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March 21, 2009

Group test: what's the best security software?

Nine 2009 internet security suites compared

PC Advisor staff

A run-of-the-mill internet security suite will protect your PC from most web threats, but that simply isn't good enough for discerning users. In our ultimate security group test, PC Advisor and independent lab AV-Test assess nine of the best suites.

2009 security suites: what's the best security software?

With attacks on your PC increasing in frequency and sophistication, it's more vital than ever that you use effective security software. The best protection, as our tests of the latest all-in-one suites show, can thwart the nastiest viruses, spy- and adware and phishing schemes.

In the early days of computer malware, you could get by without antivirus software simply by surfing carefully. Today's crooks love nothing more than to discover a nasty zero-day security flaw, for which there's no defence, then infiltrate otherwise benign and popular websites with hidden, malicious programming designed to attack that flaw. While relatively uncommon, such tactics can ensnare even the most cautious surfer. Today, you need protection.

PC Advisor got respected independent testing lab AV-Test.org to put nine comprehensive internet-security suites through the ringer. Its researchers poked and prodded, surfed and scanned, until one of the contenders - Norton Internet Security 2009 - came out on top.

Symantec's suite did an excellent job, starting with an overall malware-detection rate just short of 99 percent. It has an attractive and well laid-out interface, and its automatic updates send new malware signatures to your PC every few minutes.

More internet security product reviews

The designers also incorporated cloud computing, with on-the-spot online checks to supplement local scans. Yet another feature compares new programs on your PC against a database of known apps, a step meant to improve the suite's performance by preventing it from scanning safe programs.

Harnessing the immediacy of the internet is a trend this year. The F-Secure, McAfee and Panda packages all use online checks to detect new malware more quickly, without waiting for a scheduled signature update.

Although Norton deserves its top spot, it isn't for everyone. Norton can't perform backups, for instance, while four other suites here can. And while its detection rate is very good, it isn't the best - Avira wins that accolade. It's also pretty pricey.

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Comments received


Mr R J Sebire said on Monday, 23 March 2009

I have made polymorphic virus, my actual claim to fame is that my bot, Cujo is now exploring Mars independantly, and I only took 13 years or so.
The problem I have is that all the Huteristic scanners are below 55%, doesnt this concern anybody.
Virus detection has really declined since Dr Solomons days, and mutation engines are excatly the same.
Kaspery is the best at present for a suite, but configuring you PC properly in the first place is the answer really. I personaly use several products for my defence, also virtulisation or sand boxing as its fashionably called is a must if you intend to upload/download.
But then cloud computing (Windows 7) seems to at present total secure with it rewritten code base and api structure.
Go for Kaspery if I were you, last week the KGB turned off all mobile phones for a day and did a full packet sweep, so Russia is safe at present at least.

michael-smith@lycos.com said on Monday, 23 March 2009

usefull test, but info on resource useage would be welcome.

Also, it may be just me, but I can't find how to download the test suite results panel as you suggest, can anyone advise?

Graham said on Monday, 23 March 2009

An advert for eset keeps popping up, where ia it on the list

DieSse said on Monday, 23 March 2009

A security suite review without a test of eset? - What a joke.

And you say Norton is best when Avira catches more malware? - Another joke - how can a worse performer at the core task be recommended.

Get your act together.

thyde9337 said on Monday, 23 March 2009

Like michael-smith I can't find the test results - where is the link?

thyde9337 said on Monday, 23 March 2009

The table does not need a link - click on the magnifying glass at the bottom right of the screen and choose the magnification you require.

mark said on Monday, 23 March 2009

A top review without ESET in there is certainly not one i would give any credence. Also missing, as a commenter refered to earlier, was any indication of resource useage...Hmmmmm.... methinks its another "sell via review scam"

jay said on Monday, 23 March 2009

Yep, go to any tech forum and you will rarely, if ever, see Norton or mcafee as rated in top 10. Eset is always rated !! what gives ???

Kevin Robb said on Tuesday, 24 March 2009

The one glaring omission from the review is the impact on the system itself. Symantec Norton has a bad reputation for causing a number of operating problems with Windows systems.
After using Noton security followed by Zone Alarm (Not featured in this article) I have settled on Avira, which has had no negative impact on my system while keeping out every nasty to date.

redstringuitar said on Tuesday, 24 March 2009

What..no Eset Smart Security? I'm sorry, but I couldn't recommend using this comparison review to make such an important software choice, BitDefender is pretty good, if a bit resource-heavy, but Norton is little more than inefficient bloatware! Every virus-monger on the planet makes sure his/her bad code gets past Norton before release!

pthov said on Thursday, 26 March 2009

Most experts recommend using best of breed individual programs rather than compromising with a jack of all trades suite.
Most experts won't touch the Norton suites with a bargepole (they're good if they install and behave properly but when they don't they're a disaster).

Dragon said on Monday, 06 April 2009

I use Avast free AV, PC Tools Firewall plus, and A Squared free. I haven't had any problems. I had a 3 month Norton trial, which I gave up after 3 weeks. Too bloated. MacAfee let me down badly. It reported Trojans but couldn't deal with them. I found out, after scanning with on-line scans, that it was giving false positives. I tried AVG in conjunction with Zone Alarm free. That cost me £60 to have the PC put right. My PC repair lady says she can guarantee that 60% of the wiped out PC's she gets were "protected" by AVG and Zone Alarm free editions.
Avast is reliable, updating automatically and frequently. The PC Tools Firewall is excellent. My only grumble with A squared is that the updates and scans have to be done manually. Why pay out when the freeware is so good.

terry said on Friday, 10 April 2009

I would like to know if this is a genuine review, or is it a marketing review. (does PC Advisor get paid for this review ) With certain suites actually missing ! It is Clearly biased and technically ....well it isn't. Makes one wonder about trusting these so-called reviews ?

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