F-secure Total

[Twyla Plack]

Ive just tried to install the TOTAL package from f-secure on my Macbook Pro (running on Catalina 10.15.7). I was able to download the package but the installation freezes from the beginning, I can't even start the process after opening the package.

I've tried again with Gatekeeper safety setting set on "any" but that doesn't help, the package opens, asks for a safety check to be done (which I can accept) and then freezes (I've waited for an hour).

The reason for the installation package failure is due to Catalina 10.15.7 no longer being part of the supported operating systems. An update of your operating system would be required to complete your installation. Do find the prerequisite system requirements needed to complete the TOTAL set up:

as of a few days ago I lost access to my password vault - trying to access it gives me an error and a suggestion to reboot or restart the application on windows. Restarting has no effect, still same error (tried numerous times). No idea on how to just restart the application, but can't see why this should have a different effect. Password vault still accessible on my Android device though.

We would like to recommend that you perform a complete uninstall and reinstall of the app on your computer. We have recently released a new version of F-Secure Total (version 19.2). After reinstalling the app, please sync your Password Vault from your Android device.

We'd appreciate some clarification on the message you mentioned. Are you receiving the message to restart your machine after logging into the Password Vault or after opening F-Secure Total? Have you checked for any pending Windows updates? In some cases, Windows may prompt for a restart if there are updates pending or if there's a detection that can only be fully resolved with a system restart.

-> I decided to open Password Vault in fs protection and saw at the step of 'before typing masterpassword' how gray-logo is switched to temporarily blue-locked logo in autofill features of Password Vault extension in Microsoft Edge;

However, then, I tried to repeat/reproduce this trouble. And, now, got a pretty stable broken state of things. Whenever I am trying to unlock (even with a wrong masterpassword) - 'Something wrong, try to restart app or device'.

// yes, also, during this broken state of things - I feel that when I trying to open Password Vault in fs protection UI (card) - this action with a delay (so, switching from UI to Password Vault's unlock screen is not immediately happened).

@Firmy , thank for looking into this! I can open F-Secure total just fine, as far as I can tell all other functionality is OK. Error occurs when trying to log in to Password Vault. No pending Windows updates - the system is up to date.

For me, restarting device is helpful. Or even logout from user account and log-in back. I mean, after a reboot, if I will open F-Secure beta application and then will try to unlock Password Vault - it is possible. If I did not try to hit autofill-logos in login forms (while using browser) - all is fine too.

We would suggest you to submit a bug report to the beta team. They will look more deeply on this issue since you are using the FS Protection. You can provide as well steps to reproduce the issue. All information are valuable for us to investigate this matter.

Could you try logging out of your account on the app and then logging back in to see if it resolves the issue? If not, you might attempt to unlock the Password Vault first without clicking on the gray-locked logo initially.

@Firmy - I tried both. Logging out of the app and logging in does not resolve the issue, even if I reboot between logging out and in. Not clicking the gray-locked logo does not have an effect either. Also tried rebooting and then going straight to the app and vault, without opening a browser before that. No effect, still cannot access my pwd vault.

Since your situation is likely unrelated to my experience - it is better to understand a reason and a proper solution, but as such.. since your Android device is still valid.. maybe here is a workaround like this: to use "Forgot password" at the masterpassword request on Windows machine, then "Create a new Vault" (as a start from scratch), then sync-back from the Android device. However, it is not really safe enough to perform. Because just by keeping your current state - it is 'workable' Android device; and still your storage in Password Vault (even if it is somehow marked as invalid); so better ways to restore access without any extra difficulties. Perhaps, F-Secure team will find a way to troubleshoot situation correctly.

@Firmy - any further suggestions regarding this issue? The password manager functionality has been unusable for me for the lest 2+ weeks... Looking forward to figuring it out somehow, but have run out of ideas.

To get started with F-Secure products, you first need to create or log in to your My F-Secure account. Once you have an account, you can register your purchase and install protection on your devices. You can also send an installation link by email to other users. The My F-Secure portal keeps track of all the devices you have protected and how many licenses you have remaining in your subscription.

F-Secure Total builds on the security components of F-Secure Internet Security. All the features of the basic suite are available in Total, on all four platforms. Therefore, there is no need to repeat the analysis of the overlapping components. F-Secure protects your documents and photos from ransomware,

Many antivirus tools use a simple progress bar to show the scan progress. Some even estimate how long it will take to finish. F-Secure uses an unusual circular sweep that escapes its round progress bar to paint the whole window. I noticed that the progress report stuck at 11% for a long time, then rapidly sped to completion.

In theory, after the initial full scan, you can rely on real-time protection to prevent future attacks. However, you may want to run a regular full scan as a precaution. F-Secure allows you to schedule a full scan to run daily, weekly, or every four weeks.

Below this bucolic scene, there are large button panels that let you access important features. The entry-level suite has buttons for viruses and threats, secure browsing and banking, and people and devices. However, these buttons are spaced out widely, giving the impression that the suite is lacking in features.

The VPN in F-Secure Total is not just a simple on/off button. When you click on the Privacy VPN panel, you will first see a list of available server locations organized by continent. F-Secure does not attempt to cover the entire globe, with only servers in North America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. There are 20 country choices, plus three spots in Canada and five in the US. On Windows and macOS, a world map shows the approximate location of the server you have chosen. However, unlike TunnelBear and ProtonVPN, you cannot select a server by clicking on the world map. The world map is only for informational purposes.

No network connection is perfect. It is possible that your VPN connection may be dropped, which could leave your traffic unprotected until the VPN reconnects. All platforms except iOS include a Kill Switch feature that cuts off all traffic during a dropped VPN connection. This feature is enabled by default on Android and disabled on Windows and macOS.

It is likely that your email address will appear in one or more data breaches. You can click on any event to view full details, including exactly what information was included in the breach and what you can do next. Unlike many other services, F-Secure does not allow you to hide or archive items once you have dealt with them.

When you first set up Password Vault, you will need to create a master password. F-Secure does not specify any requirements for the master password, but they do recommend that you choose a phrase that is easy for you to remember but only makes sense to you. The app will rate your password as you type. After you create your master password, F-Secure provides you with a recovery code. This is a QR code that you can use to regain access to your password vault if you forget your master password. It is important to keep this code safe, as it is just as sensitive as your master password. Do not leave it lying around where it could be easily accessed by others. Consider printing it out and storing it in a fireproof lockbox, or encrypting it using a password manager.

F-Secure can also automatically capture your login credentials as you log in manually. However, it has some limitations. For example, it may not be able to capture two-page logins, where you enter the username on one page and the password on the next. Additionally, if you have already saved credentials for a site, it will not capture a second set. In both cases, you can fix the problem by entering the details in the main app.

Regarding the password manager app, we found it slightly unusual that the browser extensions do not work unless the main vault is unlocked. This means that if you have the vault set to lock automatically after five minutes of inactivity, you will need to unlock it every time you want to use the browser extensions. This could be inconvenient.

If like me you pay separately for a Anti Virus, a VPN and a Password Manager/Vault F-Secure Total is well worth a look, with the ability to have your account on either 5 or 10 separate devices, the plans are reasonably priced especially when compared to the total cost of purchasing each service separately.

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