A simple package whose two detection engines ensure great malware detection, but it fails to inspire in other areas.

A few disappointing extras make this an unappetising upsell from the standard ZoneAlarm suite

An irritating package without a future.

An improvement on last year’s package, but sadly still flawed.

Lighter than ever, but its all-round performance isn’t quite first class.

Breathtakingly lightweight, but detection rates could be better.

A capable package, but McAfee Total Protection 2009 is conspicuous and expensive.

A credible contender, but F-Secure Internet Security 2009 is neither the lightest nor the most effective security suite for your PC

A suite with some nice features but slow startup times made us disappointed with ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009

A well-featured package with some unusual tricks that falls just short of a first-rate performance.

A modular scanning tool that catches most unwanted software – but not quite all

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

A mixed performance undermines an otherwise good-value product.

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A big improvement from Microsoft, but there’s still some way to go. OneCare can now call itself a serious security contender.

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

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

A competent suite delivering good value for money, but it offers only average spyware and spam protection

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

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