Internet Security Suite Software Recommendations

My new laptop will be arriving in a couple weeks and I would really appreciate recommendations on security suite software packages. I know that there are a lot of freebies out there that I could piece together, but I’m just looking to buy one package that includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, anti-adware, anti-phishing, etc. I will also be going to work wirelessly a lot so that type of security is important, too.

My system will have Windows XP Pro, 3 GB RAM, and a 160 GB hard drive. I’m looking for the best all around suite in terms of security performance. The less it hogs resources the better, but security performance is ultimately the key.

With that in mind, does anybody have any opinions (good or bad) on any of the following:

1. AVG Internet Security 8.0
2. Bit Defender Internet Security 2008
3. ESET Smart Security 3.0 (based on NOD32 AV)
4. F-Secure Internet Security 2008
5. Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0
6. McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008
7. Norton Internet Security 2008
8. Norton 360 Version 2.0
9. Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 Pro
10. Zone Alarm Internet Security 7.0
11. Any others not on the list?

I’ve read that people are not impressed with the McAfee or Norton packages. It seems like people like AVG, ESET, and Kaspersky for AV packages. Does that translate into being a good product for a total security package as well?

Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.

 

NIS2008 works well for me. I also hold several (free) licenses for Kaspersky but have not tried them on this PC yet.

 

The top rated Internet Security Suites are BitDefender, Kaspersky and Nod32.

Norton and Trend Micro are also very good.

You might check out the ratings by yourself, as they are impartial, unlike most of us

http://internet-security-suite-review.toptenreviews.com/

When you look at the price, make sure it includes 3 licenses for a year, as some don't. On many of them, you can also find a good coupon this time of the year- just do a google search for it.........

 

+1 for Kaspersky. I'm using KIS on 3 machines.

I'm also using a trial of Nod32 on the new lappy (see sig) and it seems to be equally as good as KIS.

Trend Micro is TERRIBLE. Even their site got hacked recently. Apparently if a virus gets detected there's no way of deleting it. I also had problems with updates and licenses with TM. I dumped my 15-month license as soon as I got the notebook (based on recommendations here) and went with Nod32.

I didn't mind Norton but it's expensive to keep renewing. Plus it's still a bit of a resource hog compared to Nod32 & KIS. The 3-license KIS replaced all my licenses of Norton.

 

i think among all the security suites, kaspersky would be the best. that being said.. ESET NOD32 AV is way better than kaspersky AV. i think eset still have a lotta work to do on their firewalls and antispyware. kaspersky wins as a better suite just coz of its firewall and ASW.

i'd suggest buying NOD32 AV and using free firewall like comodo pro.. which is the best out there.. and definitely better than the firewalls of kaspersky and the likes.. for active anti-malware i'd recommend threatfire.. or otherwise if u still want a complete security suite then definitely get nod32 (becoz it has a really small footprint compared to the others!)..but also have another anti-malware running along wid it like threatfire..

 

Thanks for all of the input.

My goal was to hopefully find a security suite that would handle all aspects of the security at least very good, but I'm not sure if that's possible. It seems like there are tradeoffs for each package. Or am I reading too much into the AV differences between ESET and Kaspersky?

If ESET is significantly better than Kaspersky AV and I was to buy the NOD32 AV and combine it with the free Comodo Firewall Pro and the free Threatwire, would I be pretty much set from a security perspective? If so, would all 3 of these be compatible running together? Or do I run the risk of some parts of their programs not running correctly?

Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just trying to understand all of this. I do appreciate the help.

 

Maybe I say this at the risk of being criticized or appearing like a "fanboy," but I don't know where some of you get the notion that NOD32 is just that significantly better than Kaspersky. Where is the evidence? What are you all going by? Let me know. I'll switch to NOD32 today if someone can show me something that suggests that it really is that much better than Kaspersky. Contrary, most of what I read suggests that Kaspersky may be slightly better than NOD32. What makes either "way better" than the other?

 

They might be referring to its memory usage. but the two are basically just as good as each other when it comes to the engine, but NOD32 takes up a lot less resources and does very fast scans. If you have a well equipped system or don't care about multitasking while doing a virus scan then it's okay to get Kaspersky, otherwise, get NOD32.

 

Gotcha. Thanks, Calvin.

 

i run nod32 av, threatfire and comodo pro with absolutely no problem.. .. trust me u wont hav any compatability problems.. all of 'em are lite on resources which is big plus.. and they'r pretty much the best out there..

 

Like i said before, thats because the ASW in kaspersky is better than nod32. So obviously it would have better detection rates overall.

P.S.- sorry for the double post..

 

I'm going to recommend Norton 2008. I've used NIS for many years, and I must say, NIS 2008 is a major improvement over the past editions.

It's light on recources, isn't in my face, and AFAIK I haven't gotten a virus or anything.

ZERO complaints thus far.

 

Catched is not a word (duh). Thanks for the information, though. I actually have a license to NOD32 that I might try later on.

 

I use Windows Live One Care and I have tried Norton 2008 and Norton 360 but those are a pain to uninstall. I know a few people on the forums do not like Windows Live One Care because they say it hogs a lot of resources.I have been using it for about two months now and I do not have any issues or complaints about it. I am not a fan of Macafee because it let some viruses slip through to my system and ruined an HP computer that I owned a few years ago.The free antivirus programs such as Avast and AVG will work fine too.It's all a matter of individual preference and/or tastes I suppose.

 

Microsoft's antivirus scan engine is not that great in detection rates even when compared to the free ones out there.