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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.

Suites combine multiple features into a single product from one or more vendors. There are tradeoffs in using suites. It is convenient to have several features bundled together. Dealing with one vendor may be easier for upgrades and support. If parts of a suite have trouble getting along, the vendor may be more likely to fix the problem since it's harder to say that it's not their fault. If you have 3 home computers, a 3 license suite may save you money and reduce the work to install and maintain your security software. On the other hand, suites may have strong features mixed with weaker ones. They may not have every security and privacy feature that you need or want.

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

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.

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.

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.

More Security Suites (in alpha order)

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

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.

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

Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite

Bullguard Internet Security Suite -- Antivirus, firewall and storage

Comodo Internet Security

Computer Associates eTrust Internet Security Suite

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

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

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

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).

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

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

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

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

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

Norman Security Suite -- Firewall, antivirus, parental controls...

Panda Platinum Internet Security -- Antivirus, firewall, blocks spam, privacy protection, web content filtering, anti-spyware, PC security diagnosis and repair, and automatic updates.

PC Live -- Freeware version includes antivirus, antispyware, popup blocker & personal firewall; $5 per month fee will add [when available] diskeeper, parental controls, & 24/7 technical support.

PC Tools Internet Security -- Includes anti-spyware, antivirus, firewall and spam protection.

Preventon Secure Internet Desktop -- The standard version includes firewall, antivirus and parental control. The Pro version adds anti-spyware and anti-dialer.

Steganos Internet Security -- Personal firewall & anti-virus (from Kaspersky Labs), anti-spyware (from Webroot), anti-spam, anti-dialer and more.

Trend Micro Internet Security -- Personal firewall, antivirus, spyware protection, fraud defense, wireless network monitoring, home network control, vulnerability assessment, parental controls and Trend Secure services.

TrustPort PC Security -- Antivirus, antispyware, personal firewall, anti-spam, anti-phishing, site filter, electronic signature, data encryption, data shredding.

VCOM SystemSuite (formerly OnTrack) with AutoUpdate, Fix-It Utilities, NetDefense (Sygate Firewall), VirusScanner Pro (Trend Micro PC-cillin), CrashProof, EasyUninstall, Crisis Center, DataEraser Personal Edition & PowerDesk Pro.

Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware & Firewall

Utility Suites

Comparative Reviews

  • Declutter Your PC's Hard Drive, Wayne Rash, Computerworld, PC World, March 24, 2009 -- CCleaner, Norton Utilities, and System Mechanic
  • Suite Deals, Smart Computing, March 2007 -- System Suite 7 Professional, WinCleaner Complete PC Care 10, System Mechanic 7 Professional, and Norton SystemWorks Premiere

Iolo System Mechanic Pro is a security and utility suite; see description and reviews in the security suite section above.

Norton Utilities, Symantec, with LiveUpdate, AntiVirus, Utilities, CleanSweep, GoBack & Web Cleanup.

VCOM System Suite (formerly OnTrack) is a security and utility suite; see description and reviews in the security suite section above.

WinCleaner Complete PC Care by Business Logic is a security and utility suite

  • Computer Power User review, Serdar Yegulalp, January 2006

Utility Software Resource Sites -- Freeware, Shareware & Free-Trial


 
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Firewallguide.com Last Modified :06/19/09 02:15 PM