Microsoft Security Essentials — even in beta form — appears to be a success. It's exceedingly simple to use, takes up few system resources and doesn't cost anything. Those who want fuller-featured security suites that do backups and other functions, or who want to be able to tweak their protection levels in more detail, will look elsewhere.

At any rate, the fact that it doesn't install means that it can run from anywhere, even an external hard drive... so if you've got one file with important information that is for your eyes only, you can make it vanish with Safe Calculator.

In our comparative reviews, G-Data InternetSecurity 2010 was the best all-around suite, offering both protection — it can to detect and block traditional malware while deploying superior heuristics to stop newer threats — and several additional security features for one low price.

Comodo Internet Security Pro 3.8 is nascent, and when compared against more advanced security suites, it falls to the bottom of the list. But this effort is first generation — there's enough here that, should Comodo tinker with its antivirus engine and add new protections, it could produce a winner.

Overall, ZoneAlarm Extreme Security offers the most complete set of security features of any suite we've tested — from online backup and ID fraud protection to solid antivirus and firewall tools. Where it counts, ZoneAlarm did well in blocking traditional and zoo malware and removing rootkits. It could do better on behaviour-based protection, however.

AVG Internet Security 8.5 did very well with traditional and zoo malware, but it didn't do so well using just heuristics, missing the 2- and 4-week old signature file tests. Still, for the money, AVG Internet Security 8.5 is a good value that will do a strong job at protecting your computer.

On behaviour-based detection of malware, PC Tools Internet Security scored the highest of any suite we've tested. It also produced strong numbers for detecting and removing rootkits. But despite strong heuristics, PC Tools Internet Security compares unfavourably with other suites we've tested, based on its mixed test results. This is PC Tools' first attempt at a security suite; and, like Comodo, it too could have a strong offering in the near future if it bolsters its traditional malware detection and offers more configuration options.

As an extra level of layered protection it's hard to fault AVG Identity Protection — until you consider its price.

As with all applications of this type, payment is via annual subscription. Again, Sentry pips CyberSentinel at the post here, at US$39/year, although the latter does include licences for five PCs in the price. If you have more computers around the home that you want to monitor, then CyberSentinel may be the preferable option, but if you would like more options to configure how your children use a computer, Sentry Parental Controls eases ahead.

A useful free utility; we like IECookiesView.

SafeHouse also comes in a Personal Edition ($44.35) or the Professional Edition, both of which add more functions and features, for greater protection and more convenience. However, the free SafeHouse Explorer provides good basic security on its own for most average users.

Not a revolutionary technology, but an easy way to use existing functionality, IP Privacy works well. More technical users will struggle to justify the outlay, however.

Password databases such as Password Manager Deluxe or KeePass are better places than PicturePIN-XP for holding large volumes of login and other encrypted data. PicturePIN is better seen as a technology in search of a decent application.

You'll find a wide array of features in McAfee Internet Security Suite 2009, including backups, parental controls and antispam, along with smaller offerings such as a file shredder. And the suite did a decent job at detecting malicious software in tests. But for protecting your PC, you have superior alternatives.

WISE is the proverbial curate’s egg and suffers from appearing to be a suite cobbled together from various components. It’s undoubtedly good at stopping malware but its not the fastest around and its firewall isn’t cutting edge. Overall, an unbalanced security suite.