Panda Internet Security Review

Overall Rating

Panda was better at handling/catching intrusive cookies and malware than McAfee at that time.

I could no longer access Internet within 30 minutes of installing Panda; had to disable firewall and reboot to gain Internet access; websites took significantly longer to load; Microsoft indicates that a problem exists with the anti virus program; Blue Screens of Death when Panda is running; phantom, ineffectual "tech support".

I purchased Panda Internet Security 2007 via Internet download in June, 2007. I had tried Panda's online scans and was impressed - so impressed that I decided to replace the McAfee products on my Vista Ultimate-running laptop and, later, on my XP Media Edition desktop. Upon completing installation on the laptop everything was great - for about thirty minutes, at which point I lost connectivity to the Internet. I isolated each component until I pinned down the firewall. Disabling Panda's firewall and using the Windows firewall allowed me access to the Internet (after rebooting, of course). The problem is that you are paying for the firewall, too, when you purchase Panda's Internet Security suite. Then I made a foolish error - I emailed Panda Customer Support. The first response failed completely to address my complaint, instead addressing an issue that I had indicated was already avoided - I had already disabled the previously used firewall before installing Panda. The second response was friendly, asking if any previous anti-virus software had been installed. That was the last I've heard from Panda. My sources tell me that Spain is still in existence, yet one would not know if Panda was any indication, save the constant pop-ups urging me to renew/upgrade to the 2008 version. No responses from any of my emails since early July (it is now the beginning of September). The XP machine didn't even get that far - after installing Panda the machine locked up repeatedly at the login screen and I had to do a system restore from Safe Mode to save the machine. After uninstalling Panda I have no access problems, no error boxes, no Blue Screens of Death, and no lockups. During the uninstall Panda asks you to fill out a customer satisfaction survey. For their sake I hope somebody reads them. It's a shame that some good programming work is being wasted by poor tech support.

Members' Comments onjim42561's Review

• CCDWMENUK5 on 11th Aug 2008

  I've been using Panda for several years and thought nothing of it when it came time to renew to the 2008 version. I'd bought a new Dell laptop with Vista and needed a security program. But since installation I have had terrible access to Internet and most times I cannot do any 'surfing' for information on linked sites. It has been a nightmare trying to figure out what the problem is. I have had 2 different Tech people to the house to work on this and they both say my problems are connected to Panda. So far I have not heard back from Panda as to how I should proceed. A disappointing service and security system for me.