Kaspersky Security Suite 1

Comprehensive security for your PC

Kaspersky is going head-to-head with Norton Internet Security with the release of Personal Security Suite 1. Like Symantec’s software, this combines anti-virus and anti-hacker tools, protection from spyware and spam fighting utilities in a single package.

That said, Kaspersky’s presentation is not quite as slick as its rivals. There is no centralised console from which users can control all three elements; the only place they are combined is on the installation disc. Once loaded they operate as three separate tools, with three different manuals.

The anti-virus side includes all of the features customers would expect. There is the option for a full system scan and a quarantine section for files that can’t be cleaned quickly, and regular updates are available via the internet. Email scanning is also included. The anti-hacker component is essentially a personal firewall, complete with a stealth mode to hide the system from other users. There are predefined rules for common packages and it’s easy to add them.

Finally, Kaspersky’s email filter works with Outlook and both Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and POP3 email accounts. It will attempt to filter spam as it arrives in the inbox, and adds options to the mail toolbar to classify or declassify messages as junk.

This looks good for under £50, but the annual licence renewal pushes the cost up. At 70 per cent of the cost of the package it comes in at over £30, which is more expensive compared to rivals.