Clean, clear and light on its feet, but with few extras.

A quantum leap in usability over the previous version, although malware protection could still be better

A friendly suite for the less-experienced user, but technical types may find it limiting.

A highly usable all-round security suite, but ultimately a strong runner-up rather than a new champion.

We've had a quick play with the new version - and we like what we see. Definitely one to stick in your PC toolkit for 2008.

A winner on the strength of its excellent protection, coming first or equal-first in our malware and firewall test.

Is it worth paying for the full version of AVG Internet Security?

A professional product, but it's a poor performer for the price.

With peerless detection capabilities, this well-conceived package towers over its rivals.

With peerless detection capabilities, this well-conceived package is a joy to use.

A good concept, but the on-demand anti-virus scanner lacks real-time email and IM protection.

A best-of-breed approach to Internet security pays off. This flexible and resource-friendly suite returns to the A-List.

Excellent support, but a confusing user interface and disappointing firewall let AVG down

Excellent value for money, but a few performance glitches let BitDefender down.

PreviewA good attempt at all-in-one system security, fully integrated into the OS.

Scanning, site blocking and alerts improved over version 6.

Kaspersky's first integrated security suite relies too much on the anti-virus component.

McAfee puts out its VirusScan 2004 in two versions - boxed or downloaded and managed from the internet. Whatever way you do it, the installation is simplicity itself with no difficult questions to answer or confusing choices to make.

Norton AntiVirus (NAV) remains the world’s most popular anti-virus program -and for good reason. It is the ideal set-and-forget anti-virus protection that is as close to idiot-proof as anyone has yet got. However, it is not the cheapest and some of its competitors, such as PC-cillin now offer more for the money.

Norman Virus Control is a very unobtrusive anti-virus program that sits in your system tray and performs much like Norton AntiVirus from Symantec. It scans all incoming emails, new files, removable media and downloaded files from the internet as a matter of course without any user interaction.