ESET's Smart Security

very good
key review info
application features
  • ESET NOD32 Antivirus + Antispyware
  • (2 more, see all...)

The coming of a new year is generally perceived as a new beginning, sometimes from scratch, sometimes continuing on the same line as before but there will always be new standards to achieve and new ambitions. The same happens in the field of security. From fall till winter holidays it usually keeps raining with new computer protection solutions from the best players on the market.

ESET aligned to the trend and released the final version of Smart Security, a complete solution for keeping malware away from your computer. And when I say malware I include both viruses, spyware and spam. Smart Security from ESET can deal with all of them for a price of $59.99/year. Of course, you can go on and fully test all the features of the application for a period of 30 days with absolutely no restriction.

Smart Security features three modules in order to offer maximum protection for your system: an antivirus, a personal firewall and an anti-spam module. The interface does not seem like something that could do a lot for you and the easy navigation between the options makes you really think if ESET lost its nerve in the fight against malware. However, there are two modes for working with Smart Security both tailored to meet any user's needs.

Standard mode setup and the typical installation works like a charm for the uninitiated user. Even with the firewall enabled your Internet connection will not need a reset and you do not have to provide the application with the connection dependent programs. Smart security will automatically detect them and allow them connection.

There is little configuration to be made if you go with the basic setup installation mode. The first parameter to setup is program updating. Next you can configure ESET's ThreatSense.Net Early Warning System. I know it does have a pompous name but it is just a matter of protecting your system against 0 day threats. This feature is designed for anonymously submitting information about new threats. Practically you can send files to ESET for detailed analysis. I have to warn you that the information sent to ESET may contain details about the user of the computer as well as the system (operating system).

The feature can be configured to ask the user before submitting any file, when the files should be submitted (as soon as possible or during update) and how the data should be sent (by means of remote administrator or directly to ESET). Disabling this feature will not cripple the protection offered by Smart Security in absolutely no way.

Another step is enabling/disabling the detection of potentially unwanted applications. That is actually the last step before the installation of the software begins. It will not take long and it is absolutely painless for your computer.

Immediately after the completion of the process you have to choose the desired protection mode of your computer in the network. Two options are available in this case: you can either make your computer invisible to the network (a good solution for wireless connection) or choose the classic alternative where the system can be seen by all peers in the LAN.

Smart Security's standard mode setup is not much and users that like full control over inbound and outbound connections will be pretty disappointed. All options for this mode run in the left hand side of the screen and start with presenting the types of protections available: antivirus and anti-spyware and anti-spam module as well as the version of virus signature database.

Computer Scan section provides two alternatives for checking your computer for malware. A standard scan which goes through all disks on the system and automatically eliminates detected threats. Custom Scan allows for a run down for malware in the files and folders you select. More than this, a custom scan permits adjusting different parameters of the operation (objects to be scanned - operating memory, boot sectors, files, email files, archives, EXE or runtime packers - cleaning level, extensions to be skipped, etc.).

Multiple scans are handled quite effortlessly by the application and will not affect too much the overall performance of the computer. Resources used for the operation are low and leave room for other applications to run properly. ESET's low use of resources is well-known and it seems that with Smart Security they have preserved this property (kudos!).

Configuring the standard mode is limited in options and stands more for an overall configuring of the software. There are few options available allowing you the disabling of the antivirus and anti-spyware protection and changing the way your system is protected in the network. Another feature of the application allows you to protect the access to settings area by applying a password. This comes in extremely handy in the case of the advanced settings.

The truth is that there isn't too much to be configured with this interface enabled as all the functions are reduced to a minimum. I guess this interface is to be used when only small but radical adjustments have to be done, like disabling the firewall and malware protection or render your computer invisible for the network. A much greater functionality is achieved by entering the advanced mode of the program.

Advanced Mode Antivirus and anti-spyware Firewall and anti-spam

Here are some snapshots of the application in action:

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user interface 4
features 4
ease of use 5
pricing / value 4


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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