The Lounge

Making sure you're secure when you use the Internet is crucial. Having just returned home from a weekend away with my good lady, only to log on and find out my eBay account had been hacked and someone had bought 4 pairs of Ugg boots, I know only too well how important it is to be secure online. Obviously there isn't such a thing as 100% protection, as I found out (although kudos to eBay for their prompt action at locating the source and crediting my account). Yet there are some excellent pieces of software out there that can secure you as much as possible - here are some of the best. Please note these are only for PC's - a Mac feature will follow soon.

BitDefender Internet Security 2008
From award-winning anti-virus specialists Softwin, BitDefender Internet Security 2008 offers you the complete package when browsing online. Containing protective measures such as Firewall, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Web Filters and Parental Control, BitDefender 2008 is already picking up awards. Throw in its ease-of-use and intensive online and offline support and a more than reasonable price point of $39.95, and you can see why this is one of the best pieces of Internet security out there.

ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2008
Already well-known for their firewall and spyware software, ZoneAlarm has gone one better this year and added the highly regarded Kaspersky virus scanning engine, wrapping it all up in one excellent package - the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite2008. It really is one of the top pieces of security software on the market today - as well as including the basics like email and Internet security, there are also numerous other handy features. These include MyVAULT, which keeps all your password and financial information safe, and IM Security, which is compatible with all the major instant messenger services. Support options probably let it down a little, with a rather large cost involved for phone support, but that's about the only negatives aimed at the product. Available for $39.95.

BullGuard Internet Security 8.0
One of the more expensive options is the BullGuard Internet Security 8.0 suite, although the features more than justify the extra cost. As well as having the option to protect 3 of your computers on the same network (much like Microsoft's excellent OneCare system), BullGuard also offers you a 5 gigabyte online backup drive for all your important documents and files. This includes the rather funky silent backup feature, which allows you to keep working on your computer whilst the backup is taking place. With 24/7 personal assistance, remote access and all the Internet security features you could think of, BullGuard Internet Security 8.0 is well worth the $69.95 starting price.

Norton Internet Security 2008
One of the daddies of online and computer security, Norton Internet Security has always been one of the mainstays in any PC user's shopping cart, and the 2008 incarnation looks set to continue this. As well as continuing its standard features like anti-spyware, firewall and anti-virus, Norton Internet Security 2008 also includes improved anti-phishing options (so the buggers that hacked into my eBay account better watch out!). Add in Web Authentication, as well as automatic downloads of the latest protection updates, and Norton continues to impress. Available for $59.99.

Hopefully these have helped you when it comes to protecting you online. Of course, there are numerous other options available, but I just felt these offered the most comprehensive protection combined with ease-of-use. If you're ready to upgrade your Internet security options, you could do a lot worse than what's on offer here.