Ad-Aware Pro Security 10
$36
This suite offers antivirus and firewall protection, plus a browser safety toolbar. It's relatively light on resources, but the firewall is low-powered and the antivirus killed one test system. You can do better.
$36
This suite offers antivirus and firewall protection, plus a browser safety toolbar. It's relatively light on resources, but the firewall is low-powered and the antivirus killed one test system. You can do better.
avast! Internet Security 7
$69.99 for three licenses
avast! Internet Security 7 has some unusual features, including remote assistance and sandbox virtualization. However, unless you're a sandbox junkie, you'll be better off choosing one of our Editors' Choice suites.
$69.99 for three licenses
avast! Internet Security 7 has some unusual features, including remote assistance and sandbox virtualization. However, unless you're a sandbox junkie, you'll be better off choosing one of our Editors' Choice suites.
AVG Internet Security 2012
$54.99, direct; $68.99 for three licenses
Performance tests showed this suite has only a small impact on system performance, and its antivirus protection is very good. However, the other suite components don't measure up to the antivirus, which you can obtain for free as a standalone product.
$54.99, direct; $68.99 for three licenses
Performance tests showed this suite has only a small impact on system performance, and its antivirus protection is very good. However, the other suite components don't measure up to the antivirus, which you can obtain for free as a standalone product.
Avira Internet Security 2012
$59.99, direct; $89.99 for 3 licenses
The antivirus component is the best part of this suite, with good malware cleanup and better real-time protection. Phishing protection and parental control, however, are not so hot. Overall it's a good suite, but not a great one.
$59.99, direct; $89.99 for 3 licenses
The antivirus component is the best part of this suite, with good malware cleanup and better real-time protection. Phishing protection and parental control, however, are not so hot. Overall it's a good suite, but not a great one.
Bitdefender Total Security 2012
$79.95 direct for 3 licenses$63.75 at UnbeatableSale Bitdefender Total Security 2012 offers all the features you could want in a mega-suite, but it does its job silently. All of its components are good. Some, like phishing protection, are great. This is a good choice for those who want protection without drama.
$79.95 direct for 3 licenses$63.75 at UnbeatableSale Bitdefender Total Security 2012 offers all the features you could want in a mega-suite, but it does its job silently. All of its components are good. Some, like phishing protection, are great. This is a good choice for those who want protection without drama.
BullGuard Internet Security Suite 12
$59.95 direct for three licenses
The best part of this suite is its real-time protection against malware attack. The flexible online and local backup system is also nice. But many of the other components just aren't up to snuff.
$59.95 direct for three licenses
The best part of this suite is its real-time protection against malware attack. The flexible online and local backup system is also nice. But many of the other components just aren't up to snuff.
Comodo Internet Security Pro 2012
$4.99
This stripped-down suite includes hands-on remote assistance by Comodo's GeekBuddy experts. If its antivirus scan finds any threats, you'll want to invoke their expert help for full cleanup.
$4.99
This stripped-down suite includes hands-on remote assistance by Comodo's GeekBuddy experts. If its antivirus scan finds any threats, you'll want to invoke their expert help for full cleanup.
ESET Smart Security 5
$59.99, direct; $79.99 for three licenses
This suite has some good points. The labs like it, it didn't put much of a drag on the test system, and malware cleanup was mostly good in my tests. However, other sub-par components make it a poor choice.
$59.99, direct; $79.99 for three licenses
This suite has some good points. The labs like it, it didn't put much of a drag on the test system, and malware cleanup was mostly good in my tests. However, other sub-par components make it a poor choice.
F-Secure Internet Security 2012
$59.99 direct for three licenses
Most components of F-Secure Internet Security 2012 do a good job, though phishing protection and parental control are weak. Its effect on system performance is very low. As good as it is, other suites are better.
$59.99 direct for three licenses
Most components of F-Secure Internet Security 2012 do a good job, though phishing protection and parental control are weak. Its effect on system performance is very low. As good as it is, other suites are better.
G Data InternetSecurity 2012
$44.95 direct for three licenses
Some of this suite's features are very good, others not so good. If your needs match the good ones and not the bad ones it's quite a bargain, significantly less expensive than the average suite.
$44.95 direct for three licenses
Some of this suite's features are very good, others not so good. If your needs match the good ones and not the bad ones it's quite a bargain, significantly less expensive than the average suite.
GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2012
$49.95, direct
VIPRE's spam filter is the best around, but its antivirus protection is average and it can't seem to remove rootkits. Its firewall avoids bombarding the user with popups simply by not enabling protection that might cause popups. Its performance drag is small, and the 10-PC home site license is a bargain, but you're better off paying more for more protection.
$49.95, direct
VIPRE's spam filter is the best around, but its antivirus protection is average and it can't seem to remove rootkits. Its firewall avoids bombarding the user with popups simply by not enabling protection that might cause popups. Its performance drag is small, and the 10-PC home site license is a bargain, but you're better off paying more for more protection.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2012
$79.95 direct for three licenses$26.99 at SnaggStuff The independent labs love Kaspersky's antivirus protection, but it fared poorly in PCMag's hands-on tests. Its firewall is impressive, and the Safe Run sandboxing feature protects the system from questionable files and Web sites, but the antispam and antiphishing features failed to impress. Choose this suite if its strong points align with your needs.
$79.95 direct for three licenses$26.99 at SnaggStuff The independent labs love Kaspersky's antivirus protection, but it fared poorly in PCMag's hands-on tests. Its firewall is impressive, and the Safe Run sandboxing feature protects the system from questionable files and Web sites, but the antispam and antiphishing features failed to impress. Choose this suite if its strong points align with your needs.
