There are, without doubt, friendlier Internet security packages on the market than Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, yet it's still hard to sniff at the level of protection that the software offers. We'll come to that shortly.

Let's go with installation first. This is a straightforward job, as you'd hope, and as part of it you're offered the option to install Firefox plug-ins Anti-banner and URL Advisor. Once it's set up - and Kaspersky will want you to remove any other security product currently active on your system - a full system analysis is conducted, and from that point on the package goes about its business.

It does this with little footprint too, only impacting on our test laptop's performance when a full scan was running. And when we did execute such a scan, the Kaspersky software search dug up malware that our previous test package on the system - AVG - had failed to discover. Kaspersky's detection rates are strong, and the software is also good with potential threats that it can't yet positively identify. For it notes them as potential problems, and if you then try to access the files concerned, it brings them to your attention.

It's a good, secure system, and a further feature also allows you added peace of mind when browsing the web. For what you can do is effectively browse in a secure box, using the Safe Run option. This allows you to run a web browser inside an extra layer of security, one that will not allow data caching, and will stop unwanted processes running. There's also the option to roll back to an earlier point in time on your machine, in much the same way that Microsoft's system restore offers.

The software also offers a wide selection of further options, including application protection, files and privacy help and parental control tools. And you get to all of these via a functional, if not very friendly, menu system. Here's where Kaspersky could genuinely learn something from its rivals, as its security centre main window - while working with a useful 'warning light' system at the top - just isn't as welcoming as something like Norton's.

That's inevitably going to impact to a degree on how people feel about the program, given that it does mean Kaspersky is underselling itself. There's plenty under the bonnet here, and lots to tinker with, but it's done in quite a cold way. How much of a problem that is to you will be dependent on how experienced you are with such packages. If you're not, and you like things nice and simple, then Kaspersky has hamstrung itself a little here in a very competitive market.

But it has still delivered a strong product, and one that will keep your machine secure while providing you with a collection of options to help you manage your system. There's little doubt you get good value for money here. It's just it might have been a little better had the overall suite been designed to be more helpful.

Verdict
AVG Internet Security 2011 provides an expansive umbrella in terms of online protection, with a lot of avenues covered such as specific support for social networking sites. Its virus scanning capabilities are more than solid, with an impressive turn of speed via the optimised scan. This is a worthy suite with some thoughtful additional touches, although we're not convinced about the PC analysis tool.

Company: AVG

Contact: 0845 890 3300

Tags: antivirus avg (software) internet security personal computer norton internet security malware security norton