All-in-One
Software: OneCare
Windows Live OneCare is a
Microsoft solution that combines the power of antivirus, antispyware and
firewall technology into one powerful package.
It also offers backup and recovery solutions for the local hard drive of
your computer.
Installation and
Interface
Windows Live OneCare is
an easy download with a quick setup and installation process. The toolbar across the top of the interface
displays the current system status. You'll
also find alerts flashing across the toolbar, indicating details such as your
activation status. To the left of the
interface is the scanning engine that seeks out viruses and spyware, along with
options to start a backup, restore from backup and a help section. The main area of the interface includes
reporting modules for reporting on PC Security, Transaction Security, Backup
and Recovery and PC Tuneup. There is a
brief explanation of each module with options that give you more details of
their functions.
Description
of Features
While
Windows XP and Vista operating systems come included with its own security
utilities, OneCare offers a few more performance tools to enhance
protection. One of the program's biggest
features is Microsoft's antivirus scanning engine. The engine is based on GeCAD technology, a
Romanian security organization purchased by Microsoft many years ago. Unlike security solutions offered by Symantec
and McAfee, the OneCare scanner allows user configuration. You choose the drives to be scanned, how they
will be scanned, and how to proceed if any infections are detected. To assure protection against spyware, Live
OneCare uses Windows Defender technology.
Like
many security solutions on the market, Windows Live OneCare includes the basic
tools for the purpose of system backup and recovery. The program allows you to safely backup data
onto a CD, DVD, HD or USB drive.
Microsoft does not recommend backing up any data onto a FAT32 storage
device. For this reason, the OneCare
software provides instructions on how to convert the hard drive of an FAT32
system over to NTFS.
Though
Windows Live OneCare has proven to be efficient, there have been a few consumer
complaints regarding it's list of features.
For instance, the protection it provides against spyware can be achieved
with Windows Defender, a utility that can be downloaded for free. To protect against phishing scams and
rootkits, it uses Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, a browser that is also freely
available.
Many
of OneCare's performance tools are also available in the Windows XP operating
system. The same results of the program's
defragmenter can be achieved with the defragmenter underneath the System Tools
menu of your computer. The same can be
stated in regard to the feature used to delete temporary internet files, a task
that can be easily performed underneath the Tools and Internet Options tab of
your web browser. Windows Live OneCar
does simplify the process with a one-click system to automatically run these
features, though some consumers do not feel this is enough to justify the
price.
Conclusion
When
searching for an effective all-in-one solution, it is important to look far
beyond the cost. Windows Live OneCare is
a quality program, even though some of its actual features are
questionable. The good thing is that
these functions are more defined, accessible, user friendly and play a
significant role in protecting your system.
