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.
See our up to date group test: Group test: what's the best security software?
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.
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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
terry said: 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 isnt Makes one wonder about trusting these so-called reviews
Dragon said: I use Avast free AV PC Tools Firewall plus and A Squared free I havent 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 couldnt 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 PCs she gets were protected by AVG and Zone Alarm free editionsAvast 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
pthov said: Most experts recommend using best of breed individual programs rather than compromising with a jack of all trades suiteMost experts wont touch the Norton suites with a bargepole theyre good if they install and behave properly but when they dont theyre a disaster
redstringuitar said: Whatno Eset Smart Security Im sorry but I couldnt 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 hisher bad code gets past Norton before release
Kevin Robb said: 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
thyde9337 said: 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
thyde9337 said: Like michael-smith I cant find the test results - where is the link
DieSse said: A security suite review without a test of eset - What a jokeAnd 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
Graham said: An advert for eset keeps popping up where ia it on the list
michael-smith@lycos.com said: usefull test but info on resource useage would be welcomeAlso it may be just me but I cant find how to download the test suite results panel as you suggest can anyone advise
Mr R J Sebire said: 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 soThe problem I have is that all the Huteristic scanners are below 55 doesnt this concern anybodyVirus detection has really declined since Dr Solomons days and mutation engines are excatly the sameKaspery 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 uploaddownloadBut then cloud computing Windows 7 seems to at present total secure with it rewritten code base and api structureGo 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