F-Secure Internet Security 2015 review
F-Secure Internet Security 2015 offers a reconfigured installation process, safer search filtering, and a prescan utility to help with those tough cleanup jobs. Also new is the F-Secure Safe bundle, which aims to secure all your devices (PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 8), including measures for managing a missing phone.
Pros
Quick and effective setup: Installing Internet Security 2015 is a breeze. F-Secure prompts you with a one-click process. You can also install browser plug-ins for Browser Protection and F-Secure Search, a search result filter. With the 2015 edition, F-Secure introduces a prescan cleanup tool that searches for and removes malware upon the initial installation, easing cleanup on compromised systems.
No more launchpad: You no longer have to dig around to open a menu, as the main application now presents a clear and straightforward UI.
Parental settings let you set a usage limit: With the Browsing Protection plug-in, you can manage and limit the search results of popular search engines for individual Windows users.
Lightweight protection: F-Secure scored 99 percent in real-world protection tests from independent lab AV-Comparatives, so F-Secure maintains its reputation as a consistently reliable Internet security suite that takes very little toll on system performance. We had no trouble running a quick scan while performing everyday tasks. But if you don't want to be interrupted by scans while playing games or watching movies, Internet Security has a game mode.
Cons
Bland UI: By dropping the launchpad, F-Secure fell back to the traditional text menu and basic buttons for initiating tasks. Its utilitarian design is functional but bland.
Quirky browser protection: Although the suite is capable of censoring Web content, Browser Protection behaved unpredictably during our tests. The app warned of a supposedly blocked site, but we were able to get access. Protections were designed for popular browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. More tech-savvy kids can try to get around Browser Protection through other 3rd party browsers, but won't be able to bypass the manually set Internet blocking feature.
Bottom Line
Internet Security 2015's straightforward UI and high security performance score show that F-Secure's mission is usability and efficiency. Additional features like Safe Search and Parental Controls are nice touches, and prescan utilities are helpful for infected PCs. Ultimately, F-Secure Internet Security is a no-nonsense security suite that just works.
