Hi CF,

I've tried the Free Permissions Analyzer from SolarWinds and I can tell you that it has NOTHING to do with determining effective permissions in Active Directory.

In fact, this has to be one of the most misleading programs I have come across.

The Petri website is actually run by some Microsoft MVP by the name of Daniel Petri, and based on his credibility, I followed the link to download the software. I was deeply disappointed and I've heard many people share the same experience.

I don't mean to be paranoid, but, it sounds like a wonderful example of how someone could distribute a Trojan Horse, for the following reasons -

1. It is worded to entice you by claiming to deliver on a very desirable capability
2. It is offered for FREE, thus compelling you to try it in your environment
3. It is not even digitally signed so you have no idea who actually wrote it
4. Finally, it is only when you have installed and run it that you find out that it has nothing to do with determining effective permissions in AD.

Any IT security expert will tell you that malicious software only needs to be run ONCE in your environment, for it to compromise your systems. That's the only shared experience I've heard others had with this tool i.e. you open (run) it and then you realize this has nothing to do with what it claims to do.

I find it rather disappointing that a Microsoft MVP would put his reputation on the line for this. Incidentally, if you view his bio (on his website), it reads as though he is second only to Bill Gates. I know many MVPs, and while I have no doubt that he may be smart, such unbridled self-praise is not expected of an MVP.

I would steer clear of this absolutely misleading tool.

Nathan.