Entered CNET Catalog: 06/08/2006
SKU: CNETAOLACTIVESECURITYMONITOR
Manufacturer: America Online, AOL
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/08/2006
Within the interface, click any of the problem areas to see a report of what AOL Active Security Monitor finds wrong with your computer. After AOL Active Security Monitor identifies a problem, click the Improve Score tab to see what you can do to remedy the situation. In many cases, there are links to free services, such as Microsoft Windows Updates and CNET Download.com. A very cool-looking graph displays the relative score of your PC over a period of days, allowing you to see how well you are maintaining your desktop's security. It also provides a detailed report of the current status of your machine. In addition to seeing the history of your security score, you can trace past alerts and see the guidance provided toward making your computer more secure.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
User Rating: 
4/10
annoying as fails to update with your programs
Pros: lets you know when anti-virus shuts off
Cons: Will not review any upgrades like windows xp3 and spyware, I have two programs, it barely acknowledges them. If it can't coordinate itself with your system it's useless.
User Rating: 
5/10
ASM Does Not Recognize XL SP3 Update
Pros: Was Great Until Laatest MS Update for XL
Cons: Does Not Recognize MS XL SP3 Update
User Rating: 
7/10
this program works very well.
Pros: gives agerneral idea of where security needs to inprove on a system
Cons: won't pick up any of my anti spyware programs
User Rating: 4/10
Like having a another rev counter
Pros: It is giid for people who dont have a clue about security
Cons: it is another reason to make your pc/NB even slower
I would not recommend it to anyone other than a pc troglodytes.
User Rating: 
8/10
Needs improvement with network setup and adding backup software. No instruction manual.
Pros: Point out problems, and tries to explain how to fix them.
Cons: Needs a help manual, only looks at it's family to software.
User Rating: 
1/10
useless very useless
Pros: hmm let m thing (20 minutes later)... I know it has a good icon
Cons: every thing... slows down computer dosent do much help and just screwed mine up!
User Rating: 4/10
Not as thorough as it claims
Pros: nice, simple interface
Cons: fails to detect some major programs
The interface is pleasant and so simple, a great-granny could use it. The problem is, what it doesn't do.
In a few seconds it summed up, broke down in to numerous different categories and reported my system security. With two exceptions, it described these as "excellent". One, was Spyware Prevention--which it reported as "poor". It failed to notice, I had ZoneAlarm installed, up-to-date and finely tuned. The other was "PC Utilities"--meaning backup software--which it reported as "good". Why it should be "good" when it didn't find any at all, is a mystery. Add to that, that it failed to find Norton Ghost AND Windows own Backup facility, and you get the picture.
The thing is, as long as you know yourself, what you've got on your system, the rest of what the program reports probably makes it worth using--that is, of course, if the rest of the report is itself accurate. Given the two serious failings mentioned, this is a good question.
A definite "so-so".
User Rating: 
9/10
great tool to see how secure your computer really is!!
Pros: Very easy to install & manage. It also provides links w/ solutions.
Cons: I found no problems!
I can't believe I actually love something from that blah blah AOL. This little thing opened my eyes to a few issues I wasn't aware of..but what I don't understand is how can anyone say it works so slow, etc. Are they serious or does some ppl just like writing hateful things? I've been seeing some very hateful one, two liners on some pretty good products, but anyway I installed this ASM twice & it summed up my score in like 20, 30 seconds. It gets even faster after the 1st time. I just put it on my little neice's new pc to make it fun & easy for her to learn how to take care of it!
User Rating: 4/10
Overlooks installed programs, Gave me a 65 when it was 96
Pros: something to play with
Cons: a wast of time and space
User Rating: 
6/10
ASM bypasses Password
Pros: It points out weaknesses.
Cons: Slows down my system.
BobP
User Rating: 
3/10
Looks good on surface
Pros: one computer says everything Excellent
Cons: other computer Virus only Fair both have same stuff ?
User Rating: 4/10
Shouldn't Download!
Pros: It is a good, but slow program.
Cons: Slows your PC performance in GAME!
- It says i don't have any tuning software(that i have).
- It slows your PC performance!
- I gave it a #4
- It has nice details, Tells you if you have P2P(peer to peer)software.
- My overall thinking said i should have downloaded it.
User Rating: 5/10
Good app, but downloaded it twice & it refuses to update.
Pros: Easy to use, quick download.
Cons: I've downloaded it twice now and neither version will update.
Other than that, I like it far more than the prior security thing they had!
User Rating: 5/10
Better but...
Pros: Now ASM sees my AOL security software
Cons: But can't see yet My XDrive backup
For the rest, it works good and helps me to do the necessary updates when necessary if I forget that. The only point is my file backup programs which works good, however ASM perpetually recommends it strongly!
For the rest, it works good and helps me to do the necessary updates when necessary if I forget that. The only point is my file backup programs which works good, however ASM perpetually recommends it strongly!
User Rating: 1/10
complete waste of memory
Pros: None that I have found
Cons: More like a trojan horse than a utility
User Rating: 
2/10
Useless Product
Pros: Lets you know when files are out of date, sees how secure your system is, easy to use
Cons: Dosen't regonize some programs, wastes some system resources, annoying at times
User Rating: 5/10
helpful as 1 time use
Pros: checks basic coverage
Cons: misses some things,
User Rating: 7/10
A good utility to monitor all your protection.
Pros: Give you a heads-up when programs need updating.
Cons: Not 100% accurate when analyzing your programs.
User Rating: 5/10
Scan time too long
Pros: Basically useful program
Cons: Automatic scan during booting seems interminable
User Rating: 9/10
Thanks to this, my computer is as fast as the day it arrived!
Pros: Makes a quick, but effective scan of your system. It identifies your problems and gives you recommendations to help fix them. It alerts you when your score drops. It is a must-have for pc lovers!
Cons: It is a startup program.
User Rating: 5/10
Good monitor, Does not recognise other firewall and spywares
Pros: Simple to use, diferent monitors, one of its kind, its free
Cons: Doesnot recognise other firewalls and Anti spyware
User Rating: 9/10
Nothing like it
Pros: Very Helpful
Cons: no Con at all ( none )
User Rating: 3/10
BAD BAD BAD
Pros: A LOT OF NICE FEATURES
Cons: IT IS CONFUSSED
THEY ARE ON AND WORKING.BUT IT CAN NOT UNDERSTAND THIS.IT IS STILL TELLING ME THEY ARE NOT.
