Looking for more than just a regular anti-virus solution? Here are six packages that will keep viruses at bay and your data safe. 

Eset Smart Security 2014
www.eset.co.za

R450 for one PC, one year package

Modern internet security packages have to be a jack of all security trades (anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-spyware, privacy protector, etc.) plus a master of these too. Beyond covering all these bases, Eset further offers an anti-theft online interface for when a user loses their device or have it stolen. Using this, users are able to track their notebook using GPS, activate the webcam to capture photos of the thief, or send a message to the person who found your lost device. There is also a dedicated gamer mode that enables apps and games to run full screen sans any scan notification intrusions. 

McAfee Internet Security Suite 2014
www.mcafeestore.com

R300 for one PC

Intel-owned McAfee offers users a number of novel features aimed at keeping their data safe. These include the Digital data shredder that permanently destroys sensitive files on a computer so that no-one is able to retrieve these. It’s ideal for when you sell your PC or have to hand back a company owned device. Unlike most rival packages, McAfee Internet Security claims that it can remove infections when being installed, which can make all the difference in salvaging your system if it is already infected by the time you acquire the security software.

Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security
www.trendmicro.ae

R570 for three PCs, one-year license

Trend Micro’s Titanium Internet Security package does not only protect up to three computers from online threats such as viruses, email phishing scams and spyware, but also boasts features that makes it ideal for socially savvy users. The software enables users to limit access to their private data by managing the privacy settings on popular social networking sites the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Parents will appreciate the package’s child safeguard functionality, enabling them to restrict or filter websites that their kids can access.

AVG Internet Security 2014
www.avg.com/za

R350 for one year, one PC or R550 for two years, one PC

Since we are all sharing an ever-increasing amount of info about ourselves with big tech companies such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, the latest effort from AVG puts a greater feature emphasis on privacy. Feature inclusions the likes of ‘Do Not Track’, ‘Identity Protection’, as well as ‘Wi-Fi Guard’ aimed to encrypt private files, prevent hackers from obtaining your personal data, and enable users to choose which websites may collect data on their online activities. Also onboard is a File Shredder that allows users to securely delete files, making these irretrievable.   

Kaspersky Lab Internet Security multi-device 2014
www.kaspersky.co.za

R530 for one device, one-year or R612 for three devices, one-year

Users who require a singular internet security package to cover a range of devices (PCs, Macs, tablets, smartphones) can consider Kaspersky’s multi-device offering. It delivers optimised protection for Windows and Mac OS powered computers, as well as Android-running mobile devices. In addition, this software also packs a Safe Money feature that adds a layer of security for users who do a lot of their shopping or banking online. Anti-theft protection also ensures that a user’s data remains inaccessible when their device is stolen. 

Norton 360 multi-device 
http://za.norton.com

R900 for one year protection for up to five devices 

Another multi-device option for users who want to keep all their platform bases covered, is Norton’s 360 multi-device software package. Like Kaspersky’s offering, Norton 360 protects devices running Windows, Mac OS, and Android, with this multi-device package also adding support for iOS. If a user loses their device, they will be able to utilise the ‘scream alert’ feature to assist them in locating the misplaced mobile, and if their device is stolen ‘remote locate’ will pinpoint the location of the smartphone/tablet on a map. Facebook addicts will appreciate the ability to scan for URLs containing security threats.

Article first appeared in TechSmart 124, Jan 2014.