Panda Dome Essential

The anti-malware lineup from developer Panda Security comes in different flavors: Panda Dome Essential (formerly Antivirus Pro), Panda Dome Advanced (formerly Internet Security), Panda Dome Complete (formerly Global Protection), and Panda Dome Premium (formerly Panda Gold Protection). Alternatively, there is a cost-free antivirus available as well, suggestively named Panda Free Antivirus.

While the last mentioned ones provide extra security measures to protect identity data and ensure a trusted environment for the online activity of all family members, Panda Dome Essential offers basic protection against hacker, virus, worm, Trojan, phishing, rookit attacks and others. It is also capable of monitoring emails and attachments, files sent via instant messenger services, along with websites.

Panda Dome's setup is a fast and easy job since only basic configuration is necessary; the app does not give users the possibility of including and excluding the exact desired security modules to install.

The primary window also reveals the current security status and the total number of scanned files, while providing access to the scanner, the antivirus, the firewall, the application control, the process monitor, and all the other modules, each displayed as a separate tile.

The critical areas mode scans only important parts of the system such as the memory, active processes, and cookies, the full scan evaluates the entire hard disk in depth, while a custom analysis gives users the liberty to select the exact areas to sweep for infected files. Scan jobs can be scheduled.

As far as scan settings are concerned, users may tinker with the file types, (e.g., archives, PUPs, extensions), the file and folder exclusions, heuristics, action on threat detection, email notifications, and so on.

Also, Panda Dome Essential can automatically scan connected USB drives to make sure malware does not reach your PC. Moreover, it can create a bootable USB drive in case a virus keeps the computer from running within normal parameters, as well as use an emergency solution when the PC doesn't boot due to heavy malware infiltrations.

The Rescue Kit allows advanced virus detection by resorting to Panda Cloud Cleaner, a separate application that can be automatically installed by the tool (it also has a portable counterpart with identical features).

The Wi-Fi protection module adds an extra security layer when connecting to the Internet in wireless mode, which comes in handy if you are often using public hotspots. The Safe Browsing module blocks malware and phishing attempts, while the Process monitor keeps an eye on running processes and detects potential threats.

The personal firewall in Panda Dome Essential secures your network traffic, and the Application Control module can protect the computer against programs that start without your consent.

Panda Dome Essential uses pretty low CPU and RAM while scanning but may take a long time to carry out the scan jobs. It provides good results concerning malware detection and removal, however. Users who enjoyed the former Panda Antivirus Pro should feel perfectly comfortable with Panda Dome Essential.

Panda Dome Essential is part of these download collections: Scan For Viruses, Trojan Remover, Backdoor Detector, Detect Malware