Security suites can be a good value
Internet security suites combine anti-spyware software with a host of other features, including antivirus programs, firewalls, spam protection, parental controls and more. As a result, Internet security suites are a one-stop solution. However, they have advantages and disadvantages when compared with stand-alone software. If you plan to buy antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall software, the suites are certainly cheaper. Internet security suites also greatly reduce the likelihood of software and system conflicts. If you are uncomfortable with installing and using software, a single program is an elegant solution. However, advanced users may prefer to choose the top-rated software in each category, rather than relying on one company to do everything.
Norton Internet Security 2011 (*Est. $70) earns the best reviews year after year, and the 2011 edition receives an Editors' Choice award from PCMag.com. "Norton Internet Security 2011 continues a great tradition of strong antivirus and firewall protection, the central capabilities of a serious security suite," says Neil Rubenking. Norton Internet Security 2011 includes antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing and anti-spam software, in addition to identity protection and parental controls. It receives high marks from independent labs that test antivirus software, including a Gold award from AV-Comparatives.org, which tests 20 Internet security suites in its latest review.
Reviewers say Norton Internet Security is among the best in removing malware and spyware, with a low number of false positives. It also gets very high marks for its robust firewall. Unlike previous versions, the 2011 edition is streamlined and has less of an impact on computer performance. "The massive package of security tools works better than it ever has before," says Seth Rosenblatt at Download.com. Installation is easy and scans are completed relatively quickly. However, some reviewers fault Norton's spam filter for allowing more spam than it should. We also saw a few complaints about the dark interface.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 (*Est. $60) also enjoys high marks from experts, including a Kick Ass! award from Maximum PC. Reviewers say Kaspersky's Internet suites contain a host of features that keep your computer secure against malware, spyware and other threats. "A part of us wishes Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 came bundled with its own aluminum foil deflector beanie, because it's the only thing missing from what's otherwise the ultimate package for paranoid PC users," says Paul Lilly at Maximum PC. Experts say Kaspersky's comprehensive parental controls are the best available among security suites. Not only does the software monitor your children's web usage, but it can also block the Internet at certain times of the day or prevent your children from using certain words. Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 achieves very good scores in independent tests; AV-Comparatives.org gives it a Bronze award for its performance on malware detection and removal tests. However, Kaspersky has more false positives than other security suites and detects fewer phishing sites than Norton Internet Security 2011.
A few other suites get solid reviews as well: AVG Internet Security 2011 (*Est. $55), Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security 2011 (*Est. $70) and F-Secure Internet Security 2011 (*Est. $60) all have their fans, and they all include anti-spyware and adware detection tools. Full details are in our report on Internet security software.
