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.		Share \|
	Suites combine multiple features into a single product. 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 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 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 first layer of defense. Prices -- For current prices, see our custom Internet Security Suites 2010 Price List powered by Amazon.com or click on one of the product pictures below: Choices (alpha order) -- Vendor and review links follow. Top Security Suites -- Agnitum, Comodo, BitDefender, G-Data, Kaspersky, Norton, PC Tools and ZoneAlarm More Security Suites -- AhnLab, Aluria, AVG, Avira, Bullguard, Computer Associates, eEye, Eset, Fortinet, F-Secure, Iolo, k7, Kingsoft, Laplink, McAfee, MicroWorld, Norman, Online Solutions, Panda, PC Live, Preventon, Quick Heal, Rainbow, Safe`n`Sec, Steganos, Trend Micro, Trustport, VCOM, Virus Buster & Webroot Utility Suites -- Iolo System Mechanic Pro, Symantec's Norton Systemworks, VCOM SystemSuite & WinCleaner Complete PC Care Comparative Reviews AV-Comparatives Crowns Best Security Vendors, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, January 5, 2010 -- The top five security vendors of 2009 were Symantec (Norton), Kaspersky, ESET, F-Secure & BitDefender. Top awards in special feature areas went to Symantec (Norton), Microsoft & AVIRA. AV-Comparatives Tests Anti-Malware Suites, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, December 18, 2009: 3 Star [Advanced+] = Norton & Kaspersky 2 Star [Advanced] = Avira, Microsoft, G Data, F-Secure, Eset, & BitDefender 1 Stars [Standard]= eScan, TrustPort, AVG & McAfee 0 Stars [Not up to Standard] = Norman & Kingsoft AV-Test.Org Releases Real-World Malware Protection Report, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, December 17, 2009: Top three = Norton, PC Tools & Kaspersky Middle five = Panda, AVG, Avira, G Data & McAfee Bottom four = F-Secure, CA, Trend Micro & BitDefender Proactive Security Challenge [suites, hips, firewalls] Matousec, last update December 12, 2009 -- top suites include Comodo, Kaspersky, Outpost and Norton 2010 Security Suites: The Best and Worst, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 22, 2009 -- BitDefender, CA, eScan, F-Secure, FortiClient, K7, Kaspersky, Norton, Panda, Trend Micro, ZoneAlarm The Best Security Suites for 2010 [not really, these are the first ones out], Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 24, 2009 -- BitDefender, eScan, K7, Kaspersky & Panda Internet security suites, Nathan Taylor, Netguide, August 19, 2009 -- AVG, BitDefender, CA, F-Secure, Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton, Trend Micro, ZoneAlarm, ESET & Bullguard 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 Internet Security Software Reviews, Consumer Search, March 2009, best is Norton Internet Security 2009 and best budget is Panda Internet Security 2009. Top Security Suites Norton Internet Security and Norton 360 from Symantec. Note: Reading through the comparative and individual reviews, Norton 2010 products are the best of the best. Norton Internet Security The Best Tech Products of 2009, PC Magazine, December 6, 2009 -- Norton Internet Security 2010 The Tech Herald, Steve Ragan, October 19, 2009 CNet review, Seth Rosenblatt, September 24, 2009 PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, September 14, 2009 -- Editor's Choice Norton 360 PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, March 13, 2009 -- Editor's Choice Computer Shopper review, David English, March 2009 -- Editor's Choice ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and ZoneAlarm Extreme Security from Checkpoint The Best Tech Products of 2009, PC Magazine, December 6, 2009 CNet review, Seth Rosenblatt, October 8, 2009 About.com review, Mary Landesman, October 7, 2009 PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, September 21, 2009 Computer Shopper review, David English, March 2009 Kaspersky Internet Security CNet review, Seth Rosenblatt, August 25, 2009 PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, August 17, 2009 BitDefender Internet Security Review: BitDefender Internet Security 2010, Steve Ragan, The Tech Herald, September 1, 2009 BitDefender Total Security 2010, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 17, 2009 PC Tools Internet Security CNet review, Seth Rosenblatt, December 4, 2009 How-To Geek review, mysticgeek, November 30, 2009 PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, November 19, 2009 PC World review, Robert Vamosi, May 28, 2009 Comodo Internet Security Pro Comodo Internet Security 3.5, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 3, 2008 G Data Internet Security 2010 G-Data Internet Security 2010, Robert Vamosi, PC World, May 28, 2009 Agnitum Outpost Pro Security Suite See the Agnitum Awards page including testing labs, web sites, and magazine reviews sorted by country. Agnitum Outpost Pro Security Suite 2008, Roger Gann, PC World UK, April 23, 2008 More Security Suites (in alpha order) AhnLab V3 Internet Security 8.0 Aluria Security Center -- Firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam. Also available as the Earthlink Protection Control Center. Security Center 1.2.15, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, May 20, 2006 AVG Internet Security (formerly Grisoft) AVG 9.0 security software review, Paul Lester, Pocket-lint, November 5, 2009 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 Computer Associates Internet Security Suite Plus 2010 CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 19, 2009 CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, January 21, 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 ESET Smart Security includes firewall, anti-malware & anti-spam. ESET Smart Security 4.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 23, 2009 ESET Smart Security v3.0, Steve Ragan, The Tech Herald, February 23, 2009 Fortinet free and retail versions Fortinet Offers Robust Security Suite, for Free, Mark Hachman, PC Magazine, September 1, 2009 F-Secure Internet Security -- Anti-virus, firewall, anti-spam, anti-spyware & parental controls F-Secure Internet Security Suite 2010, Mary Landesman, About.com, October 8, 2009 F-Secure Internet Security 2010, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 3, 2009 Iolo System Mechanic Pro 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 K7 Computing K7 TotalSecurity Version 10.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 15, 2009 Kingsoft Internet Security 9 Laplink PCdefense includes real-time protection against spyware and keyloggers, on-demand scanning for malware, disaster recovery, and repair of various system settings. 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 Review: McAfee Total Protection, Steve Ragan, The Tech Herald, November 17, 2008 McAfee Total Protection 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 17, 2008 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 Norman Security Suite -- Firewall, antivirus, parental controls... Review: Norman Security Suite, Steve Ragan, The Tech Herald, December 9, 2008 Norman Security Suite 7, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, February 15, 2008 Online Solutions Security Suite Panda Platinum Internet Security -- Antivirus, firewall, blocks spam, privacy protection, web content filtering, anti-spyware, PC security diagnosis and repair, and automatic updates. Panda Internet security 2010, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, July 15, 2009 Panda Internet Security 2010, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, July 2009 Review: Panda Internet Security 2010, Steve Ragan, The Tech Herald, June 25, 2009 Preventon Secure Internet Desktop -- The standard version includes firewall, antivirus and parental control. The Pro version adds anti-spyware and anti-dialer. Preventon Secure Internet Desktop, Steve Gold, SC Magazine, September 1, 2003 Quick Heal Internet Security 2010 Rainbow Security Suite Safe`n`Sec + Antivirus Dr. Web SecureIT -- Freeware & retail versions Steganos Internet Security -- Personal firewall & anti-virus (from Kaspersky Labs), anti-spyware (from Webroot), anti-spam, anti-dialer and more. Steganos updates its software, Internet Security 2007, Amber Maitland, Pocket-Lint UK, November 7, 2006 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. A closer look at Trend Micro Interenet Security 2010, Zeljka Zorz, Help Net Security, December 23, 2009 Malware Blocking Tests Put Trend Micro on Top, Erik Larkin, PC World, September 21, 2009 Trend Micro Internet Security Pro (version 3), Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 9, 2009 Trend Micro's 2010 suite is sharp at the top, Seth Rosenblatt, CNet, August 27, 2009 Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010 TrustPort PC Security -- Antivirus, antispyware, personal firewall, anti-spam, anti-phishing, site filter, electronic signature, data encryption, data shredding. TrustPort PC Security 2009, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, January 30, 2009 VCOM SystemSuite Pro (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. System Suite 9 Professional, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, December 17, 2008 VirusBuster Internet Security Suite Webroot Internet Security Essentials Webroot Internet Security Essentials, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 23, 2008 Webroot delivers real-time defense against malicious code [Antivirus with Antispyware and Firewall v. 5.5], Keith Schultz, Infoworld, January 3, 2008 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 is a security and utility suite; see description and reviews of the pro version in the security suite section above. Review: Iolo System Mechanic, Andrew Nusca, ZDnet, January 21, 2009 System Mechanic 8, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, August 15, 2008 Norton Utilities, Symantec, with LiveUpdate, AntiVirus, Utilities, CleanSweep, GoBack & Web Cleanup. Norton SystemWorks Standard Edition, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, February 4, 2009 Hands On: Norton Utilities 14, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, February 3, 2009 TuneUp Utilities 2010 Computer Shopper review, Barry Brenesal, March 2009 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 CNet Download.com PC Magazine Utility Downloads PC World Utility Downloads SnapFiles (formerly WebAttack)