Define F-secure Antivirus? Features & Benefits of using F-secure?

F-Secure Antivirus

Not gonna lie, Antivirus is pretty damn expensive, so if I’m purchasing one I make sure that it has all the features that my family would require. Recently, I have tried out F-Secure Antivirus and needless to say that I’m beyond impressed. I’m writing this blog because I need to tell you why I think that the Best Pc Antivirus: F-Secure Antivirus.

What Is F-secure Antivirus?

All antivirus software must perform the essential functions of removing existing malware and preventing future attacks. However, some companies offer additional features such as firewalls, VPNs, and spam filters that make their antivirus products seem more like security suites. In contrast, F-Secure Anti-Virus prioritizes the primary task of safeguarding your system against various types of malware, including ransomware. It does not attempt to divert your browser away from phishing websites, but its web traffic scanning feature blocks access to URLs that host malware. For users seeking no-frills antivirus protection, F-Secure Anti-Virus can be an excellent option.

While other antivirus solutions offer a multitude of features and additional services, F-Secure Anti-Virus concentrates solely on its core functionality. It aims to provide a comprehensive defense against malware, including new and emerging threats like ransomware. It does not include a firewall, spam filter, or VPN, nor does it offer to steer users away from potentially harmful websites. However, F-Secure Anti-Virus’s web traffic scanning feature does a great job of preventing access to websites that contain malware. For those looking for straightforward antivirus protection that gets the job done without any frills, F-Secure Anti-Virus can be a cost-effective and reliable choice.

 

History of F-Secure 

Originally named Data Fellows, F-Secure was founded on May 16, 1988, by Petri Allas and Risto Siilasmaa. Initially, Data Fellows provided computer users with training and built customized databases. After three years, the company launched its first major software project – the first heuristic scanner for antivirus products. In 1994, F-Secure released its first antivirus product for Windows PCs, and in 1999, Data Fellows changed its name to F-Secure. The company made history in 2005 by becoming the first to develop anti-rootkit technology known as BlackLight.

In June 2015, F-Secure expanded its operations to the enterprise market by purchasing nSense, a Danish security consultation, and vulnerability assessment company. F-Secure continued to grow by acquiring Inverse Path, a privately-owned Italian security consultancy in June 2016. In 2018, F-Secure acquired MWR InfoSecurity for $106 million, which included the MWR consulting business (now F-Secure Consulting), the Countercept threat hunting product (now F-Secure Managed Detection and Response), and phishing protection services.

F-Secure Client Security received the AV-TEST Best Protection award for the fifth time in 2016. However, on February 17, 2022, F-Secure announced its decision to separate its corporate and consumer businesses, leading to the creation of a new independent company using the name F-Secure Corporation, which would continue to handle consumer security. On July 1, 2022, the demerger took effect, and F-Secure was listed on Nasdaq Helsinki, fully separating the corporate business from the company. F-Secure also underwent a name change to WithSecure Corporation.

 

Features of  F-secure

F-Secure’s cloud-based anti-malware scanner performed exceptionally well. It utilizes a vast malware database to identify known malware files based on their code, and it also incorporates real-time behavior analysis using machine learning to detect newer malware variants and zero-day threats. F-Secure offers two scan types, a full computer scan and a quick scan, and you can customize the settings to scan only file types that commonly contain harmful code or scan inside compressed files. Additionally, the program provides daily, weekly, and monthly scheduled scans that allow you to choose whether to scan harmful file types and compressed files.

 

F-Secure’s secure browsing is impressive and blocks access to suspicious or restricted websites using its Browsing Protection extension, which is available for various browsers. Banking Protection is a valuable extra benefit that provides additional safety measures when accessing banking websites or making online payments. Parental controls are another highlight of the program, allowing parents to create separate profiles for their children, restrict access to specific apps, and set limits on web content categories, daily internet usage, and internet access times. Additionally, F-Secure ID Protection offers password management, email breach monitoring, and 24/7 online monitoring, but it falls short compared to similar products from competitors such as Norton and Avira.

 

F-Secure focuses on the core function of defending your system against malware, and it excels in this area. The program’s cloud-based anti-malware scanner is powerful, incorporating both a vast malware database and real-time behavior analysis using machine learning. Its secure browsing, parental controls, and ID Protection features are also noteworthy. While F-Secure’s VPN service Freedome has a limited number of servers, it offers robust security features such as AES 256-bit encryption, secure IKEv2 & OpenVPN protocols, and a no-logs policy. Overall, if you are seeking antivirus protection without many extras, F-Secure Anti-Virus is an excellent choice due to its outstanding performance and affordable price.

 

 Benefits of using  F-secure

F-Secure Antivirus is a reliable and affordable option for users looking for a capable antivirus solution. The software has consistently performed well in lab test scores, demonstrating its ability to detect and block a variety of threats effectively. In our own hands-on tests, F-Secure also delivered impressive results, proving that it is an excellent choice for those who want to keep their devices safe from malware, including ransomware.

 

One of the standout features of F-Secure is its ability to detect new and emerging threats, which is essential in today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, F-Secure’s cheerful and easy-to-use interface is a breath of fresh air compared to some other antivirus software, which can be overwhelming and confusing to navigate. Furthermore, the software is incredibly affordable, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget who still want top-quality protection for their devices. Overall, F-Secure Antivirus is a top-performing solution that provides a range of features at an unbeatable price point.

 

In summary, F-Secure Antivirus is a powerful and cost-effective solution for users who want reliable protection against various malware, including ransomware. With excellent lab test scores and impressive results in our hands-on tests, F-Secure has demonstrated its effectiveness in blocking threats. Its ability to detect new and emerging threats, combined with its cheerful interface, makes it a standout option in the crowded antivirus software market. Additionally, its affordability makes it an accessible choice for those who want to ensure the security of their devices without breaking the bank.

 

F-Secure Pricing

 F-Secure provides two annual plans for its antivirus software, namely SAFE and TOTAL, both of which are compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Both plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and I can attest to the hassle-free refund process, which takes 5 to 7 business days.

 

F-Secure pricing of SAFE and TOTAL are INR4,960/year and INR3,970/year, respectively, and are available for 3, 5, or 7 devices, offering users the flexibility to purchase premium plans for a limited number of devices. While most premium packages cover up to 10 devices, they often come with a significant price increase, which may not be desirable if you only need coverage for 3 or 4 devices.

 

If you need coverage for more than 7 devices, F-Secure allows you to add more devices, up to a total of 25, for an additional cost per device. However, this can be quite expensive, and if you have many devices to cover, one of McAfee’s premium plans may be a more suitable option as they provide coverage for unlimited devices by default.

F-Secure does not offer a free version of its antivirus software. Nevertheless, users can take advantage of the 30-day free trial of its TOTAL plan, which includes VPN and ID Protection features, without having to provide credit card details. Similarly, a 30-day free trial of the SAFE plan is also available.

 

F-Secure Mobile App

Included in the mobile app are features such as an antivirus scan (available for Android only), real-time browsing protection, banking protection, parental controls, and a secure browser app. During my testing of F-Secure’s mobile app on my Android phone, I found it to be quite similar to the PC platform. I downloaded a vast collection of Android-specific malware files, including .apks, rootkits, and .jar files, and the mobile scan was able to detect almost all of them within 16 minutes. The anti-malware scan did not slow down my phone or drain my battery excessively, which is a common issue with some Android scanners.

 

The parental controls worked the same way on my phone as they did on my PC, and I found them easy to navigate and manage. For a more comprehensive overview of F-Secure’s parental control offerings, refer to the dedicated section of this article.

However, I was not thrilled about having to download separate apps to access F-Secure’s VPN and ID Protection. It would be more convenient if F-Secure integrated these features into the main mobile app, as Bitdefender and other competitors have done by providing malware protection, VPN, and breach monitoring within a single mobile app.

Read More : Which is the Best VPN For Pc ?

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