bit-tech Shopping: Panda Software Internet Security 2007

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows 98 SE
• Microsoft Windows ME
• Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
• Microsoft Windows XP

Rating: 10

Time with product: 8 Weeks

Strengths: TruPrevent technology blocks malware based on behavior before signature is available; lean.

Weaknesses: Weak spyware.

Summary: Panda Internet Security 2007 stands out from the crowded internet security suite market by offering the TruPrevent technology which blocks malware based on behavior before its signature is available. As such, any malicious program whether it is a known Trojan or a brand-new threat, will be blocked by Panda Internet Security. This feature is crucial to save your PC system when the next zero-day attack arrives. I notice that Panda Internet Security does not take up much of the system resources as another competitive product. So it could be run smoothly in any PC systems, slow and fast alike, without hijacking your CPU processing power. Highly recommended.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Appears to be able to block out most threats.

Weaknesses: Bogs down the computer.

Summary: I bought this software free after rebates. The installation was easy, but the user interface could be better. After installation, there's a noticeable drop in computer speed, and scanning the whole system takes forever. It appears to be able to isolate threats, but it doesn't get automatically updated normally sometimes.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Does the job of blocking security threats, covers up to 3 computers

Weaknesses: Slows down computer speed, system scanning is slow

Summary: Panda Internet Security is adequate in blocking security threats and offers adequate protection. It can be installed in 3 computers. Installation procedures are quite user-friendly. Although not as resource-draining as Mcafee or Norton, it still consumes considerable computer resource of the system. Also it takes too long to scan the whole system compared to Kaspersky or Avast.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Seems to protect adequately when working properly.

Weaknesses: Auto update does not work well with Microsoft ME. Must uninstall and perform frequent fresh installs.

Summary: Users of MS98 and ME have limited choices for Internet protection since MS no longer supports with updates. The Panda IS 2007 version appears to have some bugs when used with these OS's.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Good at detecting hostile programs

Weaknesses: Slows PC boot speed

Summary: Panda Internet Security isn't as well known as other products but is a good program. I loaded it onto my PC and it found quite a few things that the free programs I had been using missed. My computer did seem slower starting up but I am more than happy to trade startup speed for greater security.