OVERVIEW: • Installation time of 2.5 minutes (plus 1 reboot). • Questionable Effectiveness. • Sluggish performance (2nd-worst we tested). • Nothing that stands out above its competition. • Overall Rating: Below Average  |
F-Secure isn't a well known name to most computer users. See our F-Secure Review below to see if it's a worthy antivirus alternative...
1) Installation:
F-Secure AntiVirus 2009 installed in 2 minutes and 35 seconds plus 1 reboot - which is one of the slower antivirus installations we tested this year. F-Secure has both Automatic and Custom installation options - unfortunately the automatic installation option doesn't set up "Scheduled Scanning." This is a shame since most users won't have scheduled scanning set up which is a nice option to have enabled for added security. Another problem we had with the installation is that it tried to install Google Sidebar - we're not fans of programs, especially paid programs, trying to install bundled software for a few more dollar$ in the software publisher's pocket no doubt.
2) Features & Ease of Use: F-Secure's user-interface is outdated and not very user-friendly. Its options are simplistic, even when using the Advanced Settings. Overall the user-interface is in need of a major update. Besides virus protection, F-Secure also protects against Spyware, Worms, Rootkits, and other Malware like most every good Antivirus program does these days. However, F-Secure Antivirus doesn't prevent attacks from Hackers like some Antivirus programs do - such as Norton Antivirus. 3) PERFORMANCE 3a) Virus Scanner: F-Secure Anti-Virus 2009 has several virus scan options - Scan Target, Scan Hard Drives, Full Computer Check, Quick Malware Scan, and Quick Rootkit Scan. A full scan of our test computer with 70 GB of used space on its hard-drive took just over 61 minutes, which was the 6th-fastest virus scanner we tested in this year - just slightly below average. A Quick Malware Scan took just over 3 minutes (187s). F-Secure installs with its Scheduled Scanning disabled - which should be enabled for added protection. This may not seem like a big deal, but most users will never adjust their antivirus program's options, so this will leave them with a less-secure computer than they should have. Updates: Our testing showed that F-Secure updated its virus definitions on average 4.5 times per day, which was about average (#5 of 10 programs tested), but it was considerably less than Norton which updated on average 242 times per day. 3b) System Resource Usage:  F-Secure AntiVirus was the second-worst program in our System Resource Usage Testing this year. View the results of the Antivirus tests we performed below...
3c) Effectiveness: 
4) Help & Support: F-Secure offers its support via an online Knowledgebase (although not very extensive), Email Support, and Toll-Free Phone Support. We tested their Email support and they responded with a good answer 4.5 hours later. Besides F-Secure's not very extensive Knowledgebase, one other draw-back of their support is that they try to forward you to their resellers if you made your purchase through one - resellers often give sub-par support. On top of all these concerns, F-Secure also doesn't offer Chat support which can be valuable in certain circumstances. CONCLUSION: F-Secure isn't the most well-known of Antivirus vendors, and from our testing there isn't any reason to give its antivirus software a try. F-Secure's user-interface is dated, its virus scanner barely average in terms of speed, its System Resource Usage sluggish (2nd-worst overall), and its Effectiveness average at best. Nothing about F-Secure stood out above its competition - one of the most disappointing Antivirus reviews we've done this year.
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F-Secure Software Description:
Advanced Virus Protection for Your Online LifeWith F-Secure Anti-Virus 2009, you can use your PC without worrying about virus infections, spyware intrusion or other malicious programs taking over your computer. F-Secure 2009 has been designed to automate the key tasks required to keep your computer and data safe from viruses. It's so easy - just install & forget it!
DeepGuard 2.0 – Protects Your Computer Against the Unknown
Fast-spreading hidden attacks designed by money-driven online criminals are a major problem on the Internet. F-Secure AntiVirus 2009 comes with DeepGuard 2.0 technology that automatically protects you against anything that might be a sign of danger in your computer. The new version also introduces instant recognition of both safe and potentially bad software which makes the technology virtually unnoticeable and more accurate than ever.
Protect your Privacy with Anti-spyware
Spyware can secretly track your surfing habits and profile your shopping preferences. It can even hijack your web browser or abuse your Internet connection by sending data to a third party. F-Secure protects your privacy by detecting and removing such software from your computer.
The Fastest Protection with Automatic Updates
Antivirus software is only as good as the capability of antivirus software manufacturer to provide a timely update for new virus outbreaks. F-Secure Anti-Virus Research Team updates virus definition databases several times a day to ensure that customers have 24-hour protection against new, fast-spreading viruses.
Protection Against Unknown Threats and Rootkits
Modern malware can break into your computer even if you have up-to-date security components installed. F-Secure DeepGuard detects and prevents any suspicious activity that might indicate a danger in your computer. Rootkits are also detected and removed.
Scans E-mail and Web Traffic
POP3, IMAP and SMTP traffic are scanned for viruses so that you do not have to worry about infected e-mails. Web Traffic Scanning protects you against web sites that can infect your computer even if you do not download anything from them.
Easy to Install and Use
F-Secure AntiVirus 2009 is extremely easy to install and use. As the software is highly automated, you do not have to understand the complexities of PC security.
The Fastest Protection Against Virus Outbreaks
Immediate reaction times and fast removal during new and emerging threats ensured by F-Secure Research Team working 24 hours a day.
Security News
Get information about new viruses and their behavior immediately, as well as the instructions on how to avoid the infection and a confirmation whether your computer is already protected against the latest threat.
