Best Computer Security Software
The World Wide Web can be a dangerous place for a computer, as behind every download and web application, lurks a virus or spyware program waiting to invade it. At the same time, internal threats can appear in the form of removable media and devices. Scared? Don't be. Installing any one of the security software below, will protect your machine against the worst of threats. Scroll below to see the top computer protection programs.
The World Wide Web can be a dangerous place for a computer, as behind every download and web application, lurks a virus or spyware program waiting to invade it. At the same time, internal threats can appear in the form of removable media and devices. Scared? Don't be. Installing any one of the security software below, will protect your machine against the worst of threats. Scroll below to see the top computer protection programs.
Security is always an issue, when it comes to computers. Viruses,
malware, trojan worms, spyware... all are nasty little programs which,
like termites, love to burrow deep into some unsuspecting computer and
destroy it slowly. And then there's the issue of Internet security. Your
online identity should authenticate you correctly to various
applications, at the same time, should remain private. The solution to
all these problems and threats is, a capable and efficient computer
security software. This is actually a broad term, meant to encompass all
types of computer security mechanisms and programs, such as antivirus
and anti-spyware software or parental controls. Antivirus can come as a
standalone software or suite program. In standalone software, the
program just handles virus and harmful program threats, some may handle
spyware. Standalone software has limited functionality. But a complete
computer security suite has a myriad of different programs or
departments, such as handling viruses and spyware, acting as parental
control software and handling your computer's safety online.
Check out the license or warranty provided with security software. Some programs can only be used on 1 PC, so if you have multiple computers, buy smart and purchase a security program which provides multiple licenses.
Top Computer Security Suites
I. Kaspersky PURE
Complete protection suite with antivirus, data protection and parental control functions
Defends your PC against the very worst of viruses, worms and malware
Easy and simple usage through interface with central management
Can create a backup of data and restore it when needed
Data Encryption feature encrypts your sensitive data for maximum security
Extra tough with password protection, even collects and stores passwords on your pen drive
Parental control feature allows monitoring and blocking of Web sites and access, even with social networking sites
Comes in 1 and 2 year licenses
Comes with 1, 3 or 5 PC licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP3
Price: $100
II. Norton 360™ Version 5.0
Suite designed for protection against viruses, phishing and malicious online activities
Backup 2 GB of your important data
Handles your online privacy with emphasis on social networking activities
Norton Safe Web Social Media Scanner checks for security threats on your Facebook profile
Very PC friendly - proactive performance alerts and auto PC tuneup
Parental control ability included with updated monitoring
Available in 1, 2 and 3 year licenses
Comes with 1 and 5 PC licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2 or higher
Price: $60
III. Webroot SecureAnywhere™ Complete 2012
Completely scans your PC for threats in 2 minutes
Program will automatically update itself when needed
Smart threat detection; does not allow harmful websites to open, pre-determines threats based on behavior
Encrypts sensitive data (like passwords) and blocks Internet threats (hackers, phishing attacks)
Offers multi-device (tablet/iPhone/Android phone) threat protection and Internet safety
Will auto back up 10 GB of data to an online server
Can perform remote wipe on Android tablet or smartphone
Additional security tools include network monitor and firewall
Comes with 3 PC licenses and 3 tablet/smartphone licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2/SP3
Price: $80
IV. BitDefender Total Security 2012
Handles virus, malware and Internet threats
Intense security features like Rescue mode, Vulnerability Scanner and Virtualized Browser
Checks if sites are safe or not in advance and issues warnings accordingly
Protects against phishing attacks, encrypts files and chat conversations and deletes spam
Autopilot security feature handles most security-related actions on its own
Backup 2 GB of data to a secure remote server
Offers parental controls and firewall
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP3
Price: $35
Best Computer Security Standalone Programs
I. ZoneAlarm Antivirus + Firewall 2012
Double protection offered with two-way firewall
Firewall continuously monitors programs and immediately halts malicious behavior
Scans files as they are being downloaded and stops downloading if threat is detected
Can detect viruses, spyware and other software threats as well as protects your privacy with antiphishing mechanisms
Warns when web sites are malicious and has an anti-spam filter
Program allows you to schedule backups of data and encrypt backed up files
Comes with 3 PC licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2/SP3
Price: $30
II. BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012
Program scans for viruses silently and efficiently when system is idle
Helps protect your online identity with antiphishing mechanisms, chat encryption and social network link filtering
Autopilot feature automatically manages security details, so you don't need to handle internal settings
Smart security features like Search Advisor, Virtualized Browser and Rescue mode
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP3
Price: $30
For users of the Mac OS, check out BitDefender Antivirus for Mac
III. G Data AntiVirus 2012
Standalone antivirus/email/chatting/spyware/online shopping scanning system
Even when your PC is idle, Idle Scan feature scans PC for viruses
Very effective and up-to-date handling of different types of viruses
Analysis of risky files or suspected virus containing data, is carried out through cloud system
Comes with 1 year license and free trial version
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2
Price: $30
IV. Norton Antivirus 2012
All-round protection against online and offline threats
Very powerful security mechanisms with 4 different data protection layers
Quick, non-interfering virus scanning that consumes minimal resources
Improved user-friendly UI allows easy management and program handling
Insight 2.0 program scans applications before installing them and warns of potential threats
Program is cloud based, so carry out updates and renewals anywhere
Program allows you to create a recovery disc for emergency booting
Auto updates itself every 15 minutes without the need for human input
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2
Available in 1, 2, 3 year licenses
Price: $40
V. ProtectMac AntiVirus
Specifically designed for the Mac OS
File-access scanner runs in background, tracking each file activity and displaying any threats to security
User-friendly and streamlined UI, designed to fit in with Mac OS design
FileSafe feature allows you to exclude or cut out certain files from being scanned every time
Adaptive Intelligent Scanning monitors and watches your favorite files and data and makes them a security priority
Diverse range of scans available such as, scheduled or planned, scanning of removable devices and real-time access scans
Auto updates itself and keeps its threat database up-to-date
Compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.7 and higher versions
1 purchased license covers 3 separate Mac machines
Price: $45
Having a software smart enough to auto update and keep itself savvy with the latest threats as well providing an easy interface for management, is the key to success and efficiency of any computer security program. Seen but not heard or running quietly in the background, like a silent bodyguard, are features prized in antivirus programs. The list of best security software never stays constant, as the competition in this market is fierce. Each manufacturer is always trying to improve on the existing feature set and functions. The more programs available, the more options consumers have to choose from and be selective with!
Check out the license or warranty provided with security software. Some programs can only be used on 1 PC, so if you have multiple computers, buy smart and purchase a security program which provides multiple licenses.
Top Computer Security Suites
I. Kaspersky PURE
Complete protection suite with antivirus, data protection and parental control functions
Defends your PC against the very worst of viruses, worms and malware
Easy and simple usage through interface with central management
Can create a backup of data and restore it when needed
Data Encryption feature encrypts your sensitive data for maximum security
Extra tough with password protection, even collects and stores passwords on your pen drive
Parental control feature allows monitoring and blocking of Web sites and access, even with social networking sites
Comes in 1 and 2 year licenses
Comes with 1, 3 or 5 PC licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP3
Price: $100
II. Norton 360™ Version 5.0
Suite designed for protection against viruses, phishing and malicious online activities
Backup 2 GB of your important data
Handles your online privacy with emphasis on social networking activities
Norton Safe Web Social Media Scanner checks for security threats on your Facebook profile
Very PC friendly - proactive performance alerts and auto PC tuneup
Parental control ability included with updated monitoring
Available in 1, 2 and 3 year licenses
Comes with 1 and 5 PC licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2 or higher
Price: $60
III. Webroot SecureAnywhere™ Complete 2012
Completely scans your PC for threats in 2 minutes
Program will automatically update itself when needed
Smart threat detection; does not allow harmful websites to open, pre-determines threats based on behavior
Encrypts sensitive data (like passwords) and blocks Internet threats (hackers, phishing attacks)
Offers multi-device (tablet/iPhone/Android phone) threat protection and Internet safety
Will auto back up 10 GB of data to an online server
Can perform remote wipe on Android tablet or smartphone
Additional security tools include network monitor and firewall
Comes with 3 PC licenses and 3 tablet/smartphone licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2/SP3
Price: $80
IV. BitDefender Total Security 2012
Handles virus, malware and Internet threats
Intense security features like Rescue mode, Vulnerability Scanner and Virtualized Browser
Checks if sites are safe or not in advance and issues warnings accordingly
Protects against phishing attacks, encrypts files and chat conversations and deletes spam
Autopilot security feature handles most security-related actions on its own
Backup 2 GB of data to a secure remote server
Offers parental controls and firewall
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP3
Price: $35
Best Computer Security Standalone Programs
I. ZoneAlarm Antivirus + Firewall 2012
Double protection offered with two-way firewall
Firewall continuously monitors programs and immediately halts malicious behavior
Scans files as they are being downloaded and stops downloading if threat is detected
Can detect viruses, spyware and other software threats as well as protects your privacy with antiphishing mechanisms
Warns when web sites are malicious and has an anti-spam filter
Program allows you to schedule backups of data and encrypt backed up files
Comes with 3 PC licenses
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2/SP3
Price: $30
II. BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012
Program scans for viruses silently and efficiently when system is idle
Helps protect your online identity with antiphishing mechanisms, chat encryption and social network link filtering
Autopilot feature automatically manages security details, so you don't need to handle internal settings
Smart security features like Search Advisor, Virtualized Browser and Rescue mode
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP3
Price: $30
For users of the Mac OS, check out BitDefender Antivirus for Mac
III. G Data AntiVirus 2012
Standalone antivirus/email/chatting/spyware/online shopping scanning system
Even when your PC is idle, Idle Scan feature scans PC for viruses
Very effective and up-to-date handling of different types of viruses
Analysis of risky files or suspected virus containing data, is carried out through cloud system
Comes with 1 year license and free trial version
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2
Price: $30
IV. Norton Antivirus 2012
All-round protection against online and offline threats
Very powerful security mechanisms with 4 different data protection layers
Quick, non-interfering virus scanning that consumes minimal resources
Improved user-friendly UI allows easy management and program handling
Insight 2.0 program scans applications before installing them and warns of potential threats
Program is cloud based, so carry out updates and renewals anywhere
Program allows you to create a recovery disc for emergency booting
Auto updates itself every 15 minutes without the need for human input
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2
Available in 1, 2, 3 year licenses
Price: $40
V. ProtectMac AntiVirus
Specifically designed for the Mac OS
File-access scanner runs in background, tracking each file activity and displaying any threats to security
User-friendly and streamlined UI, designed to fit in with Mac OS design
FileSafe feature allows you to exclude or cut out certain files from being scanned every time
Adaptive Intelligent Scanning monitors and watches your favorite files and data and makes them a security priority
Diverse range of scans available such as, scheduled or planned, scanning of removable devices and real-time access scans
Auto updates itself and keeps its threat database up-to-date
Compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.7 and higher versions
1 purchased license covers 3 separate Mac machines
Price: $45
Having a software smart enough to auto update and keep itself savvy with the latest threats as well providing an easy interface for management, is the key to success and efficiency of any computer security program. Seen but not heard or running quietly in the background, like a silent bodyguard, are features prized in antivirus programs. The list of best security software never stays constant, as the competition in this market is fierce. Each manufacturer is always trying to improve on the existing feature set and functions. The more programs available, the more options consumers have to choose from and be selective with!
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