McAfee has been one of the most trusted names in anti-virus software for years, and in February 2010 the company released the newest version of its McAfee Internet Security 2010 software. Let's look at the major features as well as improvements (and weaknesses) of McAfee's latest offering in the battle against computer viruses, spam, spyware, malware, and more.
Anti-Virus Software Plus a Whole Lot More
The primary tool in McAfee Internet Security is the scanning function, which searches a computer for viruses and other harmful files. Options include quick scans (which scan the common folders and locations where viruses are downloaded) and full scans (which scan all folders and files).
Quick scans take 10-15 minutes to run, while full scans take 30-45 minutes. Once the scan is complete, McAfee displays the results as far as viruses or spyware found and removed. The security software destroys viruses and spyware as well as more exotic malicious code such as keyloggers, Trojans, and rootkits.
McAfee antivirus software has scored well in independent studies for its anti-virus capabilities, which are the real strength of McAfee Internet Security 2010. Since the scans (especially full scans) can slow down system performance, use the scheduling tools to run scans regularly when the computer is otherwise idle.
Parental Controls Software Added to McAfee Internet Security
McAfee has bulked up its Internet Security 2010 software to include additional tools to protect computer owners. Parental controls give parents the option to block certain Web sites on family computers, as well as to limit how long the Internet can be accessed.
Parents can also match the protection to the age of their children, opening up certain Web sites and content when children are more mature. The parental controls include the ability to limit the use of certain applications like instant messaging or social networking sites.
The parental controls aren't as robust as other McAfee products such as McAfee Family Protection, but they do provide basic protection.
Surf the Web Safely with McAfee SiteAdvisor
McAfee has also added its SiteAdvisor technology to McAfee Internet Security 2010. SiteAdvisor warns in real-time when surfing Web sites with malicious code lurking, preventing virus infections from ever occurring in the first place.
The security software also includes a robust firewall that protects against any network attacks, adding a further layer of protection. McAfee Internet Security 2010 comes with a home network management tool that shows what PCs and laptops are protected (up to 3 computers can be protected) in addition to PC optimization tools.
Free Online Data Backup
Another new feature in the McAfee Internet Security 2010 edition is up to 1 GB of free online data storage. Important files (including spreadsheets, Word documents, and photos) can be safely stored on McAfee's servers. In the event of a hard drive crash, theft, or fire, all content that is stored can easily be accessed and downloaded.
It's not as robust as other offsite backup software offerings (and the 1GB cap can easily be reached), but it does offer protection for select files and data. It can also be used as a rudimentary file sync tool, as stored files can be accessed and downloaded via a Web browser onto any computer with an Internet connection.
McAfee Internet Security 2010 Wrap-Up
McAfee Internet Security 2010 is a solid choice for protecting computers against common Internet threats such as viruses, spyware, and more. The software comes with a built-in firewall as well as tools for parental controls, online data backup, and safer Web surfing.
For users looking for complete protection in a simple, user-friendly interface, McAfee Internet Security 2010 is a great choice. It's designed to be a "set-it-and-forget-it" solution for computer security and it fills that role quite capably.
Seth Shafer - Seth Shafer is a freelance writer who's written about nearly every topic under the sun, including house flipping, patio furniture, ...
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