Internet Security Software

How much security software do you need?

You've undoubtedly read that Windows Vista has improved and enhanced security features. Reviews confirm that, but Vista includes no protection against viruses and offers few of the other protection components found in suites. The one notable exception is parental controls. Vista's protection is similar to what suites offer. Both Vista and Windows XP SP2 include rudimentary firewalls. Reviews say they are better than no software firewall, especially when coupled with a hardware firewall (such as in a router). Windows Defender, Microsoft's anti-spyware software, is included in Vista and is a free download for XP users. Experts recommend using several anti-spyware programs, because they each catch malware that others don't, and Windows Defender is far less likely to cause conflicts than third-party applications. However, reviews agree that Windows Defender is not one of the more effective defenses against malware overall. So even if you have a new computer with Windows Vista, experts say you still need at least antivirus software and a supplementary anti-spyware program.

Most Internet attacks used to be viruses, Trojans or worms -- applications that caused problems in your computer system and often spread themselves by sending bogus e-mails to everyone in your address book. Viruses often come from unsuspecting sources; even some music CDs inadvertently inflicted viruses. Antivirus software is designed to deal with these problems by scanning incoming e-mails, attachments and downloads for problems, then cleaning or deleting the offending files. Antivirus software is still essential, but it's no longer enough. When you use the Internet, many sites download adware or spyware to your computer to track your browsing and report data to the perpetrator.

Hackers also devise ways to penetrate your computer and search your files for personal and financial information. With identity theft a growing problem, protecting your computer from this kind of threat is urgent. Any file on your computer may be accessible to strangers. This is why you need a firewall.

Most security and privacy threats come from spyware, adware and phishing. Experts say these types of threats are growing at a faster rate than other types of threats. Spyware and adware are small programs that can be installed on your computer without your explicit permission (or the permission clause is buried within a lengthy end-user license agreement that you did not fully read). Some spyware and adware can be moderately innocent, reporting which websites you visit or which ads you click. However, these programs are always running, which slows your computer. The worst spyware can hijack your home page or record passwords and keystrokes. A brief article, "State of the net 2006," in the September 2006 issue of Consumer Reports cites horrifying statistics showing the damage caused by malware to computers owned by individuals and businesses. The magazine reports that nearly a million people replaced their computers in the preceding six months because of spyware infections.

Phishing commonly takes the form of bogus official-looking e-mails from financial institutions or stores. Clicking on a link within the e-mail takes you to a fake website that prompts you to "confirm" your passwords, settings or other confidential information. A December 2005 AOL/NCSA safety study showed that roughly 23 percent of all Americans are now affected monthly by phishing scams. Almost 70 percent of the people receiving such e-mails were fooled into thinking these phony e-mails were from legitimate businesses.

Installing and using antivirus software, spam filters, spyware blockers and a personal firewall will protect you from the majority of these Internet attacks. Some of these protections may already be offered by your ISP, so you might not need something as extensive as an Internet security software suite. Rob Pegoraro of The Washington Post asserts that most users are better off buying only antivirus software and using the firewall included in Windows and free anti-spyware software, such as Windows Defender. All programs covered in this report are compatible with Windows Vista and XP.

Best Internet security suites

We found the best reviews overall for BitDefender Internet Security 2008 (*est. $50) , which includes antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall, anti-spam, parental controls, anti-rootkit, and anti-phishing software. A Game Mode feature can temporarily disable pop-ups, alerts and automatic updates. A parental-control feature can limit time on the Internet. BitDefender Total Security 2008 (*est. $60) has all the capabilities of BitDefender Internet Security plus backup software, a registry cleaner and a permanent file eraser (similar to Webroot's Windows Washer).

When they are reviewed, the BitDefender security programs earn the highest ratings from reviewers all over the world including PC Advisor (England), TopTenReviews.com (U.S.), IT Reviews (England) and PC World Australia. However, both PC Magazine and PC World (U.S.) believe that Norton Internet Security 2008 and a couple of other programs are better.

Roger Gann concludes his PC Advisor review, "If you want high levels of security, excellent ease of use plus great [value], you should definitely try BitDefender Total Security 2008 -- or at the very least the 30 day trial version." IT Reviews calls it an "excellent package," based on quantity of capabilities as well as effectiveness.

PC Magazine and PC World use more comprehensive testing than the other reviewers do. Recent versions of BitDefender have had fewer conflicts with other security programs than the then top-rated competitors, ZoneAlarm and Norton. That explains PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking's back-handed compliment and recommendation, "If you have an allergy to Norton and ZoneAlarm, this is a worthwhile alternative." The previous issues with BitDefender were significant computer slowing and a poor user interface. Rubenking says that a "completely new user interface makes the product much easier to use." PC World's Erik Larkin demurs, saying that the interface could still use improvement.

Erik Larkin reports that BitDefender "outperformed every other suite in crucial malware detection tests, unmasked every rootkit sample, and finished second among the eight suites evaluated … on a separate spyware and adware detection test." PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking gives the program high scores in those categories as well. Spyware removal was not as effective as the top standalone programs, Spy Sweeper and Spyware Doctor, but it was close. Virus and spyware scanning are integrated. Rubenking says a full scan took 24 minutes, which is a little faster than Norton or ZoneAlarm.

Norton Internet Security 2008 (*est. $55) earns an Editor's Choice award from PC Magazine, a Best Buy honor from Which?, and the highest rating for Internet security suites by PC World. Norton includes antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall, anti-spam, parental controls, anti-rootkit, anti-phishing and identity theft protection components. PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking says, "NIS 2008 did a super job of cleaning up malware in testing, and its cleanup is significantly more thorough than most." Performance varies in tests. PC World found it was unexceptional at catching malware, but great at removing what it did catch.

In recent years, Norton has been heavily criticized by users for its significant drain on computer performance. It also reportedly conflicts with other security software. The aforementioned favorable reviews of Norton disingenuously ignore those issues. CNet.com's review addresses the former issue and one not raised elsewhere. Robert Vamosi says, "The Norton Internet Security 2008 interface is ghastly, [and] the suite itself can slow your computer to a crawl." Some testers experienced very fast scan times, while others say they were slow. All reviewers concur that the program's spam filter is ineffective.

The slowing problem isn't raised as often in user reviews as it was with past versions of Norton Internet Security. However, installation and system issues abound. Several users say it's incompatible with other unrelated Norton programs. Other common complaints include installation woes and unresponsive tech support.

Adding the impressions of reviewers and users, we conclude that Norton Internet Security 2008 is a very effective program when it works. If you have a new computer, if you already have had a good experience with Norton Internet Security 2007, or if you have no other free or commercial security programs installed on your computer, Norton 2008 is likely to work and work well for you. People with mature computers with lots of software are most at risk for problems. Although nearly half of Amazon.com buyers give it a bottom rating, they couldn't represent all users or Symantec couldn't maintain such a high market share.

Panda Internet Security 2008 (*est. $40) may be the best of the 2008 suites, but it hasn't been reviewed enough to reach that conclusion with total certainty. The highest recommendations are accompanied with little detail. Panda is one of the two top-rated Internet security suites tested by Mikro PC World, but the review isn’t published in English. It’s one of the programs selected as a Best Buy by Which? but the consumer magazine only charts ratings without a narrative description. GCN (Government Computer News) conducted a roundup review of six antivirus programs in August, and included a beta version of Panda Internet Security 2008. John Breeden selected the program as a Reviewer's Choice because it was the best at preventing viruses, but he did not test the other capabilities of the security program.

PC Magazine, PC Advisor and Australian PC World provide the only full reviews (the latter two are the same review). Both reviewers agree that Panda is a very good program, but not the best overall. PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking says, "Virus/spyware protection is Panda Internet Security 2008's super standout: It's the first product ever to remove every single one of my spyware samples and also prevent every single one of them from installing on a clean system." Yet he downgrades the program for poor performance in its secondary components. The anti-spam component is useless and parental controls are limited. He wasn’t impressed with the phishing protection either.

In PC Advisor, Robin Morris completely agrees with Rubenking. Morris says the parental-control and backup components aren't as good as readily available free software. Morris concludes, "However, the antivirus facilities and firewall are still the main selling points for any security package. And here, Panda looks fantastic."

Early user reviews of Panda are encouraging. About half of users are totally satisfied, but more than a third report problems getting it to work properly. No one identifies specific program conflicts, however, and that’s consistent with what we found in user reviews of Panda Internet Security 2007. So while reviews for the anti-spam, parental controls and anti-spyware components aren't great, Panda looks like a good bet if you need its core functions -- antivirus and firewall.

Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 (*est. $50) will intrigue some consumers. Professional reviewers love Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7.0, but owners complain about conflicts with other brands of firewalls and anti-spyware applications. PC Advisor's Roger Gann raves, "Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 offers top-notch antivirus and spyware protection at a reasonable price. It's no resource hog either -- a common security bundle complaint." PC Magazine agrees that Kaspersky excels at its primary protection tasks, but downrates it for inadequate default settings and poor spam filtering and parental controls. Which? is in complete agreement. PC World ranks Kaspersky second among eight suites. Protection is very good, and slow scanning speed is reviewer Erik Larkin's only criticism.

User reviews of Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 are more favorable on average than most Internet security suites. Still, a third of Amazon.com customers give it the lowest rating. Installation problems, crashing, system drag and uninstall problems are issues with various buyers.

Other Internet security software suites

McAfee is the number two seller of security software, and its consumer products are very widely used because they are often offered free by ISPs and bundled with new computers. User reviews of McAfee Internet Security Suite 2007 are more disturbing than we’ve found for any other suite. A startlingly large percentage of Amazon.com customers give it the lowest rating. PC Magazine agrees. Among the myriad problems according to reviewers is that the McAfee makes uninstalling very difficult.

Now, McAfee gets somewhat of a fresh start with McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008(*est. $45) and McAfee Total Protection (*est. $35). No reviewer rates either program as the best, but both earn above-average to high ratings from all reviewers. A handful of user reviews are inconclusive.

PC Magazine says McAfee Total Protection 2008 is "only fair at cleaning out malware." CNet.com agrees, but gives McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008 a high rating: "McAfee Internet Security 2008 trounces Norton Internet Security 2008, offering a better designed product with more security tools," he says. The quantity of features impresses PC Advisor's Roger Gann as well. McAfee Internet Security Suite's features are a main contributor to PC World's ranking it third, yet the program was a below-average performer in most tests, and slow in scanning. Which? gives McAfee Total Protection 2008 a middling score. The major limitation of all these reviews is that they don't address the issues raised by owners of the previous generation of McAfee products.

CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008 (*est. $70) doesn't fare well with reviewers. No source rates it as one of the better programs. It earns the lowest ratings of all the new suites tested by PC World and PC Advisor. PC World goes to the extreme of saying, "Don't use it." Erik Larkin explains, "CA proved abysmal at the fundamental task of identifying and blocking malicious software." Which? gives it a 2/5 rating in the anti-spyware category. PC Magazine is more generous. Neil Rubenking finds that the program is "decent," and gives it the same rating as McAfee Total Protection 2008.

Trend Micro is the number three seller of security software. Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 earned top ratings from a couple of reviewers and negative reviews from others. Spyware prevention was one weakness, and the program was as difficult as McAfee to remove. Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 (*est. $40) and Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2008 (*est. $60) are also receiving mixed reviews so far.

PC Magazine says Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 is very effective, but Neil Rubenking experienced "serious and varied installation problems." PC World had similar issues, and Erik Larkin says malware detection is subpar. Roger Gann of PC Advisor doesn't mention installation problems, and he gives the Trend Micro security suite a high rating. Yet, he says, "It does take an age to load Trend Micro Internet Security Pro when you boot your PC, and updating can also be a test of endurance -- during one update, it actually disabled itself, so that Windows XP's Security Center popped up a warning to this effect, which is a little alarming." Which? rates Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 a Best Buy. It earns the top ratings in the ease of use, anti-spyware, antivirus and firewall categories.

User reviews of both new Trend Micro programs span the spectrum, with equal amounts of fans, detractors and those in between. Installation and operation problems are the main focus of complaints of those unhappy with the software.

BullGuard Internet Security 8.0 (*est. $70) is widely reviewed, but not widely available. Reviewers say the program is average. PC Advisor has the most favorable review. Paul Lester likes the plethora of features and is impressed with BullGuard's "small system footprint that doesn't bog things down." PC Magazine gives it an unusually low rating, however. Neil Rubenking says, "The firewall is flimsy," and the "virus/spyware scanner often can't remove what it detects." Which? agrees, summarizing, "Anti-spyware removal was not quite as effective as other suites in our test." PC Magazine and Which? agree that tech support is a particular strength, and Rubenking also likes the bonus of 5GB of online storage.

We found reviews U.S., but no more than one full review of each. None are championed by even a single reviewer.

An ad-supported program called CyberDefenderFree (http://cyberdefender.com/) is another option, although it hasn't been certified by any of the independent antivirus testing labs yet. Reviewers say that the banner ads are no more offensive than what you encounter on web pages. However, PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking concludes, "For now, there's nothing to recommend CyberDefenderFree 2.0," and others largely agree. It performed poorly in all tests.

Semi-suites

Full security suites include at least five components. However, there are a couple of alternatives that offer more than a standalone product, but less than a full-fledged arsenal.

Norton 360 (*est. $65) is a confusing product. Reviewers do a great job of comparing it with similar products, but we didn't see it compared to Norton Internet Security. Several reviews essentially describe it as Norton Internet Security for dummies. Reviewers say the program is designed from scratch, meaning it is not necessarily a simpler or smaller version of Norton Internet Security.

Most reviews are from early 2007, which means they predate the release of most current competitors. PC Magazine, Laptop magazine, and CNet.com select Norton 360 as an Editor's Choice, and IT Reviews gives it a Recommended award. PC Advisor has a mixed review. Roger Gann summarizes, "Symantec has greatly simplified PC security -- an arcane area if ever there was one. Despite the dumbing-down it remains a top-notch security program. However, unless you have a well-specced PC, you'll notice its effect on performance."

InformationWeek has the best, most comprehensive and least favorable review of Norton 360. Serdar Yegulalp reports, "I experienced one hard system freeze and one blue screen of death while 360 was running. Since my test systems had never done that before, it seems likely that 360 was to blame." Yegulalp does praise the small footprint and relatively unintrusive behavior.

PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking says, "Norton 360 has all the security oomph of [Norton Internet Security], but it gets in your face even less." CNet.com's Robert Vamosi claims it's light on system resources. Reviewers love the program's ease of use and effectiveness. The typical user experience is closer to Yegulalp's than any other professional reviewer's. A shocking number of users give it a bottom rating. The myriad horror stories span a broad spectrum, but paint a consistent image: Norton 360 has problems with software conflicts. Other complaints target tech support and the package's impact on system performance.

Microsoft is the newest and perhaps most controversial competitor in the security software industry. Windows Live OneCare 2.0 (*est. $25) is an automated web-based security service that offers file backup, includes antivirus and anti-spyware components, and has a two-way firewall. The service includes 24/7 support, and this latest version has a slew of additional features. Microsoft has been attacked in the computer press for promoting its security software, mainly because imperfections in its products create most of the need for such software.

Which? magazine editors think Live OneCare is great. Editors note, "It has that familiar Windows look which should make it easier for beginners to use." It earns top ratings in the three major protection categories as well. Paul Thurrott, a prolific author of computer books, gives Live OneCare 2.0 a rave review at his SuperSite for Windows website. He summarizes, "The new features, for the most part, are just icing on the cake: Microsoft was able to pull off multi-PC management and backup without making it too complex for real humans, which is quite a feat."

Which? and Thurrott liked the earlier versions of Windows Live OneCare as well, but they were a small minority. Reviews of versions 1.0 and 1.6 were predominantly negative. PC Magazine has the only other review of version 2.0 so far. Neil Rubenking concludes, "There are some improvements, but for the most part, OneCare just adds a bunch of new features, most of which are flawed in some way … I can't recommend that you install it." Protection is bettered by most competitors, according to the magazine's ratings.

Windows Live OneCare 2.0 has only received a handful of user reviews. The previous versions had a higher percentage of satisfied users than most full suites, but plenty of users who experienced installation issues or system crashes. While professional reviewers criticize Live OneCare for lacking other security suite components, people who paid for the service could care less.

Webroot is another new contender. The company's Spy Sweeper has been considered one of the two best anti-spyware programs for years. Now, Webroot is offering a version that includes antivirus software. As several major antivirus programs and Internet security suites conflict with Spy Sweeper, we suspect this move is defensive. The antivirus software is licensed from Sophos, which doesn't work as well as others, according to recent tests by the independent labs.

Spy Sweeper 5.5 with Antivirus (*est. $40) is rated as an Editors' Choice by PC Magazine in June 2007. However, Neil Rubenking compares it with Spyware Doctor, but not with any of the full suites. In newer reviews, he compares the effectiveness of full suites at preventing spyware with Spy Sweeper. The specialty program usually performs better. Other reviews are only of previous versions, and they are mixed. We saw only a couple of user reviews.

ESET Smart Security (*est. $50) is the newest Internet security package. ESET's NOD32 is regarded as the best antivirus program by many experts. ESET insists Smart Security is not a suite because of its integration, but it protects against viruses, spyware and spam, and includes a firewall.

Neil Rubenking at PC Magazine says Smart Security's interface is radically improved from past indecipherable ESET offerings. He praises virus defense, but says the program isn't great at blocking other malware. The other virtues he cites are a small footprint and "little impact on performance." Those have long been hallmarks of NOD32.

Internet security for Mac and Linux

Computers running Macintosh or Linux operating systems are less susceptible to viruses than those running Windows, because most viruses specifically target Windows computers. However, the alternative operating systems are vulnerable to other types of malware, especially spyware and adware embedded in cookies. Non-Windows computers are also capable of sending viruses to Windows computers via e-mail. For those reasons, experts say that even Mac and Linux users should consider security software.

We found far fewer reviews for Mac and Linux software than for Windows software. Macworld is a good source for Mac software reviews, and has reviewed some Mac antivirus software. Intego's VirusBarrier is noted as "best for its scanning speed and its well-integrated Mac features." Macworld's Rob Griffiths says, "Norton AntiVirus is a close second, thanks to its extensive virus information and its strong handling of Windows viruses." Intego also offers several Internet security suites in its Internet Security Barrier X4 product family, and Symantec makes a version of Norton Internet Security for Macintosh. PC World's Scott Spanbauer asserts that Linux is the safest operating system. He recommends supplementing with free software.

Important Considerations: Internet security software

Experts recommend keeping these factors in mind when selecting and using security software:

• You need more than one anti-spyware application to catch all the spyware on a computer. See the ConsumerSearch reports on anti-spyware and antivirus software for recommendations, including some free options.

• Experts recommend using a router with an integrated firewall as the first layer of protection, and a software firewall as the second.

• Though you have security software installed, you must still monitor your Internet behavior. Be careful before clicking on an ad or a download link, and don't open e-mails or attachments that look suspicious. The mainstream media now has good coverage of the latest Internet dangers.

• Disable file and printer sharing if you aren't using this feature.

• When choosing Internet security software, be sure to check system requirements. Pick the correct version for your operating system. All Internet security suites are compatible with Windows XP and Vista, except as noted in this report.

• Consider using Firefox or Opera web browsers for most Internet surfing. Experts agree that these browsers offer more security than Internet Explorer, even with XP SP2 installed. Internet Explorer 7, the current version, has better security features than previous versions. See the ConsumerSearch report on web browsers for more information.

• Update Internet security software regularly. Be sure your software is set to check automatically for updates. Antivirus software needs to be kept up-to-date with frequently downloaded virus definitions, and patches are issued often for security software.

• Scan e-mail attachments before opening them, and scan outgoing mail. Although it may slightly slow the sending and receiving of mail, the biggest virus threats still come via e-mail. Scanning outgoing mail is additional insurance that you aren't sending along infected mail. Most programs can be set to do this automatically.

• Allow automatic Windows updates or frequently check the Microsoft website for security updates and patches to the Windows operating system. It doesn't take long for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in Windows operating systems, and keeping your system up-to-date is the best foil.

Many security suites have some antisocial behaviors. They are unwilling to share your computer with other security programs, and in some cases, they interfere with unrelated harmless programs. Since experts recommend using several anti-spyware programs, those who want full protection have a dilemma. Spy Sweeper and Spyware Doctor are highly regarded by reviewers. If you are already running one of those programs, your best bet is to consider a suite that won't conflict. User reviews are the best guide.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
5	BitDefender Internet Security 2008 (*est. $50) and BitDefender Total Security 2008 (*est. $60)	details
3	Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (*est. $55)	details
3	Panda Internet Security 2008 (*est. $40)	details
2	Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 2.0 (*est. $25)	details
1 each	ESET Smart Security , Grisoft AVG Internet Security Home Edition 7.5 , Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 . Previous versions: CheckPoint ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0 (2) , Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 .

BitDefender tops the most reviews so far among 2008 Internet security software. BitDefender Internet Security 2008 and BitDefender Total Security 2008 are basically the same program. The latter adds maintenance and backup software. The previous version, BitDefender Internet Security 10, caused considerable system drag and had a complicated interface. Reviews say those issues have been satisfactorily addressed.

Although BitDefender is favored by more reviewers, Norton Internet Security 2008 is the best Internet security suite according to the three most credible reviewers. Tests show that it is a very good performer, but more than a third of users give it the lowest possible rating because of the problems it causes on their computers. It's likely a good choice if you are using a new computer without other security software that could conflict.

Panda Internet Security 2008 receives fewer reviews than some programs. Reviews agree that protection against viruses and spyware are excellent. The secondary features of the program, however, don't get the same enthusiasm. For that reason, Panda is a good option for those who mainly want antivirus and firewall protection, but aren't as concerned with spam filtering or spyware scanning.

Most reviewers think Windows Live OneCare 2.0, a managed service, is a poor option, but a couple of reviewers think it's great. It fares better than full-service suites in user reviews. ZoneAlarm was the overwhelming favorite of reviewers last year, but it has fallen out of favor. Vista compatibility is incomplete, and too many users have trouble installing it and living with it.

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