Antivirus software manufacturers all claim to protect us against threats, but how well do they actually perform? We put six popular business internet security packages to the test.
Wondering which endpoint security suite keeps your clients the most protected? Enex TestLab racks them all up and puts them through their paces.
The feature-rich versions of popular security program AVG have been updated, with AVG Technologies claiming faster scan times, faster boot times and other under-the-hood improvements.
Microsoft Security Essentials is recommended for those who want something to set and ignore, but users who want more robust configuration choices or don't want to contribute to the cloud should look elsewhere.
Norton AntiVirus 2010 builds on the immense progress made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.
Norton Internet Security 2010 builds on the immense progress it made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.
Going by older detection and removal numbers, Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware offers competent if basic security protection. However, so do many free competitors. This year, we recommend giving Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 a pass.
Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but questionable efficacy and middling performance mean it's a program we're not recommending for this year.
Kaspersky is a strong security suite, but that the extra features available in Internet Security make it worthwhile to pay for, whereas the standard Kaspersky Anti-Virus doesn't offer enough on its own to compare favourably against high-performing, free antivirus programs.
McAfee Internet Security 2009 does a reasonable job, but it also leaves room for improvement.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 provides adequate protection, but the program itself could use some work in telling the user what's going on.
You can't beat the price. For a good, basic internet security suite, we recommend Trend Micro Internet Security 2009.
Norton Internet Security 2009 hits all the right security notes and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though the lack of adequate technical support may continue to frustrate.
ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 provides top-notch security protection that is light on system resources, allowing you to work unencumbered.
As a tool for cleaning an untidy Windows registry, PC Tools Desktop Maestro seems to do a good job, and combines this ability with excellent privacy tools. However, users of Windows Vista may find Desktop Maestro being blocked by User Account Control.
Symantec Backup Exec 12 allows complete system recovery and concentrates on continuous file/data protection. Though AU$1,795 may seem a lot of money for an application, Backup Exec might be worth the investment if you're using it for irreplaceable and highly valuable data.
Eset NOD32 3.0 delivers an easy-to-use version of its award-winning antivirus engine. Although our performance testing was mixed, NOD32 continues to rank among the best-rated antivirus products by independent antivirus testing labs.
AVG Internet Security 8.0 provides strong protection against malicious Web sites, but its full-system scans sometimes tax system resources and produce false positives.
In its first appearance, CounterSpy was the only antispyware product that correctly identified every piece of spyware in our current active-detection test.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007 came in dead last in our CNET antispyware testing. Ad-Aware failed to detect half of the test spyware, and unlike nine out of the 10 other antispyware apps we reviewed in December 2007, left behind traces for all but one spyware.
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