Security for your PC

F-Secure Internet Security keeps your PC safe from cyber attacks.

Internet security is vital if you surf the Web, but if you are not IT-savvy, how do you keep your PC safe? F-Secure Internet Security 2008 suite has all the necessary tools to help users defend themselves from unsavoury elements while surfing the wild wild Net.

The program comes with various tools such as virus and spyware scanners, rootkit scanners, anti-Spam for e-mail messages, anti-phishing and firewalls - essential tools for protecting the PC.

A pleasant surprise was the option to scan the computer without installing the software: the option quickly presented itself when I inserted the installation disk into the PC.

The program also gets itself up and running without much trouble, and scans and quarantines viruses and spyware without too much fuss. And it continually scans all files and e-mail messages while you work or surf, so you have peace of mind.

The other notable feature is the Parental Control tool. The tool can categorise PC users under parents, children and teenagers, allowing parents to limit access to certain webpages on the Internet for each category. Parents can apply time limits on PC usage.

Because it is password-protected, children cannot access the application and change the settings. As a similar parental control feature can be found in Windows Vista, Windows XP home users will find this product useful.

However, the program requires the user to uninstall pre-existing security tools that reside in the PC before it can be installed. This is somewhat limiting, I feel, because I prefer 'the more the merrier' approach, which gives me more options and protection on how to tackle the slew of spyware and viruses.

Also, updating F-Secure virus and spyware definitions (database of virus and spyware) is really a pain as I had to try for nearly two days to get a response from the server via the program. And when I did get a response, it took a long time for the file to be downloaded. Totally unacceptable.

- By Wilson Wong, a freelancer and gadget enthusiast.

FINAL SAY

An all-in-one product that will be welcomed by those who want hassle-free protection from malicious Internet activities. The Parental Control feature is a bonus.

PC Security

Make sure your PC is secure (PC Security)
Lock your PC down so malicious programs cannot get in

So you have your shiny new computer fresh out of the box, and are ready to take it online.

Stop right there.

The average computer will survive no longer than a matter of minutes online before being infected by a virus.
Here are some things you should do before connecting your computer to the Internet. Check that your firewall is on
Windows comes with a built-in firewall to protect you from intruders. So make sure you use it.

In Windows XP with Service Pack 2, click Start, then Run. Type in 'firewall.cpl' without the quotes and hit Ok.
You can turn on the built-in Windows firewall from there. In Windows Vista, click Start, then Control Panel, then double-click Windows Firewall. The firewall panel will pop up and you can check if it is on.

Install security software
Many computer manufacturers offer bundled deals with their systems - you can get a discount on anti-virus and firewall software if you buy it together with your computer.

At the very minimum, your computer should have anti-virus, firewall and malware protection installed before it has to deal with the Internet.

Check that the computer is exactly what you ordered

With so many computers sold at the show, there is a small chance that your manufacturer may have made a mistake in configuring the parts of your system.
Click Start, then Run, then type in 'dxdiag' without the quotes. A diagnostic tool that tells you the specifications of your system will pop up. On the System tab, check your processor speed and RAM under the Processor and Memory entries.

The Display tab will indicate any graphics cards if you have them.

Make sure your browser is configured correctly

If you opt to use Internet Explorer, which comes with Windows, make sure its security options are configured to keep you safe.Click Tools and select Internet Options. Then, set your browser to remember less of your browsing history, protecting your privacy.
You should also turn off the feature to save your Web passwords - always key in your password yourself. The same rules apply if you choose to use an alternative browser, such as Mozilla Firefox (www.firefox.com) or Opera (www.opera.com).

- By Daryl Lim