F-PROT Antivirus Review: Industry Leading Protection for PCs

2009-04-04

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What is F-PROT Antivirus for Windows?

F-PROT Antivirus version 6 for Windows is one of the best antivirus software, yet easy to use. F-PROT is for desktop and laptop computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems and protects in real-time through a combination of virus signature files and advanced heuristics in addition to Internet security and sophisticated scanning options which examine and sanitize local disks, removable media and network folders. F-PROT Antivirus for Windows has been redesigned and further improved; it continues to be one of the best antivirus products on the market at a very attractive price.

System Requirements (5 out of 5)

F-PROT runs on Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7; 64-bit is supported. The vendor lists Windows Service Packs and Internet Explorer 5 or later as a requirement to run the software. F-PROT uses approximately 20 MB RAM and 40 MB hard disk capacity.

Ease of Installation (5 out of 5)

F-PROT setup asks you for a license key or your email address should the software be used as a trial in which case the application obtains the evaluation license online without user intervention in a matter of seconds. F-PROT is really a child’s play to install. An Internet connection is also required so that the software can automatically download the antivirus updates when F-PROT starts the first time after rebooting.

Features (5 out of 5)

F-PROT virus signature files and advanced heuristics protect your computer with a very high detection rate of malicious software. Its updates are fast and light with the anti-virus engine upgrade being automatic, too. The antivirus solution for Windows keeps your computer from harm in real-time when reading, writing or executing files as well as when using sending and receiving emails in Microsoft Outlook 2000 or later. The same is true for your Internet security by means of Internet Explorer ActiveX safeguarding.

F-PROT also has a number of sophisticated scanning options related to quarantine, file exclusion, scan-depth, subfolders, compressions and streams. Its scan locations include ‘My Computer’, hard drives, removable media, network and ‘user-defined’. On top of that, F-PROT can be set to detect potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). As opposed to viruses, worms and other malware will PUPs only be reported and not automatically disinfected or quarantined. Because this nice feature is off by default you may want to go to

Virus scanners -> Advanced -> Settings -> Other settings -> “Report possible unwanted applications”.

Performance (5 out of 5)

F-PROT provides best virus protection fast, using little system resources to provide computer and Internet security. Its software updates and upgrades are automatic and of small size thanks to F-Prot technology.

Help and Support (5 out of 5)

To access F-PROT’s help menu by means of navigation you need to click a number of times so it’s easier pressing F1 anywhere in the program. On the other hand there is no function key to land in F-PROT’s help and support section where you find its online support center and means of contact. The online support center is exemplary and consists of specific guides and questions in addition to a support library and FAQs for example. What’s more: the contact support-feature allows connecting with F-PROT Antivirus support from within the software’s GUI without the need to open an email program or a filling in a Web form.

Interface (3 out of 5)

The interface is light. However, it takes getting used to F-PROT’s GUI. As much as I like what’s under the hood of F-PROT, the look and feel of the software, foremost navigation, could be improved and be more intuitive. For instance, F-PROT Antivirus for Windows anti-virus settings can be password protected - in the help menu!

Please see the depictions of the Interface below.

F-PROT Interface depicted - (Click to Enlarge)

Price to Value (5 out of 5)

F-PROT Antivirus’ pricing is exceptionally competitive with a license that enables the product to be used on 5 PCs costing only $29 (compare to Norton AntiVirus which costs $39.99 for a 1-user license). But with F-PROT, low price does not translate to low quality - F-PROT is every bit as effective as its better know competitors.

For people looking for an affordable way to protect their home PCs, F-PROT is an excellent choice. Please find here the best anti-virus programs for Windows and Windows 7 in Bright Hub’s article

Top Antivirus Software for Windows 7.

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References

Screenshots by the writer

Author’s own experience