Create a FREE Stunning WebsiteCA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 (5-Users, Box Set, Download)
Manufacturer: Computer Associates International Inc. Part number: ISSP09XNCW05NA
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- CA Internet Security Suite 2009 has made some modest gains over its previous efforts, but overall it lags behind its security suite competition in speed and effectiveness.
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CNET editors' review
CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 (5-Users, Box Set, Download) price range: $23.27 - $74.05
- Reviewed by: Robert Vamosi
- Reviewed on: 11/24/2008
- Released on: 11/24/2008
The good: CA Internet Security Suite 2009 has a cool Getting Started tutorial and good technical support options.
The bad: Slow and sluggish; poor user interface; antiphishing feature is inadequate.
The bottom line: CA Internet Security Suite 2009 has made some modest gains over its previous efforts, but overall it lags behind its security suite competition in speed and effectiveness.
CA Internet Security Suite 2009 will probably have some admirers, but we're not among them. If you are a network administrator, you'll appreciate the long and torturous installation path; however, the average person will grow frustrated at how many times you have to enter your personal information, create passwords, or otherwise babysit the process. Once installed, we were unimpressed by the functional, yet uninspiring interface and the suite's sluggish performance, scoring some of the lowest marks in our CNET Labs tests. In terms of effectiveness, it scored the worst of the Internet Security Suites tested by AV-Test.org as posted in its September 2008 results. That said, we really like the technical support options, offering one of the more complete service packages we've seen this year. Overall, we'll pass on this Internet security suite and direct your attention to the faster Norton Internet Security 2009 or McAfee Internet Security 2009 instead.
Installation
For $79.99, CA lets you install the product on up to five PCs, two more than the competition. The CA Internet Security Suite runs on Windows 2000 and XP.
There is an installation wizard, but we didn't like the fact that even with an activation code you still have to enter your name, address, and e-mail. We did like that the installation wizard makes you scroll down to accept the EULA; whether you read it is up to you. We didn't like that you have to accept a Lesser General Public License for some open-source libraries included within the suite; this may be confusing for some people. We also didn't like that if you chose to install the parental controls, you'll suspend the installation until you provide additional passwords and e-mail addresses to prevent tampering.
Once started, there is a cool Getting Started Flash-based tour of the product. If the rest of the product, say the interface, had been like the Getting Started presentation, we might have gotten more excited. Alas, the interface hasn't changed since 2007. By clicking any topic, for example Personal Firewall, CA will open a new window with the Personal Firewall settings. By clicking individual topics, you are taken to a new window with more specifics about the topic selected. This seems very old-school--even McAfee has updated its interface to contain all activities within one window--and shows that the security tools are not integrated well. The downsides are that the suite takes up more system resources and that you will have several open windows on your desktop.
Should you decide to uninstall the product, there is an uninstall option in the All Programs listing. After a reboot, however, we found more than a few residual files.
Features
In addition to the basics of antivirus, antispam, antispyware, antiphishing, and a personal firewall, CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 includes Parental Controls and few extras. For example, with the plus edition, there's also backup and recover utilities.
New this year are safeguards to protect your operating system Registry. This is a late feature to add, as most consumer Internet Security suites have offered that for a while now. The same can be said with customizing alerts and a gaming mode. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite has these features already.
Also new this year is a Home Network Monitor. Although, according to the news release, you get five installations with the price, Home Network Monitor informed us we had only three additional installations for a total of four. The presentation of the home network is spartan and lacks the visual appeal of both McAfee and Norton.
There are also Internet Threat Reports, but you have to go get them, since they're not offered on the interface.
We didn't like the antiphishing feature. In both Internet Explorer and Firefox, the browser's own phishing filter caught the page before the paid security suite. Clicking on the page anyway, we noticed a red line at the top of the phishing page. As surveys have shown, if the user isn't knocked over the head with a warning, they'll continue to use the site. Really? A thin red line? In Internet Explorer, it looked like an Active X message or some other alert that could be ignored. CA should block the page and warn the user instead.
Performance
CA Internet Security Suite 2009 scored poorly in CNET Labs' performance tests and in third-party, independent antivirus testing using live viruses. On the CNET iTunes test, CA Internet Security Suite 2009 came in a bit slow at 276 seconds (most scores were 271 seconds). On the CNET Microsoft Office test, CA Internet Security Suite 2009 came in about average at 1,473 seconds (most of the others were near this time). In a test scanning a single folder with compressed and media files, CA Internet Security Suite 2009 finished in dead last at 550 seconds (most scores were around 175 seconds this year). In boot speed, CA Internet Security Suite 2009 came in dead last with the worst time of 46.7 seconds, 15 seconds more than the fastest, McAfee Internet Security 2009.
To find out how we test antivirus software, see CNET Labs' How we test: Antivirus software page.
In terms of protecting your PC, we refer readers to two leading independent antivirus testing organizations. CA Internet Security Suite was not tested by
Support
CA provides better support than the competition. There's a Flash-based Getting Started tour that's worth seeing. There's an automated help support technician known as "Casey" to walk you through a problem, online chat, a new community forum, e-mail, and telephone support at $19.95 per incident (Norton and
Conclusion
We wish we could recommend this product, but we cannot. Given that nearly every other product in the market sped up this year, we can't understand why CA appeared to slow down; the sluggishness is unacceptable. Overall, we'll pass on this Internet security suite and direct your attention to the faster Norton Internet Security 2009 or McAfee Internet Security 2009 instead.
User reviews
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resource hog - so kicking myself for getting it
by kitekatz on May 29, 2009
Pros: nothing at all
Cons: everything, especially the sucking up of ram
Summary: tedious to install, tedious to use, an expensive mistake
Summary: tedious to install, tedious to use, an expensive mistake
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Just Say NO!
by ParthenonGenesis on October 14, 2009
Pros: I do like the Clean Cache Now option for quick dumping. I wish all AV software had this option.
Cons: Everything else. I am an IT and I work with computers everyday. I have seen less problems with AVG free downloads then I have with this poorly made product.
Summary: I enjoy my trips to CompUSA when I go to pick up the occasional computer part, and I always found their employees to be well educated untill I allowed one ...
Summary: I enjoy my trips to CompUSA when I go to pick up the occasional computer part, and I always found their employees to be well educated untill I allowed one of them to talk me into buying the CA security suite for the office I work for.
I was happy to give Norton the dump from our office and the installation of CA was not really all that difficult from my perspective, but I can see how it could be difficult for the average user.
From day 1 of this softwares installation the office had problems. We were infested by 3 different viruses in 2 months time, one of which appeared on my computer and destroyed my Master Boot Record (and I am a cautious person when navigating online). The computers now run very slow and a number of programs become unresponsive. When Microsoft sends auto updates that require a restart the computers (all of them) freeze up on the exit screen. I wont even mention the extreme F.U.B.A.R involed in fixing it so outlook could receive mail.
From the moment it first turns on you hear a nice crackle added to the Windows welcome screen jingle. It is a poorly designed peice of software and it has been an IT nightmare... although it does give me job security.
I have not lost faith in CompUSA, but I will never buy the software they are peddling without research.
I wish I could take every box off the store shelves and sell it to the terrorist to screw up all their computers, or perhaps sell it to 3rd world countries to burn for fuel... But not here! This product is un-American. CA makes baby Jesus cry and kills unicorns. Just Say NO! -
Uses a ton of resources
by 9620usowner on October 13, 2009
Pros: It came free with my ISP. I guess you get what you pay for.
Cons: CA Internet Security Suite slowed down my entire system dramaticaly. I have 20mbps download speeds and my internet was running like dial-up. I uninstalled it after an hour of use.
Summary: This is a terrible product. It uses a ton of resources and slows down your system and causes major frusteration for the user.
Summary: This is a terrible product. It uses a ton of resources and slows down your system and causes major frusteration for the user.
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Don't Buy this Junk!
by g8rpack on September 26, 2009
Pros: My mother told me that if don't have any thing nice to say then don't say anything.
Cons: Everything!
Summary: My own fault really. I bought this because it would be free after rebate. You get what you pay for! First, they never gave me the rebate because it was ...
Summary: My own fault really. I bought this because it would be free after rebate. You get what you pay for! First, they never gave me the rebate because it was invalid, and they could never give me a solid reason. Second, could not install it on anymore than 1 computer, even though it had 5 licenses. Third, scheduled scan come up at random times even though they are set to the middle of the night. And, finally, Website Inspector is trash. It blocks work email and yahoo mail, and you can't turn it off. If you value your computer, DON'T BUY THIS TRASH!
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CA IS CRAP AND IT SUCKS!
by Lawman911 on September 16, 2009
Pros: THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO PROS TO CA SOFTWARE! BUYER BEWARE!
Cons: CA will not allow the new IPhone software to sync. CA does not provide any support for this product. DO NOT BUY CA PRODUCTS!!!
Summary: My corporation has 5 of the CA 10 user packs installed on 50 of our corporate computers. When we upgraded the new Apple IPhone software CA would not let them ...
Summary: My corporation has 5 of the CA 10 user packs installed on 50 of our corporate computers. When we upgraded the new Apple IPhone software CA would not let them sync. When our IT contacted CA the were told by CA that they do not provide any support for this product. IT is now removing all CA and installing Kaspersky. DO NOT BUY CA PRODUCTS!!! IT IS TOTAL CRAP!
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Worst Security Suite, bar none
by zeefaller on August 28, 2009
Pros: Fast installation
Cons: This software will slow your pc to almost unusable. It also changes the file extensions of your downloads and attachments to .efw which is not recognized by the system. There is nothing user friendly about this software. Don't waste your money.
Summary: I got CA security suite for free with Road Runner. It slowed my machine down so badly it was almost unusable. I'd actually rather spend money on something like ...
Summary: I got CA security suite for free with Road Runner. It slowed my machine down so badly it was almost unusable. I'd actually rather spend money on something like Norton, than use this software for free. Absolutely useless and not user friendly at all.
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Do not use. Poor detection and interface.
by sxeptomaniac on May 28, 2009
Pros: It occasionally detects viruses, so it works, barely (however, it lets more through, in my experience).
Cons: The detection rate is terrible. I've cleaned up to 50 infections off of PCs running CA.
The interface is slow and bad. If your PC is shut down during a scheduled scan, it runs it at startup, grinding it to a standstill while you try to work.Summary: Don't bother with it. There is an abundance of anti-virus software more effective and less painful to use. Even the free open source anti-virus ClamWin scores better in the ...
Summary: Don't bother with it. There is an abundance of anti-virus software more effective and less painful to use. Even the free open source anti-virus ClamWin scores better in the tests I've seen, and I thought the features and interface was better.
I don't understand why anyone would use this crap willingly. -
In 5 years , not one problem ....nothing else to say
by 54now on May 15, 2009
Pros: It updates several times daily.... Huge corporations trust their stuff to CA
Cons: nothing ... as long as I don't get infected
Summary: Bob Rankin, a computer expert, ( who spends hours and hours on the internet daily ) uses this product along with the Windows XP firewall and Windows Defender ..... That's the combination ...
Summary: Bob Rankin, a computer expert, ( who spends hours and hours on the internet daily ) uses this product along with the Windows XP firewall and Windows Defender ..... That's the combination that has worked for him for years. Those who say CA is junk , must have something that conflicts with this program. But for me it has been wonderful. I do think everyone should test drive several AVs before buying or using full time. Just make sure you completely remove each one before adding another ... lots of problems can pop up. Good luck.
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I haven't had a virus or worm problem ever since!
by el_machaso on May 11, 2009
Pros: It does what it does and is worth the price. You won't have to worry about a virus or spyware ever again! And it can be customized so that it won't interfere with your computer games! I can play Gears of War for PC online fluently.
Cons: May be a little expensive, however that's why there's eBay people!
Summary: You will never worry about a virus or worm for ever!
Summary: You will never worry about a virus or worm for ever!
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It will take control of your cookies and not let go!
by shockedme on May 7, 2009
Pros: Pretty much runs it self, the way it wants to
Cons: Will not allow me to save my settings for privacy. Kept my cookies on the highest setting like a parental control freak
Summary: I got this free with roadrunner. I had this many years ago and dropped it because it seemed to be next to useless. It scans my computer for maleware in ...
Summary: I got this free with roadrunner. I had this many years ago and dropped it because it seemed to be next to useless. It scans my computer for maleware in under 10 seconds, I don't think it's possible. I cannot download a program as it's original file, it changes the types so it won't open. Just trashed it and downloaded Vipre(so far so good) and regained control of my computer!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Computer Associates International Inc.
- Part number: ISSP09XNCW05NA
- Description: CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 provides comprehensive protection against Internet threats that can jeopardize your privacy and diminish PC performance. It helps keep your important files, photos, music, and PC settings safe and lets you back them up, restore them, or transfer them to a new PC easily. CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 includes Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Personal Firewall, Anti-Spam, Anti-Phishing, Parental Controls, CA Backup and Migration. Anti-Virus helps protect against viruses, worms and Trojan horse programs. Anti-Spyware helps protect against a wide range of spyware threats. Personal Firewall helps stop intruders, blocks malicious programs, and helps protect your personal information. Anti-Spam is designed to control incoming email so that only messages from your approved senders list to reach your Inbox - other mail is quarantined for you to review later. Anti-Phishing helps protect you from phishing attacks, Internet fraud attempts, and malicious websites. Parental Controls helps you control Internet access for the entire family. CA Backup and Migration helps you to backup and restore your important data and PC settings, or transfer them to a new PC.
Software
- License Type Complete package
- License Qty 1 User
- Platform Windows
- Distribution Media Download/CD-ROM
Manufacturer info
- Computer Associates International Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Computer Associates International Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.cai.com/
- Address:
One Computer Associates Plaza
Islandia, NY 11788 - Phone: 516/342-4100
- Email: info@cai.com
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