Innovating since 1996, and known world-wide as a trusted company in data protection, Steganos is committed to providing you with an easy route to keep your assets and data safe. Both on the 'net, and off of it.
Will Steganos Internet Security 2009, make it so easy? Let's find out!
| Overview and Features | Rating  |
Steganos Internet Security 2009 is a rebrand of AVG Internet Security! See the press release.
It comes with a barrage of features to keep you in the clean and green:
- Firewall
- Spam protection
- Anti-malware
- Anti-virus
- Internet exploit and drive-by-download cover
- Mail protection
- Anti-rookit
- Gaming mode and more
The test system is standard install of XP SP3 with 512 Mb of RAM and all required updated installed. The requirement to install Steganos Internet Security are Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista (with or without Service Pack).
| Installation | Rating |
Around 68.3 megs, the installer is the usual self extracting and run application. Following the EULA section, the installation setup proper, will begin.
The installer prompted about another product of the same class being installed, with the implications of that being shown. It was traces from a previous installation that remained, so no problem here, but always worth pointing out possible conflicts later on.
Though you can change the setting, the inbuilt windows firewall is disabled and the Steganos product used in it's place. As is normal practice.
A setup section follows, with the program and database updated and finally, you can choose from a range of options depending on your computers connected status, such as standalone, home networked etc.
| How it Runs | Rating |
The interface is clean, pleasant, and easy to navigate. Every component the suite has to offer can be accessed from the main window, menu items. Should you want more control than the basic setup provided, you can enter the advanced menus, where firewall settings can be changed quite precisely, as well as comprehensive overall control. Checkboxes and sliders are used, Again, it is straightforward.
The few notifications I saw from use were informational. Showing the result of a scan and such. These were presented as an unobtrusive, yet noticable box that slid into view above the notification area of the task bar.
Internet use was not affected by any unreasonable popups or slowdowns, so users should not find themselves out of their depth due to problems with configuration, despite the product's available options for power users.
This is where it's apparent the suite is tailored to work "out of the box" with no messing and minimal configuration required on the users part.
| Value for money | Rating |
At $49.95, Steganos Internet Security 2009 isn't the cheapest, yet not the most costly by a long shot. When you take into account that it's cheaper than the same product by AVG, it's compelling, and should be on anyones shortlist of security suites.
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Overall Recommendation
Steganos Internet Security 2009 sets out to make your security needs easy to use, and powerful at the same time. Usability is high, interference with your working environment is low, and protection is encompassing. The product has certainly succeeded. You couldn't ask for more!
More Internet Security Software Reviews!
Would you like to read more reviews on Security Suite? Look around Bright Hub and you’ll find reviews of numerous other anti-virus solutions including Kaspersky Internet Security, ESET Smart Security, McAfee Total Protection, Blink Professional and ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite.