Basic vs. Advanced Security Suites

Most security companies offer at least three levels of security programs, including a standalone antivirus utility, an entry-level security suite, and an advanced suite with additional features and enhancements. Most entry-level suites include antivirus, firewall, antispam, and parental control. The advanced “mega-suite” typically adds a backup component and some form of system tune-up utility, and some also add password management, a VPN, or other security extras.

When a new security line comes out, we start by reviewing the antivirus. In our review of the entry-level suite, we summarize results from the antivirus review and dig deeper into the suite-specific features. For a mega-suite review, we focus on the advanced features, referring to the entry-level suite review for features shared by both. Your choice of a basic or advanced security suite depends entirely on what features matter to you and what you’re willing to pay for them.

The suites we’ve rounded up here aim to protect consumers. You can use any of them in a small business, but you may need to switch to a SaaS endpoint protection system as your company grows. This type of service lets an administrator monitor and manage security for all the company’s computers.

Is Windows Defender Good Enough?

Over the years, the Windows Defender program built into Windows 10 has evolved into Microsoft Defender Antivirus. In…