F-Secure Antivirus Review 2024 F-Secure offers a highly dependable antivirus solution that delivers thorough protection against malware and various cyber threats. In addition to identifying and removing malware, it incorporates multiple privacy and security functionalities to enhance protection. Notably, it includes a personal VPN for encrypting data traffic and concealing the device’s IP address on public Wi-Fi networks.
The banking protection feature establishes a secure online payment and bank account access environment for safe financial transactions. Moreover, the identity protection feature actively monitors sensitive information such as email addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details to identify potential fraud or misuse.
F-Secure is dedicated to delivering comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, providing peace of mind for everyday users seeking to protect their online activities. The software’s user-friendly interface ensures accessibility for all users, while advanced features cater to those with specific security requirements. With F-Secure, users can have confidence that their online identity and personal information are continuously shielded from cyber threats.
F-Secure Antivirus Review 2024
F-Secure is a security solution that, while it may not offer as many features as its competitors, provides reliable and user-friendly protection against online threats. The software’s simplicity is perfect for users who want an efficient and straightforward solution without any unnecessary add-ons. Despite its simplicity, F-Secure offers robust protection against viruses, malware, and other malicious attacks.Its intuitive interface makes it accessible even to those who are not tech-savvy.
Additionally, the software provides multi-device support, ensuring that all your devices are secure regardless of their operating systems or platforms. This feature makes it an excellent choice for users who value convenience and ease of use over advanced functions.Despite not having all the bells and whistles of other security solutions, F-Secure delivers on both performance and usability. Its reliability and user-friendliness make it a trustworthy option for those looking for a no-frills approach to online security.
F-Secure Antivirus Review 2024 informations
| 🏅 Overall Rank | #21 out of 75 antiviruses |
| 🔥 Firewall | ❌ |
| 🌐 VPN | Yes (unlimited data) |
| 🎁 Free Plan | ❌ |
| 💵 Pricing | INR4,490 / year |
| 💰 Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| 💻 Operating Systems | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
F-Secure Antivirus Pron & Cons
Pron
- Very low impact on performance
- Excellent virus detection
- 30-day free trial
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
Cons
- No firewall
- Banking protection doesn’t use an isolated, secure browser
- Smaller feature set than competitors
What Is F-Secure?
F-Secure has been operating in the cybersecurity sector for more than 30 years. During this period, the company has achieved notable milestones, including the development of the first heuristic scanner for antivirus programs in 1991. In June 2022, F-Secure became independent from the WithSecure group to concentrate on consumer security rather than enterprise-level solutions. Today, the F-Secure product is a sleek antivirus software that prioritizes simplicity, efficiency, and security.
F-Secure offers a pricing plan with two tiers. The first tier is the “Internet Security” plan, which includes standard antivirus features such as:
- Antivirus scanner
- Browsing protection
- Ransomware protection
- Parental controls
- Banking protection
- Gaming mode
F-Secure has enhanced its subscription plan, named the “Total” plan, to include advanced security tools and features such as:
- Personal VPN
- Kill switch
- Password manager
- Identity monitoring
- Breach alerts
- Identity theft help
What Sets F-Secure Apart
The F-Secure antivirus provides a simplified user experience with a straightforward interface that integrates additional features like VPN and ID protections into one app, even on mobile devices. This convenience sets it apart from other antivirus solutions that require separate app installations for add-on features. However, advanced users may find the interface to be overly basic, as it lacks detailed information in certain areas, such as VPN server speeds and loads. It appears that F-Secure is designed for a more casual user base, potentially appealing to beginners or individuals who prefer a low-maintenance antivirus solution.
When it comes to security, F-Secure is one of the most dependable antivirus solutions available. In independent tests conducted by AV-TEST, F-Secure has consistently achieved a perfect 6 in the malware protection category for several years. Its cloud-based scanning engine enables F-Secure to conduct detection scans with minimal impact on device performance. Additionally, F-Secure’s most affordable Internet Security plan includes banking protection and parental controls, but users must upgrade to access features like a password manager and a VPN, which are included in some competitors’ standard packages. This creates complexity in F-Secure’s value proposition, potentially leading users to feel pushed towards purchasing the more expensive Total plan due to the absence of certain tools in the cheaper plan.
Pros
- Intuitive user interface
- Cloud-based antivirus scanner reduces negative impact to performance
- Banking protection and parental controls offered in basic subscription plan
- Excellent malware protection
Cons
- VPN and identity monitoring locked behind upgraded subscription
- No firewall
- A bit sparse on advanced features
F-Secure Core Features
We will now examine the core features of F-Secure.
Browsing and Banking Protection
F-Secure safeguards online users by using a browser extension to prevent devices from accessing harmful web pages that could harbor malware, exploits, or phishing methods. The extension includes a color-coded visual indicator next to search results on Google, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or Bing, making it easy for users to identify safe websites. Green indicates safety, yellow denotes suspicion, and red signifies malicious content. This browsing extension is suitable for use with Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge.
The Banking Protection feature from F-Secure is installed together with the browsing extension and will be triggered when the user visits financial or banking websites. While in use, Banking Protection will block access to potentially harmful sites until the banking activity is completed. Moreover, F-Secure’s remote access blocker prevents unauthorized attempts to access your device while banking, providing an additional level of security.
Antivirus Scanner
In addition to other antivirus scanners, F-Secure utilizes an extensive database of known malware to identify and eliminate malware code on a system. Nevertheless, zero-day malware continues to present a major threat to users as its code does not appear in any known databases until it is too late. To address this type of malware, F-Secure incorporates its DeepGuard module, which monitors and identifies files that the scanner cannot classify as safe or harmful. DeepGuard observes the file upon its launch and while it is in operation. If the file displays any potentially harmful or exploitative behavior, DeepGuard interrupts its activities.
Apart from full scans, quick scans, and scheduled scans, F-Secure also offers real-time scanning to detect and isolate malware as it tries to enter a system. Since F-Secure’s scanning engine is cloud-based, users won’t experience any significant lag while running scans, whether they’re performing a full scan or the real-time scan running in the background. This feature ensures that any suspicious activity is detected immediately and dealt with before it can cause damage to the system. Real-time scanning provides an added layer of protection against new and emerging threats that may not be detected by traditional antivirus software. With F-Secure’s advanced cloud-based technology, users can rest assured that their systems are protected from both known and unknown threats.
Parental Controls
F-Secure offers a parental control feature called Family Rules, which enables users to establish screen time limits and restrict specific online content. While the content filters provided by F-Secure may not be comprehensive, they are certainly adequate. Users can easily block or permit additional websites that may not align with the filter criteria. Family Rules can be conveniently managed remotely through the user-friendly My F-Secure portal, in line with the intuitive design of F-Secure’s interfaces.
Family Rules also offers a “bedtime” function that restricts device usage during specific time frames. This function is accessible on Windows and Mac, while on Android, it only blocks non-system apps, and on iOS, it functions solely with Safe Browser. Additionally, parents can monitor all the apps installed on their child’s device and choose to limit or block access to them using the App Control feature, which is not compatible with iOS.
VPN
F-Secure’s VPN is a reliable and secure option, but it has some limitations in terms of its server count and locations. As of now, the VPN only offers 28 server locations across 22 countries and does not include restrictive countries like China and Russia. This may not provide enough server flexibility for some users, especially when compared to CyberGhost VPN, which offers over 9,000 servers in 91 countries.However, despite the limited server count, F-Secure’s VPN is effective in unblocking streaming sites such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more. Users can either manually select a server location or opt for automatic selection based on their proximity. It’s important to note that while server networks can grow over time, F-Secure’s current offering may not be suitable for users looking for a wider range of server options.
Regrettably, torrenting is not permitted on specific VPN gateways by F-Secure, such as those in the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, France, and others. If torrenting is detected on these gateways, the user’s connection will be temporarily restricted. In terms of security, F-Secure’s VPN is highly capable, with AES 256-bit encryption safeguarding your data, and secure and renowned IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols ensuring swift performance.
Identity Protection
F-Secure’s ID monitoring is a comprehensive solution that can help prevent or catch security breaches. It uses a combination of 24/7 dark web monitoring and human intelligence to detect any compromised personal information of the user. The ID monitor is capable of monitoring various items such as emails, credit cards, Social Security numbers, and usernames. If any of these items are breached or have been breached in the past, the ID monitor will alert the user immediately. Additionally, F-Secure’s expert team provides advice and assistance to users who have experienced identity theft or a breach, adding an extra layer of support for users in need.
Password Protection
F-Secure’s Password Vault is a valuable tool that offers users password management and recovery capabilities. The Password Vault interface is clean and straightforward, like all other F-Secure interfaces. Setting up the Password Vault is easy; all you have to do is create a master password and download a QR code as backup in case you forget it.The Password Vault can also import passwords from other browsers, generate strong passwords, and save usernames and passwords for use with autofill, making it an all-in-one solution for managing your online accounts. With Password Vault, you can be confident in the security of your online presence while enjoying the convenience of autofill features. Additionally, the robust backup system ensures that you never get locked out of your accounts due to forgotten passwords.
F-Secure Pricing & Plans
F-Secure Security & Privacy
F-Secure is a reputable antivirus solution that has a proven track record of security. It has received the official seal of approval from AV-TEST Institute for several years, which only awards products that meet high-security standards after comprehensive testing. The VPN privacy policy of F-Secure assures its users that it does not create traffic logs, share or sell their traffic, read their traffic or have any back doors. This level of transparency and assurance is essential in today’s digital age, where online privacy and security are becoming increasingly important concerns for users worldwide. By choosing F-Secure as your antivirus and VPN solution, you can rest assured that your online activities remain private and secure.
While the VPN provider claims not to keep any usage logs, it does maintain connection logs for 90 days. These logs contain information such as the amount of data transferred, device ID, public IP address, and host name from where the VPN client connects to their service. This may raise concern among some users as their internet protocol (IP) address can be used to identify them.In addition, the Tracker Mapper feature, which enables users to log URLs that use trackers over 24-hour periods, can act as a tracking method itself by logging the websites visited for up to three days. However, this feature can be turned off if desired. It is essential to carefully read and understand a VPN provider’s privacy policy before using their service to ensure that your online activity remains secure and private.
Should You Trust F-Secure?
F-Secure’s marketing message that it does not create traffic logs can be misleading and mistakenly interpreted as a no-logs policy. However, a closer look at its VPN privacy policy reveals that the company does keep some logs, including sensitive customer information like IP addresses. While F-Secure is transparent about its data collection practices, some users may not take the time to read through the lengthy privacy policy and remain unaware of these practices. Ultimately, it is up to individual users to educate themselves on the privacy policies of VPN providers to ensure they are comfortable with how their data is being handled.
F-Secure, a VPN provider, is based in Finland, a country that follows stringent data privacy laws. This is beneficial for users as providers are not required to disclose user data if requested. However, F-Secure has stated that it would release information to authorities in compliance with lawful warrants and court orders.Individuals who prioritize their privacy might want to opt-out of using F-Secure’s VPN or seek other providers that follow a strict no-logs policy. It’s essential to note that different VPN providers have varying policies on logging user data, so it’s crucial to do thorough research before choosing one. Additionally, it’s advisable to read the terms and conditions of the chosen VPN provider carefully.
F-Secure Device Compatibility
F-Secure supports the following devices/platforms and allows connection for up to 25 devices.
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10 version 21H2 or later
- Windows 11
- macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later
- iOS 15 or later
- Android 8.0 or later
F-Secure’s browser extension is supported by the following web browsers:
- Firefox
- Safari
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Internet Explorer
F-Secure Alternatives & How They Compare
While F-Secure’s pricing may initially appear to be less competitive than other antivirus providers like Bitdefender and McAfee, it is important to note that the cost of antivirus software can vary significantly based on factors such as subscription plans, number of devices covered, and included add-on features. When considering F-Secure’s pricing, it is essential to take into account these variables before making a final decision. In addition, while promotional prices may be lower with other providers, it is worth researching the quality and effectiveness of each product to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money in terms of protection against cyber threats. Ultimately, selecting an antivirus provider should involve careful consideration of price, features, and overall effectiveness in safeguarding your digital devices and personal information.
F-Secure vs. Bitdefender
Although both F-Secure and Bitdefender have received the Top Product certification from AV-TEST, Bitdefender offers better value for money due to its comprehensive range of features. In addition to standard protection, Bitdefender also includes a VPN, password manager, file shredder, and performance-enhancing tools without requiring an upgrade. On the other hand, F-Secure requires an upgrade to access a VPN and password manager and only provides a few advanced features. It is not surprising that Bitdefender has been named the top antivirus software of 2024. Its robust set of features combined with its affordable pricing make it an excellent choice for users seeking a reliable antivirus solution.
Read More: Bitdefender Antivirus Review
F-Secure vs. McAfee
When comparing McAfee and F-Secure in terms of price and features, they are relatively similar. Although McAfee appears less expensive at first glance due to its promotional pricing, the Essential plan ends up costing $119.99 annually for covering five devices, which is comparable to F-Secure’s Total plan. Both providers offer advanced features such as a VPN, password manager, and ID monitoring at this price point. However, F-Secure also includes banking protection that McAfee doesn’t provide while McAfee comes with an advanced firewall. When selecting between these two options, it’s crucial to assess your specific needs and determine which provider aligns best with those requirements.
See More: McAfee Antivirus Review
F-Secure vs. Malwarebytes
For those seeking an antivirus solution that prioritizes simplicity and user-friendliness, both F-Secure and Malwarebytes are excellent options. With their straightforward and streamlined interfaces, they offer a hassle-free experience for users. However, there are some notable differences between the two products.While both solutions require an add-on for VPN access, F-Secure stands out by offering banking protection and parental controls as part of its base Internet Security plan. In contrast, Malwarebytes does not have these features at all. Furthermore, F-Secure’s Total plan includes identity monitoring and a password manager, which are not included in Malwarebytes’ offerings.Although Malwarebytes is the more cost-effective choice overall, it lacks the range of extra features that F-Secure provides. Ultimately, the decision between these two antivirus solutions will depend on individual priorities and needs.
Who Is F-Secure Best For?
F-Secure is a user-friendly antivirus solution specifically designed for individual consumers. Though it may have fewer features compared to its competitors, its simplicity and dependability make it an attractive option for those seeking an uncomplicated antivirus solution that works efficiently. Moreover, F-Secure offers additional useful features like banking protection, ID monitoring, and password management that are beneficial for users wanting more functionality and security.However, individuals who prioritize privacy might be concerned about F-Secure’s VPN logging policy, which could be viewed as intrusive. Nevertheless, F-Secure remains a popular choice among users looking for a reliable antivirus solution with added features to enhance their cybersecurity.
Bottom Line
F-Secure is an uncomplicated antivirus software that comes with numerous helpful additional features. It boasts outstanding virus detection and web protection, as well as satisfactory parental controls, although there is potential for enhancement. While F-Secure is a bit more affordable compared to other antivirus programs available, it provides fewer functionalities. You can test it out without any risk through its 30-day free trial and/or money-back guarantee.
G DATA Antivirus is a powerful antivirus solution that offers a wide range of features to keep your devices protected from malware and other online threats. With its robust scanning engine, real-time protection, and proactive behavior monitoring, G DATA provides comprehensive security for both Windows and Mac users.
While it may have some minor drawbacks, such as occasional system slowdowns during scans, the overall performance and effectiveness of G DATA Antivirus make it a solid choice for anyone looking for reliable antivirus software. If you’re in need of top-notch protection for your devices, give G DATA Antivirus a try and experience peace of mind knowing your digital life is safeguarded.
F-Secure Antivirus Review 2024: Frequently Asked Questions
Does F-Secure have a free option?
F-Secure does not provide a free version, however, you can test F-Secure for free for a period of 30 days without the need for a credit card.
Is F-Secure a good antivirus?
F-Secure has undergone testing by the independent research organization AV-TEST and has received a seal of approval, which is exclusively granted to products meeting AV-TEST’s rigorous security standards.
Do I need antivirus?
Certainly, it is essential for both individuals and businesses to utilize some type of antivirus software. The internet is rife with concealed malware, ransomware, and other harmful viruses. Failing to safeguard against these threats could lead to identity theft, device malfunctions, and potential financial setbacks.
Will F-Secure slow down my device?
Not at all! During all testing and scans, F-Secure didn’t make a noticeable difference to the performance of my device. I was able to browse the internet, work on documents, and play music as normal even when a scan was happening.
