Over the years we have come to the conclusion that Integrated Internet Security Suites often cause users far more problems than they actually resolve. There is in our view only one very specific situation where a Security Suite is a must VIZ: You have a single stand alone computer that is not connected to a Network Router via a wired or wireless connection but instead connects directly to the Internet via a Modem Dialup or Cable Device*. They can be fitted internally or externally - latter will be connected to a USB or Serial port on your PC. In this situation and only in this situation you have NO protection from Internet hackers etc and you SHOULD therefore install an Internet Protection Suite. In all situations where you connect to the Internet via a Broadband or Cable Router then you already have very efficient Firewall and Privacy features built into your Router, it is designed to automatically ring-fence your whole internal network from the Internet. Many Internet suites come with additional features such as AntiSpam or Parental controls, if you want any of these features we recommend that you obtain software that is specifically designed for these tasks, generally dedicated software will do a better job than a Security Suite.
*If you are not sure how you connect to the internet, try this simple test - When you request Internet/email access, do you first have to click on an Icon to open a dialup box (some times this dialup box with trigger automatically when you open your Browser or Email program) if the answer is YES then you are connecting directly to the Internet and you should consider installing an Internet Protection Suite. If your Internet/email is immediately available from the moment you turn on your computer without you having to take any action other than opening your Internet Browser or Email program then you ARE connecting via a Router and you DO NOT need to install a Security suite.
As Security Suites go they are all much the same, all of them place quite a heavy load on your Computer's resources, in our view the lightest loading program of all comes from Computer Associates, therefore in this category CA Internet Security Plus 2008 is our sole recommendation.
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