Internet security software is the last line of defense between your computer and dangerous viruses, spyware, and hackers. Since the main goal of most malicious activity on the Internet is to steal your personal information, Internet security software can also help prevent identity theft. All of the services we have reviewed offer antivirus and anti-spyware protection and many also offer anti-phishing and spam blocking. The best services also offer a layer of identity theft protection that will help prevent and detect any unauthorized uses of your personal information. Our reviews include data from independent antivirus testing authority AV-Comparatives. One is a historical average of their various anti-malware and antivirus tests; the other is their rating of antivirus software impact on system performance. You can learn more about the various risks to your PC that exist on the Internet and Internet security software in general by visiting our FAQ.
*Averaged historical scores for each company's antivirus/anti-malware product by independent testing agency AV-Comparatives. Score indicates overall effectiveness in a variety of tests over time. See review for full breakdown.
**Score indicates impact of antivirus product on system performance. December 2009 test by AV-Comparatives.
Norton Internet Security 2010 Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
[Editor's note: Norton is currently offering NextAdvisor visitors a 15% discount on Norton Internet Security 2010. No coupon code is needed—just follow any link to Norton from NextAdvisor.com]
Norton is one of the oldest names in Internet security software. For a long time the stalwart brand enjoyed top-of-mind awareness in the world of virus protection. Over time, new players have entered the field and Norton has had to up its game. And it really has with this release.
As we mentioned above, Norton has been at this party for a long time. But looking at its user interface, you'd never know it. Far from stodgy, it's clean and modern, using a slightly transparent black window to present your options. Norton also shows you your CPU usage and Norton's own activity level. Best of all, it keeps an excellent visual record of just about everything that's happened on your computer. This may sound unnecessary and boring, but after a few minutes of exploring its brightly colored charts, you'll want to use it (even though you don't have to).
Our first deep scan took just under an hour, which is par for the course. It came up with a virus which Trend Micro had missed. It provided us with complete data on the malware, telling us when and where it had been installed as well as the last time it had been used. The amount of information is provides is really incredible.
We use data from AV-Comparatives to measure how well Internet security software handles threats. Norton has scored AV-Comparatives' highest rating (three out of three stars) on four of six tests, scoring slightly lower (two stars) on a November 2009 and a June 2010 retrospective test. Retrospective tests look at a product's heuristic threat detection, meaning its ability to detect virus-like behavior in undiagnosed files. Norton's historical average still comes in at comes in at two-and-a-half stars, but Norton did not do as well as some other products at identifying these un-diagnosed virus samples. Strangely, according to AV-Comparatives, Norton "asked to get tested with heuristics set to high/advanced" so it's odd that it wouldn't do as well in that area. It's suggested that users similarly set Norton's heuristic detection to "Aggressive" in the settings menu.
Still, Norton's antivirus product scored three out of three stars on PC performance, demonstrating minimal resource drain. In December 2009 it took top honors in AV-Comparatives' year-end test, scoring a gold.
Ultimately Norton felt like it displayed a good degree of intelligence about known and potential threats. The new game for Internet security software is identifying suspicious behaviors and characteristics. If you download something that Norton can't identify, it provides you with feedback on how potentially risky it is. If the danger is unknown, it's up to you whether to take the chance or not, but you'll feel like you've made an informed choice.
Like other Internet security software, it includes protection against email-born threats and a smart firewall that adjusts according to threat levels. It also carries a range of configurable measures to protect against identity theft. Parental controls are now standard as well, though they're hardly fool (or child) proof.
Norton is for those who like a good deal of control and information. While it doesn't block urls the way that some products do, it is decidedly more trusting of your judgment. If you just want it to protect your computer, without your input, it will do that. If you're the kind of person that likes to understand what's going on with your Internet security software, you'll be especially pleased. Norton offers you a 30-day free trial to see if it's right for you. Also, users may be interested in Norton 360 Premiere Edition which packages Internet Security 2010 with 25GB of online backup as well as PC Tuneup software for $99.99.
System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | Norton Internet Security | 09/09 Malware Detection |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection |
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| 03/10 Malware Detection |
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| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection |
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| Historical Average |
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Note: According to AV-Comparatives, Norton "asked to get tested with heuristic set to high/advanced." Since the default setting is lower, users will need to adjust this to achieve comparable security levels.
BitDefender Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
BitDefender has released the 2010 version of its Internet security suite. Don't look for many new whiz-bang features; according to the literature, BitDefender has mostly made improvements in its speed, detection, and control. It also promises Windows 7 compatibility.
Bit Defender offers various degrees of configurability through different activity types: Typical, parent, gamer, and custom. You can then choose your experience level: Beginner, intermediate, or advanced. We chose typical/intermediate settings and started our testing. The results are decidedly mixed: a confused setup process followed by great virus detection.
BitDefender's setup process was irritating from the start. It tried to update our virus definitions and run an initial scan simultaneously, only to tell us that it was impossible to do so. It also allowed us to run multiple virus scans at once, and wouldn't declare the machine safe until the redundant scans were completed. We had some additional problems with permissioning, but these were ultimately resolved.
While BitDefender does not have any kind of url interceptor for malware, it does kick in phishing detection on occasion, sending you to a warning page when you hit a suspect site.
The more rigorous testing by independent antivirus testing organization AV-Comparatives has shown Bit Defender to be a serious malware-detecting-and-removing powerhouse, scoring three-star ratings on the last six detection and removal tests they've conducted. The product has taken some hits for its scanning speed; AV-Comparatives noted "slow" scanning speed in the February 2010 test, and gave it only a two-star rating in a December 2009 performance test.
This seems consistent with our complaints about the scan. Despite our initial problems, we were very impressed with BitDefender's virus protection capabilities; it seemed particularly snappy when intercepting trojans. BitDefender also offers an encrypted file vault, so you can safely store your files on an external drive. Instant messaging encryption for Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger is also included, along with a two-way firewall and Wi-Fi monitor.
It's test specs are certainly ahead of everyone else's. On the other hand, it was not the easiest install, though such things can vary from computer to computer. The price is certainly right, at $39.95 for 1 PC, and 3 for $49.95. If the high level of protection appeals to you, give it a try with the free 30-day trial. It may be just the right Internet security software for you.
System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | BitDefender | 09/09 Malware Detection |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection |
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| 03/10 Malware Detection |
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| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection |
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| Historical Average |
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Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
Introduction:
Kaspersky has launched the 2011 version of its Internet Security Software. It's a new version, but in truth, Internet security products are updating all the time with new virus definitions and new heuristics. But there are some new features for enhanced security. If you already have a previous version of Kaspersky Internet Security, the program should update automatically.
Installation:
We installed Kaspersky on our trusty test computers. Kaspersky's installation proved to be a bit fussy on both. On one, it detected vestigial components of an uninstalled version of Norton Internet Security. On the other it could not complete installation due to a "possible" virus (which Kaspersky could not later find). We found remedies for both problems, but it leads us to believe Kaspersky should have spent more time on the installer.
Once Kaspersky is installed, you have to do a lot of the initial steps yourself. For instance, we're used to Internet security software forcing a restart and then autolaunching with an initial full scan. No such behavior here. Those who like to run things themselves will like this, but we worry that beginners may miss some important setup items.
Interface:
At its best, the interface is neat and uncluttered, but information-rich with a lot of configurability. It's very clean on the surface, showing just the important stuff up top. However it also has a tendency to contain almost too many options if you start digging into the settings, and it could be overwhelming for some. The good news is that you don't have to dig deep if you don't want to. You can just let it run.
Antivirus and Antimalware:
The first full scan took nearly an hour and a half on each of our test computers. A trojan was reportedly found during one virus scan; we chose to have it quarantined, but the interface was sluggish in responding. After the scan, we could not find any evidence of the trojan in Kaspersky's logs or the quarantine, leaving us to wonder just what happened, but we're guessing it was a false positive.
We have to look to previous versions of Kaspersky for a clue as to 2011's virus-fighting abilities. Kaspersky has a good history with antivirus testing organization AV-Comparatives. It scored the highest rating, three stars, in the most recent on-demand malware detection test. In the previous five tests it scored two two-star ratings and three three-star ratings. Perhaps best of all, the independent testing body awarded it second place in its 2009 year-end review. Kaspersky is a solid player, though it should be noted that according to AV-Comparatives, Kaspersky "asked to get tested with heuristic set to high/advanced." This means the software was set for higher detection capabilities during testing then it's at by default. Is this cheating? On the one hand, it makes the scanner more sensitive, but it also raises the probability of the program detecting false positives, something that would have lowered its score as well. It's recommended that users also set the heuristics to high/advanced to achieve the same results.
In addition to the usual set of behavior- and definition-based scanners, there's a vulnerability scanner to look for software with security holes. It's sometimes helpful, and sometimes confusing, particularly because some of their online documentation is not up at the moment.
Other features:
Kaspersky is still a champ when it comes to features and user interface. As with the 2010 version, it contains a host of cool features including a safe run area for programs, and a safe run web browser for web pages. Worried that you might be running a program or visiting a website of dubious security? Kaspersky promises the safe run area will keep those activities in a safer, segregated part of your computer.
The parental control software is a mixed bag. It kept us from hitting proxies that are often used to subvert the parental controls, doing better than many stand-alone products we've reviewed. On the other hand it had one of the most conservative and stupid blocking mechanisms we've encountered. It blocked wikipedia articles on Melville's classic "Moby Dick," the WWII bomber "The Enola Gay," and "Nazis." True configurability is lacking, so kids will remain unaware of literature and world history.
Perhaps its best feature is the Rescue Disk creator. It allows you to create bootable media with essential virus scanning components on it, in case you need to start up from a separate disk to do scanning.
Additionally you get anti-spam for your email program, and an anti-banner mechanism, which handily removed banners from several pages we tried. Unlike many banner blockers, which just leave an empty space where the banner used to be, Kaspersky eliminates the space entirely, something that will give laptop users more screen real estate when browsing.
Conclusion:
Kaspersky continues to add great new features to its Internet Security Software, but we have to wonder a bit if the 2011 version is really ready for prime time. We wish the installation process had been easier and more intuitive, and we're a bit afraid Kaspersky's product may be getting a bit bloated. That being said, we have a lot of respect for past versions of the product. Kaspersky offers a free, 30-day trial with no credit card required, which is the best way to find out if the product is right for you.
System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | Kaspersky Internet Security | 09/09 Malware Detection |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection |
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| 03/10 Malware Detection |
|
| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection |
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| Historical Average |
|
Note: According to AV-Comparatives, Kaspersky "asked to get tested with heuristic set to high/advanced." Since the default setting is lower, users will need to adjust this to achieve comparable security levels.
Eset Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
Eset Smart Security 4 offers a curiously minimal setup that's rather emblematic of how Eset functions. The program runs rather transparently, without any link warning mechanisms or toolbars. Some users will appreciate this, though that means you won't receive warnings about phishing pages or other non-virus related threats. If Eset does detect a virus, a small dialog box tells you about it, and lets you know what's been done with it.
In our tests, Eset succesfully detected a trojan hidden in a false Flash update that many others have missed. It placed the file promptly in quarantine. It also did fairly well with fake anti-virus scanners. Eset has scored four three-star ratings and two two-star ratings in the last six tests by AV-Comparatives, giving them a two-and-a-half star historical average. It's no surprise then that AV-Comparatives awarded them the bronze award in their 2009 year-end roundup. Additionally, it scored three stars in its December 2009 performance test. These are good stats, indeed.
We really like Eset's no-nonsense software interface. It's rather clean, and we liked how it organized information and settings, and allowed us to view PC activity and important system events. It reminded us a lot of Norton's analytics features.
Eset is a little light on extra features. There are no parental controls, and there's no way to manage your login information or credit card info, something useful for foiling key loggers. If either of these things are important to you, you should look to one of the more comprehensive packages, such as Norton.
Eset is $59.99 for one year. This makes it a bit pricey, especially since it only covers one PC and comes with so few extras. But it's good protection, particularly if you prefer your Internet security software to run with a minimal of interference.
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | Eset | 09/09 Malware Detection |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection |
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| 03/10 Malware Detection |
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| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection |
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| Historical Average |
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McAfee Total Protection 2010 Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
[Editor's Note: McAfee is offering a 50% discount to NextAdvisor.com visitors. Simply enter the code nextadvisor50 at checkout.]
McAfee was the last of the major Internet security software companies to officially bring out its 2010 products. Of course, since Internet security software is always being updated, it's often hard to tell just how significant these roll-outs are.
McAfee has greatly simplified the user interface. It's the polar opposite of Norton's all-seeing, all-knowing, all-displaying system of graphs and timelines. No, this version of McAfee offers a stripped-down interface that tells you the basics: Firewall, Update, Scan, and Subscription status. Below that are a series of submenus that allow you to switch different functions on and off. This minimalism comes at a cost, however. We did not like how deeply burried the detailed scan data was. While we saw that a virus was found, it was a lot of clicking around to find out what the file was (it was our innocuous test file).
McAfee Total Protection runs a quick scan on installation, and it was indeed quick, so quick we wanted to double check with a full scan. Our initial full-scan took considerable time, well over an hour. Not a big deal, since full scans are run so seldom.
McAfee, like other Internet security software products, uses multiple strategies to detect viruses. The traditional virus definition updates are supplemented with behavior-based detection. Its performance on AV-Comparatives' testing regime isn't bad, but it also didn't come out at the top. In AV-Comparatives' most recent test, the proactive/retrospective test, McAfee's antivirus component scored one out of three stars. This test looked at the product's ability to detect malware based on behavior, without relying on virus definitions. In general McAfee gets downgraded for too many false positives, meaning it detects virus behavior where there is not any. The most recent on-demand (i.e. defition-based) test from AV-Comparatives ranked it better, two out of three stars. Again, it ran into trouble because of false positives.
In addition to virus and malware protection, McAfee Total Protection 2010 offers email spam protection, 2GB of online storage (through Mozy), and parental controls. The parental controls are minimal, and while the blocklist is surprisingly smart (and configurable by age), the blocking mechanism has big trouble with proxies. Smart kids will get around it without a problem. It can't compare to a product like Net Nanny.
Like many Internet security software products, McAfee Total Protection has a browser toolbar that will warn you of malicious sites. It does not use an intercept model, but instead flashes a warning. Some of the data comes from McAfee's own tests with the balance coming from community reviews. As with all community ratings, you must consider the source. Fortunately you can view the findings on McAfee's SiteAdvisor to judge for yourself.
McAfee Total Protection 2010 makes vast improvements on the user interface. It's solid virus protection at a good price, though as we compare it to the competition, it doesn't test quite as well as more expensive options like Kaspersky or Norton.
System Requirements: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | Norton Internet Security | 09/09 Malware Detection* |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection* |
|
| 03/10 Malware Detection* |
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| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection* |
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| Historical Average |
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*Product downgraded in these tests due to too many false positives (reports of viruses or malware where none was present)
Avast! Internet Security Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
Avast! caught our attention not just because of its association with nautical lingo (Avast comes from the Dutch for 'Hold fast!'). It's a product that we see mentioned quite a bit on antivirus bulletin boards. They've actually been in the game for a while, since 1988 in fact, when the products were only available in their home country of Czechoslovakia. Since then it's developed a loyal following.
Setup of Avast! Internet Security was extremely easy, and one of the first things we noticed about Avast! was the initial scan. It may take some users back to the days of DOS; there are no fancy graphics of files going under a magnifying glass, no spinning logos or bouncing balls. Instead, since it runs at boot-time (after restart), you get simple text read-outs. Not the most attractive interface, but theoretically this scan will detect viruses before they've even launched in the Windows environment. It also runs faster.
The second thing we noticed about Avast is the user interface, and this time it wasn't a good thing: first it's divided between a control panel in the control strip, and the Avast Simple User Interface. It's hardly "simple" and the default "skin" on the latter looks like a media player from 2001. There's another interface option included that's better, but not by much. The control-strip module which controls many of the basic security functions is easier to use, though frustratingly clunky and short on explanation. Why these are separate modules is beyond us.
As for performance, Avast's antivirus product has done well in recent tests by AV-Comparatives, an independent antivirus testing organization. Our historical average for them is comes in at two-and-a-half stars, based on three two-star ratings, and three three-star ratings. It's great performance, but not the best.
While our tests are less scientific than those of AV-Comparatives, we found it failed to warn us of a few known threats. When it did warn us it did so with an audible siren and a voice telling us a trojan had been detected. This will boil down to personal taste, but we found it irritating.
Avast's url blocker is less well-developed than most that we've tested recently. There's no ever-present toolbar, which may be off-putting to some. Similarly there's no link scanner for Google or Yahoo!, something that seems to have become de rigeur for Internet security software.
Another common feature not found with Avast is an identity theft protection vault. Also absent are any parental controls. But those that use Limewire may be comforted by P2P protection (something we didn't test).
Though many people like Avast, for us it felt clunky and disjointed. In fact, it's hard not to overstate how much we disliked using the software. While our virus intercept tests aren't infallible, we didn't like how it performed in the handful of threats we threw at it, nor are we crazy about the voice that announces when virus definitions have been updated or a virus has been discovered. Also worth mentioning is the fact that it did not play well with the windows security advisor. While there are work-arounds out there, none of them worked for our machine running Vista.
System Requirements: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 7
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | Avast! | 09/09 Malware Detection |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection |
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| 03/10 Malware Detection |
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| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection |
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| Historical Average |
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AVG Internet Security Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
[Editor's note: AVG is currently offering NextAdvisor visitors an exclusive 30%-off discount on its two-year plan, giving you a year for free. No coupon code is needed, just follow any of the AVG links from NextAdvisor]
It seems like just yesterday that we were reviewing AVG Internet Security 8.5. Version 9.0 is now ready for release and AVG has promised faster installation, more efficient operation, and better security. Last time we complained about a complicated firewall setup, and we're glad to see this has been simplified. In fact, version 9.0 improves on just about everything we disliked about 8.5's user interface and basic operations. Gone are the ambiguous link warnings and frustrating permissions errors.
While most of the setup has been streamlined, expect a few extra steps. The first scan is to evaluate the programs on your computer. This won't scan for viruses. You'll have to enable that first virus scan yourself (or wait for the scheduled scan). A scan for rootkits (nasty malware that lives in your computer in separate pieces) is an additional step. Our first full scan was faster than with AVG 8.5, but still a bit longer than most Internet security software we've reviewed. The initial scan uncovered no viruses, but it did find two tracking cookies and a piece of spyware that we'd downloaded but never activated.
We found the previous version of AVG to be awkward and counterintuitive. The new version improves a lot on the look and feel and adds some novel features. One of our favorites is a process monitor (ostensibly a function of the Identity Theft protection component) that shows all the EXE's running on your system and evaluates the potential threat-level based on key characteristics. It's a good way to see what's going on under the hood, even though the documentation could be better.
Identity theft is the buzz word du jour with Internet security software in 2009. One thing we're surprised to see absent from AVG's security software is some personal information management tools that we've seen in other products, such as credit card and login protection. Most of AVG's identity theft protection offering revolves around the anti-malware process-viewer mentioned above, as well as free access to Identity Guard's Identity Theft Recovery Unit. The latter is not to be confused with pro-active identity theft monitoring, but if you believe your identity has been stolen, Identity Guard will help you in the steps to recover it. This includes 6 months of free credit file monitoring if they find your identity has been compromised.
AVG's performance in AV-Comparatives' antivirus tests have found it consistently in the two-star territory ratings territory, not reaching the maximum of three stars in any of the past six tests. It scored the same in the December 2009 performance test that measures system impact. In a recent test the on-demand scanning speed was rated as "average" and it had one of the lower detection rates at 94.2%. These are not terrible ratings, but they're also not as good as many other competitors. It should be noted that AV-Comparatives tested the basic Antivirus product, and not the Internet Security suite which contains additional components.
In our experience, it did fine against scareware sites and a piece of malware disguised as a flash plugin. It did fail to block an image-based trojan and did not detect a YouTube-based phishing site that the previous version had caught, despite its claims of having anti-phishing technology.
It's hard to give AVG our full recommendation given the trouble it had with the image-based trojan, and the lack of personal information management tools and parental controls may make it less than ideal for some. But if you liked previous versions of AVG, then you'll probably find 9.0 a worthy successor, and the inclusion of identity theft recovery services is a nice bonus. At $54.99 for two years it's a real bargain, though it only covers a single user. Their trial period gives you 30 days to kick the tires, with no credit card required.
System Requirements: Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Older scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Test Date and Type | AVG | 09/09 Malware Detection |
|
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal |
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| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal |
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| 11/09 Virus/Malware Detection |
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| 03/10 Malware Detection |
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| 05/10 Proactive Malware Detection |
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| Historical Average |
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Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 Review: Internet Security SoftwareGo to Site | Back to Chart
Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 was an early entrant in the 2010 crop of Internet security software releases. The big changes with this iteration seem to be performance oriented; it does not boast many brand new features. Instead, Trend Micro promises faster performance and better use of your computer's resources. It also seems to incorporate more frequent virus updates (every three hours by default, but can be set to check every hour).
Installation was fairly painless; there was one false start, but we were up and running soon. An initial scan found a nefarious cookie that our previous scans from other Internet security software missed. A deep scan found five Microsoft Excel patches that we needed to download. All-in-all these are soft threats, but we appreciate knowing they were there and having the opportunity to fix them.
The first thing we noticed about Trend Micro 2010 was its url blocker. While trying to access a known Fake Anti-Virus Trojan site, we were sent to an interstitial warning page. It also successfully warned us away from a YouTube phishing site and a page which in the past had allowed us to download a Trojan-infected flash plug-in. Even newly-reported pages were blocked right away. Unfortunately, its recent showings in a malware detection test by AV-Comparatives have not been great, scoring zero-star and one-star ratings in its two most recent tests. It showed a high number of false-positives and a weakness in detecting certain types of malware. Trend Micro has just started submitting its product to AV-Comparatives testing, so it'll be interesting to see how it performs in future tests.
Beyond virus protection, Trend Micro 2010 offers a nice network map so you can view the computers on your network. You can also use it to install the included 3-PC licenses on those computers. This is really nicely implemented.
We were also impressed with the way Trend Micro keeps logs of all its processes. You can go in and view pretty much anything Trend Micro did, including seeing which sites it blocked, which Trojans it cleaned up, and what kind of Firewall activity was detected. The interface, while not as sparkling or animated as some, is clean and responsive.
Last time we reviewed Trend Micro we took issue with its lack of identity-theft protection features. Such features seem to be more developed in its $69.95, Internet Security Pro product. Still, Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 has included some identity-theft protection measures in this product. There's data theft prevention settings, which allow you to create filters based on your sensitive data; just enter the first four digits of your credit card number, for example, and Trend Micro will prevent that data from being scooped up by websites or instant messaging.
Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 is $39.96 after a 20% discount, which includes a license for three PCs. A 30-day evaluation period will let you experience its features. We love the URL blocker, but a somewhat weak showing in the recent AV-Comparatives test gives us some pause.
System Requirements: Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
AV-Comparatives ratings on a variety of tasks related to the antivirus and anti-malware product. Scores may reflect previous software versions.
| Trend Micro | 09/09 On Demand Malware Detection | Did not test |
|---|---|
| 10/09 Malware Removal | Did not test |
| 11/09 Unwanted Application Removal | Did not test |
| 11/09 On Demand Virus/Malware Detection | Did not test |
| 03/10 On Demand Malware Detection* |
|
| 05/10 Retroactive Test* |
|
| Historical Average |
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* Product received a lower rating for displaying too many false positives
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