The useful Steganos AntiSpam works with your e-mail client to effectively sort out undesired e-mails and delete them, and identifies spam that's "phishing" for personal data. When you first use the program, it offers a helpful wizard to configure it to work with your e-mail client. Interestingly, during installation, the program says that the anti-spam programs used by many commercial e-mail providers offer adequate protection, which somewhat renders Steganos AntiSpam superfluous.
As the name implies, Steganos AntiSpyware protects your computer from spyware, system monitors, Trojan horses, adware, and cookies. It "sweeps" your computer to look for threats and reports its findings to let you decide whether to quarantine and remove the offending item or keep it.
Finally, Steganos AntiDialer protects against 0190 and 0900 dial-ups — malicious programs that hijack your internet dial-up program and make it call costly premium lines. Of course, this utility is only applicable if you're using a dial-up internet connection. The program works, but if you connect to the internet via DSL or cable, you will have no use for this program.
The Workings
Steganos Internet Security installs quickly and easily. Interestingly, you can't install all the programs at once, probably due to the fact that many will have no need for AntiDialer. As a result, you have to install the programs one by one. The programs feature solid help files and the interfaces are intuitive and easy to use.
Compared against the competition, Norton Internet Security costs $20 more (almost 40%) than Steganos. And beyond Steganos, on paper, Norton offers features that prevent ads from appearing, provide security for Instant Messaging, and allow parents to block their children's access to certain web sites.
On its website, competitor McAfee offers an Internet Security Suite that seemingly contains programs that are more comparable to those found in Norton Internet Security. However, when one tries to purchase "McAfee Internet Security," one is led to a page where the individual programs are sold. Purchased individually, the programs, together, cost far more than the price of either Norton or Steganos Internet Security.
While it doesn't carve a true niche for itself, Steganos Internet Security 2006 offers a viable and competent security package that is mostly comparable to those from the better known companies. And it's available at a lower price. As a result, it's definitely worth your consideration.
Steganos Internet Security 2006 has a list price of $49.95.
Pros: Easy to use, various products cover the basics, inexpensive compared to the competition (Norton and McAfee Internet Suites)
Cons: Doesn''t stand out from other security programs, doesn''t offer as many advanced features as the competition
