Review: Tesco Internet Security

Hot on the heels of Tesco Complete Office, Tesco Internet Security is a low-priced alternative to the likes of Norton Internet Security comprising virus protection, a firewall, spam blocking and spyware protection.

Web content control is an additional feature that enables parents to monitor and restrict children’s online habits and block unsuitable content. A phishing filter is also present to help avoid unscrupulous websites while an additional component enables you to specify private data, which should be prevented from being broadcast.

Things start well right from the point of installation with both a memory scan and optional complete file scan, ensuring that the system is clean before the setup is complete.

Once up and running, automatic updates ensure protection against the latest viruses and spyware threats, and heuristic detection in the form of Truprevent helps to block unknown threats by monitoring for suspicious activity.

The highly configurable firewall can take over from Windows XP’s built-in offering, and it’s easy to specify which programs should be allowed internet access. Spam filtering works well, but can produce a large number of false positives unless time is spent creating an exhaustive white list of email addresses.

When it comes to filtering web content for individual users, there are a number of preset profiles to choose from, but these can be customised and added to as required. To prevent other users from making unwanted changes to settings, it is possible to password-protect program configuration so that only authorised users can access the necessary screens.

As with other Tesco software, Internet Security is a rebranded package – Panda software in this case – and in practice this simply results in a lower price and therefore better value for money.

Also consider:
PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007
Protect a home network from all manner of online threats

McAfee Total Protection 2007
A suite offering full security both on and offline

Grisoft AVG Internet Security
Full internet security package from Grisoft

All anti-virus and firewall reviews

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