Find The Right Antivirus and filtering

Norton AntiVirus 2010 (1 User, 1 PC)

Norton AntiVirus 2010 builds on the immense progress 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.

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

Trend Micro Internet Security 2010

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.

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)

Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010

Going by older detection and removal numbers, Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware offers competent if basic security protection. However, so do many free competitors. This year, we recommend giving Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 a pass.

Specs: Complete package, Intel Pentium, Intel Pentium

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 (CD-ROM, 1-Year License)

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 offers pricey antivirus protection. The 2009 version scored well on independent antivirus detection and removal tests, but be prepared to pay a premium for what you're getting.

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, 10

Panda Internet Security 2009

Panda Internet Security 2009 is vastly improved in speed and effectiveness over last year, but could use a little more work on specific features and technical support.

Specs: 1 PC, Subscription package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit versions), 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

Avira AntiVir Personal 8

AntiVir Personal 8 provides more than adequate malicious-software protection, but for the price, we expected more features and polish.

Specs: Complete package, 133 MHz Intel Pentium, 133 MHz Intel Pentium

Norton AntiVirus 2009

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.

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

F-Secure Internet Security 2009

While offering roughly the same features and performance as its competition, F-Secure Internet Security 2009 is about $20 too expensive.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Starter, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), 600 MHz Intel Pentium or higher, 600 MHz, CD-ROM, Internet connection, 600 MHz Intel Pentium or higher, 600 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 5.0

Trend Micro Internet Security 2009

You can't beat the price. For a good, basic Internet Security suite, we recommend Trend Micro Internet Security 2009.

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

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009

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

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)

Norton 360 2.0

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.

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

Windows Defender (version 1593)

Windows Defender is free and therefore should be a part of your desktop antispyware collection.

Panda Antivirus 2008

Panda Antivirus 2008 is slower than the competition and lacks independent, third-party antivirus test results, and thus doesn't receive our recommendation.

Specs: 3 PCs, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit versions), 150 MHz, CD-ROM, 150 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

Norton Antivirus 2008 with Antispyware

Norton AntiVirus 2008 didn't wow us this year. While the protection is solid, the user experience could be much, much better, and the product itself could be more streamlined. Also we can do without the addition of paid services in the technical support section.

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 or higher, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows

Laplink PCDefense

As a security app, Laplink PCDefense needs a thorough interface overhaul and a perhaps a rethink about its purpose before we can recommend it.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Windows

Norton AntiVirus 2006

Norton AntiVirus 2006 improves its detection and removal of spyware and adware but lags behind the more proactive McAfee VirusScan 2006.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, 2006, CD-ROM, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, Windows

ZoneAlarm Pro 4

ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 is a great firewall for security rookies, but you'll still need a separate antivirus program.

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

Norton AntiVirus 9.0 for Macintosh

Norton AntiVirus 9.0 for Macintosh stops Mac users from unwittingly spreading PC viruses.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS 9.2 or later, Apple MacOS X 10.1.5 or later, 40 MB, PowerPC G3, 128 MB, 9.0, CD-ROM, PowerPC G3, MacOS

F-Secure Anti-Virus 2010

Specs: Complete package, 600 MHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows XP), CD-ROM, 600 MHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows XP)

SystemWorks 2006 Premier 10-Pack

Specs: 10 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 300 MHz, 166 MHz, SVGA monitor, 300 MHz, 166 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 5.5 or later