FixMeStick vs HitmanPro Kickstart

I recently discovered FixMeStick. And I'm wondering how it compares to HitmanPro Kickstart and other similar products?

Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Edited by hamluis, 08 May 2015 - 07:07 AM.
Moved from Gen Chat to AV/AM Software - Hamluis.

Hi there,

HitmanPro.Kickstart is developed mainly to combat screenlocker ransomware that prevents you from accessing your computer (i.e. Reveton).

Comparing to what I read about FixMeStick, it appears that FMS has more uses (since apparently it can even be used on unbootable devices) - but FMS looks more like a multi-engine rescue CD to me.

Just my two cents

Regards,
Alex

FixMeStick is a bootable USB drive that runs before your computer boots so that it can remove malware from outside the Windows (or MacOS) environment and within a Linux-based environment. The FixMeStick's multi-scanner uses scanning engines from three anti-virus companies: Kaspersky, Avira, and Sophos, and accesses an additional set of anti-virus scanners online via OPSWATs Metadefender.

• FixMeStick FAQs
• FixMeStick for Mac
• FixMeStick Support
• FixMeStick Blog

FixMeStick is available for purchase from the vendor's website, Amazon.com, and retail stores such as Walmart, Best Buy, Office Depot, and Frys. However, there are many free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities which can do essentially the same thing for people who prefer to build versus buy.

There is a discussion in this topic where coreyvelan, Authorized FixMeStick Rep provides additional information and indicated he is available to answer any questions or concerns about the product. FixMeStick-Support is also an Authorized FixMeStick Rep who visits the Bleeping Computer forums and participates in related discussions.

06/22/17 Mod Edit by quietman7 to include updated information.

FixMeStick is a bootable USB drive that runs before your computer boots so that it can remove malware from outside the Windows (or MacOS) environment and within a Linux-based environment. The FixMeStick's multi-scanner uses scanning engines from three anti-virus companies: Kaspersky, Avira, and Sophos, and accesses an additional set of anti-virus scanners online via OPSWATs Metadefender.

• FixMeStick FAQs
• FixMeStick for Mac
• FixMeStick Support
• FixMeStick Blog

FixMeStick is available for purchase from the vendor's website, Amazon.com, and retail stores such as Walmart, Best Buy, Office Depot, and Frys. However, there are many free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities which can do essentially the same thing for people who prefer to build versus buy.

There is a discussion in this topic where coreyvelan, Authorized FixMeStick Rep provides additional information and indicated he is available to answer any questions or concerns about the product. FixMeStick-Support is also an Authorized FixMeStick Rep who visits the Bleeping Computer forums and participates in related discussions.

Thanks it's to bad that it doesn't have the ability to disinfect files and I also wish it supported Linux to.

I look at it as with the availability of so many free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities why spend your money but for others, it may be a solution they are looking for.

Hey everybody. I just wanted to clarify that FixMeStick does disinfect files and it does work on Linux. The pros and cons from the PCMag review cited above was from the 2012 review. PCMag did a 2013 review and at that time FixMeStick was able to disinfect files and work on Linux. We also continually update the FixMeStick, so it works even better now than it did two years ago, let alone three years ago.

FixMeStick does disinfect files

I'm sure it did from Day 1 didn't it? I recall seeing your presentation on Dragon's Den (which was excellent by the way), and in one of the picture (or was it some interactive video/gif), you could see infected files passing throught the FixMeStick, and then getting out disinfected.

FixMeStick Customer Reviews at Amazon.com include numerous positive reviews.

Seen these guys on Dragons Den too, this is the first time I've seen it mentioned anywhere since, at least in the forums I frequent. So not sold on it yet. I wouldn't put much stock in the Amazon's reviews, maybe for a vacuum or lawnmower but I would wager most people on Amazon have no clue how to protect their computer. Anyways, hope I'm being too skeptical and that these guys are the next wave in malware repair.

We had a previous topic here last summer where coreyvelan, another Authorized FixMeStick Rep, replied.

Hey everybody. I just wanted to clarify that FixMeStick does disinfect files and it does work on Linux. The pros and cons from the PCMag review cited above was from the 2012 review. PCMag did a 2013 review and at that time FixMeStick was able to disinfect files and work on Linux. We also continually update the FixMeStick, so it works even better now than it did two years ago, let alone three years ago.

If what your saying is true thats great that makes it more worth the money.

If what your saying is true thats great that makes it more worth the money.

There is no reason to believe an Authorized Rep would not be telling the truth.

 

If what your saying is true thats great that makes it more worth the money.

There is no reason to believe an Authorized Rep would not be telling the truth.

 

It's not if there telling the truth but it's because I recently spoke with a representative over the phone and they told me that it doesn't work for Linux. So that conflicted with what I was told over the phone.

Will FixMeStick be able to clean a system infected with a file injector virus, such as Sality or ViruT?

I do not know of any security vendor who will guarantee complete removal of file infectors since they cannot ensure that some files will not get corrupted during the disinfection process. This means that infected executables and system files can become unusable after attempting to repair them which then may affect the stability of the computer or worst, keep it from booting properly. If the computer is able to boot afterward, there is still no guarantee the virus is really gone. Since many of the affected files are legitimate critical files required by the operating system, deletion is not a viable option. Many anti-virus vendors even admit that some malicious programs like file infectors cannot be properly disinfected by their products.