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Top Security Suites

Though it wasn't the top performer, Symantec's suite put together the best blend of features in an easy-to-use package.

Narasu Rebbapragada

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Norton Internet Security 2006 (Academic, PC) PCW Rating: 84.0PCW Rating: 84.0PCW Rating: 84.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

1. Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006 (Academic, PC)

Price when reviewed: $70 ($50 renewal), Performance: Very Good, Design: Good, Features: Superior

Bottom Line: Symantec's suite produced top-tier malware detection and cleanup scores, but it would benefit from a more streamlined interface and fewer pop-up alerts.

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Internet Security Suite 2006 - V8.0 (Full Product) PCW Rating: 83.0PCW Rating: 83.0PCW Rating: 83.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

2. McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006 - V8.0 (Full Product)

Price when reviewed: $70 ($35 renewal), Performance: Superior, Design: Fair, Features: Superior

Bottom Line: The excellent malware detection and cleanup scores of McAfee's full-featured suite make up for its terrible installation routine.

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Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security PCW Rating: 81.0PCW Rating: 81.0PCW Rating: 81.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

3. Panda Software Panda Platinum 2006 Internet Security

Price when reviewed: $80 ($60 renewal), Performance: Very Good, Design: Good, Features: Superior

Bottom Line: Panda has superior heuristics, a top-notch firewall, and speedy on-demand scanning, but its interface needs better organization.

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Internet Security Suite 2006 PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

4. F-Secure Internet Security Suite 2006

Price when reviewed: $60 ($42 renewal), Performance: Good, Design: Very Good, Features: Very Good

Bottom Line: This suite's five scanning engines--including one for rootkits--produced excellent malware detection scores but the slowest scan speed.

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PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 - 3-Pack (Full Product) PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

5. Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 - 3-Pack (Full Product)

Price when reviewed: $50 ($25 renewal), Performance: Good, Design: Very Good, Features: Good

Bottom Line: Trend Micro's interface, speed, and features (including an antiphishing toolbar) were better than its malware detection scores.

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ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2006 PCW Rating: 77.0PCW Rating: 77.0PCW Rating: 77.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

6. AvanQuest ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2006

Price when reviewed: $70 ($25 renewal), Performance: Good, Design: Very Good, Features: Very Good

Bottom Line: Zone Labs' feature-rich suite combines a superior firewall with an older version of CA's antivirus scanner, which did not perform well in our tests.

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Windows Live OneCare PCW Rating: 76.0PCW Rating: 76.0PCW Rating: 76.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

7. Microsoft Windows Live OneCare

Price when reviewed: $50 ($50 renewal), Performance: Good, Design: Good, Features: Poor

Bottom Line: The beta version of this new subscription-based PC tune-up and security package performed well but isn't as full featured or as highly configurable as other suites.

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eTrust Internet Security Suite PCW Rating: 75.0PCW Rating: 75.0PCW Rating: 75.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

8. CA eTrust Internet Security Suite

Price when reviewed: $70 ($40 renewal), Performance: Good, Design: Good, Features: Good

Bottom Line: The least integrated suite we tested, CA's product combines Zone Labs' excellent firewall with lackluster antivirus and antispyware protection.

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9 Internet Security PCW Rating: 73.0PCW Rating: 73.0PCW Rating: 73.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

9. BitDefender 9 Internet Security

Price when reviewed: $65 ($49 renewal), Performance: Good, Design: Good, Features: Good

Bottom Line: Despite strong antivirus protection, BitDefender has an underperforming adware scanner and a cryptic firewall. Scan speed was slow.

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Security Center 1.2.15 PCW Rating: 68.0PCW Rating: 68.0PCW Rating: 68.0

Last Rated: May 20, 2006

10. Aluria Security Center 1.2.15

Price when reviewed: $40 ($28 renewal), Performance: Fair, Design: Good, Features: Fair

Bottom Line: This slow suite handled adware well, but it failed to catch boot viruses, which--while negligible in number--should have been easy to detect.

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