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AOL 9 Security Edition Review, Simply, The Very Best AOL Ever! Written by: Dan Daily
Hi Gang! Long Time No See! As steady readers, you've all read my article on AOL 8+ for broadband. I must say, it's certainly been a pleasure finally being able to write positive articles on AOL. Especially when you consider I'm the one paying them! LOL I didn't do an article on 9 because I didn't like the spam folder. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I knew many people would just delete it without looking at it. Meaning, my emails could and would be deleted, and they have! I was right about that... That said; this new "Security Edition;" spam folder or not, is well worth discussing. You folks not on AOL, should read this! At least so you can compare... Don't forget the Conclusions at the bottom!
Warning!! You Cannot Skim this Page! This is a long Review because there is a Lot here.
So, Let's Go!
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Let me qualify this; this is not a review on AOL 9 itself per se. It's more a review on the security aspects of the software and the new features in it. Does it really secure your system? Does it run seamlessly? Finally, are there new things with the software itself worth mentioning security aside? AOL 9 Security Edition is primarily a broadband AOL. Even though it has "Top Speed," which is for modems; it's really designed for broadband, because broadband is where security issues come into play. But, even on dial up, 9 SE has enough new features to make the upgrade worth it. Broadband folks? This is made just for us and it's really Kewl!!! This really should be AOL 10, there's that much here... I'm really surprised it isn't... Hey, AOL, you don't need a face lift every time you change a version...
AOL is the Leading Edge With dial up quickly going away, AOL has had to "re-adjust." Meaning; content is king if you want broadband people to subscribe. Why else would they buy it? Everyone with a broadband connection already has email etc, from their providers. Why Would you Pay Extra for Aol? This is the question I will answer once and for all. For one very important thing; AOL is convertible. Convertible? Yes, don't like your DSL carrier? Then switch to cable without changing your email address. Move out of State; anywhere in the world, and your AOL goes with you. See what I mean? It'll go anywhere you go. That's very important when you have friends and relatives that try to maintain contact with you. Read my article on AOL 8+ and you'll know what I mean about content. Most other ISP's haven't even touched that issue yet, let alone, what we'll be talking about today. Sorry MSN and Earthlink, the jokes on you. Really!..
AOL 9 Security Edition While many people laugh at, or "hate" AOL; AOL is the major player in the industry and did a survey on virus's/ Adware/ Spyware with their own subscribers. I'm sure they didn't expect much because AOL is "training wheels" remember? After over 90% said they had no such things on their systems, AOL actually went to their homes and checked their computers. 75% of all the members checked, had some sort of Adware, Spyware, or virus. This raised many eyebrows in the industry because "conventional wisdom" said this shouldn't be the case with a "training wheels" ISP. What's the rest of the world look like? It's a scary thought. (see my article: What's Happened to my Beloved Internet) Apparently, what I've always known: AOL users are no longer "novices" and are using the Internet directly. Anyone running broadband does; that's the "real" world folks and it's a very dirty world indeed. I wasn't really surprised though, I've been with AOL since 2 and have seen it evolve first hand from a users perspective; (imagine that, a review from someone who actually uses AOL! Wow, what a concept) it's hardly training wheels. Hell, if you used all the features on it, it could take you a week, just to set it all up. So, if you're trying to protect your customers and they don't stay in your system, what do you do? You keep them happy! Meaning, you try to keep their computers running smoothly: That's what you do. Obviously the Government isn't going to do anything about it anytime soon. So, AOL decided to do it for them... (or should I say for you, if you're on AOL) And that's exactly what they did...
Virus Protection AOL gives you top shelf McAfee Virus protection; for free! As you may know, AOL teamed up with McAfee quite a while ago. It used to cost around 3 bucks a month. Now there's no charge. What's special about this setup is what it isn't. It doesn't require you to do anything. When you're connected to the Internet, McAfee checks home to see if there are any new updates to it's protection (which seems to be around once a week) and automatically updates itself. You get a little popup after it's done, just to tell you it had an update. It's seamless; I like seamless. After installing McAfee through AOL, let it run a complete system scan. It found 7 files: But really, because of my web sites, I have 162 thousand files on my computer; (yeah, it took it a while) 7's pretty darned good, and most of those were prank humor programs! I was pretty proud of myself considering I've never used virus protection before. Not bad for 23 years in this game, eh? Yes, it can be done the hard way, but why? From there on, it's always on and checks everything that is happening. I notice no slowdown in performance, but, I do have a very fast computer. I did test it on two platforms however (XP and ME) and it should work fine for you. If you're already running anti-virus software, after uninstalling that, and installing McAfee, you should notice no difference.
Spyware Tools? Oh yeah, it doesn't stop at McAfee. On your desktop you'll see an icon for Spyware Protection. After McAfee is done running your full system scan. Click on this icon and it will run your computer through the ringer once again. This time checking for Spyware/ Malware/ Adware. And it works: Imagine that! This should be run/ updated once a week. Also, when on the computer, every once in a while, you'll see a popup telling you it's checking your command files for Spyware. If it finds nothing, it tells you so and pops back off. You do nothing. Really gang! This is unreal! Seamless; there's that word again... When it comes to security issues; seamless is the only way to go. It insures you actually do the updates. What better way to do them? Just like using RAID for backup; you don't do anything. I really like that... Believe me; after 23 years in this game, I'm really tired of doing everything myself. <sigh> As long as I know exactly what's going on; let the computer do it itself! After all, it should be able to, shouldn't it?? Kudos to AOL! Great job guys and gals!!!
Conflicts with Other Spyware Programs? There are reports that the AOL Spyware tool can flag false positives if you're running other Spyware programs like "Spyware Blaster" or "Spybot Search and Destroy. I haven't seen this problem and I do run both of them. So, I did some tests: I upgraded the two others and had no conflicts between any of the three. The AOL tool ran successfully without a glitch, and so did the other two. And, just for good measure I downloaded the newest version of Ad Aware, updated it and ran that. No problems. I also recommend that you run them all as well. You can never have too much protection against Spyware...
Meanwhile: The ME machine I upgraded picked up a keystroke logging Spyware program and the AOL tool caught it on it's next scheduled pass. The damn thing works!!! I'm not making this up gang... This isn't my computer and I just got the phone call. This is too precious... This is what it's all about!.. Extreme providence with the timing for this article, no doubt!
Firewall AOL also offers a free firewall as part of the package. I run Windows XP and did use it's own via SP-2. A firewall is important, especially with the new war on IM viruses. Unlike the incomplete Windows firewall, the AOL/ McAfee free firewall features inbound and outbound protection and learns as you go along. Very similar to what Zone Alarm used to be before it became a bloated piece of garbage.
Popup Controls Since I didn't do a review on 9, this is worth mentioning. AOL now has separate popup controls on it's browser. And, for the most part, it works well. I use Ad-Subtract Pro for IE and cleanup.
AOL System Check This is another icon on your desktop: Understand; I don't trust software like this; ever! I have a 5 node network including wireless for "Little Nell;" on two repeaters! All secure! Nothing messes with any of my machines and I mean nothing! That's how you only get 7 bad files in 23 years... A program like this can do just that. But, I ran it for this article and damn, (and a lot of other choice words) it told me I didn't have java installed. Nothing serious, but I had about 15 of my web pages I could no longer view. It sent me to the Sun site, installed it, and poof! All fixed. Now I can see my "Awesome Pictures" pages again? I didn't even know I couldn't; AOL told me? I even checked first gang, and sure enough; the pages wouldn't run... Son of a b*tch! They actually taught me something. How about that? Who'd of thunk it? Thanks AOL: Frankly, I don't believe this... Who says you can't teach an Old Dog new tricks?
The Spam Folder The AOL Spam folder works very well: I get a few false positives, but I still get them. Like any other spam folder, you must check it before you delete everything in it. I use mine on the standard AOL setup. You can also add your own keywords such as penis, or Viagra and they will never even show up at all. Buffie was having problems with "penis." Hey, not that kind of problem! (you have a dirty mind. LOL) When she entered it in her custom list; she never got another email with it again. It does work... And truthfully; I'll agree with AOL, Spam has dropped at least 75%. AOL got a law passed in Virginia; and as jail sentences seem to prove; Spam on AOL has dropped so low; it's not even a worry anymore. Really... Buried in Spam? Get AOL 9 SE! And the Spammers won't be back, believe me... AOL is a private network and I for one, vote to keep it that way! ~ Go AOL! ~
Any other Additions with 9 SE? Hell Yeah, indeed there are! Auto IM windows: This one caught me by surprise. When on broadband, many of us keep AOL in the system tray while we do other things. If you get email, you hear the familiar "You've Got Mail" voice, so you know you have new email: Nothing you have to do now. But, what about an IM? It's someone calling now and you have to look: You have to key up AOL to see who's calling; what a pain and it's usually Spam! I'm not much of an IM'er. With AOL 9 SE; are you Ready for This? If you get an IM while in another program, a tiny window pops up in the lower right corner with the message. If you don't click on the open button, it just goes away. Really nice job... Wow! AOL, you blew me away with this one!
New AOL Spell Checker: Finally, something's been done with the spell checker. Now, it's more like the familiar "Windows Word" checker. It underlines miss-spelled words as you make them and changes common mistakes on the fly (such as "i" to "e") without you doing anything. Neato!! If it's just a miss-spelled word and you don't want to check the whole document; right click on any letter of the word: A list of words pops up and you can click one. This will replace the "bad" word, or you can add your word to the dictionary: Without opening the dictionary at all! AOL? What's going on here?.. Hey Aol: Share with the Windows dictionary. Better yet, make all saved words savable and installable in both! It would be killer! Windows still doesn't do that. C'mon, show them up; it's time to show Bill Gates how to do his own job again! Just like you had to do with "Windows Messenger." It would be worth the laugh; because it's such a simple idea. Just to add insult to injury, do it with the "auto-saved" passwords as well. LOL
AOL Phone? (What? More???) Yeah, you heard that right. AOL has a USB phone you can buy as an option. (about 44 bucks) Once you have the phone, or any microphone headset combination; (buy the Logitech Premium 300 USB headset) you can call anyone who has one, and is on AOL through the IM box. Their icon will show a little phone on the buddy list box if their headset is USB. And, USB will allow your computer sounds to come out of the main speakers, while the phone is only on the head set. Wow, and damn; it works! You even have little sound meters to show your signal strength and can adjust your microphone, or the incoming volume from the little icons! Can this be real? Hey gang, you know me; I had to check this out myself and it works GREAT! This is the cat's meow! And, knowing me the way you all do; I couldn't settle for just a corded head set. I did a Net search and came up with a cordless Logitech phone/ Internet headset and this is just too much!!! I can walk all around the house, talking long distance, through the computer! Go figure. You have to admit, that's pretty kewl! Free long distance!!
Auto Program Popup: This one I have to explain: I have a terrible habit of shutting down my computer with AOL still in the tray; forgetting it was connected. The next time you fire up AOL, it appears in the tray, "uh oh, I did it again." You can just click on the tray and it pops back up, but it's annoying. AOL has solved this problem as well: If AOL is on the tray, and you shut down your programs when AOL is the last program loaded, it pops up full screen. What a great reminder! Very nice job AOL!! You guys act like you actually use your own software! Microsoft, are you listening?
Screen Resolution Solved: AOL9 SE has the ability to run 96 dpi (dots per inch) fonts, even if you don't. I run my monitor at 1024x768 with Windows fonts set at large. (120dpi) My eyes aren't getting any better and I like the larger type. This always squished the AOL screens which are designed for 96. You'll get a warning, just ignore it. AOL will run at 96 all by itself. I really like that. ... You guys are getting serious about this stuff, good for you...
New Address Book: This is the best part for me. Now, if you have large groups, like family members, or my mailing lists. No matter how many entries! The address book lists them all in alphabetical order. They can be very easily deleted from that list. For me, this was worth the upgrade all by itself! ... This one brought tears to my eyes gang. Finally! It still could be made better but, thank you AOL, you just don't know...
Problems The only real problem I ran across is with McAfee itself. It doesn't like to be aware on boot up. This is on XP with my "Mariah;" that loads tons of programs at start up. If your computer has trouble, tell McAfee not to load at boot up. Also of note: I had no such problem with a Windows ME machine I upgraded, so, it seems to be XP specific. Or most probably, it's a quirk of my particular setup.
And Remember: Don't let AOL be your default media player when it asks and don't let it be your default browser if it asks. (this is for the newbie's who don't know to install all the plug-ins and to keep them away from IE: Good idea) If on broadband; disable "Top Speed" in the settings Internet section and don't let email save it's pictures automatically. These work well for dial up, but cause bloat. And broadband or not; if you set your PFC (personal filing cabinet) to auto-save for both sent, and read email; you must clean it out at least once a week and compact it! Make sure you set the download settings to delete all zip files once decompressed! Together, these all can cause massive bloat and their defaults are all on! (again, they're for dial up, I don't know the why about zip files) If you like: You can uninstall the toolbar on IE by clicking on help, in the far left AOL icon. Delete the tray toolbar from the tray menu in Windows. (right click on the tray) I to, don't like clutter... If the "every 5 minute" update check in McAfee drives you crazy, just change the 5 minute setting in Control Panel "Scheduled Tasks." I have mine set for every 30 minutes. It only updates around once a week anyway. Check your Spam Folder Before Deleting It!!!
Conclusion I must say, it's a real kick to see AOL mature the way it has. I'm especially impressed with their unbelievable attention to the smallest detail! When they say they're working for their members on TV commercials, it's not just talk. I would not want to be one of their programmers! With Built in Pop-Up controls, Virus Protection, Spyware protection etc. ad nausea; AOL 9 is a final solution. Not part of a chain, the whole chain as far as that is possible! What could be better then that? And, let's not forget the legendary AOL content. Worth 14.95 a month for the whole package; with all 7 of your screen names online at the same time? You're kidding right? As you can see, AOL has gotten so complex, no one review can even cover it. We haven't even touched on the meat of the program: The content. For content, please review my article on AOL8+. Once again, you're only reading a "real" review on this software here. Other then a couple of news blurbs, you don't hear anything about it. You'd think this would be the biggest "buzz" in the computing world! It reminds me of the national media in this last election. Someone has an agenda. Mine is to bring you the truth. I don't work, or know anyone who works for AOL. I have no axe to grind... But AOL, if you keep going like this; you could ask. LOL Sorry AOL haters out there. You and "Conventional Wisdom" said AOL would be dead when dial up went away. Like so many times before, you and conventional wisdom is what's dead. Dead wrong! Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side. I've been with AOL since AOL2. I've stuck with them through thick and thin. Guess what? Except for a few bumps along the road, it's only gotten better and they haven't disappointed me. Now, that road is a super highway! And, AOL is convertible: I still have the same screen names since AOL2. How long have you had yours? My people can still get in touch with me. Do you even have the same phone number? Do you even live in the same house??? The National Average says you don't have either. Think about it...
Remember The purpose of a home computer is to enjoy it, not fret and worry about it. AOL 9 SE comes a long way in doing that.
AOL 9 Security Edition? I Can't Believe I'm Saying This: "I'm Hopelessly Devoted to You!" You make them all look Silly! I knew you could do it!
Note: I don't know if you've been reading the news; but the Internet is in trouble. Serious trouble! AOL 9 SE may come a long way in saving our Internet.. I don't care "who" you think you are! I'll stand by that statement!!. Go to keyword "Upgrade" and get it! If you don't have AOL, try it free! Click the ad at the top of this page. I Highly Recommend It! Related Articles: What's Happened to my Beloved Internet
I hope this helps you on your road. Your Road? Yes, Your Road To Computer Sanity Danny
A Geek is Someone Who ... 1. Has more e-mail addresses than coins in their pocket. (Hey, I don't have any coins in my pocket, I don't even have a pocket...) 2. Has a faint 'monitor tan,' but only on their face. (I have an LCD, so there) 3. Uses three or more acronyms (URL, CD-RW, MSIE, etc.) in 90+% of their sentences. 4. Knows the complete version number of each program they use, but can't remember their spouse's birthday. (wow, am I guilty on that one) 5. Remembers to run SCANDISK and DEFRAG, but forgets to put on their shoes. (I've never liked shoes!) 6. Becomes spellbound at a connectivity problems lecture, but can't stay awake at supper. (No comment please!) 7. Knows the names of all the robots in movies produced since they were 5, but doesn't have a clue about Aunt Jane's kids' names. (Hey, no fair!..) 8. Can code an HTML page quicker than they can write a short letter to a friend. (can't everyone?) 9. Can recite the specs on any hardware they use, but can't tell you their car's engine size. 10. Refers to buying groceries as 'upgrading the pantry.' (stop right there! I don't do that! But, speaking of 'upgrading' the pantry? Cya later, gotta go upgrade; LOL...) |
