Protecting yourself online and on the road with the FordMondeo
The Ford Mondeo has made driving smoother, safer and smarter with Adaptive Cruise Control. This radar-powered system takes the hassle out of motorway trips and helps you lessen the likelihood of high-speed accidents. So when it comes to digital hazards, you can also find clever technology to keep your PC protected. Just have a look at this pick of free security software.
- AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition Stay one step ahead of hackers with this reliable and easy to use security suite. It does more than just stamp out viruses: sniffing emails and even vetting web links to keep you safe online.
- Spybot - Search & Destroy It's all too easy to accumulate annoying pop-up ads and intrusive tracking software. This free programme scours your hard drive sparkling clean in minutes.
- Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Fed up with anti-virus scans slowing your computer to a crawl? This comprehensive package is as thorough as any but also efficient enough to run smoothly on even basic netbooks.
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware What's better than eradicating spyware from your PC? Stopping it from getting there in the first place. Malwarebytes promises real-time scanning to nip malicious software attacks in the bud.
- Avast Home Edition Stunningly comprehensive security system that aims to protect every aspect of your online world, from instant messaging and email, to peer-to-peer file downloads and everyday web surfing.
- ZoneAlarm Criminals can target your computer even while you’re asleep. ZoneAlarm locks your PC down with a bulletproof firewall, allowing only the programmes you want to access the internet.
- SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition There are literally millions of digital pests out there, waiting to infect your computer. SuperAntiSpyware knows about (almost) every one, and can even scan USB keys and external hard drives.
- Spyware Terminator Aggressive spyware programs won't be back when you turn this Terminator loose on them. Schedule deep scans to examine every inch of your PC or just let it track threats live.
- Kaspersky Internet Security All antivirus packages know about bad software but this suite knows about good programs, too, meaning fewer false alarms. Comes with useful parental controls for families.
- Laptop Anti-Theft Install this tiny, free program on your laptop and it will send out digital cries for help in the event that it’s stolen. Its detailed messages should allow police to locate, track and recover your computer.
The best safety systems are the ones you don't even notice. Just as anti-virus software works in the background of your PC to keep your digital life secure, the Ford Mondeo uses cutting-edge technology to ensure even the longest car journeys are safer and more stress-free.
It's all thanks to Ford's Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a speed control system that uses a radar in the Mondeo's front grille to monitor the road ahead. Just like normal cruise control, you select the speed you'd like to travel - from a speedbump-friendly 19mph to an Autobahn-storming 112mph – and ACC keeps you moving swiftly along.
However, when the Mondeo's ACC detects a vehicle in front, it brakes automatically to maintain a safe distance, before accelerating again smoothly when the road is clear. Basically, all you need to do is steer, make use of the Ford Mondeo's touchscreen sat nav, and let the Bluetooth with Voice Control assist you to make and receive handsfree calls, as well as control your Sony audio system.
Even when you're not on the motorway, the ACC's radar is watching out for you. Forward Alert will give an audio-visual warning when you drift too close to the car in front. Get closer still and Collision Mitigation by Braking kicks in. This system primes the brakes for a quick response and, if you don't take evasive action, will immediately engage them to lessen any impact.
One word of warning, though. In the same way that security software won't protect you completely from risky behaviour like opening suspicious attachments or downloading dodgy files, Adaptive Cruise Control can't make you a better driver - or prevent you from pranging stationary objects.
