F-Secure Internet Security 2020 is the latest edition of this capable everyday security suite.
The program includes a very strong antivirus engine (offering 100% effective protection in a recent AV-Test report). Real-time network monitoring does a job of preventing malware from going online, although it does seem to raise more alerts than some of the competition. Browsing protection prevents you from accessing potentially dangerous links, while simple parental controls restrict what your kids can do online. DeepGuard, F-Secure's behavioural monitoring engine, prevents you from opening dangerous apps, but also enables you to whitelist known apps.
An enhanced Banking Protection feature automatically kicks in whenever you access any web payment sites, raising your security levels and limiting what malware can do. This is also unusually drastic, blocking new network connections while you're at the payment site (if your email client tries to collect new messages, say, it won't be able to access anything). Will it be a hassle, long term? We're not sure.
Elsewhere, the Parental Controls section enables a parent or guardian to configure how the family and children can access the internet. You can set weekday and weekend time zones where internet access is allowed (to stop kids surfing all morning) or simply put a block on the limit of hours per day where the internet can be accessed to restrict to 2 hours within a 24-hour period. The Content Blocker includes a number of keywords and areas which can be avoided such as gambling, dating, adult, drugs, weapons and similar websites.
Essentially Internet Security is designed as an 'everyday' essential security suite without unnecessary modules you can potentially purchase (or have purchased) elsewhere, such as a password manager. Internet Security is a Windows-only product, so you don't receive support for other devices. You don't get a VPN, you don't get a secure keyboard, you don't get a buit-in firewall (it use the Windows Firewall), tracking protection and the other modules you'd find in, say, F-Secure Total Security.
Verdict:
F-Secure Internet Security is lightweight, easy to use, and has an excellent antivirus engine. Novice users might appreciate the privacy report and the simplified interface.
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