Conflict-free home security

Following last year’s effort, it was difficult to imagine how Computer Associates (CA) could top its outstanding security software package for home users.
But after using CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008 for just a few hours, I had already come to the conclusion that it was a superior product to its predecessor.
First and foremost, e-talk readers might remember that I criticised the previous edition for its poor installation process that resulted in the anti-spyware program being unable to install. This year’s version has no such conflict and all programs installed on to my computer within 10 minutes.
The standard anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware programs are all there, and all work very well.
The one thing that I like about CA’s suite compared to its rivals is that it is very light on system resources.
The real time virus protection can also be easily disabled and then enabled which makes playing video games or using multimedia applications that conflict with virus scanners easy to use. This year’s Internet Security Suite Plus comes with a handful of new applications, including parental controls to stop children visiting unsolicited sites, and the Desktop DNA Migrator for backing up data that could otherwise be lost in a viral attack, or in the case of a failed hard drive. But my personal favourite as a seasoned web surfer is CA’s Website Inspector, which alone justifies the purchase of Internet Security Suite Plus. With phishing and net scamming at all time highs, the Website Inspector integrates with your favourite web browser (Firefox included) and checks the validity of each website you visit.
It then displays above the address bar the details of the owner of the website (usually a corporation or person), where the server hosting the site is based and a risk factor that warns you of high risk or low risk sites that fail to list the aforementioned information.
So, for instance, if you are unsure that your internet banking page is the correct one, or a hacked version, the Website Inspector will tell you as you browse in real time. You can also hover over any link and Website Inspector will tell you all the essential details – meaning you don’t have to visit a site to learn of its potential consequences. The only criticisms I have of CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008 are fairly generic, and would apply to most security suites. As the owner of a router that comes with a built-in firewall and strong security features, I had to disable CA’s software firewall. My internet service provider also features spam filtering at its server end so the anti-spam application was unnecessary, too. But because you are paying for a suite and all of the software, as opposed to the fewer applications you’ll likely use, I can’t help but feel you are paying for redundant features. But these are minor criticisms given that since using the 2007 edition, and now the 2008 version, my computer has never had a virus or spyware attack.
And that’s what CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008 does better than most – protects you and your family from the pitfalls of the net.