The interface in McAfee AntiVirus Plus has been completely redesigned and is totally different to any other antivirus interface you may have seen so far. A clear, uncluttered design makes McAfee AntiVirus Plus easy to use, and also lets you check security status at a glance – though it can be difficult to get used to at first.

When it comes to scanning your system for problems, McAfee AntiVirus Plus offers you three scan types (Quick, Full and Custom), as well as the option of having a permanent real-time scan running in the background or scheduling automatic scans to detect viruses, spyware and other threats.

But McAfee AntiVirus Plus doesn’t work only as an antivirus. It also comes equipped with firewall, web and email protection, a shredder to protect sensitive data, a file defragmenter, a tool to fix security issues on your local network and another tool to remove junk files from your system and therefore improve performance.

McAfee AntiVirus Plus is an interesting anti-virus option, but the interface may be a barrier to the showcasing of its best features.

Download McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 in Softonic

Visually appealing

Traditionally here at Softonic we have a lot of time for avast! Internet Security, so we were really excited to get a look at the newest version. For starters, it looks really slick, with a slim-lined installation process, and a very user-friendly and clear interface.

Good installation options

Another nice addition that you'll notice when setting up avast! Internet Security is the option to install as the second line of defense on your computer. There are also plenty of installation options, which allow you to get the most from your anti-virus before it's even installed. Of course, there's also a default installation if the nitty-gritty's not for you.

Security improvements

What else does version 7 add to avast! Internet Security? Well, in the first place the developer assures us that there have been considerable updates on the security front, which is obviously what you want from an anti-virus. It also offers a nice Statistics module, as well as a comprehensive Support function that allows you to generate a support package to send to the avast! personnel who are trying to troubleshoot your problem.

New features

Two especially useful new functions in avast! Internet Security 7 are the AutoSandbox feature and the Remote Assistance. AutoSandbox allows avast! to automatically place any program it deems suspicious inside a sandbox, so it cannot do damage to your computer. You can edit the programs that are excluded from this behavior in the general settings.

SafeZone

avast! Internet Security 7's SafeZone is effectively an extension of the AutoSandbox features, but instead of allowing you to open files and run unknown programs, it provides you with an alternative desktop for sensitive transactions such as internet banking and shopping. As with the rest of avast! Internet Security, it's really easy to use - just click the large Switch to SafeZone button. If you'd like more control, you'll be able to tweak under the Sandbox Expert settings.

Firewall

Last but not least, avast! Internet Security's firewall is definitely worth a mention. Since for many users it's one of avast! Internet Security's most coveted features, you'll be glad to hear that it's been updated along with the rest of the program. With its 3 different risk zones and 5 different configurations sub-areas, even the most demanding users will be able to configure it to their liking.

We were expecting great things from avast! Internet Security 7, and it hasn't let us down. It's an awesome security tool, and thoroughly recommendable to any user.

Download avast! Internet Security 7.0.1426 in Softonic

You'll notice a difference as soon as you open McAfee Internet Security Suite - this new version is visually very different. The interface is pared-down and minimalist, but still manages to make it easy to see what's going on. It may take you a little time to get used to the new look, but it's definitely worth it.

As far as security functions, McAfee Internet Security Suite has it covered. Apart from the standard real-time protection, regular scans and a firewall, this security suite offers web and email protection, comprehensive parental controls, online back-up and even PC optimization.

Finding your way around McAfee Internet Security Suite is very easy - click on the section that interests you and you'll see status and options displayed below. Clicking on any of those categories will display configuration options, and so on. To "go back", just click the close icon in the top right corner.

McAfee Internet Security Suite is a bit of a departure from a traditional security suite, but it's a welcome one. McAfee Internet Security Suite is very hands-off - it scans, monitors and protects with a minimum of effort - but if you do want to take a peek "under the hood", you'll find that it's one of the easiest and clearest security suites that you've ever seen.

A radical redesign just adds to McAfee Internet Security Suite, an excellent all-around security suite for internet fans.

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The BitDefender Total Security interface is very easy to use. The Home area is well laid out and the default setting is automatic feature called AutoPilot, so less experienced (or interested) users can avoid the technicalities. If you delve into BitDefender Total Security's Settings, however, you'll find a fantastic array of configuration options that can be tweaked at either a general or advanced level - just browse between the areas and tabs to discover them all.

About BitDefender Total Security's tools: they cover pretty much everything in terms of computer safety – from simple, daily tasks like scanning a file you just downloaded from the internet to once-in-a-while system optimization. BitDefender Total Security also has the usual real-time protection, firewall and tune-up options you would expect from a modern security suite, while it rounds out the offering with nice extras like parental controls, antispam filters and personal privacy controls.

BitDefender Total Security also includes special Games and Laptop modes. The first one opens the firewall to prevent connection issues and disables any resource-intensive processes while maintaining a safe, fun gaming experience. The latter temporarily tweaks security settings to prevent the antivirus from draining the computer’s battery.

If you're looking for a one-stop security solution, BitDefender Total Security is an excellent option.

Download BitDefender Total Security 15.0.38 in Softonic

The interface in BitDefender Total Security 2012 Beta has been completely redesigned. The program has evolved from an almost childish design with blue clouds in the background to a more elegant dark interface that features boxes for each one of the modules included in the program.

Besides the usual antivirus, firewall and antispam filters, BitDefender Total Security 2012 Beta also includes parental controls for kids, privacy tools with which to encrypt data or shred files beyond any possible recovery, a safebox for sensitive data and a bunch of tune-up utilities to clean up the system, clean the Registry and find duplicate files, among others. BitDefender Total Security 2012 also includes the so-called Auto-Pilot, that enables and configures the suite without user intervention.

That said, be aware that BitDefender Total Security 2012 is still a beta version that’s still under development. For that reason it should be used with precaution. Also, note that you’ll need to uninstall any other security app on your system.

With BitDefender Total Security 2012 Beta you can test all the new features in the upcoming version of this complete security suite.

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Most internet users nowadays know how important it is to to have multiple levels of protection against malware and viruses. A simple antivirus program just isn't enough.

TrustPort Total Protection is a security suite that includes antivirus protection, a firewall, parental controls, encryption tools and a secure file destroyer. It is compact and can be installed on a flash drive, which means you can take its protection virtually anywhere.

TrustPort Total Protection paneled interface is simple and contains a summary of all of its modules. This will tell you things like whether or not it's enabled, how many files it's analyzed, for example. Every function on TrustPort Total Protection can be set to your preferences, although some of these functions don't offer very advanced options.

You can also create two different types of encrypted drives with TrustPort Total Protection. In addition, TrustPort Total Protection has its own encrypted file manager and secure a cleaner, which destroys the files to make them unrecoverable.

The only real downsides is the installer is a pretty large file, scans can take a long time depending on how large your drive is and some functions don't offer many customization options.

For someone looking for a generally simple and lightweight security suite, TrustPort Total Protection offers a good array of protection offers for your PC.

Download TrustPort Total Protection 2012 12.0.0.4837 in Softonic

Unlike other security suites based on centralized technologies, CyberDefender Early Detection Center uses the power of its own user community to create a proprietary network that protects you from internet threats faster than other more traditional methods. CyberDefender Early Detection Center also makes use of the so called Dual Core Scanning Technology, thanks to which every file is analyzed by two different scanning engines.

CyberDefender Early Detection Center includes an anti-spyware tool and an antivirus, as well as different monitoring tools to check if you have all Windows updates installed, if there are any tracking cookies present, or if you have a firewall to protect your system, among other details.

The interface in CyberDefender Early Detection Center is quite different from the standard layout. It’s composed mainly of text and buttons – almost no graphics – but it’s not difficult to use. The program works fine, but somehow we were left with the sensation that it’s a bit too alarmist – with browser cookies being labeled as “high risk items”. Additionally, these items won’t be removed unless you pay for a license.

CyberDefender Early Detection Center is a security suite that protects you against spyware, viruses and other online threats, but which might be a bit too sensitive.

Download CyberDefender Early Detection Center 3.0 in Softonic