Verizon Internet Security Suite Review

Written by:  • Edited by: Bill Bunter
Updated Aug 12, 2011
• Related Guides: Internet Security Suite | Verizon
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Have you ever heard of Verizon Internet Security Suite (VISS)? If not, it might be high time to look at this 360° Internet security software which provides antivirus, anti-spyware as well as fraud protection and so much more including and an easy to use firewall, and privacy safeguards.

What is the Verizon Internet Security Suite?

Verizon Internet Security Suite (VISS) provides anti-virus, anti-spyware, fraud protection as well as a firewall as its core services but also has a number of useful additional features such as Internet privacy, system maintenance and computer optimization, for example. In other words, it's an all-in-one solution that will help you to both secure and maintain your computers. While the majority of VISS users are Verizon customers subscribing to High Speed Internet (HSI) or Fiber Optic (FiOS) services, the software can be used by anyone with an Internet connection.

System Requirements
Rating Excellent

VISS runs on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista with the exception of the starter edition, as well as on 32-bit versions of Windows XP Home, Professional and Media Center. Windows XP users of VISS Wi-Fi Security need SP2 at the least.

Minimum hardware computer requirements are 350 MB of hard disk space, 256 MB of RAM, a Pentium II 300 MHz or faster CPU as well as a display which supports a resolution of 800 x 600 at the least.

Installation
Rating Good

The installation of VISS couldn’t be easier. The first screen lets you decide whether or not you will help making the product better by submitting information to Verizon. The setup wizard then displays the install path, which unfortunately seems to be hard coded, and the installation then proceeds. After restarting your systems, the software checks for applications known to conflict with VSS. A preliminary scan for malware concludes the setup. The entire process is speedy and extremely straightforward.

Interface
Rating Good

The very nice, compact GUI displays all services and their status in My Services. The on/off menu lets you easily disable or enable an item, and a click on the name opens pertinent configuration options. They can alternatively be accessed in the left pane menu bar. The interface makes navigation extremely easy and the My Services view is so good that it almost renders the menu buttons redundant.

VISS Interface

Features
Rating Excellent

Verizon Internet Security Suite has the standard configuration items you would expect but, by cutting out some options that many people would not use, the interface is kept clean and uncluttered. For example, there is no option to set an update schedule - the program simply updates itself once every 3 hours. While some people may not like this loss of control, it does keep the program easy to use. The VISS Firewall is equally streamlined: it's easy to use and to configure. A helpful taskbar notification pop ups when an application has been blocked.

What has been said for the anti-virus part is also true for the anti-spyware module of VISS with the exception that programs can be trusted if you want. Advanced Protection is a service which constantly monitors your computer for suspicious activity of malware. VISS Fraud Protection is the synonym for anti-phishing by means of checking Browser URLs with an online database of scam sites.

Wi-Fi Security monitors your wireless connections and tightens security settings in appropriate situations - for example, when you're connecting through a wireless hotspit. Ad-hoc wireless networks are automatically disconnected unless trusted. An additional service is the Parental Control feature which offers a service exceeding that of Microsoft Vista’s integrated child protection and Internet safety software.

PC Tune-Up is a performance optimization service which lets you defragment your system’s hard disk and clean up unused files and temporary objects.

Should you be the victim of nagging pop-ups, just enable the VISS Pop-up blocker.

Privacy Manager lets you configure cookies and automatically remove tracking information from your computer. It also helps prevent certain protected information from leaving your computer. This feature performed great during my tests, so I really recommended that it be turned on (it's disabled by default).

Online backup as well as online sharing can be enabled for an additional service charge.

Performance
Rating Good

As a non-Verizon subscriber I was skeptical whether VISS would be useful for me and up to expectations. After analyzing and testing the product I have come to the conclusion that Verizon Internet Security Suite version 8 can be recommend as a managed end-to-end solution for Verizon customers as well as for other any user with an Internet connection looking for a set and forget Internet Safety solution. Yet, it is recommended taking into account the updates in the articles as well as the feedback from our readers found in the comments section on the last page.

Help & Support
Rating Average

The help menu is perfectly integrated into the interface and context sensitive. VISS help information is well structured, readable and understandable. The online help including the knowledge base does a great job, too! Technical phone is support available but comments indicate Verizon could perhaps improve there; easy to find email contact information would be an asset, too.

Price to Value
Rating Good

The Verizon Internet Security Suite costs only $5.99 a month for three computers, and the first 30 days are free. That puts its pricing roughly on par with products such as Trend Micro Internet Security Pro ($69.95) and Norton Internet Security ($69.99).

The Bottom Line

Before rushing out and renewing the subscription for your current security suite, you should definitely check out VISS. It's an excellent one-stop solution to both security and system maintenance and is every bit as good as better-known products such as Norton Internet Security. In short, VISS is easy-to-use, light on resources and offers great protection against a very broad range of threats.

Update: Taking into account the comments received I would like to emphasize that I have been mainly reviewing the VISS software, not phone support, FIOS or Verizon.

References


Comments

Showing all 17 comments
 
freedom86 May 17, 2011 6:17 PM
VISS has work out for me.
I dump my CyberDefender for the "Verizon Inernet Security Suite" about 7 months ago. Working good. I see that some people have problems. I real think that they need to "clean out" any operating system first, before you install any new security internet suite. And for people that don't check out a site first, are asking for problems. It the blame game. Work smart, not dumb. My computer has not slow at all. Its working great for all the options that come with VISS. Stealth mode to protect your IP address is a good thing. Cleans registry files and other options to keep the operating sytem working great.. The only problem is getting tech support from verizon. But I deal with it. And its rare that happens. I would like to say thank you to Mark Muller for his review on the VISS.
freedom86 Apr 12, 2011 11:24 AM
VISS {Verizon}
Well I've had the VISS for all most five months now. It seems to be a ok program. It high lights the sites on the page. Show links in Green / good sites/ Yellow for caution / Red for virus caution. It has a lot of options to keep your computer running good. Registry cleaner option, etc. I give this Verizon Sercurity Suite a { B- } Why? Getting tech support from Verizon is tough to get. Any Customer service from Verizon is like a contact sport. You never know WHO or what nation your getting for customer service. But for $5.99 a month for this VISS is a good deal. I will be back and tell you in a few more months how it is working.
freedom86 Dec 14, 2010 7:51 PM
VISS {Verizon}
Well I think that people that had problems with VISS is that they did not clean out the computer first. And to make shore that it did not have hidden problems. I took my computer in for maintenance. And I had them check it out for viruses. None were found. They were impressed at the computer shop. But, I try to be careful of sites that are to good to be true. My sytem is coming up on its 5th yr. You have to do proper maintenance with programs on your system, that you can buy to prevent these issues. Alot of people don't and blame other problems.
freedom86 Dec 2, 2010 11:12 PM
VISS {Verizon}
Well I installed the VISS on line at the Verizon site. It work out good. I am testing it out for 30 days free. I like the one feature about {IP} stealth mode of hiding your address while being on the internet. It makes it safer. So far its working ok. Speed of operating system is running fine. I see no problems. I will let you know after 30 days.
freedom86 Nov 30, 2010 9:42 PM
cyber defender
Well I am giving up my cyber defender after 1 yr. Problems with prices and no straight answers. And it slows the computer down. Well $5.99 a month with verizon. Cyber defender $299.+plus question on price for 1 yr. And tech support some times failed to complete what they started. Sales staff try to pressure you into a sale. So I have Verizon DSL for life $15.99 a month. I'm keeping it. I was lucky to get it at that time. So I look at reviews and Verizon security suite looks good to try out. Real time security is the way to go. Most problems I find out after down loading a program. It can be old security soft ware can mess you up. Have to make sure that all security soft ware is removed before down loading a new one. Defrag / clean up. Registry cleaner / temp files / Clean it all up before you down load anything.
anonymous Oct 24, 2010 11:34 AM
Not Recommended
An inoperable logjam of management software will result if a user has a default installation involving HP hardware (and default HP software suites), the Vista OS, and VISS through Verizon DSL/FIOS. More than likely it'll lead to reinstalling the OS from scratch.
Do not use VISS Sep 5, 2010 1:02 AM
VISS means LOUSY
signed up for VISS and my computer got a virus. Called Verizon for assistance cuz computer would not start. After three attempts, Verizon remove the virus and then charged $90. When asked why I was charged this fee, they put me on hold for approximately 30 minutes and then they hung up. Please note that they stated that on their webpage that VISS only "helps" not "prevents". How can they talk like that to their customers ???
patrick Dec 20, 2009 7:05 AM
verizon
i had trends micro last dec caught 50 trojan got by trends security i had verizon internet sec since last january never had a problem this is the best yet,, i aggree phone support reps dont no there ass from there elbows but people in expert care does..
Mark Muller Nov 9, 2009 3:12 PM
Update and Thanks
I want to thank you all for your valuable feedback, and the article has been updated to emphasize that I have been mainly reviewing the VISS software, not phone support, FIOS or Verizon.

Cheers,
Mark
Rudi Schadt Nov 7, 2009 4:29 PM
originally no help installing it
When I signed up after switching to FIOS, I asked the phone help to tell me how to initiate the service, and she said she couldn't help me there (not even, where I would find instructions). That was disappointing, nor did I get any email about it from Verizon FiOs. I signed up, they charge me for it, but no help installing it. So, I cancelled it. I don't want a security system where I cannot get questions answered.
Mark Muller Nov 5, 2009 7:02 PM
@Brian
Thank you Brian. Often vendor phone support could be better. It would have probably been sufficient making the start as admin right click with the old account. As other (prominent) AV shows the same behavior I am going to write something about it soon.

Thank again!

Regards,
Mark
Brian Nov 5, 2009 4:44 PM
Advanced protection could not start
I had the same problem. Spent hours on the phone with Verizon. In the end, they told me to start a new personal account on my PC (not a great response).

In the end, I found that if I start the Security Suite manually as Administrator (right mouse click on the icon will present this option), it works fine. Not elegant, but it works.,
Mark Muller Oct 25, 2009 12:01 PM
RE: Verizon Internet Security Suite Review
@John, have you tried VISS phone support?
@Cynthia. Sorry to hear that. You have become the victim of Ransomware: http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/articles/46637.aspx
@Steve, the phenomen you had, could it also have been caused by a laggy connection for any reason?

Regards,
Mark
John Gassler Oct 25, 2009 11:05 AM
problem
I am using Internet secutiry suite and have had a problem surface. Can't get a resolution. When I boot the system the following message comes up" advanced protection could not start. How do I get this problem resolved so that the security system I apy for workd correctly. All orevious requests have been ignored and I am getting tired of this
Adam Oct 13, 2009 5:54 AM
Slows down computer
it depends of the specs of your computer, but as what I have observed, VISS is good...
Cynthia Aug 17, 2009 12:02 AM
VISS
I thought it would be great. After non-renewing my Mcafee virus protection, I opted for the VISS, since I have FIOS. Well, today, my laptop was hijacked by the Total Security Virus. So much for the spyware protection. May have to renew my Mcafee.
Steve Aug 11, 2009 12:05 PM
Slows down computer significantly
I agree that it is easy to use and has some convenient features, but it slows down my system considerably. I have FIOS and it took a good 5 minutes just to get to my homepage.
 
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