HI folks, for what its worth for the rest of the computing universe here are the ratings from the Australian Consumer Mag Choice from their March 2014 survey. I've posted their recommended packages and their ratings and also a list of what was actually reviewed. When it comes to buying things like security and software I prefer to make a decision based on evidence not marketing hype. I have to say though, over the years the ratings change and there is some movement up and down the rankings. So if a package works for you and does the job thats great! Hope someone finds this info useful.

Cheers,

Andrez

PC Software ratings from Choice March 2014

This time around we look at 22 PC packages from antivirus programs to full security suites that promise protection from all sorts of cyber attacks. Included are the big name commercial programs along with free programs and Microsoft's own home-grown solutions.

Desktop programs tested.

Avast! Free Antivirus
Avast! Free Antivirus + Windows 7 Firewall
Avast! Internet Security 2014
AVG AntiVirus Free 2014

AVG AntiVirus Free 2014 + Windows 7 Firewall
AVG Internet Security 2014

Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus + Windows 7 Firewall
Avira Internet Security 2014

Bitdefender Internet Security - New Edition
BullGuard Internet Security 2014

Eset Smart Security 7

F-Secure Internet Security 2014

G Data InternetSecurity 2014

Kaspersky Internet Security 2014

McAfee Internet Security 2014

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials + Win 7 Firewall
Microsoft Windows 8

Norton by Symantec Internet Security

Panda Security Internet Security 2014

AND THE WINNERS WERE…………………?

Eset Smart Security 7
Scored 86/100
86%
Good points:
• Highest overall score
• Equal second highest system impact score • Very good overall score
• Very good anti-malware score
• Very good ease of use score
• Excellent system impact score
• Very good firewall score
Bad points:
• Nothing to mention

G Data InternetSecurity 2014
Scored 85/100
85%
Good points:
• Second highest overall score
• Equal second highest anti-malware score • Equal second highest firewall score
• Very good overall score
• Very good anti-malware score
• Very good ease of use score
• Excellent firewall score
Bad points:
• Equal lowest system impact score

Bitdefender Internet Security - New Edition
Scored 83/100
83%
Good points:
• Highest anti-malware score
• Very good overall score
• Very good anti-malware score Bad points:
• Equal lowest system impact score
F-Secure Internet Security 2014
Scored 82/100
82%
Good points:
• Equal second highest firewall score • Very good overall score
• Very good ease of use score
• Very good system impact score
• Excellent firewall score
Bad points:
• Nothing to mention

Kaspersky Internet Security 2014
Scored 82/100
82%
Good points:
• Equal second highest anti-malware score • Very good overall score
• Very good anti-malware score
• Very good system impact score
Bad points:
• Nothing to mention
Avira Internet Security 2014
Scored 81/100
81%
Good points:
• Second highest ease of use score • Very good overall score
• Excellent ease of use score
• Very good system impact score Bad points:
• Nothing to mention

Avast! Free Antivirus + Windows 7 Firewall
Scored 79/100 | $0
79%
Good points:
• Equal second highest system impact score • Excellent system impact score
Bad points:
• Nothing to mention