Why all IT security solutions are not the same

 

It is often thought that, when all is said and done, all IT security solutions are the same. Perhaps the most generalized idea is that the only difference between one security solution and another is the number of viruses and other threats that each one can detect.

 

However, this is not the case. The real difference between IT security solutions is the protection that each one provides. A good IT security solution must do the following:

 

·      Protect all entry points: The basic characteristic of a good IT security solution is its ability to protect all points through which viruses and other threats can infect a computer.

·      Protect all exit points: It is just as important to avoid spreading viruses and other types of malicious software as it is to prevent becoming infected. In other words, avoid infecting other users.

·      Constant, intelligent and automatic updates: In order to carry out its basic function, an  IT security solution needs to be constantly updated, as new threats appear every day. Without constant and DAILY updates, an IT security solution becomes obsolete and is no longer useful. It is also preferable if the security solution automatically updates itself, when necessary. By doing this, you will have peace of mind that the program detects the latest threats and you can forget about having to update the program manually.

·      Technical Support: Unfortunately, the situations in which viruses and other threats are detected are usually the source of conflict. At times, the virus is detected too late because the user does not have a good security solution or has not kept it updated. Other times, the virus is detected on time, but the fear of the damage that malware can do causes the user great consternation. In order to solve problems you need efficient technical support capable of responding to all malware-related problems. With Platinum Internet Security you will have support that is easily accessible, so that you can get on with your work as usual. The aim of technical support is to help those who unfortunately have been infected by a virus. This support is available 24 hours a day, 365 day a year.

·      Ease and power: In addition to a high capacity to detect and disinfect all known threats, it must be a comfortable and easy tool to use.

 

In order to achieve this, Platinum Internet Security offers the following:

 

·      Automatic protection of each file involved in every operation carried out. This is an automatic and simple way of preventing infected files from entering or leaving a computer. It also prevents all operations from using infected files which, for one reason or another, are already in the computer. The automatic file protection also protects the computer against viruses and threats that could be transmitted through a network.

·      Automatic protection or scan of everything sent to the computer via e-mail (Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Exchange/Outlook) and everything sent from the computer to Internet through SMTP, POP3, HTTP, FTP and NNTP protocols. This means that all incoming and outgoing e-mail messages will be automatically scanned, regardless of the e-mail program used. All files transferred through HTTP and FTP protocols, as well as Java applets and ActiveX controls that could be sent through the HTTP protocol will also be scanned. The automatic protection scans these files when they have been downloaded or before they are sent. This scan is also independent of the browser or FTP program used. Finally, all data sent to or received from newsgroups will also be scanned for viruses and other threats.

·      Automatic protection or scan of all e-mail messages received and sent through Microsoft Outlook. This feature is described separately from the automatic scan of e-mail received from Internet because these two programs can receive e-mail from an Exchange server using different protocols (sets of code and formats –a language- used by computers to communicate). Platinum Internet Security can carry out automatic scans of all messages received and sent through this program, regardless of the protocol used.

·      Automatic protection - Firewall for allowing or restricting the Internet access of the programs installed in the computer, the transfer of files through communications ports (access points in a computer or means through which information is transferred –inbound/outbound – from the computer to the outside and vice-versa), access to certain IP addresses (number or numeric code that uniquely identifies every computer that exists), the security of shared network folders, blocking intrusion attempts made by other programs or users, etc.

·      Automatic protection - anti-spyware: it provides automatic protection against spy software, which compromises your data privacy.

·      Automatic protection - anti-dialer: it protects you against programs that dial out through the Internet to premium rate numbers, without your knowledge.

·      Automatic protection - anti-spam: protection against unsolicited e-mail messages.

·      Web content filtering. protection against inappropriate web content.

·      On-demand scan of any area of the computer, whenever necessary. Through this type of scan you can check any area of the computer for viruses and other threats. It may seem unnecessary if automatic protection is also provided, but this is not the case. If a computer is infected, a simple way to completely disinfect the system is needed. The automatic protection does not do this, because it would have to try to access every infected file. The on-demand scan also scans the whole system, hard disks, floppy disks, the memory, local network drives, messages, etc., together or separately.

·      On-demand scan of any mail folder (place in which messages are stored) managed through Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook. This allows you to scan all incoming and outgoing messages, even if they were received or sent before the program was installed.

 

Constant update

Platinum Internet Security offers the following update services:

 

·      Automatic update: When the program detects an open connection to Internet, it checks if it is up to date. If it isn’t, it automatically updates itself, without affecting system performance. When the automatic update is complete, Platinum Internet Security will inform you of the results. Forget about it! If the automatic update feature is enabled, forget about updating the program manually, as it will update itself.

·      Daily update via Internet: Every day, registered Panda Software clients can update the virus signature file (the file that allows viruses to be detected), through the updates area on the Panda Software website (www.pandasoftware.com/download/updates/). This file is updated with new viruses EVERY DAY.

·      Complete update via Internet: The latest version of the program, which is updated every month, is also available on the Internet. If you are a registered Panda Software client, you can update the program through the updates area on the Panda Software website.

 

Services that can be accessed through Platinum Internet Security

Platinum Internet Security includes a suite of the most popular useful and necessary Panda Software services. Users can access these services once they have registered.

 

·      Updates: This service allows the virus signature file and the program to be updated manually or automatically. For more information, consult the section What is an update? section in this Help.

·      Personal downloads area: it allows you to access the downloads area on Panda Software’s website.

·      E-mail tech support: If you cannot find the answers to your question in the FAQs or through other means, you can use this service. From Platinum Internet Security you can send us any inquiry that you may have. For more information, consult the Services section in this Help.

·      Internet Tech Support: you can solve your problems by accessing the technical support service that is offered on the Panda Software website. From Platinum Internet Security you can access an area on our website that is especially designed to help Platinum Internet Security users solve their problems, it offers information and solutions for removing the most dangerous virus from your computer, it also allows you to access the updates, the recall username and password section, etc. For more information consult the Services section in this Help.

·      24 hour SOS Virus: Through this service Panda Software promises to come up with a solution for viruses not detected by our latest virus signature file (pav.sig), in less than 24 hours. Thorough the program you can send all of the files that are causing you problems or that you think may be infected with a virus or other threat to the Panda Software Virus Lab. For more information, consult the Services section in this Help.

·      Suggestion box: Your opinion is very important to us! This service allows you to directly contact Panda Software, sending us any ideas, comments or suggestions that you may have for improving your Platinum Internet Security, the services that it includes, or any other matter. For more information, consult the Suggestion box section in this Help.

·      Virus info area of the website: This option will allow you to obtain real-time information and resources to keep you safe from viruses: global virus observatory, virusometer, repair utilities, etc.

 

image\nota_shg.gif Note: If you have a subscription version or if you have purchased the program through the virtual store on Panda Software website, you will not need to access the Panda Software registration Web page to register as a Platinum Internet Security user. In these cases, your user name and password will be sent to you without you having to do anything else.

 

Technical support

One of the fundamental services offered by Panda Software is technical support. Technical support includes the following features:

 

·      Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call any time of the day or night and a highly qualified technician will be on the other end of the line, ready to solve any malware-related problem.

·      You can contact technical support by phone, fax, e-mail, regular mail or via our website.

 

For more information about technical support, consult the Panda Software support Web page.