CA Internet Security Suite 2007: go for it
CA Internet Security Suite 2007
Reviewer's Rating of CA Internet Security Suite 2007: 3½ out of 5
Overview:
CA Internet Security Suite 2007 is a Windows application designed to keep your computing experience secure. This particular suite includes an anti-virus scanner, anti-spyware scanner, anti-spam filter, and personal firewall for your Windows-based computer.
With the spyware, viruses, trojans, worms and spam poised to wreak havoc upon your computer, an Internet security suite such as CA Internet Security Suite 2007 will allow you to shore up your defenses.
Pros of CA Internet Security Suite 2007:
Offers an attractive alternative for people looking to get a security suite instead of installing four separate applications to get the same functionality. Users don’t have to do anything as the applications updates themselves on a daily basis. It is also very easy to use, install and set up on your computer. Designed with any-level computer user in mind. You can install this application on three computers within your household – at no additional expense. System performance did not suffer with the real time protection of the anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall all running in the background. In comparison, McAfee Internet Security and Norton Internet Security do have a marked impact on your system resources, both CPU and RAM. The application does not plug or promote other applications, a good thing.
Cons of CA Internet Security Suite 2007:
It is seems more like a patchwork of four separate security programs thrown together – as opposed to an integrated security suite.
The main interface screen is basically just a status window and not a control center interface for each of the applications. To adjust a setting or to make any changes, users have to open an individual window for each application. The exception to this was the anti-spam filter which is a toolbar that gets integrated into the Microsoft e-mail program of your choice, be it Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. The application does not provide anti-spam filtering for third-party e-mail clients such as Eudora or Thunderbird. To test on Vista, I had to download a separate version from the developer’s web site as the one on the installation CD was not Vista-compatible. Opening the anti-virus, anti-spyware and personal firewall windows simultaneously did make a impact system resources – both CPU and RAM. If you want to uninstall, say, just the firewall, you need to uninstall the whole suite, then you can do a custom re-install choosing just the anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-spam applications while reinstalling. Marketing materials stress the presence of parental controls for this application, however, this requires a separate download and installation. It lacks phishing protection and anti-rootkit scanners, important to secure computing. When making a setting change, the application was slow to respond and was sluggish. This slowdown was compounded further with the UAC on the Vista version.
Comments:
A nice suite of four applications with security tools to help protect your computer. The firewall leaves a lot to be desired. You can get technical support via e-mail, chat and online documentation, but telephone tech support is only available at an additional charge. Be sure to check out the individual product reviews for each of these applications below.
Price: US$69.99