Best Internet Security Suites

Which of this year's releases offers the best protection?

Despite a spotty record in reviews over the past few years, we found the best reviews overall for this year's Norton Internet Security 2009 (*Est. $35), which includes antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall, anti-rootkit, and anti-phishing software. Previous versions did well on malware detection and cleanup, but Norton also had a reputation for causing software conflicts and system drag. Reviewers say Symantec has delivered on its promise to redesign Norton Internet Security to make it faster, more compatible, and easier on system resources.

Norton Internet Security 2009 gets an Editors' Choice award from PCMag, and Neil J. Rubenking calls it "the best all-round security suite yet." He likes the small footprint, minimal performance impact, and powerful spyware and virus protection.

Norton also comes in ahead of the other major suites in CNET's performance tests. Robert Vamosi says it "hits all the right security notes," and may even "win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks." Like Rubenking, he finds Norton Internet Security 2009 to be leaner and faster than last year's version. He's also impressed with the Symantec's new free technical support (previously, users had to pay for each call to tech support).

Which? Magazine gives Norton Internet Security 2009 a Best Buy label, the highest rating of any security software suite tested. Editors like the clean installation and intuitive operation. What they don't like is that not all features are turned on by default. The other quibble is that the parental control and spam blocker features come in a separately downloaded (but free) add-on pack.

User reviews echo professional assessments. Last year's Norton Internet Security 2008 got low-to-moderate user ratings, but the majority of owners reviewing Norton Internet Security 2009 give it high scores and positive comments. Most say they like the speed, effective scanning, and simple interface; many say they've noticed significant improvements over last year's release. Users at CNET -- who are notoriously tough compared to the site's editors -- combine to give it 3.5 stars out of five. Scores are higher on Amazon.com, where two thirds of contributors give the software perfect scores.

BitDefender was last year's top Internet security suite, but reviewers say BitDefender Total Security 2009 (*Est. $50) is only an average performer compared to the improved Norton Internet Security 2009. BitDefender has added several new features this year including backup and remote configuration. PCMag's Neil J. Rubenking likes the upgrades and says BitDefender does a good job of filtering spam and protecting users from phishing sites. He's less positive about the spotty malware clean-up, "even after multiples passes," and he reports that the spam filtering slows e-mail down significantly. Overall he suggests that BitDefender is a reasonable choice, especially given some of the new features, but it's not a standout.

Editors at Which? give BitDefender similar feedback, with slightly below-average scores compared to the other suites tested. They like the strong parental controls -- something that requires a separate download with Norton -- but say the suite as a whole is too technical to be user-friendly. Users posting to Amazon.com give BitDefender Total Security 2009 good feedback, but ratings fall a little below those given to Norton Internet Security 2009. A number of users report installation and compatibility problems along with disappointing technical support.

Reviewers say Panda Internet Security 2009 (*Est. $20) is nearly identical to last year's version. Panda was arguably one of last year's contenders for top security suite, but significant improvements from its competitors have had the effect of lowering its overall standing. Panda Global Protection 2009 (*Est. $40) is identical to Panda Internet Security but with the addition of online backup and tune-up utilities.

PCMag gives Panda Global Protection a solid average score, and Neil J. Rubenking has good feedback on its spam filtering, firewall, and low system impact. He does find, though, that this suite isn't as effective on spyware or phishing prevention. Which? gives Panda Internet Security a middle-of-the-road rating -- a significant downgrade from last year's Best Buy designation. Editors say the core functions are good, but the interface -- especially the menus and help screens -- needs updating. Overall, they say it's not different enough from last year's release to be worth the upgrade.

User reviews for Panda Global Protection 2009 are mixed, but there's also too little feedback for what we've seen to provide good guidance. But while Panda Internet Security 2009 is now outperformed by Norton, its lower price makes it a good pick for buyers on a budget.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (*Est. $40) bears some similarity to last year's Norton in that it gets excellent reviewer feedback for effective malware control along with demerits from users for negative system impact. Kaspersky has the standard range of features: malware detection, content filtering, IM protection, firewall, identity theft prevention and parental controls. Critics say this year's interface is an improvement over previous versions; it's better organized, streamlined, and more attractive. There are also some internal changes including a revamped antivirus engine and a new application filter.

PCMag has the most thorough review of Kaspersky. Neil K. Rubenking says the "well-organized new user interface," strikes a good balance between seamless protection for novice users and accessible settings for those who like to customize. His big beefs are the rudimentary parental controls, weak anti-phishing protection, and spam filtering that blocks valid e-mails.

User reviews of Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 are quite polarized. Many contributors to Amazon.com give it perfect scores, but a significant minority -- over 20 percent -- give it just one star out of five. Generally those happy with the program find it quick and effective while those giving it a low score report software compatibility issues and unhelpful technical support.