| Anyone who uses the internet for any use, even one | | | | separate folder for your safety. |
| as basic as email, shopping, or conducting a business, | | | | 4. With the PC Security Shield 2008 Parental Control |
| needs to utilize an effective and up to date antivirus | | | | features, parents can not only block web sites that |
| and spyware monitoring system to protect their | | | | contain specific content, such as pornography, |
| personal, business and financial data. Although credit | | | | weapons or drugs, but they can also set specific times |
| card theft is the number one form of identity theft, | | | | of day when the internet may not be used. This is |
| computer theft crimes rank in the top five dangers of | | | | especially important for those late nights or directly |
| identity theft. | | | | after school when parents may not be present. |
| There are three main ways that identity theft can | | | | 5. No additional or hidden charges for the technical |
| occur from your internet usage: | | | | support services assistance, in contrast to other |
| -Phishing. You receive an email from one of the more | | | | businesses whose anti virus programs charge an |
| well known online services or your bank, warning you | | | | additional amount to correct virus or spyware damage |
| with the message that your bank or other account | | | | either per minute or per event. |
| may have been compromised, then asking you to clink | | | | Technical support for this system includes an online |
| a link and "log-in" If you follow those instructions, you | | | | product guide, instant chat, email and telephone support |
| end up providing a third party with your account | | | | as well as a Frequently Asked Questions site. |
| information and access. I have most often received | | | | However, the telephone support does not have a toll |
| this type of message from a group alleging to be | | | | free number. The chat online support responds quickly, |
| "PayPal," however I have also received it from an | | | | however you should have your product codes |
| entity pretending to be a local credit union. | | | | available. My hold time via telephone support was a |
| -Spyware: You may not even know that this is on | | | | little more than 5 minutes, which is longer than I would |
| your computer without a spyware detection system. | | | | like to hold, but I have held longer for utilities and cable. |
| This software is used to record keystrokes to obtain | | | | Be sure to check the website for system |
| either personal and financial information whenever you | | | | requirements; however, they seem to be the standard |
| shop or bank online. It can also be used to access | | | | for any anti virus software system that you may be |
| confidential information on your hard drive. | | | | considering for purchase. |
| -Spoofing: A legitimate internet site will be "hi-jacked", | | | | The cost for this service is currently $39.99/year after |
| redirecting people to a fake internet site where they | | | | a $20.00 mail in rebate. The rebate is offered after 90 |
| are asked to provide confidential information. | | | | days of service and after ending your pre-existing anti |
| It is important when shopping for your anti virus | | | | virus software support with any one of those listed by |
| software to make sure that it contains protection | | | | PC Security Shield. You may also purchase a monthly |
| against these dangers and includes regular updates. | | | | service program for $5.99 a month for one computer |
| One of the many antivirus systems currently available | | | | or $9.99 a month for up to three computers. |
| is PC Security Shield 2008. This system, like many | | | | My favorite feature with this service is not only the |
| others, offers: anti virus, spyware and adware | | | | ability to control web content, but also the ability to |
| protection, personal firewall, automatic daily updates, | | | | change the times that my children are permitted to be |
| your choices of real time, and/or scheduled scanning, | | | | on the web according to my schedule. The other |
| as well as parental controls. You may complete your | | | | feature of note personally, is that it protects emails |
| purchase of the software online or via telephone and | | | | from spy ware, phishing, and key logging types of |
| then download the anti virus software to your personal | | | | emails through two different services, the one being up |
| computer. | | | | to date research and the other by compiling a log of |
| However, what is unique about this service is: | | | | "bad" sites that may attempt to hi jack your personal |
| 1. You may purchase your service either monthly or | | | | information. |
| yearly; with most services you must purchase one full | | | | To purchase this service, you simply register online, |
| year. | | | | choose either monthly or a yearly subscription, confirm |
| 2. If a virus does occur, Security Shield provides a | | | | your purchase via email, obtain your key code and |
| "patch" within 2-3 hours and a complete repair of the | | | | download your anti virus software system. Setting |
| virus within 5 hours. According to PC Professionals | | | | your preferences is intuitive; however, the online chat is |
| Security Shield, using F-Secure technology responds | | | | quite helpful in providing direction. |
| 3-4 times faster in repairing viruses as well as updates | | | | This may be an anti virus software program most |
| customer's service with the latest antivirus protection | | | | likely of interest to parents, especially with the offers |
| "twice" as often as other anti virus software systems. | | | | of multiple computer coverage, no additional charges |
| (PC Professionals, Issue Aug. 2006) | | | | for technical support and the excellent extended |
| 3. The software uses a Bayesian filter as well as a | | | | parental controls. It protects your PC and personal |
| "blacklist" of sites that send unsolicited email for use in | | | | data from theft, making it worth considering. |
| phishing schemes and stores these emails in a | | | | |