$20 - $30 Internet security and firewall

The Bottom Line: Norton Internet Security 2009 hits all the right security notes and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some technical support may continue to frustrate

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009 provides adequate protection, but the program itself could use some work in telling the user what's going on.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 800 MHz Intel Pentium (Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista), 800 MHz Intel Pentium (Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista)

The Bottom Line: For home and student use, we think Norton 360 represents the best value for ease of use, tools offered, and overall system performance. We recommend it over McAfee Total Protection and Microsoft Windows Live OneCare.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, 1.0, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

The Bottom Line: As an upgrade, Norton Internet Security 2003 is a solid package for the price. However, you can expect to pay a lot for technical support.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 60 MB, Pentium II 300 MHz, 128 MB, CD-ROM, Pentium II, 300 MHz, Windows

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, CD-ROM, Windows

Specs: Media, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 400 MHz, 11, 400 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Specs: 3 PCs, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2, 800 MHz, 450 MHz, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 800 MHz, 450 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, License only, Microsoft Windows XP, 100 MB, Intel Pentium 600 MHz, 100 MB, Intel Pentium, 600 MHz, Windows

Specs: 5 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 133 MHz, 150 MHz, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 133 MHz, 150 MHz, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 5.5 or later

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), 800 MHz, 450 MHz, 800 MHz, 450 MHz, Windows, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later