PC Tools Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that offers complete protection to your computer by combining PC Tools' award winning Anti-Spyware, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam and Firewall protection into an all-in-one, easy-to-use product.

PC Tools Internet Security 5.5.1 - What's New?

• Improved protection capabilities:

  We are continually improving our protection capabilities and with PC Tools Internet Security we have once again increased the rate of detection & removal by seamlessly combining our anti-virus technology with our anti-spyware technology. This enhanced integration of technologies means that the PC Tools Internet Security detection and removal capabilities are further enhanced for both viruses and spyware, in particular rootkits (the nastiest threats that elude user detection).

• Better handling of spyware using virus-like techniques:

  Hackers are now merging spyware with virus techniques to produce even more nefarious threats. PC Tools Internet Security comes equipped with technology to better handle threats which use virus-type techniques, with the end result being better protection against a wider range of threats.

• Less alerts, greater control:

  The PC Tools Internet Security alert system has been revised to reduce the frequency of alerts experienced when surfing the Internet.

  Repeated alerts when blocking the same threat have been eliminated, and new options have been added to provide greater flexibility and control when deciding to block or allow a cookie, website or threat. There is also a "remember my answer" option which, if selected, means that you will never have to see the same alert again. User input for the alerts is optional and the default action for each particular alert-type is taken if you choose not to respond.

• Behavior Guard – BETA add-on:

  Behavior Guard provides leading edge protection from zero-day (never seen before) threats, built on the award-winning ThreatFire technology.

  Behavior Guard is designed to pro-actively defend your computer against both known and unknown threats solely by detecting their malicious behavior. Traditional antivirus software cannot do this and only offers reactive protection, meaning it can only protect you from new threats after the threat has been discovered and new signatures to protect against it are developed, tested, and then released for download. Behavior Guard does not rely on signatures to protect you; instead, it uses intelligent behavioral analysis to proactively hunt down and paralyze activities or behaviors that might compromise the security of your computer.

  Behavior Guard is currently available in the form of a BETA add-on at: www.pctools.com/internet-security/addons/

• Further advancements in rootkit removal

  Rootkit removal techniques in PC Tools Internet Security have become more efficient; offering maximum protection with minimal interference to the user.

  It is common knowledge that rootkits are some of the most nefarious threats to have on your computer. The new version of PC Tools Internet Security has enhanced rootkit detection and removal techniques to reduce the number of system reboots required to remove some of the most difficult rootkits.

• Reduced Memory Footprint

  All software installed on your computer has an unavoidable impact on memory usage and computer performance. This is especially true of security applications that must process and check every event to ensure system safety. As part of the ongoing optimization of PC Tools Internet Security, we have further reduced the overall memory usage and footprint to ensure minimal impact to your computer.

• Automated threat evaluation & standardized threat descriptions

  PC Tools Internet Security incorporates a new system which automatically evaluates threats and provides standardized descriptions. This new system provides a simpler method of threat categorization so that you can easily differentiate and understand the threats that have been detected on your computer.

PC Tools Internet Security Key Features

• Easy one-click design

  PC Tools Internet Security provides a streamlined user interface that is simple and easy to use. The individual components of PC Tools Internet Security are integrated into the home screen and can be quickly activated and configured with just one-click. This smart design gives you easy access to manage the security settings of your computer.

• Anti-malware

  Protection against both spyware and viruses.

  • Anti-Spyware & Anti-Virus - Provides advanced malware protection that combines the award-winning technology from PC Tools’ Spyware Doctor with comprehensive anti-virus protection. The Anti-Spyware feature offers protection for your computer against identity theft, stealthy spyware, aggressive adware, browser hijackers, malicious ActiveX objects, malware Trojans, tracking cookies, keyloggers, dialers, and other malware. While the Anti-Virus feature protects your computer from viruses, worms, Trojan horse threats, and other malicious infections.
  • Real-time protection - PC Tools Internet Security provides constant protection against malware through its OnGuard feature. OnGuard constantly monitors your computer for malicious behavior involving spyware processes, tracking cookies, malicious ActiveX objects, browser hijackers, keyloggers, Trojans and more. OnGuard works by blocking all these threats before they can install on your computer and cause any harm.
  • On-Demand scanning to clean infected computers - By running an Intelli-Scan, Full Scan or Custom Scan PC Tools Internet Security will inspect your computer for all types of spyware and virus infections. The unique, patent-pending spider scanning technology works intelligently by using a combination of signature and behavioral scanning techniques to quickly and effectively identify spyware threats. The unique Intelli-Scan™ feature is specifically designed to hunt swiftly and kill active running spyware threats. Intelli-Scan completes in as little as 3 minutes¹, accredited to the intuitive and patent-pending spider scanning technology.
  • Advanced Rootkit detection - PC Tools Internet Security is capable of detecting and removing hidden processes associated with complex threats and rootkits. Using behavioral techniques rootkits and other items that attempt to hide themselves are easily detected and removed.
  • Email Guard protects your computer from threats delivered via email - Email Guard provides protection against, and instantly removes, spyware and viruses being sent or received via e-mails. All popular e-mail applications (such as Outlook Express™ & Netscape® Mail and Thunderbird) that use POP, IMAP or SMTP are supported by Email Guard.
  • Site Guard protects your computer while browsing – Site Guard provides advanced protection against potential malicious websites and phishing attacks where dangerous site are masquerading as legitimate eCommerce sites.

  ¹ Results achieved during internal testing conducted by PC Tools, results may vary.

• Anti-Spam

  Advanced Detection of unsolicited junk e-mails in your mailbox.

  • Supports popular e-mail clients - Anti-Spam is designed to work with a range of popular email clients including all recent versions of Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express and Mozilla Mail (for POP3 & IMAP).
  • Adaptive and automated behavioral filtering technology - Using intuitive behavioral (Bayesian) technology to filter spam, Anti-Spam can be trained to automatically identify spam e-mails. The filter technology identifies spam e-mail with increasing precision as it is exposed to a greater number and range of spam e-mails.
  • Automated white-list for e-mails or domains - The Automatic Friends List feature can be configured to automatically white-list email or IP addresses from which you receive emails on a frequent basis. White-listed e-mails and IP addresses are those which Anti-Spam marks as safe and will never be marked as spam.

  • Customizable settings for fine-tuning spam detection - Anti-Spam includes a number of customizable settings for the advanced user, such as the white and black lists, which can be configured to enhance and fine-tune its ability to identify spam.

    Other customizations include:

    • A local Friends List (white list) and Block List (black list) for both email and IP addresses
    • Real-time Blacklists, allowing the selection of various lists which contain IP addresses that are known sources of spam
    • Blacklisted Countries, providing the ability to black-list countries whose servers send you more spam than legitimate email messages.

• Firewall

  Advanced protection against network intruders

  • Smart Application Rules - The Firewall component incorporates a set of smart application rules which allow you to create a behavior-based set of rules that control how applications connect to the Internet and networks.
  • Stealth Mode protection - This feature within the Firewall causes your computer to appear invisible to other computers in the network. When in Stealth Mode, your computer is able to make connections to other computers in the network, but Firewall will prevent other computers from connecting with yours.
  • Data validation using SPI (stateful packet inspection) - Firewall validates data using stateful packet inspection (SPI) in which it performs a protocol handshake and if successful, allows data transfer. Otherwise all traffic is blocked ensuring no unauthorized data is transferred onto your computer.
  • Software Application protection - Firewall offers protection to your software applications by guarding them against unauthorized access. Enabling this option will shield applications on your computer from unauthorized attempts to take control of them and potentially use them for malicious purposes.

Additional Features

• Automatic Smart Updates - Frequent updates to detect and guard against new threats and viruses as well as provide enhancements to Internet Security are automatically accessed through the Smart Update function.
• Scheduler tool to automate regular scanning and updates - The Scheduler within PC Tools Internet Security allows you to schedule scans or Smart Updates at specified times and intervals. These actions can be conducted in the background and also set to begin only when your CPU usage is below a specified level to ensure minimal impact on your computer performance.

Minimum System Requirements

• 300Mhz, 256Mb RAM (Win 2000, 32 bit XP)
• 1Ghz, 512Mb RAM (Vista Home Basic)
• 1Ghz, 1Gb RAM (All other 32 bit Vista versions)
• 150Mb of free hard disk space
• Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater