Shop for internet security and firewall

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 26 reviews

The Bottom Line: Norton Internet Security 2010 builds on the immense progress it made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 300 MHz or higher, CD-ROM, DVD drive, 300 MHz or higher

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 452 reviews

The Bottom Line: For home and student use, we think Norton 360 represents the best value for ease of use, tools offered, and overall system performance. We recommend it over McAfee Total Protection and Microsoft Windows Live OneCare. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, 1.0, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 18 reviews

The Bottom Line: Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is a full-featured security suite, and the 2009 version scored well on independent antivirus detection and removal tests. However, be prepared to pay a premium for what you're getting. Read review

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, 10

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 34 reviews

The Bottom Line: Vipre combines antivirus and antispyware technology in a fast and light application that also includes a worthy set of security tools. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 59 reviews

The Bottom Line: You can't beat the price. For a good, basic Internet Security suite, we recommend Trend Micro Internet Security 2009. Read review

Specs: 3 PCs, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2, 350 MHz, 800 MHz, XGA monitor, 350 MHz, 800 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later, Internet Explorer 6.0 SP2 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 61 reviews

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 2009 hits all the right security notes, and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some, technical support may continue to frustrate. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 109 reviews

The Bottom Line: Norton Internet Security 2009 hits all the right security notes and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some technical support may continue to frustrate Read review

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 107 reviews

The Bottom Line: AVG Anti-Virus 8 is solid at finding and removing viruses and spyware as well as blocking Web threats, but could be lighter on system resources and provide more technical support options. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 49 reviews

The Bottom Line: Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009 provides adequate protection, but the program itself could use some work in telling the user what's going on. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 800 MHz Intel Pentium (Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista), 800 MHz Intel Pentium (Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but its questionable efficacy and middling performance make it a program we're not recommending. Read review

Specs: 3 PCs, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista (32/64 bits)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but questionable efficacy and middling performance mean it's a program we're not recommending for this year. Read review

Specs: Complete package, Intel Pentium, 3.0, Intel Pentium

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 59 reviews

The Bottom Line: ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 provides top-notch security protection that is light on system resources, allowing you to work unencumbered. Read review

Specs: Complete package, 1 GHz Intel Pentium III, 1 GHz Intel Pentium III

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 72 reviews

The Bottom Line: A near-perfect all-in-one solution for brand new PCs, Norton 360 v2 may be hard to install and run on legacy machines. However, don't count on Symantec's time-consuming and expensive technical support for help. Read review

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista / XP, 300 MHz, 2.0, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 isn't necessarily the best suite around, but it's definitely effective and should appeal to those who like making granular adjustments to their protection. Read review

Specs: Complete package, 2 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate), 1 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Professional), 2 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate), 1 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Professional)

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 37 reviews

Manufacturer description: STOPzilla maximizes your surfing speed by guarding your system against annoying unwanted pop-up windows. With fully customizable options that allow you to configure STOPzilla to meet your surfing needs, you ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: McAfee Total Protection is hassle-free, all-you-need security ideal for people who are constantly online for communication, shopping, banking, trading or viewing entertainment. It features the award-winning McAfee SiteAdvisor Plus web ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, CD-ROM, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: McAfee Total Protection is hassle-free, all-you-need security ideal for people who are constantly online for communication, shopping, banking, trading or viewing entertainment. It features the award-winning McAfee SiteAdvisor Plus web ... Read more

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, CD-ROM, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 106 reviews

The Bottom Line: While Symantec's protection is solid, the overall user experience within Norton Internet Security 2008 could be much, much better. Not all the features work together, and the program could use fewer system resources. We can also do without the addition of paid services within the technical support section. Read review

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Norton 360 Version 3.0 offers proven performance, delivering today's fastest and lightest all-in-one solution for protecting your PC and all your online activities. It protects against viruses, worms, ... Read more

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7 Starter, Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Starter, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2 or later, 300 MHz or faster, 300 MHz, 3.0, CD-ROM, VGA monitor, 300 MHz or faster, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 61 reviews

The Bottom Line: ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 is a great firewall for security rookies, but you'll still need a separate antivirus program. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 10 MB, Pentium II 300 MHz, 128 MB, 4, CD-ROM, Pentium II, 300 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.3 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 44 reviews

The Bottom Line: CA Internet Security Suite 2007 feels like a pasted-together trial version of what CA offers in terms of consumer protection. The suite fails to integrate and lacks antiphishing, antirootkit, and basic IM protection found elsewhere. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, CD-ROM, 300 MHz Intel Pentium

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 163 reviews

The Bottom Line: Norton Internet Security 2007 makes significant gains over last year, including cutting-edge rootkit and behavioral monitoring features found nowhere else, but the overall package could be serious overkill for the average desktop owner. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Windows