Panda Internet Security 2008 Reviews

The Panda security suite covers all the bases with its features, and it scans quickly, but it lags behind some rivals at malware detection.

Fast scanning speed ; Many features

Below-average malware detection

Panda's offering has a good interface and provides the fastest on-access scan speed of the suites we tested in this roundup, but its decent-though-unspectacular malware detection prevents it from being a top pick. If Panda could improve its suite's ...

Panda Internet Security 2008 got the best score we've ever seen in antispyware testing, but some other features need work.

Stellar performance in antispyware testingthe best ever. Backs up important files to a local/network drive or CD/DVD. Firewall handles program control without confusing pop-ups.

Antispam missed over half the undeniable spam. New tune-up feature does nothing Windows didn't do. Parental control is limited. In testing, new phishing protection did absolutely nothing.

The virus/spyware protection is this suite's super standout: It's the first product ever to ace both my spyware-removal and spyware-prevention tests. The firewall is powerful, but the antispam is weak. Other than simple local backup, most of this ...

Experts at Panda Security say that your computer isn't big enough to hold all the protection it needs. The total number of distinct malware threats is rising exponentially, with no sign of slowing down. If malware signature files expanded to match the ...

Accurate spam filtering. Moderate effect on performance. Collective intelligence aids malware recognition. Firewall resists attack. Detects Wi-Fi intruders.

Less effective against spyware than previous edition. Expensive. Tune-up feature is pointless. Phishing protection barely works. Rudimentary local/online backup. User must pay for online backup after a year.

Except for the new main screen, Panda's 2009 suite doesn't look much different. Its collective intelligence promises better protection, but its action is spotty: Spam filtering got much better, spyware protection got worse. And it's expensive! Wait ...