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) & Kaspersky
• More Security Suites -- Aluria, AVG, BidDefender, Blink, Bullguard, Computer Associates, F-Secure, Grisoft, eEye, Iolo, 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

• 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
• All my Life's a Circle: More Rounds with new Security Guards, Briard, Tech Support Alert, January 2008 -- ESET, AVIRA, Kaspersky, F-Secure, Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee & VCOM
• Internet Security Software Reviews, Consumer Search, January 2008, summary of 24 reviews of 35 products -- BitDefender, Norton & Panda
• Security Suites 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, December 12, 2007: See comparison chart on first page -- BitDefender, BullGuard, CA, ESET, F-Secure, Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton (2), Outpost, Panda, Trend Micro, MS Live OneCare & ZoneAlarm.
• All-in-One Security Suites: Tried and Tested, Erik Larkin, PC World, November 29, 2007 -- Norton, Kaspersky, McAfee, BitDefender, Trend Micro, CA, Avira & ZoneAlarm
• Review: Five Security Suites That You May Not Know About, Serdar Yegulalp, Information Week, November 7, 2007 -- Dr. Web Antivirus, ESET Smart Security, MS Live OneCare, Trustport Workstation & ZoneAlarm Security Suite
• CyberCops: Six Security Software Suite Reviews, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, November 2007 -- CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008, BitDefender Total Security 2008, Trend Micro Internet Security Pro, Norton Internet Security 2008, Steganos Privacy Suite 2008, McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008.

Top Security Suites

Norton Internet Security 2008 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 360" adds automatic backup and restore with 2 GB of online storage, PC tune up and embedded support components.

• Norton Internet Security 2008
  • Best (and Worst) of 2007, Sascha Segan and Eric Griffin, PC Magazine, December 4, 2007 -- Best Software: Norton Internet Security 2008
  • Norton Internet Security 2008, Robert Vamosi, CNet, November 28, 2007
  • Norton Internet Security 2008: Faster, Stronger, Edgier Protection for Your PC, Wayne Kawamoto, Earthweb, October 9, 2007
  • Norton Internet Security 2008, Barry Brenesal, Computer Shopper, September 2007
  • Norton Internet Security 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 7, 2007
• Norton 360
  • Symantec Norton 360 2.0 review, Roger Gann, PC Advisor, March 17, 2008
  • Norton 360 version 2.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 13, 2008 -- editor's choice
  • Norton's smart overhaul battles drive-by downloads, et al. Rob Kerr, The Inquirer, September 18, 2007
  • Norton 360, Davey Winder, PC Pro UK, June 2007
  • Symantec's 360 security has your PC covered, Peter Griffin, NZ Herald, April 19, 2007
  • So quiet, you won't know it's there [Norton 360], Ian Tan, Electric Newpaper, March 16, 2007
  • Norton 360: Is Hands-Off Security a Good Thing? Jack Germain, eCommerceTimes, March 13, 2007
  • Norton 360, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 7, 2007 -- Editors' Choice

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 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. CNet Editor's Choice January 2007.

• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.1, Davey Winder, PC Authority, November 27, 2007
• ZoneAlarm Security Suite 7.1 Adds Vista Support, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, June 13, 2007
• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7 [review], Davey Winder, PC Authority, April 23, 2007
• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2007 Review, Stephen Patrick, Pocket-lint UK, March 6, 2007
• Check Point ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, March 2, 2007
• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, January 25, 2007
• CNet ZoneAlarm 7 review, Robert Vamosi, January 16, 2007 -- Editor's Choice

Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0  features intrusion protection, anti-virus, personal firewall, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and blocks auto dialers, ads and pop-ups.

• Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 1, 2007
• Preview: Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0, Roger Gann, PC Advisor UK, July 4, 2007
• Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0.2.6.1.4 - Review, Matousec, March 11, 2007

More Security Suites (in alpha order)

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

• Russian software provides practical security solution [Outpost Security Suite Pro 2008], Scott May, Columbia Tribune, April 22, 2008
• Outpost Security Suite Pro, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, May 24, 2007

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 Security Suite 8, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 19, 2008
• Review: AVG Internet Security 7.5, Simon Williams, Computeractive, January 10, 2007

Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite

• Avira Premium Security Suite 8, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, April 24, 2008
• Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, May 14, 2007

BitDefender Total Security 2008 -- Anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, parental control, spam filter

• BitDefender Total Security 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 23, 2007
• Review: BidDefender Antivirus Plus v10 security suite,  Paul Lester, Personal Computer World, November 9, 2006
• BitDefender Internet Security 10, Davey Winder, PC Authority, November 6, 2006
• BitDefender Internet Security v10, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 24, 2006
• BitDefender Internet Security 10.0, Ursula Seymour, PC Advisor, September 21, 2006

Bullguard Internet Security Suite -- Antivirus, firewall and storage

• Review: Bullguard Internet Security 8, Simon Williams, Computeractive, February 1, 2008
• BullGuard Internet Security 8.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, December 7, 2007
• Firewall for gamers: SteelSecurity, Security Hacks, May 14, 2007

Computer Associates eTrust Internet Security Suite

• Review: CA Internet Security Suite PLus 2008, Dave Thompson, Stuff, December 11, 2007
• CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008, Roger Gann, PC Advisor, November 5, 2007
• CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 19, 2007
• CA Internet Security Suite 2007, Robert Vamosi, CNet, March 2, 2007

ESET Smart Security 3 includes firewall, anti-malware & anti-spam.

• ESET Smart Security 3.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 9, 2007

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 2008 -- Anti-virus, firewall, anti-spam, anti-spyware & parental controls

• F-Secure Client Security 7.1, Matthew Sarrel, PC Magazine, January 28, 2008
• F-Secure Internet Security 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 9, 2007
• F-Secure Internet Security 2007, Dan Sippy, TechTree, March 11, 2007
• Review: F-Secure Internet Security 2007, Simon Williams, Computer Active, January 11, 2007

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 Pro 7.5, Jon Jacobi, PC World, March 21, 2008
• Meet your PC's new best friend, Noah Matthews, Post Bulletin, February 7, 2008
• System Shield Internet Security, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, June 25, 2007
• System Mechanic 6 Professional, Barry Brenesal, CNet, February 2, 2006

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 Internet Security Suite 2008 - complete package, Robert Vamosi, CNet, November 26, 2007
• McAfee Total Protection 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 30, 2007
• Review: McAfee Total Protection 2007 internet security, Paul Lester, Computer Active, March 9, 2007
• CNet McAfee 2007 review, Robert Vamosi, January 17, 2007

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
• Microsoft's OneCare 2.0 Adds Security, Convenience, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 15, 2007
• The Family Computer: Windows Live OneCare is worth a look, Calvin Ross, Napa Valley Register, June 12, 2007

MicroWorld eScan Internet Security Suite is $59 US for 1 PC for 1 year, antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-adware, parental control, anti-spam, pop up blocker, privacy clean up.

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