ESET Internet Security is a paid security application for Windows. It combines malware protection with a firewall, network and router checks, protected browsing for banking, parental controls, email antispam and anti-theft tracking. ESET no longer sells it as a separate subscription. ESET sells new and renewed plans as ESET HOME Security Essential. That tier (along with Premium and Ultimate) installs ESET Internet Security on Windows PCs. You can activate a free trial from the program itself.
In ESET’s Windows line, ESET Internet Security sits between NOD32 Antivirus and Smart Security Premium. NOD32 Antivirus provides the malware engine, anti-phishing and behaviour monitoring. Smart Security Premium adds file encryption, a cloud sandbox, protected folders and VPN.
How malware detection works
Real-time protection checks files as they are opened, created or run. ESET LiveGrid looks up the reputation of files, while heuristics catch threats without an existing signature. Web and anti-phishing protection inspect pages as they load, including HTTPS traffic. The program scans incoming POP3 and IMAP mail as it arrives.
A second layer, the Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS), watches what processes do with files, the registry and other programs. It bundles several components:
- Exploit Blocker hardens commonly attacked programs such as browsers, PDF readers, email clients and Office.
- Advanced memory scanner catches malware that stays obfuscated or encrypted until it runs in memory.
- Ransomware shield watches for ransomware behaviour.
- Self-Defense stops malware from tampering with ESET’s own processes, files and registry keys.
Scans, cleanup and quarantine
The main scan in ESET Internet Security checks all files on local drives. It cleans or deletes detections automatically, asking the user only when it cannot act. Custom scans use chosen targets, and a removable media scan checks USB drives and discs. Scans can run on a schedule, at startup or while the PC is idle.
After an infection, System cleaner resets Windows settings that malware often changes. These include a disabled Task Manager or Registry Editor, Windows Update settings and file associations. You review the proposed changes first.
Firewall and network protection
The ESET Internet Security firewall filters traffic in both directions. Its default automatic mode allows outgoing connections and blocks most unsolicited incoming traffic from outside trusted networks. Interactive mode asks about each unknown connection and can save the answer as a rule. Policy-based mode blocks anything no rule allows.
Network attack protection blocks traffic that tries to exploit known vulnerabilities. Botnet protection recognises the patterns an infected PC uses to contact a command server and cuts those connections.
Checking the home network
Network Inspector scans networks you have marked as trusted, lists connected devices by type and flags new ones. Its router check looks for issues such as open ports or a weak password. It reports these but does not change router settings.
Safer banking and browsing
Safe Banking & Browsing starts supported browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Brave, in a secured mode by default. This mode hides keystrokes from other applications to defeat keyloggers. It can also block screenshots, screen recording and screen sharing of the browser.
The Browser Privacy & Security extension deletes chosen browsing data, such as history, cookies and cache, on demand or on a schedule. It also marks search results by safety and checks pages for threats and scam content as they load.
Webcam, microphone and connected devices
Webcam Protection asks you to allow or block each application that tries to use the camera. Microphone Monitor notifies you when a process uses the microphone.
Device control applies rules to USB storage, CD/DVD drives, Bluetooth devices, printers and other hardware, allowing them, blocking them or blocking writes.
Parental control for Windows accounts
ESET Internet Security applies parental rules per Windows user account. You mark an account as a child or parent account and enter the child’s birth date, which sets an age-appropriate starting level. Filtering covers more than 40 website categories, plus per-account allowed and blocked sites. Restrictions apply only to standard accounts, and a settings password stops others from changing them.
Antispam for desktop email
The antispam module scores messages in supported desktop mail clients using message properties, statistical heuristics and lists of trusted and blocked senders. Marking messages as spam or not spam moves them between the inbox and the junk folder.
Tracking a lost PC
Anti-Theft links the PC to an ESET HOME account. If you mark it as missing there, ESET Internet Security allows sign-in only to a limited “Phantom” account. In that case, ESET HOME shows the IP-based location, webcam images and device activity.
Gamer mode and interface options
Gamer mode starts automatically with full-screen programs, or manually. It hides notifications and pauses scheduled tasks while protection keeps running. The interface also offers dark mode and screen reader support.
