Internet Security Suites

What Should My Internet Security Suite Include?

I definitely believe in a multi-layer approach when it comes to suites. There's no way you can get away with just a free antivirus program these days. You either need a comprehensive suite or separate products but you need to cover all the bases.

However, I don't believe in co-mingling everything. I think you should have a separate program for some tasks. I like my suite to protect me, not hogtie me. Here are my preferences:

What I do want my security package to include:

• Antivirus
• Antispyware
• Antirootkit
• Anti-Rogue Programs (malware pretending to be an antivirus program)
• Firewall

What I don't want my suite to include:

• Password Manager
• Parental Controls
• Backups
• Mess with the registry

What I might my security suite to include as long as it doesn't suck:

• Antiphishing
• Defrag the drives
• Manage startup programs
• Clean up temporary files

Fortunately, if you buy a maxed-out suite like Norton 360, you can usually turn any features you don't want and buy separate programs for other tasks.