Computer Security Suites

♥ BitDefender Internet Security ♥ version 10 (this is the computer security suite we use on all our computers!!) - This award winning computer security suite provides state of the art antivirus, firewall, anti spam, anti phishing, anti spyware and anti adware protection.  It also includes parental control software that allows you to control which websites children can/can't visit, an internet timer, and an application control.  The firewall in this version has the added features of stealth mode and connection control.  Automatic updates occur every hour with BitDefender, giving you the added benefit of real time protection from viruses, hackers, and spyware.  For more information, see my Bit Defender Internet Security Review.  Bit Defender Has Many Licensing Options Available You can purchase multiple licenses of Bit Defender too, if you need to protect more than one computer.  You can chools to protect 2 computers for 2 years, 2 users for 3 years, 3 computers for 1 year, or just about any other combination you can think of.  You can also download a free full-featured trial version of BitDefender from any of these links.

Panda Internet Security 2007 provides you essential protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats.  - Panda software's internet security includes anti virus with daily signature updates, automatic spyware and adware detection, anti-phishing IE plug in, privacy protection, parental control software, software firewall, and privacy protection.  They have a three user license that will save you money if you need protection for small business or a multi-computer household.

F-Secure Internet Security 2006 - F Secure internet security suite includes anti virus software, real-time spyware protection, personal firewall, spam protection, and parental controls.  It is said that FSecure provides the fastest virus protection in the industry.  For more information, see our fSecure Internet Security Suite Review.

Bit Defender Professional Plus - Full featured computer security suite from BitDefender.  Includes real time antivirus protection, personal firewall, anti-spam, anti-phishing, and real time spyware protection.  Unlike a lot of other security products, BitDefender software updates occur every hour - giving you the most current protection from computer viruses, phishing scams and spyware.

Trend Micro's PcCillin has been around for years and offers a suburb internet protection suite.  Download award-winning Internet security and anti-spyware software from Trend Micro! Click Here.  It includes state of the art antivirus, anti phishing, spyware protection,  a spam blocker, personal firewall, privacy protection and Wireless network intrusion protection.  Here is an article written by a user of PCcillin.

Essential protection from viruses, hackers and privacy threats – Norton Internet Security 2006 - Click Here to download.  This excellent computer security suite by Symantec includes anti-virus, personal firewall, privacy control, anti spam, and parental control software.  Nortons internet security also detects and blocks dangerous spyware and adware before it has a chance to steal your personal information.  It only works on Windows 2000, XP Home and XP Professional.

McAfee Internet Security Suite - Includes anti virus software, spam filter, personal firewall, privacy protection and anti spyware/anti adware.  Network Associates McAfee Internet Security Suite is a superb product backed by a superior company. Internet security is their specialty, and their Avert Labs company is the world's leading computer security research organization.

Computer Associates eTrust Internet Security is a comprehensive package that includes anti virus, software firewall, anti spam, spyware protection, anti adware and blocks offensive websites. E Trust is a great all around product that provides "business-class" technology at an affordable price for home users.  Internet Security Suite from CA - includes Pest Patrol and EZ Antivirus! Click Here

Avanquest ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2006 - Zone Alarm internet security product contains antivirus, a spyware blocker, a spam blocker, wireless security firewall, privacy protection, a software firewall and parental controls.  Zone Alarm won this year's PC Magazine Editor's Choice award - so you know it's good.  Here is an article written by a zone alarm user.

Are You Safe from Hackers? Get McAfee Wireless Home Network Security. - A special internet security product dedicated to users of wireless connections.

 

The key to successful computer protection with a computer security software suite (or any internet security software) is regularly updating the software.  New viruses, spyware, adware and hacks are introduced every day, and your degree of protection is only as good as the last update.  Just about all top quality security software includes an "auto update" feature that lets you choose to have the software automatically check for and install updates daily.  It's always a good idea to turn on automatic updates so you don't have to remember to manually do this.

As with just about any program that requires regular database updates, a subscription is usually required.  After purchasing the software, it will normally run for a year before it's time to renew the maintenance subscription.  This is normally a small annual fee that also ensures you get program upgrades. 

Advantages of Computer Security Suites

It makes good economical and practical sense to use a packaged security suite.  For one thing, it's much cheaper to buy a suite than it is to buy all three types of protection individually. Since all the software is designed to work together, updating and configuration is a snap, and all software is usually controlled via one control panel. Security suites give you great overall protection from internet security threats in one convenient package.  Some suites even provide extra protection in the form of parental control software, which is a must for anyone with children who use the internet.  Some excellent security suites to choose from are BitDefender Internet Security, Kaspersky Personal Security, Panda Software Internet Security, F-Secure, Nortons Internet Security, and McAfee Internet Security Suite.

Disadvantages of Computer Security Suites

Just as an individual can be great at one thing and mediocre in another, software developers have their strengths and weaknesses.  When you buy a suite of software, the anti virus program might be superb and the anti spyware won't find and kill all your spyware.  Maybe the software firewall is hard to understand and configure, but the other products are super easy to get up and running.  For this reason, some people prefer to buy separate internet security software in order to have the best of everything.  The downside to this however, is that each program must be managed separately for updating and configuring.  When it comes time to renew your software subscription, you will have to do this once for each program.  Software from different developers will also have it's own unique look and feel, and learning the interfaces may take a little longer.