Entered CNET Catalog: 10/28/2003
SKU: FSSHCMUL
Manufacturer: F-Secure Corp.
Manufacturer description
F-Secure SSH Client consists of three integrated components. F-Secure SSH Terminal provides the user with secure login connections over unknown or untrusted networks. F-Secure SSH Tunnel enables secure tunneling of Internet protocol services like email and web browsing. F-Secure SSH File Transfer provides a secure method for file transfers over insecure networks. F-Secure SSH Client authenticates server and encrypts traffic between the client and server.Product summary
The good: Scans hard drives quickly and with minimal system drag; includes a firewall; checks inbound and outbound e-mail; improved interface.
The bad: Designed for networked environments only; won't perform postinstall system scan unless you configure it to do so.
The bottom line: This speedy virus blocker is a solid choice for small or medium-size businesses. Home users, look to Trend Micro's PC-cillin 2004 instead.
Average user rating: 
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/05/2003
 The F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security main screen provides an easy-to-read snapshot of your PC's protection level. |
AVCS's interface easily beats that of Sophos Anti-Virus and rivals those of industry leaders NAVP and MVP in the ease-of-use department. The main screen shows the current status of your PC's security, with green check-mark or yellow exclamation-point icons indicating whether everything is fine or adjustments are needed. Compared with F-Secure Anti-Virus for Windows 2003, the company's desktop antivirus program, AVCS makes scheduling scans and configuring system settings a breeze. Simply click the Virus Protection icon to access a list of setup options.
The firewall component is integrated within the main interface and is easy to configure--a boon for traveling or telecommuting workers who need to tweak their security settings. One gripe: the firewall's Application Control interface doesn't lead you through the process of adding or removing Internet-accessing applications; rather, you must browse the hard drive yourself to find the appropriate executable files.
All in all, however, the AVCS interface is nicely done. F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security, thanks to its integrated firewall, provides a security shield superior to those offered by Sophos Anti-Virus, Norton AntiVirus 2004, or McAfee VirusScan 8.0, none of which provides built-in firewall protection. Like its competitors, AVCS also scans both POP3 and SMTP and inbound and outbound e-mail attachments for viruses and worms. (In Sophos, inbound and outbound scanning is an optional plug-in.)
 F-Secure Client includes a firewall that alerts you when it detects an intrusion attempt. |
AVCS keeps up with the big boys in other areas, too. Its real-time scanner inspects attachments downloaded from chat applets, as do NAVP and MVP, but not Sophos Anti-Virus. AVCS also delves inside zipped and other compressed archives, but only if you activate this feature, which is turned off by default. Scheduled and manual scans, however, do automatically check compressed files.
The scanner performs unattended daily, weekly, or monthly scans at whatever times you specify. It also has the unique ability to scan during slow periods, such as when your PC has been inactive for five minutes. This handy feature is ideal for lunchtime or lengthy work meetings, particularly if you plan to turn off your PC after work. In CNET Labs tests, F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security caused more system performance drag than Norton AntiVirus 2004 Professional or McAfee Professional 8.0. And F-Secure took longer to scan our 1GB drive than did McAfee or Norton. Here are our test results:
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VirusBulletin has not specifically tested F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security; however, previous versions of F-Secure have been tested on Windows systems 12 times since April 2000, but earned the coveted VB 100 percent award only half of the time. By comparison, Norton AntiVirus has been tested on Windows systems six times since 2000 and passed each time; McAfee VirusScan has been tested and earned the coveted VB 100 percent title only once. Previous versions of F-Secure have also been certified by the independent antivirus testing laboratories at West Coast Checkmark, ICSA Labs, and AV-test.org.
For more details on how we test antivirus apps, see the CNET Labs site. F-Secure provides complimentary, business-hours-only phone and e-mail tech support to its corporate customers Monday through Friday. F-Secure Client Security also provides a link to the company's support site, which has a satisfactory collection of virus definition updates, software upgrades and patches, troubleshooting tips, and the latest virus-related news.
 The F-Secure Support Center provides users with helpful troubleshooting tips, software upgrades, and virus definition updates. |
