Sign up to beta test CA's 2010 edition Security Suite

With the debate only beginning now over whether Microsoft's Security Essentials will provide adequate protection for Windows 7 users or merely placate users who settle for mediocre security, the question becomes whether competitors in the security field have an appropriate alternative. CA has informed Betanews it's looking for willing participants in a registration-only beta test of its Internet Security Suite Plus 2010 edition.

Rather than consider anti-malware and anti-virus as separate functions, the new edition will utilize a unified engine managed through a completely new front end. So veterans of the 2009 edition should take note that this is a completely new product. Personal firewalls and spam and phishing filters are included in the new edition just as before; but for 2010, the Web site blocking filter has been expanded for more personal -- and more parental -- control. A P2P filter has also been added to the suite.

The new edition will continue to support systems as old as Windows XP and Windows 2000 Professional, along with both 32- and 64-bit Vista, although there will be significant upgrades to take Windows 7 into account. CA asks willing participants to sign up now through Fileforum.