In October this year, consumers will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the latest version of F-Secure Internet Security, FSIS 2007. The latest version will have a number of remarkable new and revised features helping to maintain its pole position in the provision of reliable data security for home and small office.
The main new features of F-Secure Internet Security 2007 include:- System Control 2.0 (HIPS) to offer first class defence against zero-day attacks
- Improved Spyware protection with the integration of a Kaspersky spyware engine
- Improved Spam control
- E-mail based Anti-Phishing (detection capability updated through AV database updates)
- Web Traffic Scanning (HTTP scanning)
- Upgraded Parental Control user profiles plus new whitelisting category
Overall, F-Secure Internet Security 2007 has improved use of system resources thanks to major changes to its architecture. As a result the number of running processes is smaller and the focus on performance gives added protection without impacting on system resources. Installation has also been redesigned for ease of use and reliability, and provides added guidance for users installing the product for the first time. Database update mechanisms have also been updated to provide greater control and service over database update delivery and minimize the use of network bandwidth for the user.
The user interface has also been harmonized and fine-tuned. As a visible result of this, there are added improvements to controlling lists (tooltips for text in lists, sorting the lists and accelerator selection keys), a fade in/out effect for several main GUI elements and moving GUI elements to better present the information to users. Also, to reflect the preponderance of Windows as the de facto operating system for most consumers, there is improved support for Windows XP visual themes in the Graphic User Interface. User interface elements have also been adjusted to better support Windows XP themes and changing the visual appearance also changes user interface elements to create a more seamless user experience.
DeepGuard protects against zero day threats
One of the most significant feature level upgrades is the new System Control application based on Host-based Intrusion Prevention. This has been introduced to replace system control, browser control and application launch and manipulation control to provide zero-day protection against unknown malware based on suspicious behaviour. The new application called DeepGuard allows for various profiles to tailor the level of warnings and control for the user, providing good protection even with its default settings. To understand more about this feature go to the article in the technical section of this edition of Protected.
Improved Integrated Anti-Spyware
Spyware has become an increasing burden to computer users. In recognition of this, F-Secure has added another spyware engine solution to enable improved detection rates while ensuring the removal capabilities are as good as before. The integration has been enhanced to include target scanning, in addition to real-time scanning and manual system scans. Improvements also include the ability to find hidden spyware thanks to the integrated F-Secure Blacklight rootkit scanning functionality. Quarantine feature has been expanded to also include viruses and other malware that have been identified. The overall look-and-feel of quarantine has been adjusted to provide clearer instructions on its use and purpose.
Web Traffic Scanning
Web traffic is a typical entry port for malware. Most recently, malware concealed in website images have been shown to exploit vulnerabilities in Microsoft applications. With a new web scanning feature in F-Secure Internet Security 2007, web traffic can be scanned for viruses and the file content blocked from reaching the user system at protocol level. Web traffic scanning is based upon the same traffic filtering technology (LSP, Layered Service Provider) available for filtering as with Parental Control. Scanning of all files has been enabled as the default setting for real-time scanning, in order to improve the product's protection against malware.
Death to spam
Email has become such an inseparable feature of any computer that blocking the interference from spammers and unwanted phishing attempts is essential. Accordingly, F-Secure Internet Security 2007 boasts improved spam detection and performance thanks to an upgraded engine version. As a result, F-Secure Internet Security 2007 is significantly better able to identify spam, even without Realtime Blackhole Lists (RBL). In addition, with improved performance, the reception of emails becomes more fluent. Anti-phishing for emails is available as an extension to spam control. Phishing emails are separately categorized and with integrations for Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, automatically moved to appropriate mail folders for processing.
Putting parents back in control
In the latest version of F-Secure Internet Security 2007, there are now three different Parental Control Profiles: Child (Only white listed sites), Teenager (Content Based Filtering) and Parent (Full Access). The Whitelisted sandbox represents those sites that have been pre-defined by parents for their children to view. Anything falling outside of these is automatically blocked thus preventing children accidentally or willingly accessing sites of dubious content. As in last year's version of F-Secure Internet Security, teenagers' access to the Internet can be limited according to content based predefinitions. As before, parents can also exercise their discretion over the time used by their children on the Internet using the Time Lock feature.
Speaking about the new product, Product Marketing Manager Velde Vainio said: "Consumers have a right to data security products that offer them protection at every possible level and interaction with the online world. We believe at F-Secure that the latest version of F-Secure Internet Security 2007 incorporates world class features and will set the standard for all other data security products serving the home and small office segment.
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