F-Secure Internet Security 2013 review

Many anti-virus products deluge the user with a barrage of features and options, but F-Secure takes a much less aggressive approach with its flagship Internet Security 2013 software.

A small control console appears just above the Windows taskbar. This has three sections, one for Computer Security, one for Online Safety and the last has links to the F-Secure web and various support and reporting options. The whole menu interface is unfussy and workmanlike, with simple explanations.

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The help system is always at hand, although it is a little sparse. Luckily, users shouldn't need to consult it that often as the program is very easy to understand. Advanced settings are fairly limited, which may deter those who like to fine-tune settings, but for most users it is probably a blessing.

Simple toggle switches allow each component to be turned on or off, and a huge red cross appears on the interface if the virus protection or firewall is turned off. Annoyingly, there's no ‘fix everything' button, though. The firewall component is actually just a front end for the Windows Firewall, which isn't made clear in the specifications. Although this is great for users of Windows Vista, 7 and 8 which have good built-in firewalls, this does mean XP users get a poor deal.

The program includes spam and phishing protection, but there are no other extras or tools apart from the Online Safety module. This can block users from accessing the internet at certain times of day, or blocked from specific websites and/or content types. It is easy to use, but offers little that can't be found in free products such as Microsoft's Family Safety.

Scans are very quick at just over a minute on our test PC) and memory usage only went up from 20MB to 70MB while scanning. Scans can be scheduled, although this is turned off by default, and the frequency of checking for updates can't be changed from the default ‘several times a day'.

F-Secure Internet Security 2013 is a simple, basic program that anyone should be able to use and it is one of the cheapest commercial products for those that have just one PC.