security software that won’t receive updates.

However, if you want DefenseWall HIPS, you can grab it from the following link:

Version being given away for free: v2.56

Supported OS: Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and Win 7 – 32-bit only

DefenseWall HIPS v2.56 giveaway homepage