Find The Right System utilities

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 Pro 2010

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.

Specs: Complete package, Intel Pentium, 3.0, 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

McAfee Internet Security 2009

Once it's up and running, McAfee Internet Security 2009 is competitive with Norton on speed, detection, and removal of malicious software.

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, Windows

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

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 Internet Security 2008

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.

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

CA Internet Security Suite 2007

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.

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

Roxio Toast Titanium 8 for Mac

Roxio continues to improve a strong suite and keep Toast current with the release of version 8. If the Mac OS and Apple's bundled apps don't meet your disc-creation needs, pick up Toast at once.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 8, CD-R, DVD-R, MacOS, QuickTime 7.1 or later

Norton Internet Security 2007

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.

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

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

Norton AntiSpam 2005

While Norton's AntiSpam 2005 seamlessly integrates into Microsoft's e-mail clients, it has performance issues. And it's neither as easy to use nor as accurate as MailFrontier Desktop.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1, 300 MHz, 133 MHz, 155 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, 133 MHz, 155 MHz, Windows

Pinnacle System Instant CD/DVD 8.0

Pinnacle's Instant CD/DVD 8.0 offers an improved interface and some useful new tools, but this burning suite still falls a bit short of its peers.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 500 MHz, 8.0, CD-ROM, 500 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

Symantec Control Compliance Suite for Netware - ( v. 8.2 ) - media

Specs: Media, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later, 8.2, Windows

Symantec Mail Security for Domino On Win2000/2003 - ( v. 5.1 ) - media

Specs: Media, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, 5.1, Windows, Lotus Domino 7.x, Lotus Domino 6.5.x

Symantec Control Compliance Suite for UNIX - ( v. 8.2 ) - media

Specs: Media, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later, 8.2, Windows

McFunSoft iPodPSP3GP Video Converter (Download)

Specs: 1 User, Complete Package, Windows

Symantec AntiVirus for Caching - ( v. 4.3 ) - media

Specs: Media, Red Hat Linux 9, Red Hat Linux 7.3, Red Hat Linux 8.0, SunSoft Solaris 7, SunSoft Solaris 8, SunSoft Solaris 9, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 or later, 500 MHz, 400 MHz, 4.3, Network adapter, 500 MHz, 400 MHz, Linux, Solaris, Windows