Panda Platinum Internet Security
Threat-Proof Protection From Both the Known and Unknown Faster Than a Speeding Bullet
That's an apt description of the latest viruses. Nasties like Sasser, Netsky, and MyDoom can spread almost instantly, infecting thousands of computers in the blink of an eye. That's a problem, since most anti-virus programs must be trained to recognize a new virus before they can stop it.
Panda Software claims to have a solution, with a new technology that can detect and block even unknown viruses without having to wait for updates to its virus database. Known as TruPrevent, the technology is integrated into Panda's leading security products: Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005 and Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005.
These are not the least expensive security solutions on the market. The antivirus product costs $30 for six months of service and $110 for three years of service, while the internet security suite costs $50 and $180 for the respective levels of service. On the other hand, each product offers a breadth of features that outstrips many of its less expensive competitors.
The antivirus program, for example, will update its virus definitions automatically every day. Other programs may update every few days or may require user intervention before launching an update. This automatic and frequent update feature helps make Panda's product especially easy to use.
Panda Antivirus also uses minimal resources during its virus scans. In addition to seeking out viruses, it additionally searches for spyware, dialers, and other malicious programs.
The TruPrevent technology gives the product its distinguishing feature. The ability to catch previously undefined viruses undoubtedly is something we will be seeing more of in the near future. In bringing such a feature to market early on, Panda has given itself a significant edge over the competition.
Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005
Bigger in scale and beefier in its capabilities, Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005 delivers more comprehensive protection in a single product offering. Viruses, hackers, spam, phishing scams, spyware, all threats fall under its umbrella.
The breadth of defensive tactics here is impressive. In addition to antivirus, firewall, and hacking prevention capabilities, the program is also designed to block phishing expeditions and promises to nuke junk mail. It can also be set to filter Web content if desired, restricting access to Webmail accounts, online shopping, pornography, and so forth. It promises to block adware, spyboots, keyloggers, and dialers. (If that list sounds cryptic, just think: Bad guys.)
The Platinum Internet Security product also incorporates the TruPrevent technology for faster antivirus response.
All that being said, it's also worth nothing that a lot of people aren't overly thrilled with these products.
A sample of online user comments: "Even with heuristics enabled, it didn't detect the Trojans we'd already managed to install" ... "Once you install you will never be able to uninstall it completely; It still haunts my registry!" ... "It sounds impressive, and it would be if it worked. But, in fact the problem with Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005 is that it doesn't work..."
Our evaluation of the Panda products confirmed at least one of these issues. In our testing of the products, despite our best efforts we were completely unable to remove one of the products (Platinum Internet Security) on a test machine, which prevented us from loading and running Titanium AntiVirus on that machine.
Obviously, different users will have different experiences based on their system configurations and other factors, but clearly there are some concerns about the overall reliability of these products.
Most troubling, though, is Panda's abysmal reputation for customer support. The company boasts of tech support being available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But the company, which is based in Spain, is notoriously hard to reach. While there is a solid online database of support information, users complain that it is virtually impossible to connect with an actual support person. When we tried to find contact information on Panda's Web site, we got an error message stating "viewstate is invalid." Hardly an encouraging sign.
Despite such reservations, Panda continues to draw attention, due in large measure to its TruPrevent Technologies, which remains the products' most intriguing selling point. While it's tough to gauge its effectiveness (you never know for sure what it isn't catching), nonetheless, there surely is something compelling in the prospect of an antivirus defense that can act even before an update has been issued.
