Easy to use - but is it reliable? (Panda Antivirus Platinum 6.0)

Member Name: queen_rain

Product:	Panda Antivirus Platinum 6.0
Date:	30/01/05 (339 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to instal, easy to use, low cost

Disadvantages: misses adware?, Keeps querying same programs

I've been using this software for about three months only, so I have not had as much experience as others.

However, I installed it on two different computers. First on an IBM Thinkpad, and, when I gave that one up, on a Dell Inspiron 4000.

I am impressed with the quickness of the installation. It's really straightforward, even for people who are a bit thick computer-wise (like me).

I've installed lots of other software previously, anti-virus and others, and although those were easy *in theory*, I often experienced hickups in practice - something or other didn't quite work, and I had to remove and reinstall or get someone who knew more than I to do the 'expert setup'.

No problems, however, with *this* software. Put CD in drive, and with just a few keystrokes it's installed and ready.

I ran a full computer scan for both computers when I first installed it, and was relieved that no viruses, spyware, trojans, diallers and other nasties and crawlies had taken up residence.
This full scan took some time when I first ran it (if I remmeber correctly) but subsequent checks were quick.

Now I do it just after downloading stuff - especially free programs - just in case, because many free programs come with built-in spyware.
I run the complete check at night, so it doesn't use up my computer work time.

New virus signatures are being downloaded all the time, whenever I'm on the computer. I don't need to do anything. It's just done for me, automatically, without loss of time. This saves me time and ensures the virus definitions are up to date. I feel very secure with Panda.

With a previous anti-virus software, I had to log on to their website all the time. Not with Panda.

Another advantage is that this programme doesn't use up much hard disk space. I'm not 'technical' enough to talk about details, but Panda doesn't seem to slow down other applications, or interfere with them.

(I had experienced some problems with other anti virus softwares in this respect)

After a couple of weeks, I was informed that I had to configure updates or some such, and that didn't work. I was told that I needed to enter a code, but I didn't have one. This sent me into a brief panic, but eventually I found a link to request the code. It was sent to me within seconds, and I didn't need to fill in tiresome forms.

I have two possible gripes.

The first is about the firewall. I have set it so that it alerts me each time a program tries to get access to my computer.

At first I got, naturally, lots of alerts, until I had 'taught' it to accept my server and other essentials. No problem.

But it keeps alerting me whenever certain programs try to access my computer, although I had previously clicked 'always deny this' or 'always accept this'.

It just doesn't seem to recognize those commands. Or rather, it seems to recognize those commands only sometimes, which is puzzling. Most of the time, it doesn't seem able to differentiate between 'allow this time only' and 'always allow this program'.

I am not sure if this a weakness of the Panda Antivirus software, or if I'm being a bit stupid here; so take this criticism with a pinch of salt.

Anyway, it is no more than a minor annoyance; and it takes only a moment's click to accept or deny.

The second possible problem may again not be the software's fault. On two occasions, a spyware check through AOL (free if you're an AOL member) identified suspected ad/spyware planted in my computer. Neither had been prevented, or spotted, by Panda.

Of course it's not always clear whether a suspected programme really is a spy; so I can't say for sure if AOL was overreacting, or if Panda was not vigilant enough. I don't know which program was at fault. Still, it makes me feel a little less confident about the effectiveness of Panda.

The program, as far as I have explored it, is very easy to understand, clear, user-friendly. It also seems, as far as I can judge, very good value for money. The jury is still open on how reliable it is in guarding a computer against spyware.

I hope this helps you make your decision; it's the best I can do as a 'non-technical' person. ;-)

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