Other options for your Internet security
Although Norton Internet Security 2012 earns the best reviews overall, Norton 360 Version 5.0 (*Est. $80) attracts a few recommendations as well. It includes all the features in Norton Internet Security 2011, and it adds automatic local backup, 2 GB of online backup to share among your three licenses, file recovery and PC tune-up functionality. Norton 360 Version 5.0 earns an Editors' Choice award at PCMag.com, where Neil J. Rubenking says it is more user-friendly than Norton Internet Security and barely impacts PC performance. "All of Norton 360's features work well, and work well together," Rubenking writes.
Likewise, Bitdefender Total Security 2012 (*Est. $70) is a more full-fledged version of the well-reviewed Bitdefender Internet Security 2012. In addition to all of the features found in Bitdefender Internet Security, the Total Security software includes file encryption and "shredding" (an advanced version of deletion that removes all traces of files from your computer), PC tuneup capabilities and 2 GB of online backup.
Kaspersky, another top-rated brand, also makes a full-featured suite. Kaspersky Pure Total Security (*Est. $90) is an addition to Kaspersky's lineup, and it hasn't attracted any reviews. Kaspersky Pure Total Security covers the same ground as Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 but adds a password manager, automated data backup, a Home Network Control that manages security for every computer in your house and remote management for parental controls.
Free Internet security suites
While it is easy to find decent antivirus or anti-spyware software for free, that task is a little more difficult for Internet security software. There are several free options available, but few free Internet security suites stand out in reviews. One exception is Comodo Internet Security (also known as Comodo Antivirus+Firewall). This free software protects again malware and spyware, and it includes a firewall and filter for malicious websites. Other features include a gaming mode and protection alerts. However, Comodo Internet Security doesn't include spam filters or parental controls like the top-rated commercial suites.
TheTechHerald.com has a detailed test that compares Comodo Internet Security against the previous top-rated Internet security software, Norton Internet Security 2011. Installation is easy for both products, but Norton Internet Security posts significantly faster scan speeds -- Norton's full scan takes four minutes, compared to an hour for Comodo. Comodo Internet Security also misses more malware samples than Norton, including several Trojans. However, the two suites perform similarly when it comes to detecting malicious websites. Overall, Norton Internet Security 2011 is declared the winner, but editors are still impressed with Comodo's security suite. They say it's a good free option as long as you use it in conjunction with other free security software. "This does not mean Comodo Internet Security is any less valuable, it just needs some backup," says Steve Ragan of TheTechHerald.com. He adds: "When it came to detection, Comodo stood its ground admirably, but the failure to fully remove all traces of Malware is where Comodo had issues."
Internet security suites to avoid
There are a few Internet security suites that fail to impress in reviews and independent tests. One surprising inclusion on this list comes from McAfee, which is probably one of the most well-known brands after Symantec's Norton software. McAfee Internet Security 2012 (*Est. $40) nabs an Advanced+ certification from AV-Comparatives.org and earns a certification from AV-Test.org (if only by a half-point). But professional reviewers almost universally pan the software. "After McAfee issued our system a clean bill of health, Malwarebytes detected more than 40 infections, including a MyDoom variant that sabotaged 25 percent of our CPU. That's a problem," Paul Lilly writes at Maximum PC. Although reviewers say the software's impact on system resources is very low, McAfee Internet Security's poor performance results can't be overlooked. "Even at half the price, McAfee Internet Security 2012 would be a very poor choice," says Kat Orphanides at Expert Reviews.
Don't let Norman's Norton-esque name fool you; experts say Norman Security Suite PRO 9 (*Est. $60) falls far short compared to Norton Internet Security 2012 or other top of the line security suites. PCMag.com's Neil J. Rubenking says the software's anti-spam abilities are great, and the firewall is good at detecting programs trying to skirt it, but it is sub-par in every other way, including removing and blocking malware. "Most of the components in Norman Security Suite PRO 9 are second-rate," Rubenking writes. "There's just not much to like in this suite." However, AV-Test.org reports that Norman is good at detecting -- but not necessarily removing -- "widespread" software. It is far below-average at detecting new zero-day attacks and leaves behind lots of nonactive virus remnants.
