F-Secure Internet Security
F-Secure provides a good mid-level security option for home computers and is ideal for families as it offers comprehensive parental controls to ensure safe online usage for all ages. F-Secure is not the most extensive security software package on the market, but it is very easy to use and so is suitable for all skill levels and does offer a number of effective anti-virus, ant-spyware and anti-intruder features.
Installation and Specifications
F-Secure can be used with Windows 2000, XP and Vista and installation is very easy and full start-up wizards guide you through the process step-by-step and help you to configure the settings to a suitable level for your usage needs. Once you have installed the software you will not need to make any further changes unless you want to, so this is a good security software option for those users who just want to set up scanning schedules and protection and then just leave them to run on their own without the need for too much future intervention. After installation you will need to reboot your computer and this can take a few minutes longer than normal for the first time, but after this start up and shut down times should return back to normal.
Main Features
F-Secure Internet Security has a number of features which can help to protect your computer against the risks of viruses, spyware and hackers including:
Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Software – F-Secure provides very effective anti-virus and anti-spyware features which will scan both your system and your incoming emails, and detect any suspicious activity that could indicate a malicious program. You can carry out manual scans on specific areas of your computer, or schedule regular system scans that will be carried out in the background and alert you to any potential problems when they are detected so that you can decide how you want to proceed.
Firewalls – the F-Secure firewall feature offers mid-level shielding for your computer against potential harmful incoming data and can help to prevent hackers and malicious programs from accessing your system.
Parental Controls – F-Secure offers some of the most comprehensive parental controls on the market and you can choose between several different levels of online protection for your family. The highest level is for young children, and they will only be able to access those websites that you have specified, all others will be blocked from viewing with a password log in screen. The next level down is for older children and teenagers and only blocks those websites that contain adult content (sex, drugs etc).
Conclusion
F-Secure does not provide the most comprehensive computer security software on the market, but it does offer good, mid level protection for home computers with extensive online parental controls that can provide peace of mind for parents when their children are using the Internet. F-Secure provides a good level of customer support and the website has some helpful online guides, tutorials and FAQs and there is also an active user forum where you can interact with other members and find out answers to common questions.