F-Secure Anti-Virus 2006 looks and feels similar to the 2005 version, though it now comes with integrated anti-spyware protection. Previously you had to buy the F-Secure Internet Security package, which included a rebranded version of Lavasoft's Ad-Aware Professional. The spyware protection extends to locking down Internet Explorer's settings, blocking ActiveX and even preventing downloads if you need to.
F-Secure's
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anti-virus software always performs strongly in our tests, and it was no surprise when it detected 100 per cent of the viruses and Trojans that we uploaded to the target PC.
Using the software is easy thanks to the sensible interface. If you want to know about current threats, the built-in news feed will let you know what's out there. This can be turned off if you prefer.
The scanning schedule has an option to start after five minutes of inactivity. This is handy; trying to work on a computer that is running a virus scan is frustrating as it slows to a crawl.
The price of F-Secure Anti-Virus has risen since last year, from £26 including VAT. This increase makes the software pricier than Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2006, which is just as effective at battling viruses. If you use F-Secure's anti-virus software there's little reason to change, as renewal costs are the same. For new buyers, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2006 and Steganos AntiVirus 2006 are better deals
SPECIFICATIONS:
ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE Requires Windows 98 or later, Pentium II processor, 64MB RAM, 190MB disk space
