Ratings Security
suites September 2008
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indicates Quick Pick.
Discontinued;
replaced by Free Antivirus 8, which claims enhancements.
GUIDE
TO THE RATINGS
Overall score reflects the ability to detect viruses, spyware, adware, and spam without falsely flagging nonthreats. Some scores differ from last years results due to changes in the 2007 versions of software and to tests and scoring. Antivirus performance mainly reflects detection of current and new viruses, with features, ease of use, and scan speed also considered. E-mail scan allows automatic removal of viruses from e-mail; IM scan, from instant messages. Easy temporary disable pauses protection when youre installing software. Antibadware performance mainly reflects ability to block installation of known and new spyware and adware, based on threats identified by StopBadware.org, an organization of which CU is a member. Features and ease of use are also considered. Some programs protect browser settings from threats. Threat details means you get information to help you decide whether a detected file is actually bad. Threat info to manufacturer means you can easily notify about flagged files. Antispam performance primarily reflects recognition of valid e-mail and spam without tagging good e-mail as spam. Features and ease of use are also considered. Some programs work with non-Microsoft e-mail programs. Some use online collaboration to check messages against a "live" online database for added accuracy. Some check on suspicious links and other spamlike attributes with a set of rules and/or learn from past spam results. Suite features scores overall array. Ease of use reflects installation, configuration, and day-to-day use. Resources measures load on PC memory, processor, and hard drive in a scan. Under suite considerations, ad/popup blocker suppresses those annoyances. A child filter can block access to certain Web sites. A privacy filter checks e-mail and Web forms and alerts you if youre about to inadvertently divulge personal information. File backup provides periodic backup to another drive. Wi-Fi monitor signals attempts to access your wireless network. Windows cleanup is a convenient interface for many maintenance functions. An Internet "off" button cuts access if a malicious file is suspected. Price is for the downloaded version and includes the first year of service. Boxed versions are usually available for $10 to $15 extra.
Overall score reflects the ability to detect viruses, spyware, adware, and spam without falsely flagging nonthreats. Some scores differ from last years results due to changes in the 2007 versions of software and to tests and scoring. Antivirus performance mainly reflects detection of current and new viruses, with features, ease of use, and scan speed also considered. E-mail scan allows automatic removal of viruses from e-mail; IM scan, from instant messages. Easy temporary disable pauses protection when youre installing software. Antibadware performance mainly reflects ability to block installation of known and new spyware and adware, based on threats identified by StopBadware.org, an organization of which CU is a member. Features and ease of use are also considered. Some programs protect browser settings from threats. Threat details means you get information to help you decide whether a detected file is actually bad. Threat info to manufacturer means you can easily notify about flagged files. Antispam performance primarily reflects recognition of valid e-mail and spam without tagging good e-mail as spam. Features and ease of use are also considered. Some programs work with non-Microsoft e-mail programs. Some use online collaboration to check messages against a "live" online database for added accuracy. Some check on suspicious links and other spamlike attributes with a set of rules and/or learn from past spam results. Suite features scores overall array. Ease of use reflects installation, configuration, and day-to-day use. Resources measures load on PC memory, processor, and hard drive in a scan. Under suite considerations, ad/popup blocker suppresses those annoyances. A child filter can block access to certain Web sites. A privacy filter checks e-mail and Web forms and alerts you if youre about to inadvertently divulge personal information. File backup provides periodic backup to another drive. Wi-Fi monitor signals attempts to access your wireless network. Windows cleanup is a convenient interface for many maintenance functions. An Internet "off" button cuts access if a malicious file is suspected. Price is for the downloaded version and includes the first year of service. Boxed versions are usually available for $10 to $15 extra.