Making settings easier to get to while not overloading the interface drives the look of all security software, so PC Tools isn't much different from its competition in this case, but we'd still like to see an easier-to-navigate layout.
The Tools tab is superfluous, hosting only one feature: the malware reporter. This is for when you think you've discovered malware on your machine that PC Tools missed, so you can submit it for analysis. This could easily be exposed elsewhere, without the need for its own tab. The Settings tab is the landing pane for both major and minor settings tweaks, for every feature offered in the suite. As such, when you click a link in another tab to manage the firewall exclusions or the antispam configuration, this is where it will jump you to.
The features that are offered here are top-notch, with in-depth options to customize your settings. For example, there's a DNS blacklist for spam protection and the firewall offers active process toggling. The layout feels cramped and doesn't flow well, with each screen just different enough to require a reorientation. The condensed feel of the layout advanced features won't prevent you from using them, but making the interface easier to read and sharpening the layout would make it more appealing to both novices and power users.
Performance When CNET evaluates the performance of security suites, we look at both system performance and protection efficacy. However, as stated in our policy , we don't do efficacy testing in-house. Instead, we turn to several major third-party evaluators, most often AV-Test. PC Tools doesn't use many of the better-known independent testers, so we had to look elsewhere. One such respected organization, Virus Bulletin , tested the previous version of PC Tools Internet Security twice this year against a "wildlist" of malware threats, and tested the current version once.
Virus Bulletin's testing methodology can be read here. While it's well-known that antivirus testing methodologies somewhat lag behind the threat landscape, and can struggle to fairly evaluate behavioral detection and prevention methods, the latest score for PC Tools is encouraging. The ThreatFire behavioral detection engine that is part of PC Tools Internet Security is well-respected and known for adding an extra level of prevention to your existing security program.
It may well prevent an infection before it happens. PC Tools offers it as a stand-alone freeware download as well. CNET Labs put the suite through our system performance gauntlet, and came away unimpressed. PC Tools Internet Security started up 9 seconds slower than our baseline computer, an unprotected machine that booted in When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Dramatic improvements to its Norton suite during the past two years indicate that Symantec has been listening to the needs and complaints of its customers.
The company's strong and surprising changes to Norton's impact on system performance that it introduced last year are maintained in this new version, and a new behavioral detection engine called Quorum shows that Symantec can juggle performance and protection. Quorum incorporates behavioral detection with Norton Insight, a program-reputation engine introduced in the version of Norton.
The purpose of these features, according to Symantec, is to respond faster to mutating threats, while also watching for hibernating infections that pose a potential, but not immediate threat. In the version, Insight has been split to address four main areas of concern: Download Insight for in-progress program downloads, System Insight for diagnosing system slowdowns, File Insight for file analysis, and Threat Insight for digging deeper into threat origins.
Also included is a new enterprise-level antispam algorithm that, according to Symantec, shouldn't require any "training" to use. These features were acquired by Symantec with its purchase of Brightmail more than five years ago. Norton Internet Security also includes OnlineFamily. Norton , Symantec's new parental control system, and Norton SafeWeb, which is a search results and e-commerce rating component. Full efficacy analysis isn't yet available for Norton Internet Security , but last year's version scored better-than-average results, and what is available for the new release indicates that it will score similarly.
Installation Former users of Norton should try installing this latest version, if only to see that this former sluggish beast now offers a smooth and fast operation. Once you run the installer, the program is ready to operate in about a minute--impressively fast, considering its past performance.
The installation process is also the first time that you will interact with Quorum, the new behavior-based detection engine. You'll be asked to participate by sending anonymous data to Symantec's cloud. Opting out of the data submission, according to Symantec, will not affect your security.
Running the trial of Norton also requires free registration at the Symantec Web site--you can't download the installer without it. Uninstalling the software left about 10 Registry entries behind, but no other traces were detectable. Overall, Norton's installation experience was fast and hassle-free, with a minimum of configuration options--but the ones that did come up appeared necessary. Interface and features Robust and well designed, Norton Internet Security gives you a deep but uncluttered toolbox from which to keep your computer safe, maintain a high level of security, and access system management features.
Norton's Quorum is the big new feature this year--combined with the expanded Norton Insight, Symantec is looking to improve security while riding on the news of its overhauled performance. Like its competitors, such as Kaspersky and Trend Micro , that also offer cloud-based, crowd-sourced behavioral detection engines, Norton gives you the option to opt out of submitting information during installation.
Unlike most apps, Norton shows you the information that will be shared in detail. A window will open that shows you how many files have been detected throughout the network, with a column graph split into "known good files" in green, "known bad files" in red, and a middle gray area for files that are still being evaluated.
Over time, that gray area should shrink as more files are recognized as safe or not. It also reveals how many total files have been judged, how many trusted files reside on your computer, and how many times Norton has used Insight and Quorum to evaluate one of your files. This is a good start, although we'd like a quick jump from here to the Norton Insight window that exposes which files those are. Norton starts with a dark-themed window, accentuated by yellow and white font.
On the left of the application is a persistent performance meter, measuring the percentage of CPU that's being used and what percentage of that Norton is using.
Panda Dome Complete offers good malware protection and is one of the most feature-rich internet security suites on the market — although not all of its extra features are that good. Panda detected most of my test malware, and I was impressed with its intuitive interface and unique features like the Rescue Kit. Learn More — Panda Dome Complete. Kaspersky also has comprehensive parental controls, a good password manager, and a solid VPN — although the VPN is pretty limited.
While Kaspersky offers good protection, I think all of its plans are a little bit too expensive when compared to competitors with a similar amount of features. All Kaspersky purchases come with a risk-free day free guarantee. Learn More — Kaspersky Total Security. Malwarebytes Premium is an easy-to-use internet security suite for users looking for malware and web protection… and not much else.
Malwarebytes also comes with a browser extension that prevents phishing attacks, blocks sites with malware including cryptojackers , and removes ads.
Malwarebytes is a highly effective anti-malware program, but it lacks most of the additional features I want to see in an internet security suite. The company offers a generous day money-back guarantee on both plans. Learn More — Malwarebytes Premium. Most of the products on this list are primarily intended for Windows although they all work well on Mac , so I decided to add one more that focuses on protecting Macs. Intego has excellent real-time malware protection which blocked all of the Mac-specific malware samples I threw at it — including newer spyware samples that macOS antiviruses from competitors like Panda missed.
I also really like the phishing detection feature, which blocked more suspicious sites in my tests than Safari or Chrome. Internet security is important because of the huge amount of valuable data most users keep online, and the increasing number of hackers targeting unprotected online accounts. Without proper internet security protection , you could fall victim to one of these hacks, leaking banking info and credit card numbers, compromising social media accounts, and ultimately becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud.
Antivirus software protects against computer-based malware like viruses and trojans. Internet security software protects against network-based malware like spyware and ransomware.
That said, today, many internet security suites like all on this list offer both an antivirus engine and internet security protection in the same product. There are protections against spam, phishing, and banner ads, firewall control, and a network monitor to track network activities for users who like to drill down deep into their system's behavior.
There's also a Parental Control filter, with options to outright block children from particular sites or merely log events. By default, the Parental Control filter is off, and when activated it assigns all other users on the computer Child status until directed otherwise.
There's a Teenager status, as well, for more granular control of restrictions. The My Security Zone tab is where most of the application control features live. From here, a clean chart organizes your installed programs according to trustworthiness, the Digital Identity Protection feature allows you to uncover which files your personal information resides in according to the program, and the Safe Run sandbox can be controlled.
Safe Run nearly doubles the amount of RAM the program uses, but provides a secure environment for launching a program. Safe Run also comes with a sandboxed folder into which you can save files without worry. The feature currently will not run on Windows 7 computers, but Kaspersky has told me that they expect to have the feature fixed before the October release of the new operating system.
Programs can be launched into Safe Run in one of two ways. You can add the program manually through the Kaspersky Security Zone panel, or you can launch it on the fly using the context menu. Hopefully, there will be casual launcher added to jump lists in Windows 7, but that feature doesn't exist now. The Update Center tab offers a smooth update scheduler integrated into the main interface.
Click on Run Mode to change the schedule. This isn't remarkable except to point out that only the definition file update offers an update like this. To schedule any other regular scan, you must click on the Settings option at the top right of the main Kaspersky window, choose the feature you want to schedule from the list on the left if it wasn't open in the main window when you hit settings, select Settings from within the window that opens, and then finally click the Run Mode tab on yet one final pop-up window.
It's a tedious process and could be streamlined to great effect, but it makes one of the basic features of this security program unnecessarily hard to get to. The program also comes with an auto-run disable feature and a virtual keyboard so that, in theory, you can enter passwords without worrying about a keylogger. In fact, security experts have warned that onscreen keyboards do not decrease the risks of password theft, and either way I think most users will find it superfluous.
The new gamer mode, however, isn't. This basically keeps Kaspersky functioning while you play games, but kills interrupting pop-ups and strips memory usage down to its minimum.
The annoying yellow bar announcing that your computer security is at risk because you're running the trial can be toggled under the Report link at the top right of the main window. I'm not happy about the wording of the message as it appears in the program, falsely equating your computer's security with the status of your license when Kaspersky Labs itself offers the trial as full-featured.
Performance Scans and definition file updates performed empirically as expected, with the Quick Scan taking less than 3 minutes.
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