Internet Security & Utility Suites

On this page you will find important tips, comparative reviews, recommended products, and links to many more security and utility suite vendors and reviews.

Important Tips

• Just One, Not Two -- Never use two firewall or two anti-virus products (or two suites that include them) at the same time. Completely uninstall one before installing another. Use the vendor's uninstall utility or if not available, use the Windows XP add/remove software tool in the control panel.
• Patches & Updates -- Most security software is only as effective as its most recent update because it is inherently reactive treating "known" threats. So when you install a security suite, go to the vendor's web site and update the program immediately and then turn on the auto update feature (if it has one).
• Firewall Testing -- After you install a firewall, be sure to check it with an online service like Security Space to make sure that it is configured correctly. Testing your firewall is the only sure way to tell that your computer is really being protected.
• Get Online Protection Too -- Consider using an Internet service provider or email service that includes server side anti-virus and spam email filtering as a second layer of defense.
• Prices -- See our custom Internet Security Suites Price List powered by Amazon.com

Choices (alpha order) -- Vendor and review links follow.

• Top Security Suites -- Norton by Symantec, ZoneAlarm by Checkpoint, and BitDefender.
• More Security Suites -- Aluria, AVG, Blink, Bullguard, Computer Associates, F-Secure, Grisoft, eEye, Iolo, Kaspersky, Laplink, McAfee, Microsoft, MicroWorld, Norman, Panda, Preventon, Steganos, Trend Micro, VCOM & Webroot
• Utility Suites -- Iolo System Mechanic Pro, Symantec's Norton Systemworks, VCOM SystemSuite & WinCleaner Complete PC Care

Comparative Reviews

• Securing the Desktop: Eight Internet Security Suites, Robert Vamosi, PC World, May 28, 2009 -- AVG Internet Security 8.5, BitDefender Internet Security 2009,CheckPoint ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2009, Comodo Internet Security Pro 3.8, G-Data Internet Security 2009 [editor's choice], Panda Internet Security 2009, PC Tools Internet Security 2009, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009.
• Group test: what's the best security software? PC Advisor UK, March 21, 2009 -- Avira, BidDefender, F-Secure, Kaspersky, McAfee, Panda & Symantec
• Top Internet Security Suites: Paying for Protection, Erik Larkin, PC World, January 22, 2009 -- Norton, BitDefender, Panda, McAfee, Avira, Kaspersky, F-Secure, Webroot & Trend Micro
• The Best Security Suites for 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 29, 2008 (updated February 2, 2009) -- editor's choices include Norton Internet Security 2009, Norton 360 v.3, and ZoneAlarm Extreme Security; other options in rank order (highest first) are Trend Micro, ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009, BitDefender, ESET, Kaspersky, Panda, Comodo, F-Secure, TrustPort, McAfee, Webroot, Avira, and Computer Associates (CA).
• Security Software Performs Poorly in Exploit Test, Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service, PC World, October 13, 2008
• Bake-Off: Desktop Security Suites, Fahmida Rashid, CRN, August 22, 2008 -- McAfee, Norton 2009 beta, Kaspersky 2009, Trend Micro, and CA 2007 [?]
• A Look At Live OneCare Versus ZoneAlarm, Samara Lynn, ChannelWeb, May 2, 2008
• Does Your Security Suite Also Protect Your Privacy? Erik Larkin, PC World, February 26, 2008
• Internet Security Software Reviews, Consumer Search, January 2008, summary of 24 reviews of 35 products -- BitDefender, Norton & Panda

Top Security Suites

Norton Internet Security or Norton 360 from Symantec include personal firewall and protection from viruses, worms, spyware, intrusion, phishing and root kits. Also includes behavioral monitoring features. The free online add-on pack includes anti-spam, parental control, confidential information blocking, and ad blocking. Norton Internet Security was rated #1 out of nine products by PC World 1-22-09, it was a PC Magazine Editor's Choice 9-9-08, and a Computer Shopper Editor's choice 10-1-08. "Norton 360" adds automatic backup and restore with 2 GB of online storage, PC tune up and embedded support components; it was a PC Magazine and Computer Shopper Editors' Choice in March 2009.

• Norton Internet Security
  • The Best Products of 2008, PC Magazine, December 8, 2008 -- Norton Internet Security 2009
  • 25th Annual Technical Excellence Awards, Eric Griffith & Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 22, 2008 -- Software -- Norton Insight [part of Norton Internet Security 2009]
  • Review: Norton Internet Security 2009, Steve Ragan, TheTechHerald, October 2, 2008
  • Review: Norton Internet Security 2009, Sal Cangeloso, Geek, October 1, 2008
  • Norton Internet Security 2009, David English, Computer Shopper, October 1, 2008
  • Norton Internet Security 2009, Mary Landesman, antivirus.about.com, September 26, 2008
  • Norton Internet Security 2009, Robert Vamosi, CNet, September 11, 2008
  • Norton Internet Security 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 9, 2008 -- Editor's Choice
  • May 2008 PC World: The 100 Best Products of 2008
• Norton 360
  • Norton 360 Version 3.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 13, 2009 -- Editor's Choice
  • Norton 360 3.0, David English, Computer Shopper, March 2009

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite or ZoneAlarm Extreme Security from CheckPoint (they bought Zone Labs) features include network, program & operating system firewalls, antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, anti-phishing, identity theft protection, auto-learn, game mode, wireless PC protection & SmartDefense service; Windows 2000/XP users also get spy site blocking, privacy protection, IM protection, email security, & parental control. It was rated #2 out of eleven products by PC Magazine 10-29-08.

• ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, February 26, 2009 -- editor's choice.
• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009, Robert Vamosi, CNet, September 11, 2008
• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 4, 2008

BitDefender Internet Security 2009 includes personal firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, privacy protection, file vault, IM encryption, Wi-Fi monitor, content filter, game mode, and more. It was rated #1 for protection by Consumer Reports in September 2008. It was also rated second out of nine products by PC World 1-22-09 and was recommended by the PC Advisor UK 3-21-09.

• BitDefender Total Security 2009, Computer Shopper, Barry Brenesal, December 9, 2008
• Review: BitDefender Total Security 2009, Steve Ragan, TheTechHerald, October 13, 2008
• BitDefender Total Security 2009, Roger Gann, PC World UK, September 24, 2008
• BitDefender Total Security 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 18, 2008

More Security Suites (in alpha order)

Agnitum Outpost Pro Security Suite -- firewall, anti-virus/spyware, anti-spam, proactive monitor.

• Agnitum Outpost Pro Security Suite 2008, Roger Gann, PC World UK, April 23, 2008

Aluria Security Center -- Firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam. Also available as the Earthlink Protection Control Center which is free if Earthlink is your ISP or $5 per month or $48 per year if it is not your ISP.

• Security Center 1.2.15, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, May 20, 2006

AVG Internet Security -- Firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-spam.

• AVG Internet Security 8.0, Roger Gann, PC World UK, May 26, 2008
• Review: AVG Internet Security 8.0, Steve Ragan, The Tech Herald, April 30, 2008
• AVG Security Suite 8, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 19, 2008

Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite

• Avira builds better free security in AntiVir 9, Seth Rosenblatt, CNet, March 17, 2009
• Avira Premium Security Suite 8, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, April 24, 2008

Bullguard Internet Security Suite -- Antivirus, firewall and storage

• Review: Bullguard Internet Security 8, Simon Williams, Computeractive, February 1, 2008

Comodo Internet Security

• Comodo Internet Security 3.5, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 3, 2008

Computer Associates eTrust Internet Security Suite

• CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, January 21, 2009

ESET Smart Security includes firewall, anti-malware & anti-spam.

• ESET Smart Security 4.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 23, 2009

eEye Digital Security Blink Personal Edition freeware includes firewall, anti-malware, zero-day protection, intrusion prevention, patch tracker...

• Blink Personal Edition, Robert Vamosi, CNet, April 9, 2007

F-Secure Internet Security -- Anti-virus, firewall, anti-spam, anti-spyware & parental controls

• F-Secure Internet Security 2009, Robert Vamosi, CNet, October 8, 2008
• F-Secure Internet Security 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 3, 2008
• F-Secure Client Security 7.1, Matthew Sarrel, PC Magazine, January 28, 2008

Iolo System Mechanic Pro includes Panda anti-virus and firewall, SpyHunter anti-spyware, a popup stopper and tools for optimization, PC fix up, system cleanup and maintenance as well as search and recover files, system shield (secure delete), and drive scrubber (wipe entire disk).

• Iolo System Mechanic 8 - PC review, Chris Hall, Pocket-Lint UK, September 26, 2008
• Iolo System Mechanic Pro 7.5, Jon Jacobi, PC World, March 21, 2008
• Meet your PC's new best friend, Noah Matthews, Post Bulletin, February 7, 2008

Kaspersky Internet Security  features intrusion protection, anti-virus, personal firewall, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and blocks auto dialers, ads and pop-ups.

• Kaspersky Internet Security 2009, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, September 25, 2008
• Review: Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 -- fast, lean, effective, Preston Gralla, ComputerWorld, August 11, 2008
• Kaspersky Internet Security 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 4, 2008
• Kaspersky Internet Security 2009, Roger Gann, PC World UK, July 14, 2008

Laplink PCdefense includes real-time protection against spyware and keyloggers, on-demand scanning for malware, disaster recovery, and repair of various system settings.

• Laplink PCDefense, Robert Vamosi, CNet, May 11, 2006
• Review: Laplink PCdefense Security Suite, Jack Germain, NewsFactor, April 5, 2006
• Laplink PCdefense, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, February 15, 2006

McAfee Internet Security -- Personal firewall, anti-virus, surf & chat room for kids, ad blocking, and private information safeguard.

• McAfee Total Protection 2009, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, November 19, 2008
• McAfee Total Protection 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 17, 2008

Microsoft Windows Live OneCare -- Firewall, anti-virus...

• Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 2.0, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, January 22, 2008
• Windows Live OneCare 2.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, December 5, 2007

MicroWorld eScan Internet Security Suite includes antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-adware, parental control, anti-spam, pop up blocker, privacy clean up.

• eScan Internet Security Suite for Home Users Version 10, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, June 15, 2009