Norton 360 Version 4.0 1 User-3 PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been using Norton for 7 years and after having tried many other Anti-Virus solutions it is easy to say Norton is always the most reliable and hassle free.
A few of the product comments here make this down-loadable version of Norton 360 sound hard to use, and that is just not the case.
Getting this download version saved me $15 over having the boxed version shipped, not to mention it was instant.
I had protection going 5 minutes after my order.
Now I did already have a trial version of Norton 360 installed that I had downloaded directly from the Norton site. I just choose to purchase from Amazon after my trial version expired for 2 reasons.
#1 I love Amazon.
#2 The price at Amazon was way better than buying direct from the software vendors own website.
I just purchased 360 here and used the license key Amazon gave me to activate my expired 30 day trial version.
Even if I had not had the trial version already installed, purchasing and downloading this software from Amazon is not complicated at all, as some of the other reviewers would make you believe.
Yes you do have to install the Amazon down-loader software. So what, it was super simple, and you can always uninstall it later if you wish.
Once you install the down-loader which takes all of 30 seconds, you then download the Norton 360 software.
You can then choose to install Norton 360 right from the downloader, however a backup copy of Norton 360 is added into a folder on your PC. On my windows 7 machine this location was at:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Amazon Games & Software
It is named N360-ESD-17-6-0-32-EN.exe so if you can not find the folder just search for that on your PC. You can then easily burn that to a CD so you can install the software on 3 separate computers.
Optionally you could also just transfer the .exe file over your network to your other 2 machines if you have a network setup in your home or office.
I added screen shots of the down-loader and the path within amazon to access your license key after your purchase in the images at the top of this products page.
After your order simply go to your Amazon account to get your product key. Just use the "Your Account" link and then under "Digital Content" select the link titled "Your Games and Software Library". Look for the orange "Your product key" button to access your license key.
Super easy, and super fast! This is a great deal compared to having the product shipped in a Box on CD that you will just end up throwing away after your install anyway!
Go Green and purchase this downloaded version of Norton 360!

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Trend Micro Internet Security Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As an IT professional with years of experience in consumer support I feel it's almost a duty to review security software such as TrendMicro's Internet Security suite. But in order to properly understand my review I need to explain that I have some pretty strict criteria for my evaluation.
1. Ease of use, installation and maintenance: the application suite must be easy for the average user to install maintain, and use. Ideally the product should be out of sight out of mind as much as possible, simply performing its job in the background.
2. Lack of interference in daily use of the PC: the application suite should not slow down a modern PC with reasonable hardware specifications; it should not bother the user with pop-ups about what it is doing nor with minor "threats" such as cookies.
3. Level of threat protection : the user's PC should be protected against network (attacks used by worms), web (attacks used by hackers on the web) and file system attacks (malicious file downloads).
4. Ease of customization when required: if something is blocked that should not be, a reasonably proficient user should not need to seek professional help configuring the application.
ThrendMicro is, in my opinion, one of the best producers of security software available. In "ease of use and maintenance" they score very highly. Any user who is able to install software and actually understand the process will be able to install a consumer product produced by Trend. ***** so five stars for category one.
However they still only score three stars for lack of interference. The software does NOT slow down the PC (Pentium D, with 2GB RAM, not a high end machine) but companies like Trend, Symantec, and McAfee need to understand that if I can manually put the window from a scan to run invisibly in the background, maybe it should just run there anyway. I also don't care that Trend has deleted the cookies from my computer. I don't want to be told about the removal of threats of the most minimal risk level. I have also found several legit sites that were blocked that annoyed me. For example, I tried to watch streaming video from FOX's web site and it was blocked. ***-- for category two.
Five stars, though, for threat protection. If your system is up-to-date, Trend is up-to-date and you do not disable it you will almost certainly not get infected. The problem arises when the user participates in high-risk behaviors like file sharing (bit-torrent, eMule, etc) and then disables the software to access something they shouldn't. This is the surest way to 0wn3d, to use a technical term. *****
I have to give them credit on ease of customization. Unlike Symantec's Endpoint Protection (which was a nightmare for nearly all categories) Trend's products have always had a simple, easy to understand interface. They use intuitive names like "web protection" for their services enabling even unsophisticated users to understand where to click when they need to find something.
4 ½ overall score. Not bad! I highly recommend this software to protect your PC.


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With Trend Micro Internet Security, you no longer need to choose between computer performance and maximum protection. Get smart, proven security that never sleeps, guarding your PC from the latest threats while giving you the freedom to browse and shop online. Safeguard your PC and your personal information without compromise. Smart security features in Trend Micro Internet Security protect the computers in your home as you email and browse online. Enhanced parental controls help you take charge of where and when your children go online. Protection for up to 3 PCs per household.

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BitDefender Internet Security 2011 Value Edition - 3 PC/2 year Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So here's the deal. I've been using computers since the TI-994a (actually had one called a Timex Sinclair before that)and have been "online" since the Prodigy days and 300 baud modems. So I've been around the block when it comes to computers, internet and security software. I know how to install, uninstall and tweak my way through most issues without having to contact support...until this security suite.
I was previously using Norton 2011 and when this came up on Vine, I'm always looking to try new security suites. I fully removed Norton and during the BitDefender installation, it confirmed that no other security software is installed that would conflict with it (nice feature).I'm running a Windows 7 64bit Toshiba laptop with 3 GB memory and pentium processor so this shouldn't be a problem I thought. The installation went fine and I did a full system scan (took upwards of 6 hours), the product updated, requested a reboot and I thought we were off...
Unfortunately, although it initially recognized registration key, it appears to have lost that or not worked correctly. I can't get the services to start and I'm supposed to contact BitDefender support directly from within the program...well that's great IF the program will run. So off to the website, go through my account I was required to establish with BitDefender and have already left a tech support ticket within 12 hours of installation. I can't say as though I've ever had to do that.
I'm keeping my review 'neutral" at 3 until I hear back from support and determine if this is fixable. I'll keep you updated on any resolution they find.
**UPDATE** 9/22/10
Support contacted me within 36 hours asking me manually run a support tool that was to capture information and then I was to send the file off to them. I did all of that and while I've been waiting, I uninstalled and reinstalled. This time all went as before, but it took my account information for good. Maybe it was something you need to do first, actually create your account online, then install...not sure but it has worked fine since the reinstall. It's doing a full system scan which it estimates will be done in 2 hours +
**UPDATE** 9/29/10
So I thought I would take advantage of the additional licenses and install on my laptop upstairs and then use the "network" feature. This feature allows you to create the server and client pc and run all updates, scans etc from the server to the client. Sounds nice doesn't it. So, I installed the product upstairs, rebooted and went to my server laptop to begin. I enabled the network with a password (the client also has a password) and if you choose the same password for both, the server pc is "supposed" to recognize it and add it automatically...didn't happen. So I thought I would add it manually. It shows up in the network space, has the pc icon with the bitdefender icon on top of that which lets you know this computer can be added. Click on it and select and..."Can't add computer as it is not running BitDefender or can't be added"...Really?? Even after your program is telling me it sees that it is running BitDefender? So off to technical support again. I have to give them props as I have gotten very timely responses. This go around however, the list of items they wanted me to do (including stopping certain services within the product) just wasn't worth the effort. Shouldn't antivirus/network control truly be set it and forget it? My Norton 2011 was that way, and I've had to fiddle way too much with this program already.
All in all, I've been disappointed in the product and happy with tech response time. Not many people are willing to go through support ticket after support ticket just to get their virus protection working.
UPDATE 10/1/10
Well, I've gone back to Norton. Too many issues with BitDefender even with a 2 year license key. Particularly annoying was the fact that my pc kept registering problems with security (bitdefender out of date and antivirus scans) I just wasn't going to put up with it anymore.

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BitDefender Internet Security 2011 Value Edition provides 3 PCs with two years of protection against viruses, hackers, spam, and identity theft… without the slowdown! Includes: Firewall; iPhone-friendly Parental Controls, to monitor and control what websites your kids visit and who they IM with, 24/7; IM Encryption, for private chatting; QuickScan, to detect viruses in just 60 seconds; Video Tutorials, to keep you in the know about your security; a customizable dashboard that lets you choose how much or how little you want to see; Home Network Management; Laptop Mode, to prolong battery life; Gamer Mode; automatic hourly updates; and more!
Get advance warning of risky websites.

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Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 1yr/1user/3PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 is one of the most obnoxious computer security programs I have ever had the misfortune of using. I couldn't get it off my machine fast enough.
[*Note: the help file refers to both 2009 and 2010 as the name of the this product being reviewed, so I am not sure which version actually came on the disk. Most likely it is a hybrid of both.]
Subscription-based paid-to-use "premium" security products are fighting a battle they may not be able to win. Many of the services and features such software products used to solely offer, can now be found for free in the operating system itself, or for free as a downloaded program. Case in point, Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 has a feature to control when Windows user accounts access the internet via a time schedule. Versions of Microsoft Windows, after XP, offer that set of tools for free right in the OS, as "parental controls." They don't work the exact same way, but they are close enough for most parents. In the case of the OS provided controls, the computer itself cannot be used outside of the time limits. In the case of the Trend Micro product, just the internet is disabled outside of the time limits. But, for kids these days, 90% of the time if they want to be on the computer, they want to be online. For the rest of that 10% of the time they need to be typing up school work, that is what parental control overrides are for, should the need arise.
[Note, my comments in square brackets, like these, are optional. You may skip them without missing any important information.]
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EXECUTIVE REVIEW FOR THE IMPATIENT:
Installation Process: ...........................2/5
Malicious Code ("Virus") Protection: .......4/5
Resource Use & Computer Slow Down: ...3/5
Firewall Protection: ............................4/5
Internet/Child Controls: ......................3/5
Network Map/Management: .................2/5
Irritation level/User Friendliness: ..........1/5
Overall: ...........................................2/5
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[Note: throughout this review I will be using the word "virus" in quotes. That is because I consider that word to be a media invented label for malicious computer software/code which is used to scare people into behaving irrationally. (I have actually been called out to look at employee PCs to diagnose slowness/lag only to find an insane number of redundant security programs running by people who have been frightened into thinking "viruses" are just lurking around everywhere, trying to get into their computers -- security programs tend to be very resource hungry -- they slow computers down, see the screen shots I am posting with this review). A virus, in biology, is a microorganism you can "catch" if you are exposed to it, no matter what safety precautions you might be taking. A computer "virus" doesn't work the same way. If you practice safe computing practices, your odds of your computer being compromised by malicious computer code (AKA a "virus") are very small. Yes, the bad guys are working on new and improved ways of figuring out how to get their malicious code onto your computer, and they are most certainly getting more inventive. But, the fact still remains that if you take the proper steps and follow the proper procedures, your risk of your computer being compromised is very small. At the end of this review I will list some basic steps you can follow (for free) to secure your computer.]
[Note: the computer used to test this product is a 3.2GHz, dual core processor, with 2GB of RAM, running Windows XP SP3 running Spybot Search & Destroy, and PC Tools' Free Firewall and no other security software]
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TREND MICRO INTERNET SECURITY 2010:
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INSTALLATION PROCESS:
Unlike Norton 360 and McAfee Family Protection 2010 3-User, which I have also reviewed, this product INSISTS on you removing all other security programs it can detect. The full list can be found here: [...]
If you leave them installed and ignore their warnings, the installation program will automatically run their uninstall programs anyway, when it detects them. Among the programs that Trend Micro objects to you having installed: Spybot Search & Destroy, anything from Norton, anything from McAfee, most 3rd party firewall and security suites (although not PC Tools, which I am currently using -- go figure). Norton and McAfee might complain about you having other security software installed, but that is it. Trend Micro will just flat out refuse to install if you refuse to cooperate. See uploaded screen shots from install process which I am adding with this review.
[Interestingly enough, Spybot recognizes what Trend Micro's program is trying to do, and calls them on it. The uninstall program has a list of options for when you are uninstalling, and one of them is, "forced to uninstall by Trend Micro product due to alleged incompatibilities." It lets you know that they cannot reproduce these supposed incompatibilities, and that you can re-install Spybot once you are done installing the Trend Micro product. Seems to me that Trend Micro (and the rest of the companies listed in Spybot's list) are up to some shady business practices. I don't like this strong arm tactic of Trend Micro's at all. It is one thing to advise me that there might be problems, it is another thing ENTIRELY to refuse to install unless all other competing products have been uninstalled. It just so happens that Spybot has a nifty "Windows Start Up" editing tool which I find quite useful to purge the junk that software will try to put into my startup process. I don't know if the Trend Micro product will contain this functionality or not, but I DO know I am going to re-install Spybot right after I am done installing this thing. Minus 1 star right here, Trend Micro, and I haven't even finished installing the dang thing yet! (Note: I did re-add Spybot soon after I wrote this part of the review, and as I predicted, it conflicted with nothing, also note the Trend Micro product DOES NOT include the same functions Spybot most especially the "Windows Start Up" editing tools.)]
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MALICIOUS CODE ("VIRUS") PROTECTION:
I ran the standard battery of tests on their "virus" & spyware protection functions. Arguably, this is the main function of the software, so one would expect it to perform the best, and it came through pretty well.
Detecting old/known "viruses": Succeeded. As a security and computer professional, I have quite a few old/quarantined "virus" files in the archives. I peppered a few of them through the test system, including some non-Windows ones, and the product found all of them on the first scan it ran during installation.
Detecting/Protecting against "zero day" (brand new) "viruses": Succeeded. Visited a well known cyber criminal "hang out" and downloaded code for the "latest and greatest" "virus" being worked on. (Modified the code so it wouldn't do any actual harm to the target PC), compiled it and ran it. The program's threat detection noted the behavior of the program trying to run, and blocked it. It may not be able to detect everything right away, but it knows about basic "threat behavior" -- specifically attempts to insert sneaky start-up code, attempts to modify the master boot record, and attempts to overwrite existing, legitimate program executables.
Detecting/Protecting against website threats: Succeeded. Visited known insecure websites, and all such visits in all major browsers (MIE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome), was blocked. However, you cannot simply check a box, or push a button that says, "I know the risks, override," like many other security products. Instead, you have to physically go into the filters and white list something manually. Making it a chore, instead of a quick and easy fix.
Only complaint: unlike Norton 360, Trend Micro's Internet Security 2010 doesn't download updates nearly as often. Norton's 360 downloads updates roughly every 15 minutes. Trend Micro's product does so roughly once or twice a day. This leaves a larger opening for "zero day" threats to land. Perhaps Trend Micro is stealthily checking in the background and I am not aware that it is checking, but I only see notices of updates being checked for/downloaded about once/twice a day. Whereas with Norton's 360, it was all the time.
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RESOURCE USE & COMPUTER SLOW DOWN:
All computer security software that does any sort of "scanning" is going to take up resources, both RAM and CPU. There is just no avoiding that with the modern approach to scanning methods. Trend Micro's product claims that it has a, "20% faster scan time." They do not elaborate what, specifically, it is 20% faster than, but I am going to assume previous versions. The scanning process is rather fast. Even the "deep" scans didn't take that long. However, they still do take up to 40-50% of the CPU resources. RAM use is relatively low, CPU use is rather high while it is scanning. It runs two levels of scans, one is a process called "tsc.exe" which is part of their spyware, etc. detection and removal tools. The other is called "SfCtlCom.exe" and it is the standard "virus" scanning and removal...Read more›

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Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 provides easy-to-use protection for your home network, identity, and online activities from the present and future web threats.

Smart Protection for Your Family
Easy-to-use security for your home Trend Micro Internet Security protects you and your family against cybercriminals and inappropriate content without slowing down your computer.
Surf the web with confidence With easy-to-use security features, Trend Micro Internet Security protects your personal information when you email or surf the web:
20% smaller file size, 20% faster scan time
Detects and removes viruses, spyware, and other malicious threats from your computer, email, instant messages, and downloads
Proven leadership in anti-spam technology, including email and image spam
Finds and blocks untrustworthy links in email and instant messages
Stops websites from installing dangerous downloads on your computer
Quick Scan allows you to quickly find and remove most malware when you are running short on time.

Protect your children online Enhanced parental controls help you to protect your children from inappropriate content when they go online.
Block websites with inappropriate content based on specific categories
Choose when and for how long your children are allowed to go online
Monitor online activity reports to fine-tune your controls if necessary

Enjoy smart features tailored to your activities Trend Micro Internet Security safeguards your computer and personal information against the latest threats:
Prevent unauthorized software from changing your critical applications, without impacting your PC performance
Pause security updates or scans when you give presentations, watch movies, or play games
Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening.
Helps you to easily manage all the devices connected to your home network

Security made easy Protect your personal information with easy-to-use Trend Micro Internet Security.Surf the Internet without slowing down your computer.
Key Features of Trend Micro Internet Security
Get Essential Protection
Protects against current and future viruses An award-winning anti-virus engine protects against computer viruses, worms, Trojan horse programs, and related security threats. Automatic updates immunize you against new computer virus outbreaks for the full duration of your subscription.
Defends your personal information with anti-spyware technology Powerful anti-spyware technology guards your personal information and privacy against spyware, rootkits, and other malicious software.
Safeguards against attacks with a personal firewall Prevent your computer from exchanging data without your approval and defend against attacks from the Internet.
Prevents unauthorized changes Improved security policies find and stop unwanted attempts to change your operating system and critical software.
Offers customizable security warnings Decide how often you want to receive warnings about security threats.
Safeguards Multiple Computers Install Trend Micro Internet Security on up to three PCs per household.
Surf the Web Safely
Protects against web threats Steer clear of online phishing scams that try to steal your credit card or bank account numbers. Continuous updates identify the newest risky websites.
Secure Web surfing Find and block malicious or untrustworthy hyperlinks in email, websites, or instant messages.
Blocks image spam Stop seeing spam that tries to evade filters by delivering images instead of just text.
Device Access Control Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening.
Protect Your Children Online
Enhanced Parental Controls Take charge of when and where your children go on the Internet. Block websites with inappropriate content, prevent access at specific times, and even stop them from entering personal information onto web pages.
Smart Features for Your Online Activities
Home Network Map See the computers and other devices connected to your network at a glance, manage the security of other computers remotely, and block wireless home network intruders from accessing yours.
Security Activity Dashboard Get a comprehensive and customizable snapshot of all the security activities on your computer through easy-to-use charts and graphs.
State Aware Work on your presentations, watch movies, or play games without security updates or scans getting in the way.

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Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User 3PCs Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my fifth year of using NIS to protect my home computer and laptop. With the noticeable improvements last version, Norton came back with a bang. While NIS2010 still has some flaws, the good trend seems to continue this year as well.
Installation: Installation was very quick similar to NIS2009. It does require a restart which seems to be the case for most virus protection software. Norton for some reason wants us to download and install parental control separately. just a hazel. If you are an existing NIS user you can upgrade from Norton's upgrade website before deciding to purchase the new version. The upgrade will retain your 2009 subscription and your license will be retained as well. NOTE: If you install from CD, your old license will be over written.
Performance: I don't think NIS2010 is a resource hog. Norton also has performance meters where you can check how much of the system resources are being used by Norton. It seems NIS 2010 uses most system resources only during a complete scan. NIS2010 upgrade virus signatures on the background during idle time just like NIS2009. So you dont feel that it exists. Quick scans during idle times also seem to be pretty quick. I havent noticed any loss of performance in the one week that I have been using NIs2010.
Virus protection: Based on tests by PC world and CNET Norton is only behind the not well known G-DATA internet security in virus detection. I havent used G-DATA so I cant compare them. However, NIS has gotten better at malware detection. It did detect a number of malware that adaware and other security software that I use (e.g. Advanced system care). NIS2009 missed a number of these malware.
Network protection: Although NIS claims that when NIS is installed in all PCs on your network, it can detect and keep a trusted network, it has not worked for me. NIS detected my skype phone (ofcourse didn't protect it), but didn't detect my other PC on the network that also has NIS2010 installed. I am not sure if this 'trust' is of any use to me anyway.
Internet security: Norton identified websites that you visit (amazon, bank and ccard websites for example) as trusted ones based on IP address and other data. so you can be safe you are not entering your password on a phishing website. It is very handy for me. I always look for the 'trusted' sign from both Firefox and NIS before entering my passwords.
Password manager: I dont know if I will trust NIS to be my password manager. You need just one password for Norton and it can manage your other passwords and form filling information. However, it seems to be easy to break in to NIS to obtain the password manager's password list. Although the hacker needs physical access to your computer to do this, it is a concern if your laptop gets stolen for example. NIS2010 offers to have the password manager's list reside on removable media which is a somewhat safer alternative. Norton safe search which identifies safe websites on your serach list is also helpful, but google can do this as well.
Over all, it is a good virus protection for your PC, checks files on the fly, can scan emails and attachemnts, IM text and links. Not very good for password management and parental control.

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Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 - 3 Pc/2 Yr Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I looked forward to trying Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 as it was a product that seemed to have a number of decent features. But let's get right to the point: there are better products on the market today worth considering. And with such products as the latest AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, to name one, it's hard to recommend this one from Bitdefender, unless you're new to computing and just want an easy-to-install product.
I initially installed this product on two computers, an HP Presario notebook running Windows Vista, and on a Sony VAIO running Windows XP Professional. Both computers had all available software updates and Service Packs installed. There were no problems with the installation on either computer other than a number of mildly annoying little pop-ups and reboots, but if you've installed security and anti-virus applications before, then you are probably familiar with this happening.
Getting down to details...
Installation: For the most part, and other than the above noted minor annoyances, the setting up process was smooth, as should be expected with a contemporary package of this type.
Ease of Use: Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 was as good as any of the other "major" anti-virus and security packages on the market today. If you've been looking for an alternative to some of the other security products, then this operates as well as and in some cases even better than some of the higher prices packages.
Functionality/Protection: As one who has dealt with computer security and Internet protection for a number of years, this was the area that mean the most. In each case, the product handled any of the older viruses and isolated Trojan horses that I keep on CD for such testing. Also visited a number of older and newer familiar malware sites, and this Bitdefender application blocked each one.
Conclusion: Bitdefender offers a decent package for those who are looking for a reasonable computer security application at a fair price. The interface is good, as is the overall product, but there may be better choices worthy of consideration, such as the latest AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition (noted above), or Vipre AntiVirus + AntiSpyware, which which this reviewer found to be a superior product overall, and one that I reviewed here some months ago.
In any case, Bitdefender Internet Security 2010 is a reasonably good product and deserves a 4-star rating form this reviewer, but it's just not a stellar product. It would pay to look at all of the recent security offerings, both free and paid for before you make your final choice.

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The Industry's Best Value! BitDefender Internet Security 2010 provides 3 PCs 2 full years of protection against viruses, hackers, spam, and identity theft, without slowing them down. Includes: Firewall, Parental Control, Instant Messaging Encryption, File Vault (encrypts sensitive files), Laptop Mode (prolongs battery life), Gamer Mode, hourly updates and more.


Maximum Security, Maximum Speed
Securely download music, movies, and files from the Web, friends, and family.
Scans and removes viruses and spyware
New--Advanced protection that continually monitors your system to catch threats that lay dormant, before they attack
Scans all Web, e-mail and instant messaging traffic in real-time
Proactively protects against new virus outbreaks using advanced heuristics

Protect your identity: shop, bank, listen, and watch, privately and securely.
Stops attempted identity theft (phishing)
Prevents personal information from leaking via e-mail, Web or Instant Messaging
File Vault encrypts and stores personal information or sensitive files
Blocks concealed programs that track your online activities

Security that won't slow down your PC.
New--Scans 60% faster than even last year's lightning-fast edition!
Uses minimal system resources
Laptop Mode prolongs battery life

Guard your conversations with top-of-the-line encryption.
Instant Messaging Encryption (Yahoo! and MSN Messenger)

Connect securely to any network at home, in the office, or on the road.
Automatically modifies firewall protection settings to suit location
Wi-Fi monitor helps prevent unauthorized access to your Wi-Fi network

Parental Control.
Blocks access to inappropriate websites and e-mail
Schedules and limits kids' access to Internet and to applications, such as games

Gamer Mode.
Reduces the system load and postpones scans/updates, allowing for secure gaming at top speed

Be in control, stay in control.
Manages the security of your entire home network from one PC
Use the dashboard to fix security issues with just one click
Automatically decides best security actions to take

Designed for ease of use.
New--User Profiles (Standard, Parent, Gamer, Custom)--set up your security to best match your computing activities
New--See only what you need! Select from Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced views


New and Improved in BitDefender 2010
More Protection Many of today's stealth viruses are designed to avoid antivirus detection by initially laying dormant only to attack your PC when it is most vulnerable. BitDefender 2010 features a cutting-edge security system, Active Virus Control, which constantly monitors all of the processes on your PC, 24/7, blocking any malicious behavior before it can cause any damage.
More Speed The abundance of new viruses calls for faster ways to detect them. BitDefender's Optimized Scanning avoids the scanning of files that are known to be safe. The result? BitDefender 2010 scans your PC in half the time needed by previous versions, while using less resources.
Easier to Use Whether you're a security expert or a novice, with the new BitDefenderUser Profiles you can easily manage your PC's security. The product interface adapts to the chosen profile and provides quick access to the main security functionalities you are most likely to need (Parental Controls for parents, or Gamer Mode for gamers). BitDefender 2010 also features three dashboard views--Novice, Intermediate, and Expert--to better accommodate users with different levels of PC knowledge.
Improved Parental Control The Parental Control module features a newly added reporting system allowing parents to view what websites their children visit. Moreover, parents can set specific time intervals in which their children are allowed to access the Internet or use certain applications.
Improved Intrusion Detection BitDefender detects and blocks attempts to change critical system files or registry entries on your PC and warns you about attacks performed by code injection (DLL injection).
Improved In-Product Technical Support You can get answers to the most common product-related questions or contact technical support directly from the product using its easy-to-use self-service module.

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McAfee Internet Security 2011 3-User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Last December I installed the 2010 version of this software and have been happy with it for my parents' computer...on their older Windows XP Professional computer, it's been reliable and unobtrusive, and easy to configure.
Unobtrusive, that is, until it started reminding them to renew their annual subscription to the software. The problem is that the renewal price is pretty high...higher, in fact, than just buying the 2011 version. So, I figured I would get them the 2011 version and install it over the 2010 version. After all, the 2011 version advertises its new features, including increased speed.
So, I sit down with my coffee, ready to start the installation process. A message comes up saying there is no need to install! Just enter the new 2011 license key, and it will extend the 2010 license for another year. In other words, apparently the 2011 version offers nothing new over the 2010 version if you've been keeping the 2010 version up to date. I'm not even two sips into my coffee, and I'm finished "installing".
I like the software. What bugs me is McAfee trying to trick current users into paying too much to renew their software subscription electronically, when the customer could simply order the boxed 2011 version which really amounts to the same update, but at a lower cost.

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Comprehensive, award-winning PC security to freely explore online
With thousands of new viruses created every day, relying on traditional securityupdates isn't enough anymore. McAfee Internet Security instantly detects andblocks viruses--and stops web threats before they are downloaded to your PC.Reengineered to be faster than ever before, the software's innovative designsimplifies your Internet security experience while offering comprehensive protection.

2011 Features and Highlights
Award-winning anti-virus, firewall, spyware, and online protection

Exclusive McAfee Active Protection technology
Unlike the competition, McAfee Active Protection analyzes and blocks new andemerging threats in milliseconds, so you don't have to wait for regular updates to arrive. The result: virtually no gap in your protection.

Anti-virus/anti-spyware
Detects, blocks, and removes viruses, spyware, adware, even rootkits, insidious programs designed to tamper with your PC.

(Improved) Two-way firewall
Enterprise-grade firewall blocks outsiders from hacking into your PC.

Easier to use
McAfee Internet Security 2011 is all about ease of use. The completely redesigned home screen gives you all the information you need at a glance.
Home screen with an easy-to-understand security bar and status area.

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Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 3.0 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Having tested a good number of security software, I wanted to give Trend Micro's Internet Security Pro Version 3.0 a chance. With McAfee's Security program on one laptop, I wanted to see how Trend Micro's latest software compares on my other PC laptop.
I. INSTALLATION
When I install anti-virus or security programs, things usually take about 20-25 minutes but surprisingly Trend Micro's Internet Security Pro 3.0 took less than 10 minutes (and this on a laptop that is 90% full). Trend Micro advertises that the software is 20% smaller in file size and 20% faster in scan time and so far, that has remained to be true. Installation was easy, but it does require you to have an internet connection ready and also to enter your personal information before accessing the software (after installation). But this is probably the quickest Internet Security software I have ran thus far.
II. Interface
After installation, accessing the software is easy and quick. Updating the software is all within a click of a button. You get an overview, virus and spy ware controls, personal firewall controls, internet and e-mail controls, other settings and subscription and pro features. Interface is pretty basic and for newbies, it should be easy to navigate. When checking each section, there is a button that shows on or off. So, you know what is working immediately.
Where most of the sections are self-explanatory, the Pro Features is quite interesting as it allows you to go further into Internet Security with:
- Trend Micro Vault - Password-protected vault folder where you store sensitive files that seals if you lose your computer. I definitely like this feature, especially the fact that you can report your computer as missing/stolen and the vault where sensitive files are stored will automatically seal.
- System Tuner - Improve the performance of your computer, recover hard disk space/cleans up registry files and safeguard privacy on the Internet. Personally, I didn't want to mess with the registry using this function until I did a back of files.
- Trend Micro Toolbar that checks the safety of the websites, hyperlinks and wireless networks - I tested this and where McAfee's test of sites would take you to their webpage with user-based reviews, Trend Micro's toolbar gives you a color code if it's safe.
- Protection for mobile telephones and PDA's from span and viruses. Another good feature for those who want to protect their smart phones and PDA's.
III. Overview
The virus scan was definitely quicker than any anti-virus software that I have used before and that is definitely a positive. The software does what it says on the back of the box, protecting the PC from viruses and spyware, prevents unauthorized changes, blocks e-mail and image spam, malicious downloads and also via "My Home Network", you can see who is utilizing your computer.
At first I was wondering why they separated the pro features but after checking them out, it's something that you don't want newbies messing with especially if it deals with registry and a automatic sealing vaults. So, it makes sense to keep the pro feature as something you need to self-install and limits the user-errors.
So, which is better? McAfee or Trend Micro? Personally, I think that they are even but with McAfee, they have a better looking graphical interface, they've been around longer and the online checker has more integration with their website. But Trend Micro is quicker, faster and is quite simple for the beginning computer user. Quite simply both offer similar protection.Similar to McAfee's Internet Security 2010, Trend Micro's Internet Security Pro 3.0 offers a 3-user license and a one year license agreement. Also, 2GB of online storage and ability to back up critical data to a secure online site.
Overall, Trend Micro's Internet Security Pro 3.0 is a solid release. Both are solid brands known for their security service. McAfee is known for anti-virus, Trend Micro for anti-spam. So, really it all comes down to which brand you prefer and price. But one thing that Trend Micro's Internet Security software does have an edge versus its competitors is speed. Install, scanning and registry/system cleanup is very quick. So, if speed is a factor in your decision-making, Trend Micro is the way to go!


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Trend Micro Internet Security Pro provides the most comprehensive, easy-to-use protection for your personal data so you can shop, bank, or browse with confidence.

Easy-to-use, comprehensive protection
Shop, bank, and invest online with peace of mind Trend Micro Internet Security Pro safeguards your personal information from hackers and cybercriminals whether you are at home or away:
Remotely secure confidential files and folders in case your computer is lost or stolen
Automatically check the legitimacy of Wi-Fi "hot spots" when using your laptop on the road
Prevents data thieves, viruses, SMS text message spam and other malware from invading your smartphone
Remotely erases data from your smartphone if it's stolen
Inspects web page content in real-time--so you're protected even if you're the first visitor to a new unsafe website
Back up as much as 2GB of your critical data to a secure online site

Smart features tailored to your activities Trend Micro Internet Security Pro not only defends your computer from the latest spyware, viruses, and phishing scams, and goes one step further:
Keep your protection current with automatic updates
Prevent unauthorized users from changing your critical applications, without impacting your PC's performance
Pause security updates or scans when you give presentations, watch movies, or play games
Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening
Helps you to easily manage all the devices connected to your home network
Easily customizable parental controls to protect your children against inappropriate content
Get a complete and customizable snapshot of security activities on your computer

Optimized PC Performance Trend Micro Internet Security Pro includes powerful, easy-to-use tools to keep your computer running smoothly:
20% smaller file size, 20% faster scan time
Clean up registry and temp files and manage startup programs to boost PC performance

Surf the web with confidence
Detects and removes viruses, spyware, and other malicious threats from your computer, email, instant messages and downloads
Proven leadership in anti-spam technology, including email and image spam
Finds and blocks untrustworthy links in email and instant messages
Stops websites from installing dangerous downloads on your computer
Quick Scan allows you to quickly find and remove most malware when you are running short on time.

Maximum Security. Online Freedom. Trend Micro Internet Security Pro. Enjoy your online activities with complete confidence.
Key Features of Trend Micro Internet Security Pro
Get Essential Protection
Protects against current and future viruses An award-winning anti-virus engine protects against computer viruses, worms, Trojan horse programs, and related security threats. Automatic updates immunize you against new computer virus outbreaks for the full duration of your subscription.
Defends your personal information with anti-spyware technology Powerful anti-spyware technology guards your personal information and privacy against spyware, rootkits, and other malicious software.
Blocks direct online attacks with a personal firewall Prevent your computer from exchanging data without your approval and defend against attacks from the Internet.
Prevents unauthorized changes Improved security policies find and stop unwanted attempts to change your operating system and critical software.
Offers customizable security warnings Decide how often you want to receive warnings about security threats.
Safeguards multiple computers Install Trend Micro Internet Security Pro on up to three PCs per household.
Surf the Web Safely
Protects against web threats Steer clear of online phishing scams that try to steal your credit card or bank account numbers. Continuous updates identify the newest risky websites.
Secure Web surfing Block malicious or untrustworthy hyperlinks in email, websites, or instant messages.
Blocks image spam Stop seeing spam that tries to evade filters by delivering images instead of just text.
First Visitor Protection Immediately check web pages for security risks to stay protected even if you're the first visitor to a new unsafe website
Wi-Fi Advisor Keep your Internet access secure even when away from home. Recognize untrustworthy wireless networks by checking their digital signatures.
Device Access Control Automatically prevent suspicious software on USB devices from opening.
Smart Features for Your Online Activities
Home Network Map See the computers and other devices connected to your network at a glance, manage the security of other computers remotely, and block wireless home network intruders from accessing yours.
Security Activity Dashboard Get a comprehensive and customizable snapshot of all the security activities on your computer through easy-to-use charts and graphs.
State Aware Work on your presentations, watch movies, or play games without security updates or scans getting in the way.
Protect Your Children Online
Enhanced Parental Controls Take charge of when and where your children go on the Internet. Block websites with inappropriate content, prevent access at specific times, and even stop kids from entering personal information onto webpages.
Protect Your Personal Information
Trend Micro Vault Lock confidential files and folders inside a secure vault on your hard drive in case your computer is lost or stolen
Online Backup Back up as much as 2GB of your critical information to a secure online site
Maximize Your PC Performance
System Tuner Enhance performance and privacy by recovering disk space, cleaning up your registry and startup settings, removing cookies, and clearing your browser history.
Extend the Protection to Smartphones
Smartphone Protection Extend protection against malicious attacks to your smartphone when you email or browse websites. Remotely erase your information from your smartphone if it's stolen.

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McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009 1-User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Unethical billing for online purchases -- BEWARE!
Let me say right up front if you DO NOT USE the online download and payment process which McAfee offers, then you should not be subjected to their unethical practices (unless/until you renew online.)
I've used McAfee for several years now, and the product, once paid for and installed, in my experience, has been fine. Yes, it gets annoying at times, with its checks and confirmations, but that's what we want: software to protect us, and that comes with some caveats.
But McAfee has finally LOST me as a customer, with their insidious and unethical billing practices. These practices are so awful that the product absolutely deserves zero stars, regardless of its functionality.
My 1-year subscription to VirusScan ended a few days ago. This was a 3-user subscription, which I had obtained for free from a financial services company with whom I do business. It was a one-time deal, so now I need to pay to renew. This was my experience:
First, the renewal price was discounted through the financial services company, to around forty bucks, which was less than I saw online elsewhere. I proceeded to pay with PayPal. Just BEFORE I pressed the "return to McAfee" button, Paypal told me that I could review the "billing agreement" (what billing agreement?) by logging back into Paypal, going to "Profile," and kicking "Pay List" (what Pay List?) I did so, and found that McAfee, WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, AND WITHOUT MY PERMISSION had set up an automatic billing allowance on my PayPal account for one hundred twenty dollars per month! Here is the exact text: "Billing Limit: $119.97 USD (per month)" Needless to say, I immediately canceled that authorization, before "returning to McAfee." McAfee of course complained that there was an "error," but I simply proceeded to pay with credit card.
That's when I saw the very small type, in GRAY (hard-to-read) coloring, saying that my credit card would be billed automatically, upon expiration of the license, at the full renewal rate at that time.
That's enough, McAfee! You stop these unethical billing practices right now! You've lost another customer, and hopefully many more with this review.

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Essential Easy-to-Use PC Protection with PowerfulWeb Site Safety AdvisorProduct InformationWith the daily emergence of new and more sophisticated Internet threats that could disrupt your digital life you need more than a simple anti-virus program toprotect yourself your computer and your identity. You need McAfee VirusScan Plus2009 - the essential feature-rich and simple-to-use security software.The McAfee Advantage - McAfee's security products useaward-winning technology are easy to install and come with unlimited email andchat assistance. With continuous and automatic updates McAfee helps ensure thatyou are running the most current security to combat the ever-evolving Internetthreats for the duration of your subscription.New FeaturesQuickScan: Checks for threats in the areas ofyour computer that are most often attackedSimplified Set-up: Installation is now easierand faster with improved detection and with removal of malware that tries tohalt the set-upFriendly Alerts: Provides you with easy tounderstand alerts regarding your protectionProduct FeaturesTwo-way Firewall Protection: Confidently use the Internet 24/7 knowing hackers can'tget access to your PCsAnti-virus/Anti-spyware: Detects blocks and removes viruses spyware and adwareAnti-phishing: Alerts you to Web sites that may try to steal your identityMcAfee SiteAdvisor: Warns with color-coded ratings about unsafeWeb sitesMcAfee SecurityCenter: Provides an easy-to-readsecurity status screen and puts you in control with fully customizableoptionsMcAfee SystemGuards: Warns you when yourcomputer shows specific behaviors that may signal virus spyware or hackeractivityStealth Mode: Makes your computer invisible tointruders from the InternetShredder: Allows you to effectively remove anyand all traces of conf

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Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security 2011 - 3 User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)[original review - see update below]
I have used Trend for many years. It seemed like they finally got it right with 2009. It was quick, reliable, and had lots of options. After that subscription expired I got a notice to download this new "Titanium" thing (billed automatically by Digital River - that won't happen again!).
I downloaded it and it installed okay, but there are practically no advanced settings. It is so dumbed-down. You cannot really fine tune the scanning any more, and there is no ability to control the home network the way you could with the previous version. About all you can do is set a few parental controls and very, very simple filtering.
It also seemed to slow down Firefox briefly. It's like Firefox would be unresponsive for the first ten seconds or so before it was usable. Not sure if it was due to the antivirus but the correlation was there - it started as soon as I installed the new version.
Despite my misgivings, I was about to bite the bullet and go ahead and upgrade the wife's computer. Before I did, though, I checked the subscription status and saw that IT WAS VALID FOR ANOTHER YEAR! Apparently, installing Titanium was optional, and the previous version was still eligible for regular updates! They did not TELL me that! So I just removed Titanium and rolled back into the other version, which installed flawlessly and now I am happy for another year.
I had some trouble uninstalling Titanium on my third computer. It took a couple of tries, and each time it would hang at 13%. I had to do a hard reset and then retry. For some reason, I suspected the password I had set up for Titanium was the issue, so I removed it and then the uninstall went to completion. That was a bit worrisome.
Anyway, sorry, I just cannot recommend this product. Maybe it's okay and really does work but I do not like the lack of advanced control. For basic users it may be just fine. But for me, I am going to ride the current version out to whatever its end-of-life is, then unless Trend gives us some better control over the behavior, I will look for something else.
[update]
It's now six months into the legacy version of Trend, and I have having to think about what to move to next. I have evaluated ESET, Vipre, BitDefender, and Kapersky, and all of them leave me a bit underwhelmed. ESET seems the best of the bunch, though a tad expensive. Vipre is nice and light but has too many boxes asking me to accept this or that action (if you disable the accept box option, then you have to create a rule for everything that isn't just running a program). Bit Defender and Kapersky are just a bit too slow and bloated, and Kapersky's scan just dragged. So, at renewal time, I may just jump on the Titanium bandwagon. It's either that, ESET, or free MS Security Essentials.
I really do not think Titanium is "bad", it just did not give you much control. It really is a totally different program from what it was before, and is REALLY different from the rest. But I tried the latest evaluation version and the slowdown in FireFox seemed much less of an issue. So maybe I just need to readjust my expectations.


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Strong, fast and easy-to-use protection--Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security uses cloud technology to automatically stop viruses and spyware before they reach your computer, so it won't slow you down--it's a whole new way to protect your computer.

Real-time updates keep your PC protected from the latest online threats. Using less than half the disk space and memory of traditional security products, Titanium Internet Security is light on your system resources so your computer runs faster. It's designed to be easy to use and understand with simple screens and reports. Includes spam blocking and customizable parental controls. Keep your children safe from cyber criminals and inappropriate content when they go online--nothing comes close to Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security.

Features User-friendly console screen. View larger.

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Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (3 User) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As background, I've used quite a few internet security suites: ZoneAlarm, Norton, McAfee, OneCare, and previous Kaspersky products. With Kaspersky, I've come to expect a product that is top-tier for protection, but requires some technical understanding to configure. Its actually why I stopped using the previous version - While I have a technical background, I really don't want to spend my time on a computer configuring the security software, I want to use the PC.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 is a complete change, and even manages to improve the protection in the process. First, the Automatic Mode (where Kaspersky takes care of new applications, internet connections, etc.) is now worth using in my opinion. This takes a lot of the "manual" work out of the picture.
Kaspersky licensed technology from Bit9 in this release for whitelisting. Whitelisting is using a list of "known good" applications that can be trusted to go to the internet. For example, Microsoft's Internet Explorer is a known piece of software, so it can be trusted. For applications not on the whitelist, the software determines from its actions if it may be malicious, and categorizes them as such (and therefore, pays more attention to them). What does this mean for you? Less overhead using applications it knows it can trust - Faster browsing, using your PC, etc.
Finally, the last addition that I think is perfect is the security analysis it performs during full scans. Besides checking for viruses, malware, etc., it also checks your applications to see if there are known, patchable vulnerabilities. One of the most prevalent ways bad stuff gets on your PC these days is through unpatched "holes" in software. Kaspersky will alert you to these holes, so you can patch them before someone can get to your computer. An ounce of prevention being better than a pound of cure, so to speak (although with Kaspersky, you get both).
I have no noticeable slowdown on my machine, the product is using less than 25MB of RAM presently, and I know I have one of the best security products protecting my data. I highly recommend this product!

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Complete Internet security protection withanti-virus anti-spyware anti-phishing anti-spam and anti-hacker technologiesperfect for home or small office.Product Information[For Up to 3 Users]Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 gives you full protection against virusesspyware rootkits and other types of malware. You also get an advanced firewallsolution privacy and parental controls as well as protection against identitytheft and confidential data leakage. Kaspersky Anti-Malware Engine Better Than Ever! Over the last few yearssince entering the market Kaspersky has taken the US consumers by storm andthe brand keeps getting more and more attention and topping more and morecomparison tests and reviews the world over. Kaspersky has improved itsproducts even further by entirely rebuilding its anti-malware engine. Thanks tothese changes performance is better than ever the product is even lighter andno other brand even comes close when it comes to scanning speed.New FeaturesKaspersky 2009 New and Improved Features:Easy-to-Use for Anyone!At a first glance it is obvious that the interface is even more user-friendlythan version 7.0. In previous versions of Kaspersky the interface seemed to beaimed mainly at "tech people"; now it is easy enough for anyone to use.To make it easy to use for less advanced users the main screen of KasperskyAnti-Virus 2009 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 gives you all the necessaryinformation but for more advanced users there is still the option to getadditional information and to customize the product in a number of differentways. For most people however the basic settings are more than effective.Even Lower Resource NeedsUsers of earlier Kaspersky versions have been very happy about its low resourceneeds and the new Kaspersky 2009 does not disappoint when it comes to this. Thescan engine now takes advantage of dual-core processors without affectingresource needs. The programs also balance scan speed to user activ

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Symantec Endpoint Protection (10 user) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been a longtime user of Norton Corp Edition products and for the most part have been stratified. It only seemed natural when our current subscription to Corp Edition 10 expired that we move to version 11 also called SEP (Symnatec Endpoint Protection) on our Windows 2003 SBS running SQL, Exchange and Act. After reading the manuals the installation seemed pretty straightforward. This is a very different product from version 10 so defiantly plan to spent some time reading the SEP manuals first. After installing the manager on our SBS via the upgrade I ran the deployment manager to install the clients, which seem to go well on only three of the eight XP-pro clients. I had to manually install the software on the other clients due to problems with Outlook getting mail from our Exchange server. The ant-virus client deployment also failed on the server even when I tried to manually install SEP it seemed the version 10 client would not uninstall. So I followed the lengthy task from the support web site to manually remove version 10 from the server and then manually re-installed SEP. After the install Live-Update kept failing. I talked to Symantec tech support several times and per there request removed all Norton/Symantec products and reinstalling SEP a couple of more times after running a couple clean-wipe utilities they provided but Live-Update would still not work. Symantec eventually suggested I go back to version 10 until some of the compatibility issues are resolved with SEP. After investing over 12 hours on this upgrade and then reinstalling the old version we are now considering moving to another venders product.

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Windows Live OneCare 2.0 (Up to 3 Users) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been using Microsoft's Live OneCare System for about a year-and-a-half, and I went to the 2.0 version about three months ago. I've got to tell you though, I wasn't too happy about using it at first because of two factors: 1) Microsoft seemed to be linking a lot of things to this "Live" concept, and 2) The program seemed like it was making a lot of promises it couldn't keep. On the first matter, I still have some concerns; on the second matter, it has lived-up to its promises.
After almost a year, Microsoft upgraded my product to 2.0, and then when I added another computer to my LAN, I used one of the three licenses that came with the new version of OneCare to extend my HUB's subscription. And it did so without a problem. You will notice on the picture I uploaded from my individual computer (see customer images), that my subscription will renew in three days.
I don't know about you, but at work I've seen what not keeping-up with your virus protection and firewall protection can do to someone's computer. Mine hasn't been hit, but other's have and we use Norton's and McAfee at work with each computer set for automatic updates. At home, since I have a LAN, too, I wanted to make sure I didn't have similar problems, so for the past three years I tested several products, namely Norton's System Works, Norton's 360, e-Trust (Computer Associates), and OneCare.
Having used Norton's for over 12 years, I have been disappointed that they are doing less with their products, and I really became disenchanted when they didn't offer their firewall protection with System Works. Then, it seemed I couldn't find System Works, and I had to use 360, which was a mere shadow of System Works. It grated me that I had to buy one product, then buy their Internet Security, too. I, also, didn't think they were on top of the virus situation as much as they used to be. Then, there was an issue about renewals that did not go into effect when they should, and hour long waits for tech support to help correct the problem.
So, I tried e-Trust, and I didn't have any qualms about it, at first. At first it sent out e-mails, often times several times a day to update the software virus protection. Then, it went to an automatic check whenever you booted-up. Then, came the renewal. I had it on two machines and was successful only on one when it came to renewing my subscription. Now, batting 500 is great in the major leagues, but not when it comes to protecting my computer.
OneCare, though, has lived-up to their promises. At first I had it on one computer, and it performed a massive back-up that took all night (200 GB's... this was with version 1.0). Subsequent back-ups went quicker for only the new, or changed, files were updated. Adding 2.0 to other computers produced a back-up on individual computers much faster, 1 to 2 hours, depending on the computer, with amounts in the 100 GB range. With 2.0, I've been able to have one centralized back-up on an exterior HP Drive. I, also, have back-ups performed on each computer with various other drives: Seagate's FreeAgent, and Simple-Tech.
In total, I have four computers set-up on OneCare. Two are on the hard-wire, and two are on a WiFi connected to the hard-wire, with my laptop's back-up on another computers external drive (I added the laptop the day after writing this review, which gives me the 4th computer on the network.) One benefit I've seen of using OneCare is that the new computer's version usually recognizes the printers on the network, and it asks me if I want this computer to have access to it. If it doesn't, and I am not a networking whiz, I have just loaded the drivers for a printer that is on the network, and it then easily finds that printer and finishes out connecting the printer with that computer.
Once I set my schedule of the tasks for OneCare, I've let it do it's job, and I've had only one issue, and that's not a OneCare problem... On the iMac, I have both Mac OS X and XP Pro running. With XP Pro, I have OneCare installed. When XP Pro updates itself, it cannot download and install all updates, so OneCare gives me a "yellow," or caution warning. After manually having XP Pro on the iMac finish its download, everything goes "green," which to me is a great place to stop this review.
OneCare has greatly simplified my life. Version 2.0 is better than 1.0., and you can have from one to three computers covered with one subscription. Also, when I extended my subscription, it added the year onto my current subscription several months in advance without my having to call tech support to straighten out a problem. Regarding subscriptions, you have to have a "live.com" ID activating your initial, up to, 3 subscriptions (for me this was a "hotmail.com" address). If you have more computers to cover than 3, you will need a second "live.com" ID. Renewals are around $49.00 for one year's protection for up to three computers. Unlike some virus programs, like Norton's, you cannot uninstall OneCare and then install a newly-purchased, unused copy of OneCare, unless you install it under a different "live.com" ID. (BTW, I learned this the hard way, yet the Microsoft folks were quick at straightening it out (866-ONECARE).)
As the say on TV sometimes, I"m a happy camper, and I'd recommend this product to anyone wanting to protect one computer or several on a LAN. Be sure to check-out the pictures I uploaded to give you a better idea of what type of information you will receive from OneCare because that generally will tell you more than what I did about its capabilities.

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Norton Internet Security 2008 up to 3 Users Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I do not typically write rejoinders from previous reviews, but on this occasion I feel it necessary. As a longtime user and tester of antivirus/antispyware/security suite software, I have been terribly disappointed over the years by what has (or had) become of Norton products. Starting around 2004 they transformed into bloatware, slowing down computers, overhauling the CPU, and basically were a nuisance. NIS 2006 was probably the worst of the lot, although McAfee's security suite software this last year gives it competition in the department of ineptitude.
To give some credit where it is due, Symantec apparently listened, read, and paid attention to the complaints, and they revamped their product. NIS 2008 won over this critic, and I must admit that it was a pleasant surprise when I installed the trial version on my work and home computers (200 GB hard drive, 1.8 GHz Duo Processor, Windows Vista Home Premium on the home laptop). Since I like to test software on my computers to empirically observe the chaos that ensues, I was not expecting much. If anything, my experiences with Norton products instilled in me a sense of foreboding futility. I cannot stress enough how unexpectedly satisfying it was to witness a security software company finally comprehending the concept of listening to its customers.
What impressed me most about NIS 2008 was the ease of use, the simplification of the interface, although its graphics still leave much to be desired (as with the 2007 version), and even featured a more user friendly program with help and assistance options that seem to actually assist a computer user. Best of all, it is not as cumbersome on my computer usage as previous versions, and it is barely noticeable on my CPU. It also has a much better browser defender, which includes one for Mozilla Firefox (after numerous complaints over its past omissions to provide security for non-Explorer web browsers). The browser defender also doubles as a password protector on web pages that you frequent.
Another departure from older versions is that it is easy to install (installs quickly, actually), does not interfere with the booting and re-booting of my computer, and does not slow down my employment of other programs (like Microsoft Office). All of these are areas of progress for NIS.
There are a couple of cautions, however. One, if you do want to use this program, try the trial download first, to see for yourself (it is good for two weeks). Also, if you purchase the product, make sure to download the add-ons for NIS 2008, which contains vital elements like anti-spam and parental controls. You need this add-on (it is located on the Symantec site) for email protection at the very least, so it is highly recommended that you use it.
Compared to other security suite software currently on the market, NIS 2008 is certainly as good, if not better, than the competition. This is not saying much to the extent that much of what constitutes security suite software (like CA, Zone Alarm, McAfee) has over time become gradually worse, less efficient, and slower. NIS 2008 is an advance over its previous versions and the competition. Among the other security suite software, Kaspersky Internet Security is the only program I have tried that is nearly as non-intrusive and maintains the ability to at least detect viruses as efficiently as NIS (although the security tests I used on these programs were more easily detectable than those utilized in more rigorous tests). As long as you are willing to pay and want the protection of a quality antivirus with antispy/malware program, NIS 2008 is a good choice.

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Bitdefender Total Security 2009 2Yr/3Pc Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I do love BitDefender; the malware detection engine is top notch, and 2009 comes with a few useful new features in addition to the ones I liked in the 2008 version. The user interface has again been revamped, and can be alternated between advanced mode, which gives the user full access to all settings, and a more basic view that provides the layman with just the essentials.
Indeed, BitDefender 2009 is easily a four star piece of software, and maybe even a five ...when it works. Herein lies the problem. BitDefender has earned a reputation for releasing its new software versions when they ought to be, by most standards, still in beta. I had some issues with 2008 early on, and the company never quite worked out all the kinks. 2009 has taken these problems to a new level. Current bugs include certain settings reverting to defaults after every update, failed updates, interface display problems, and, perhaps most annoyingly, a tendency to deselect the window in which one is working, periodically causing the cursor to disappear from the text field when one is typing.
These problems may be more or less severe depending on the specific type and configuration of your computer, but the general fact is that though the underlying defense capabilities of BitDefender 2009 are excellent, the program itself is littered with bugs and can even become unstable. For advanced users it's a nuisance. For beginners it can be practically unmanagable. I have no doubt that matters will improve in the future, but at the time I write this review I cannot recommend BitDefender 2009.
If you want to take advantage of most of BitDefender 2009's capabilities and have a much more functional product, I suggest BitDefender 2008. Unfortunately, my trial period has expired, so I will not be able to update my review in the future to report on which problems are fixed and which persist, but if you'd like to see for yourself whether BitDefender 2009 is right for you, I encourage you to download the 30 day trial for free on the company's website before making a purchase.

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The Industry?s Best Value! BitDefender Total Security 2009 provides 3 PCs 2 full years of advanced protection against viruses spyware hackers and other e-threats? without slowing you down! Includes: online and local backup; firewall; IM Encryption; File Vault to secure and encrypt documents; Parental Control; system maintenance tools; and more!Small Box

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Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 2011 3 user- Frustration Free Packaging Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After using Norton for years and getting totally frustrated with their horrible service and an atrocious product called Norton 360, I switched to Kaspersky about 3 years ago. That was a fantastic move because Kaspersky has better customer service and a SUPERIOR product. Let me start by saying Kaspersky is the best consumer product for protection of your computer, however, they have significant problems every time they upgrade to a new version. Even worse, management refuses to communicate with their customers about those problems.
One of the pluses of buying this product is the following. If a new version comes out during your one year cycle, you can upgrade to the new product for FREE. The downside, with both the 2010 and 2011 upgrades, many customers [not all] had major problems. With the 2010 upgrade, I was one of many whose system slowed to a crawl for weeks until they finally fixed the problem. Management failed to send out an email advising customers there was a problem. I learned about it after the fact. I was one day away from leaving the product for good when it was finally corrected. I thought they learned their lesson but they didn't because 2011 is causing a new array of problems.
With Kaspersky 2011, [for many customers] if you open up a photo it will completely freeze your system. I'm talking about a complete lock up. You cannot use Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get to the Task Manager and you can't even reboot. The one and only way to get your system restarted is to turn off the power, wait about 30 seconds, and turn your computer back on. That is totally unacceptable!
After several weeks of complete silence from management, the problem was corrected and now users can check out photos without a system failure. Most users had no idea why their system was freezing and locking up. The company should have sent an email to every customers saying:
1. We have a problem with the 2011 upgrade
2. When you do X, your computer will lock up
3. We are aware of the problem and are working on an update to fix the issue.
4. The "Tentative" Date for the fix is whatever date they select
5. In the interim, we recommend you do Y
All software companies have problems. But everyone appreciates and understands when customer service acknowledges they made a mistake and they're working hard to correct the problem. A lack of communication results in customer frustration and a negative attitude towards the product and the company. As much as I like and respect the actual product, I would NOT touch Kaspersky 2011 until management decides to be honest, open, and communicate with it's customers.

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McAfee Total Protection 2008 - 3 User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The McAfee suite worked reasonably well under Win XP but I had difficulties with it under Vista. Ended up switching to OneCare...
My main issue with McAfee is that the service comes with an auto-renewal feature. They will charge your credit card on the subscription's anniversary. Fair enough...
However, I wanted to cancel it as I no longer use the software. To my surprise, you can't just go to the web site, click on a "cancel" link and be done. They actually force you to contact customer service (phone, chat, email) and then take you through a long process (15min in my case) of getting through it. They first put you in a queue, then verify your details multiple times, then, after you make it clear that you want to cancel the service and receive a refund, the conversation goes like this:Me: Please cancel my service and issue a refund (the 4th time I asked...)
McAfee: why?
Me: I just noticed an auto renewal charge and I don't want the service
McAfee: OK, we will terminate the auto renewal
Me: What? I don't want to terminate future auto-renwals, I want to cancel the one from last week and get a refund...
McAfee: may we ask why?
Me: please cancel and issue a refund...
McAfee: OK...It is obvious that McAfee has all the intentions to make cancellations as difficult as possible. The 10%-20% of people who'd rather not spend the time dealing with it are pure profit. However, the rest of us consumers should not reward such practice.


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10 in 1 Protection - complete online and PC security / Fight viruses and more / Provides 1 Year coverage + Updates / For up to 3 users and computers Blocks hackers from attacking your Wi-Fi wireless network and stealing your personal information, so you can safely connect Backs Up and Restores your photos, music and important files Safeguards your identity and online experience so you can surf the Web, shop, bank, e-mail and instant message safely Keeps your PC healthy and secure. Intercepts prohibited Web sites, unwanted activity and offensive pictures to keep your family safe Blocks hackers from attacking your wireless network, safeguarding your personal information and transactions.Automates file and printer sharing among trusted friends and family Protects Children Online - Filters offensive content, pictures, and Web sites so you can keep your children safe when online Simplifies security with improved McAfee SecurityCenter Warns you about sites which send spam, install adware, or attempt online scams Shields your PC around the clock -always on, always updating, always protecting Prevents spam and phishing scams so you can e-mail with friends and family safely 24/7 virus and threat protection from McAfee AVERT Labs continuously monitors worldwide virus activities and provides immediate anti-virus protection and removal solutions Provides advance warning to help you avoid sites which send spam, install adware, or attempt online scams Daily updates are installed automatically. When a new version of McAfee is available, you get it automatically at no charge during your subscription, ensuring that you always have up-to-date protection for up to 1-Year after installation Support from McAfee's computer security experts, via Internet chat, e-mail and phone

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