Simplicity is the name of the game with BullGuard and the new version retains this — it’s undoubtedly easy to use. It’s also improved and remains a reasonable choice for the home user. But is it as good as Norton Internet Security 2009? No.

The improved Agnitum Outpost Pro Security Suite 2009 offers good but not the best of breed security — and as with Avira, the bar for ease-of-use has been raised by the likes of Norton Internet Security 2009. OPSS’ lack of smartness and relatively high price makes it an also-ran in the AV stakes.

Avira Premium Security Suite 8.0 is undoubtedly first-class at detecting malware but the AV game has moved on when it comes to factors such as usability, intelligence and hardware footprint. It's now looking relatively dated and awkward to use.

Norton Internet Security 2009 represents a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. Security has been improved but the most noticeable gain has to be responsiveness: less intrusive than Norton 360, sometimes it's hard to tell if NIS 2009 is running. The protection it offers is hard to beat though its spam controls could be better. Recommended.

BitDefender Total Security 2009 offers good but not state-of-the-art protection, which is a pity as the product boasts a raft of neat features that make a small but noticeable difference.

For some time now, anti-malware software has been getting more effective and faster, which is certainly true of Panda Internet Security 2009; it represents a worthwhile upgrade over the 2008 version. It's also good value for money. Unfortunately, rival security offerings have improved too and ultimate security is provided elsewhere.

In these spyware-infested times, Ad-Watch Connect is particularly useful and, should you be looking for solid all-round protection, that could make the Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 Pro version more tempting than Plus. In general, apart from the poor execution of RegShield, Ad-Aware does a competent job. Its overall performance, however, can be improved upon by alternative antivirus and antispyware programs.

The beta of NIS 2009 shows that Symantec is on track to vastly improve performance in Norton. The UI is clear and uncluttered, putting front and centre only the elements most users need to see, while allowing for easy drill-down for those who want more. Having said that, we'd like the CPU usage meter to be easier to access. It would match the product's one-click ease of use in other areas. Still, with so much performance enhancement, such quibbles get left in the dust of this speedy, smooth new suite.

It’s getting harder and harder to find so-so AV security packages these days. KIS 2009 is a worthwhile upgrade to its predecessor: it offers a very attractive combination of features and protection at a good price. Factor in its low impact on system resources and being light on its feet and KIS 2009 becomes a worthy rival to the likes of Norton 360 et al.

As an effort-saving convenience tool it's hard to fault Siber Systems' RoboForm. If you find yourself constantly filling in forms on the Internet it may be worth $30 of your money.

True, your existing antivirus program likely has antispyware features of its own. But if you suspect you might have spyware on your PC and you want to double-check your antivirus program's assessment, download Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 Free for an extra spyware and privacy scan.

Even if it wasn't free, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 Free would be a good antivirus product.