Understanding Internet Security - Top Paid Internet Security Suites

It may not be a very palatable truth, but maintaining the security of your computer system is getting tougher. We face serious risks such as malicious software and phishing scams, not to mention the annoyance of spam. It seems you can’t stray online nowadays without someone trying to hijack your browser, steal your personal details and fill your email inbox with adverts and scams.

So how do you safeguard yourself against all these threats? The answer is to invest in software which can protect your system. You can install separate packages to provide you with a firewall, anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and anti-phishing filters. However, perhaps the simplest option is to go for a complete security suite which will take care of everything. In this guide we’ll run through the top 10 Internet security suites and bring you the information you need to make an informed purchase.

This security suite includes all the essentials – a firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and anti-spam protection. The big strength is the intuitive user interface which makes it easy to use. It also features great parental controls. On the downside it uses a lot of system resources, the spam filter needs to be trained, and it will sometimes block legitimate programs.

$22.46 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)

Better known for Spyware Doctor, PC Tools also offers this complete security suite. Once again you get firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and spam filter protection. The software is easy to use but the spam filter is slow and the package does significantly increase your system boot time.

$43.46 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)

You get top notch malware protection with AVG Internet Security and it is a very popular choice. There are also a number of features built in to try and protect you against online fraud but this isn’t the best option for anti-phishing. The spam filter and firewall are effective and so is the anti-virus and anti-spyware. One of the few missing features is parental controls.

$19.99 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)

This suite offers protection against spyware, viruses and other malware. It also includes a firewall, spam filter and anti-phishing filters. Like many security software packages, information is collected from users and collated to improve software updates and keep the protection current and effective. The parental controls here are very good but it does sometimes slow your system down.

$19.99 at Amazon

This package offers full disk encryption, online backup and system tuning on top of the usual anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-phishing protection. It will protect you online and keep your details secure but the malware protection is not the greatest. The other problems here are a difficult install and the software is demanding on system resources.

$47.44 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)

This is a complete security suite and then some. You’ll get very effective malware protection, anti-phishing coverage, a good spam filter and excellent parental controls. There’s also remote monitoring and management along with local and online backup options. The downside here is some occasional system slowdown. It is also comparatively expensive.

$69.95 at Amazon (1 year license for 1 computer)

Easy to use and offering a full range of coverage, this is a decent offering from Kaspersky. You get effective anti-virus, real-time protection against threats and a top class firewall. The spam filtering is also good and the software gets better as it learns. On the other hand the anti-phishing tool is basic and the parental controls don’t offer much detail. Here's a full review of Kaspersky Internet Security 2010.

$37.35 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)

This software package features excellent malware protection. The anti-phishing is very effective and real-time protection is strong. The anti-spam is also great. This security suite has a very user friendly interface and it is an efficient solution which won’t slow your system down. Not the best choice for a system which is already infected but for protection this is a top product.

$26.99 at Amazon (1 year license for 1 computer)

If you want guaranteed protection from malware, effective anti-spam and anti-phishing features and a strong firewall then you won’t do better than this. You’ll also get password protection and excellent parental controls. The installation is incredibly fast and easy, and this software runs with a minimum footprint so your system doesn’t get bogged down. You’ll find this package always scores high when it comes to Internet security suites software reviews.

$44.76 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)

There is a reason that Norton is the best known and most widely trusted security software brand. Their software works well, it is easy to install and operate, and it performs efficiently. This package offers the same protection as the excellent Norton Internet Security 2010 but it also includes remote access, online backup, and PC tune up features. Not only does it not slow your system down but with the PC tune up option you may find you can speed it up. This is deservedly our number one in the top 10 Internet security suites. Here's a Norton 360 review.

$43.99 at Amazon (1 year license, can be installed on 3 computers)