Best Security Suites 2018 – Laboratory exams reviewed by PCMag.com

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Get a security suite for total protection

We have theoretically reached the milestone of universal virus protection. How? Well, on a modern Windows 10 system without third-party protection, Windows Defender jumps to war. It's not as good as the best competitors, but at least it's Something. Now is the time to work on a new goal. obtain from each PC the protection of a complete security suite. An appropriate security suite integrates a wide range of security-related components, including antivirus, firewall, parental control, spam filter, online backup, pbadword management, and more. The last thing you want to do is try to install all these components separately. Your security suite handles them perfectly, and because they are integrated, they have a lighter impact on system resources.

Leading security companies offer security suites with a variety of features. Some stick to basic principles, while others accumulate tons of useful tools, from online backup to ransomware protection. Just read PCMag's comments on security suites and select one that has the features you need. We reviewed nearly 50 security suites and identified a collection of the best, of all types, from simple entry-level suites to cross-platform multiplatform extravagances.

This article briefly discusses the many tests we use to evaluate security suites and determine which ones are the best. If you would like more details on the torture tests we perform on each product we are examining, please read the full explanation of how we test security software.

Basic and Advanced Security Suites

Most security companies offer at least three levels of security products, a stand-alone antivirus utility, an entry-level security suite, and an advanced suite with additional features. Most entry suites include an antivirus, firewall, antispam, parental control and some extra privacy protection, such as protection from phishing sites, those frauds that attempt to steal. your pbadwords. The advanced "mega-suite" usually adds a backup component and a system tuning utility, while some also add pbadword managers and other security supplements.

When a new product line comes out, we start by examining the antivirus. During our review of the suite of input, we summarize the results of the antivirus scan and deepen the specific features as a result. And for a review of mega-suites, we focus on advanced features, referring to the review of the input suites for the features shared by both. Your choice of a basic or advanced security suite depends entirely on the features that interest you.

The follow-up we have badembled here is aimed at protecting consumers. You can certainly use any of them in a small business, but as your business grows, you may need to upgrade to a SaaS terminal protection system. This type of service allows an administrator to monitor and manage security for all of the company's computers.

Windows Defender? May be

Last year, the Windows Defender program built into Windows 10 evolved, in the manner of a Pokémon. It is now called Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center because, in addition to antivirus protection, it manages the Windows firewall and other Windows security features. This is not really a sequel; it's just an antivirus that manages other Windows components. Windows Defender's independent virus testing results were literally below zero in the past. They improve regularly, even if they are still not the best. In our last practical tests, the results were much better than in previous exams. You can still get better protection with the best free third-party antivirus utilities, but Windows Defender is getting more and more beautiful. Even in this case, it can not replace a complete security suite.

Fight against malware, adware and spyware

Protection against malware is the heart of a security suite; without antivirus component, no more. Of course, you want a suite whose antivirus is effective. When evaluating an antivirus, we are looking for the best ratings from independent antivirus testing labs. The fact that laboratories consider a product large enough to be tested is a vote of self-confidence. The best antivirus products get high marks from many labs.

We also carry out our own practical tests. For a test, we use a relatively static set of malware samples that are replaced once a year. We note how the antivirus reacts when we try to run these samples and how it protects the test system. On the other hand, we try to download brand new malicious files from URLs only a few days old. The results of laboratory tests, our own test results and other aspects, such as the ease of use, fall within the clbadification of our antivirus.

Choice of firewall

A typical personal firewall offers protection in two main areas. On the one hand, it monitors all network traffic to prevent inappropriate access from outside the network. On the other hand, it keeps a watchful eye on applications running to make sure they do not overuse your network connection. The integrated Windows Firewall manages monitoring traffic, but does not include program control. Some security suites ignore the firewall component, believing that the Windows Firewall is already performing the most critical firewall tasks.

The last thing you want is a firewall that bombard you with incomprehensible queries about the online business. Should BorisBadenov.exe be allowed to connect with 111.222.3.4 on port 8080? Allow or block? Once or always? Modern firewalls reduce the need for these queries by automatically configuring permissions for known programs. Top performers also manage unknown programs by closely monitoring them for signs of inappropriate network activity and other suspicious behavior.

Squelch Some Spam

Nowadays, most of us almost never see spam in our inboxes because your email provider filters them. If your provider does not provide you with this service, it may be difficult to find your valid mail among all male enhancement offers, Russian brides and fast cash systems.

If your provider does not eliminate spam, it's a good idea to choose a suite that includes anti-spam filtering. Look for one that integrates with your email client. The client's integration allows it to divert junk mail into its own folder and sometimes allows you to train the spam filter by reporting any spam messages that pbad or, worse, valid messages that get find in the pile of spam.

Phishing and protection of privacy

The best antivirus in the world can not help you if a fraudulent website encourages you to give your security information. Phishing sites pretend to be banking sites, auction sites and even online dating sites. When you enter your username and pbadword, your account is instantly compromised. Some clever people will even pbad your identification information to the actual site, to avoid raising suspicions.

By removing users from phishing sites, we definitely protect privacy, but this is not the only way for suites to keep your personal information safe from the wrong hands. Some offer specific protection for user-defined sensitive data, credit cards, bank accounts, and so on. Any attempt to transmit sensitive data from your computer sets an alarm. Some contracts with third-party companies offer credit protection. And some provide a hardened browser that allows you to perform online banking in an isolated environment from other processes.

What about parental control?

We do not penalize a sequel for failing parental control. Not everyone has children and not all parents are comfortable with controlling and monitoring the use of the computer by their children. However, if parental control is present, it must work.

Blocking inappropriate websites and controlling the time that the child goes on the Internet (or on the computer) are the central components of a parental control system. Some suites add advanced features such as instant messaging monitoring, limiting games based on ESRB ratings, and tracking the social networking activity of the child. Others can not even manage the basics successfully.

VPN protects your communications

Local antivirus and security suites protect your data and documents, but their protection does not extend to your Internet communications. A virtual private network, or VPN, secures your Internet traffic and can also be used to hide your real IP address or location from weasels. Most virtual private network companies offer only one product, but some security suite companies have gone into virtual private networks. However, as a rule, your suite does not provide full VPN protection. Some install a free edition or a free trial. Others offer a link that sends you online to subscribe.

Do not bother me

One of the main reasons for using a security suite rather than a set of individual utilities is that the integrated suite can perform its tasks using fewer processes and more. a smaller portion of your system's resources. Or at least that is what should happen. Few modern suites have a noticeable effect on performance.

For a practical measure of the effect of installing a particular suite, we present three common system actions with and without the installed suite, averaging many of the executions of each test. One test measures the system boot time, another moves and copies a large collection of files between drives, as well as a third zip and repeatedly decompresses the same collection of files. The lightest suites have virtually no effect on the time required.

Backup and debugging utilities

In a sense, backing up all your files is the ultimate security. Even if a ransomware destroys your data, you can still restore from a backup. Some companies reserve backups for their mega-suites offer, while others include them in the entry-level suite. Read our reviews carefully, as backup capabilities vary enormously. On the low end, some companies offer you nothing but Mozy, IDrive or another online backup service can not get you free. In the high-end, you can get 25 GB of online storage hosted by the company, as well as the ability to perform local backups.

Adjusting the performance of your system is not directly related to security, unless it serves to counteract the slower performance of the security suite. However, debugging components often include privacy-related features, such as removing traces of browsing history, deleting temporary files, and deleting lists of recently used documents. For an application dedicated to cleaning the system, read our summary of the best debugging utilities.

Mac, Android and iOS security

Windows still dominates the desktop, but many households also include Macs. Multi-device cross-platform suites provide you with a single source of protection for all your devices. In general, you do not get as many features on macOS. In fact, most companies offer only a Mac antivirus, not a complete suite. Take advantage of the option to protect your Macs. They are not immune from malware.

Android devices are ubiquitous and the Android platform is not locked as iOS. Even if you stay away from third-party app stores and avoid jailbreak your device, you can still get trapped by Trojans, ransomware and other types of software. Android malware. Smart users protect their devices with an Android antivirus. All the best Android antivirus utilities include anti-theft features such as the ability to locate, lock or erase a lost or stolen device. Many include additional features like blocking unwanted calls or warning when you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

With regard to iPhones and other iOS devices, Apple's built-in security makes life difficult for both malware developers and anti-virus writers. Many cross-platform suites simply ignore iOS; those who do not usually offer a seriously stripped down experience. Given the intrinsic security of the platform, it rarely makes sense to use one of your licenses to install protection on an iPhone.

What's not there?

We have evaluated nearly fifty security suites, including entry-level suites, feature-rich mega suites, and suites that extend protection on multiple different platforms. The products listed in the table at the top of this article all received at least four stars. the following introductory text also includes products with at least 3.5 stars.

In some cases, two products from the same company appear in the table. For example, Bitdefender Internet Security is an editor's choice for entry-level suites and Bitdefender Total Security has earned the same honor as a mega security suite. The same scheme applies to Kaspersky, Symantec and Trend Micro.

McAfee LiveSafe is not in the chart. Since the current release, there is no real difference between McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Total Protection. Plus, you can not buy LiveSafe; it's an OEM product. We have three Kaspersky suites that have got four stars or more, but only two are the products of the publisher's choice. On this basis, the basic Kaspersky Internet Security Suite no longer appears in the chart.

What is the best security suite?

The chart at the top details ten security suites that we definitely recommend, including multi-suite suites, mega-suites, and beginner suites. If you are looking for a suite that covers the basics without hindering you, Bitdefender Internet Security and Kaspersky Internet Security are the winners of our choice of publishers. In the range of mega suites, Editors' Choice (Editing Choice) goes to Bitdefender Total Security, with more features than you can imagine. Symantec Norton Security Premium, which protects up to 10 devices, and Kaspersky, which protects up to 20, are our Product Choice Publishers for the Cross-Platform Multi-Device Security Suite. With a powerful integrated suite protecting your devices, you can stay protected without worrying about balancing security and performance.

Of course, the suite you prefer may not be a publisher choice. The presentation texts below include each suite having obtained at least three stars in our evaluation.

Editor's Note: We are aware of Kaspersky Labs' allegations of improper links with the Russian government. Until we get concrete evidence of these claims, we will treat them as unproven and will continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to deserve our approval.