CA Internet Security Suite 2009 Review

Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 11:53
Software
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CA Internet Security Suite 2009 is definitely not the best internet security suite. The software installation might frustrate an average person as it takes lot of time and you need to enter loads of information, create passwords. Its sluggish performance and uninspiring user interface will definitely direct your attention towards faster Internet Security suites. The technical support offered by CA is a complete package and seems to be the best offered by any internet security suite.

You need to pay $79.99 and you can install the product on five PC’s. The suite runs on Windows 2000 and XP. What if you have Windows Vista? The tedious process of installation requires you to enter your name, address and e-mail even if you have activation code. You need to scroll down the whole EULA whether you read it or not that up to you. If you choose to install parental controls then you need to provide additional passwords and e-mail addresses.

Features

The suite offers all the basic features like antivirus, antiphishing, antispam, antispyware and personal firewall. The more advanced features include Parental controls, back and recover utilities, safeguards to protect system registry, Nome Network Monitor, Internet Threat Reports.

Performance

The antiphishing features is very slow as Internet Explorer and Firefox phishing filters can catch the page before the $79 internet suite. CA Internet Security Suite is dead slow in scanning the computer as compared to other suites. Moreover the boot time is slowest with 46.7 seconds, 15 seconds slower than the McAfee Internet Security 2009.

Support

The only thing that seems to be good with this software is the support provided the CA. The technical support is better than any other competitor. A flash based Getting Started tour is worth going through. An automated support technician, named “Casey”, helps you to solve the problems. In addition to that, there is also an online chat, a community form, e-mail and telephone support at $19.95 per incident. However, Norton and Trend Micro offer a free telephone support.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that as every other product has improved and sped up, the CA has slowed down. The sluggish performance of CA Internet Security suite is not acceptable.