Panda 2008: Staying on Top of the Internet Security Scene Rounding Out an Already Competent Internet Security Suite Adam Stone
The stakes run ever higher in internet security, as the black hats get more creative and more pernicious by the day. With its latest releases, Panda Software continues to impress.
Panda Antivirus 2008, Panda Antivirus+Firewall 2008, and Panda Internet Security 2008 claim to tackle many modern ailments, building on the software maker's existing reputation for effectiveness while bringing to the table a number of new features.
New this year in Antivirus+Firewall is an in-depth online scanning feature. Should anything slip past the front line of defenses, a periodic deep scan should detect and delete the threat.
Also new is an automated backup system that aims to safeguard files against accidental loss or damage. As part of its internet security package, Panda offers this remedy in case of loss due to accidental deletion, hard drive problems, or other causes. This feature will back up selected files on hard disk, CD, DVD, or an external drive. Backup isn't really within Panda's core competency (security) and it isn't hard to find elsewhere, but the capability does make for a nice extra once you've paid for the security package.
The same might be said for other new features, such as systems optimization. Panda Internet Security 2008 helps fix slow or erratic performance with ready access to cleanup tools (removing cookies, temporary files, items in the recycle bin, etc.) and defragmentation capabilities.
In other nice but non-essential enhancements, Panda is offering parental controls, as well as 12 months of free 1 GB storage space to back up important documents.
Frankly, we don't see the point of any of this. Free storage, parental controls, optimization, data backup: What does any of this have to do with viruses and firewalls? All of these tools are readily available elsewhere and many extremely potent versions can be had for free.
Seeing Panda tack on such extras makes us wonder whether the software maker is perhaps hitting the bottom of the barrel in terms of substantive enhancements. Likely we will have to wait for the next round of changes to see whether Panda still has more meat to put on the table.
For the time being, however, it is true that Panda has also beefed up some of the more relevant aspects of its spyware and virus stalking capabilities. In addition to a larger signature file and WiFi security, the 2008 products also boast increased efficiency in behavioral detection, along with new rootkit location and disinfection technology.
The Antivirus+Firewall edition costs $50 a year, while Panda Internet Security sells for $70 per year.
