Panda Internet Security 2008 Overview

Panda software 2008 is a complex internet security software package. In addition to the basic protection against viruses, it also features an anti-spyware and an anti-phishing tool that are meant to maximize the security of your computer and keep spyware, adware and malware at bay, as well as protect personal information from phishing. Panda Internet Security 2008 also offers Wi-Fi access detection, and backup and optimization utilities.

Panda Internet Security 2008 Weakest Points

Let us start with the disadvantages of Panda Internet Security 2008. Its user interface cannot be called very user-friendly, as it has no colorful buttons, firewall settings are hard to find for an inexperienced user, but once you set up all the options as needed, the interface is concise and easy to navigate about.

As far as ICSA and West Coast Labs certifications is concerned, Panda has them both, but a lot of security portals do not recommend Panda as the company has always been a little reticent about participating in the better-known antivirus surveys.

It's not particularly quick. Even when leaving default options for heuristics as turned off, it takes half an hour to check 60 GB of files on a desktop PC, and over 31 minutes to check a laptop. If you turn heuristics off to try and eliminate unknown or otherwise unseen threats, the scan will last additional five minutes. However, the quality of scanning is very good indeed.

Panda Internet Security 2008 price is not so competitive. E.g., it is a more expensive security package than BitDefender Total Security 2008. However, it is still considerably cheaper than Norton 360. For thrifty users Panda Internet Security 2008 also comes in a six-month and yearly versions.

Panda Internet Security 2008 Strongest Points

Now, let us point out the strongest points of Panda Internet Security 2008. This software has a new and much improved virus engine that is claimed to show such a high detection rate as BitDefender and Kaspersky. It now includes special Panda's TotalScan technology that is effective even during the install procedure when Panda does the pre-installation scan.

Panda Internet Security 2008 firewall is also a very reliable tool to use. If you read much about firewalls you may know that firewalls are disliked for their obtrusive behavior, but sometimes it is better to sacrifice a moment to click "Deny" than lose hours or days trying to restore the information you lose due to a hacker's attack. Panda's firewall is perfect at working out what applications should and should not be allowed, thus minimizing your participation in the process.

Panda Internet Security 2008 is capable of examining your system and listing your PC vulnerabilities. After all weak points of the system have been detected, they can be fixed by the software or it teaches you what should be done in order to eliminate them. This is quite helpful as it enhances the firewall feature.

Panda Internet Security 2008: What Could Be Better

Panda Internet Security 2008 parental control features possess basic functionality and are quite functional, but they definitely lack advanced scheduling, remote configuration and notification capabilities. Besides, the "Optimized PC Performance" tools aren't really a great improvement on those packaged with Vista. The built-in data backup feature may be helpful, but you can also find better free alternatives on the Internet that can cope with this task. As for Wi-Fi protection, it easily detects any attempt to connect to your computer via wireless connection, but seems to be a little overactive. If you have connection encryption turned on, the safety level will not be much increased by this feature.

Panda Internet Security 2008: Verdict

Panda Internet Security 2008 presents a complete complex internet security package. The main components Panda can be proud of are firewall and antivirus facilities that are the core features for any security software. Here, Panda shows very good detection rates and unobtrusive firewall behavior. Its ability to detect system vulnerabilities is also impressive.

A number of the components like parental control, backup, and PC optimization, make an impression, but could be much better provided they had advanced functionality, but that can be easily improved with free software and web services available over the Internet.

Among the competition, Panda may only be a little inferior to BitDefender (especially given the pricing), but this is now a genuinely competitive solution that ensures genuine competition for the leading internet security software companies.