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The choice of a security suite is pivotal, particularly when it comes to safeguarding all your essential devices. F-Secure Internet Security offers coverage across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS platforms. While this broad compatibility is commendable, its feature set is relatively modest compared to leading competitors. For instance, Bitdefender Total Security boasts an extensive array of features, including a VPN, spam filter, and firewall. Similarly, Norton 360 Deluxe provides cross-platform security, an unlimited VPN, and cloud storage for backups, making both options more appealing than F-Secure.
How Much Does F-Secure Internet Security Cost?
F-Secure’s pricing begins at .99 per year for a single license, which is comparable to G Data Internet Security and ESET Home Security Essential. This price point is lower than many competitors, although K7 Total Security offers a more economical option at per year. For three licenses, F-Secure charges .99, aligning with ZoneAlarm Extreme. However, for users requiring cross-platform coverage, the five-device subscription at .99 per year presents a more suitable choice.
This pricing is competitive when compared to other top-tier suites. For example, Bitdefender Total Security is priced at 9.99 per year for five licenses, while Norton 360 Deluxe and McAfee Total Protection are available for more. Both Norton and McAfee include five VPN licenses at this level, with Norton also providing 50GB of cloud storage for online backups.
If you need to protect additional devices, F-Secure offers subscriptions for up to 25 licenses, with the 10-license plan priced at .99 per year, which is less than most competitors. The 15-, 20-, and 25-license plans are available for 4.99, 4.99, and 4.99 per year, respectively, making the 25-license option a cost-effective solution at just .20 per license. However, for those needing extensive coverage, McAfee+ at 9.99 per year allows protection on every device in the household, regardless of the operating system.
Getting Started With F-Secure Internet Security
Initiating your journey with F-Secure involves creating a My F-Secure account online, registering your purchase, and downloading the installer. Adding more devices can be done seamlessly through the main program by sending a link via email or text. Alternatively, you can log into My F-Secure on a new device to download the necessary protection.
F-Secure’s interface has evolved over the past decade, transitioning from a static design to a more engaging user experience. The latest version features a cozy illustration of a person relaxing with a hot drink and books, accompanied by various character designs across different screens. This refreshing aesthetic enhances the overall user experience, although the core functionality remains paramount.
Central to the interface are three panels representing Device Protection, Scam Protection, and People & Devices. Clicking on any of these panels leads to corresponding feature pages, such as configuring antivirus settings or launching scans. A simple list on the right displays recent security events, with an option to access the full event log.
F-Secure’s online database effectively identifies known good files, while its real-time antivirus system efficiently eliminates known threats. The behavioral analysis component monitors unknown processes, similar to Webroot Essentials, ensuring that potentially harmful activities are swiftly addressed.
Lab Test Results
Independent laboratories globally assess antivirus solutions, providing fact-based ratings that reflect each product’s capabilities. F-Secure has appeared in recent evaluations from two of these labs, yielding mostly favorable outcomes.
AV-Test Institute rates antivirus tools based on malware protection, performance impact, and usability, with a maximum score of 18 points. In the latest testing round, F-Secure achieved a perfect score of 18 points, joining the ranks of other top contenders like Avast, AVG, and Norton. G Data and K7 followed closely with scores of 17.5, earning the designation of Top Product.
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AV-Comparatives employs a different certification system, awarding a Standard certification for passing tests and Advanced or Advanced+ for exceeding minimum requirements. F-Secure would have received Advanced certification in three tests, but false positives affected one score, resulting in a Standard rating. Competitors like Avast and ESET have achieved Advanced+ ratings across all tests.
To provide a comprehensive overview, an algorithm translates scores from various labs onto a 10-point scale. This analysis yields a solid 9.0 for F-Secure, while AVG scored a perfect 10. Achieving consistent high scores across all labs is challenging, but F-Secure’s presence in multiple reports underscores its significance in the antivirus landscape.
Hands On With F-Secure Internet Security
Upon registering your purchase, F-Secure guides you through the installation process, initially alerting you to any disabled protection features. Activating real-time browser protection is straightforward, and the app assists in installing the scam protection browser extension across major browsers.
During testing, F-Secure demonstrated impressive malware detection capabilities, eliminating 74% of a sample set upon sight. Following this initial detection, the app maintained a high detection rate, achieving a total of 97%. While this score is commendable, several competitors have outperformed F-Secure in similar tests.
F-Secure’s ransomware protection component, part of the DeepGuard system, was not separately tested in the latest edition, leaving some uncertainty regarding its current effectiveness.
Running a Full Scan
After installation, F-Secure prompts users to update antivirus definitions and run a quick scan. Opting for a full scan, however, is advisable. The process is initiated through the Device Protection panel, allowing users to check for updates and submit suspicious files.
While the initial full scan duration was longer than previous reviews, F-Secure’s performance remains competitive within the industry. The app employs a unique circular progress indicator, providing a visually engaging experience during scans.
To ensure ongoing protection, users are encouraged to enable the scheduler for regular full scans, which can be set to daily, weekly, or monthly intervals.
Phishing Protection
F-Secure’s browsing protection extends to phishing sites, aiming to safeguard users from credential theft. In recent tests, F-Secure achieved a commendable 94% detection rate, surpassing built-in browser protections. However, competitors like Norton and Guardio have achieved perfect scores in similar evaluations.
Online Banking Protection
F-Secure automatically activates banking protection when users connect to financial sites, blocking other connections and ensuring a secure environment. The effectiveness of this feature was confirmed during testing, as it successfully restricted access to untrusted sites.
Scam Protection
Beyond basic browsing and banking protections, F-Secure offers additional features such as Shopping Protection and an Ad Blocker. The Shopping Protection feature proactively alerts users to potential scams, enhancing the overall security experience.
Parental Controls
F-Secure’s parental control system requires device configuration to establish child profiles. While it offers time limits and content filtering, the system lacks the granularity found in competitors like Bitdefender or Norton, which provide more robust parental control options.
Security for macOS
F-Secure’s macOS installation process mirrors that of its Windows counterpart, with a similar interface. Recent testing by AV-Test Institute yielded a perfect score for F-Secure, although competitors like Norton and Bitdefender offer more comprehensive features tailored for macOS users.
Android Security
Installation on Android devices is straightforward, with the app mirroring features available on other platforms. However, F-Secure’s Android edition lacks advanced features such as device tracking, which are offered by some competitors.
iOS Security
On iOS devices, F-Secure provides a similar experience to Android, albeit with limited functionality. The app focuses on scam protection and device status verification rather than malware scanning, which may not meet the expectations of users seeking comprehensive security.
Verdict: Wide Platform Support, But You Can Still Do Better
F-Secure Internet Security presents a modern, multi-device security solution with an appealing user interface. However, its feature set falls short compared to leading alternatives like Bitdefender Total Security and Norton 360 Deluxe, which offer a richer array of functionalities and enhanced protection for users across various platforms.
