PC Tools Internet Security 2010 – Layered Malware Defenses in a Box

It’s now more difficult than ever, to enjoy the benefits of the Internet as it was designed to be experienced. Unfortunately, the present Internet is a world that is full of cyber criminals, scam and fraud artists, and worse. A world that reeks of tainted search engine results, malware infected legitimate websites, drive-by downloads and bogus security software.

Regular readers of Tech Thoughts are familiar with this advice: “To ensure maximum safety on the Internet, it’s important to have layered defenses in the ongoing fight against malware”.

For example, layered defenses on one of my home Windows 7 machines, until recently, consisted of the following PC Tools free applications – Firewall  Plus, ThreatFire, Spyware Doctor , and Free AntiVirus. So, when I was given the opportunity to test drive PC Tools Internet Security 2010, which combines all of these antimalware tools, I jumped at the chance.

I’ve been testing PC Tools Internet Security 2010 since early December 2009, in order to get to the heart of the matter – does this application work in the “real world?”

I’m pleased to report that PC Tools Internet Security 2010 does work in the “real world”. By combining the highly regarded technologies of Spyware Doctor, a highly efficient Firewall, an antivirus engine, and ThreatFire’s heuristic detection engine, PC Tools has built a suite of applications that provides powerful Anti-Spyware, Anti-Virus, Firewall and Spam protection.

Experience has taught me that typical computer users require a simple, intuitive, and easy to use interface in order to get the most out of a security suite, and PC Tools Internet Security provides that. The application is straightforward to setup, customize and run as the following graphics illustrate.

You’ll notice that the install applet recognized existing PC Tools software already on the test machine.

Fast facts:

Built on a modular architecture which utilizes a diverse range of Windows PC internet security tools that detect, block and remove threats attempting to compromise your PC.

ThreatFire Behavioral Intelligence features next-generation technology to block new threats faster than traditional signature methods.

Advanced rootkit detection technology identifies and removes hidden threats from your PC.

Multi-layered browsing protection against web-based attacks, including phishing attempts, rogueware scare tactics and silent drive-by downloads, using a combination of reactive blacklists and proactive dynamic content analysis technologies.

• Site Guard blocks you from visiting potentially unsafe or phishing websites and from downloading threats through your browser, IM or email.
• Cookie Guard automatically removes potentially malicious tracking and advertising cookies.
• Browser Guard stops ‘drive-by’ downloads of fake AV or malicious files from compromised or exploit websites.

Constant real-time IntelliGuard prevents known and new malware threats before they can install and cause any harm to your PC. IntelliGuard monitors for malicious activity involving spyware processes, viral activity, tracking cookies, suspicious ActiveX objects, browser hijackers, keyloggers, Trojans and more.

Intelli-Scan swiftly hunts and kills active spyware threats – utilizes patent-pending spider scanning technology to quickly identify and remove threats.

Automated Firewall to defend against cybercriminals seeking to gain access to your PC. It analyses network traffic and makes intelligent automatic decisions for you to reduce annoying alerts.

Advanced spam filtering utilizes intuitive Windows PC internet security tools to detect spam and effectively block phishing, unsolicited and malware emails.

Includes AntiSpam toolbars for popular email clients including Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird.

State Awareness Modes intuitively detect how you are using your PC and adjust to minimize performance impact and reduce interruptions.

• Game Mode automatically detects your PC switching into full-screen mode for games, movies or presentations and ensures an uninterrupted experience.
• Idle Mode automatically runs resource intensive tasks when your PC is not in use.
• Power Saving Mode postpones power-intensive tasks until your laptop is plugged in, extending battery life.

Protection Statistics Report informs you of how PC Tools has protected your PC over the last 30 days.

24/7 Support available.

PC Tools Internet Security 2010 , which is available in 14 languages, offers all of the protection that a top notch anti-malware suite should, in an easy installation package leading to a “dead simple” interface, and then does what it sets out to do – protects the user efficiently, against the epidemic of malware and additional dangers circulating on the Internet waiting to trap the under protected, and the unaware.

System requirements: Microsoft Windows 7 (32bit, 64bit), Windows Vista SP1+ (32bit, 64bit), Windows XP SP2+ (32bit)

You may buy PC Tools Internet Security 2010, ($59.95 direct, for three licenses), or you may download a free, limited, trial version , at PC Tools.

Please note that the trial version offers time unlimited real-time protection (free threat blocking), but does not remove threats detected during on-demand scans.

As part of Tech Thoughts “Stay Safe on the Internet campaign”, PC Tools has generously provided us with 10 free licenses for PC Tools Internet Security 2010, (retail value $59.95 U.S.).

To enter the contest to win a free license, simply add a comment at the end of this article. On January 29, 2010, all comments will be added to the online List Randomizer, and the first 10 names that come up, will win a free license for this award winning security application.

As with previous contests, you don’t need to write a paragraph – “enter me in the contest” is enough. Good luck!

Note: We are currently running an additional contest for 10 free licenses for Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, (retail value $49.95 U.S.), which closes on January 15, 2010. To get your entry in for this contest, checkout “Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus 2010 – Free License Giveaway”, on this site.

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