Internet Security Software: Does it Really Work?

Many Internet security tools have recently hit the market. They claim to provide excellent protection against online threats such as spyware, phishing, trojans, worms and viruses. Examples are Norton Internet Security, Webroot Spy Sweeper, McAfee Antivirus and many more. But are these products really efficient in fighting threats and safeguarding us online?

The new software Norton Internet Security 2008 comes with a new interface and a lower price (around $70), so the private home user can expect to get comprehensive online protection and safety of personal information while shopping or banking online.

These Internet security software and Norton Internet Security in particular, come with a bunch of features that can give you additional protection against unknown threats by using behavior monitoring algorithms. But many average users who only visit a handful of major websites will find most of the available features in such a suite unnecessary - it is like getting a BMW to drive to church only on Sundays. You need to find a security suite with the perfect combination of performance, features and ease of use.

Some Internet security suites do not play well with other security software you may already have on your PC. These are third-party antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-adware software from other vendors. If these third-party apps are serving you well so far, there's no reason why you should stop using them.

Before you make a purchase decision, have a look at all of the features of competing software. If you decide you don't need a BMW to drive to church once a week, lighter Internet security software such as ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009, may be a better choice.

These days, there are a few types of risks that may affect your PC security when you surf the Net and install downloaded software. These are viruses, worms, Trojans, and rootkits. These programs can get installed on your system if you download software from questionable sources or visit booby-trapped websites known as phishing sites.

Notwithstanding the above, malware can spread by sending itself out to everyone in your email address book. It is not that only pirated copies of software contain malicious code - viruses can come from unsuspecting sources. Even some Sony music CDs once inadvertently contained viruses.

Antivirus software, these days, can scan downloaded files, incoming emails, attachments, and even instant messages. Security researchers feel that antivirus software by itself may not be enough to protect you from online threats. This is because of the evolving sophistication of rogue sites that use smart techniques to launch attacks on your system.

Some of the malicious software is designed to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, bank account details, and credit card numbers. Malicious hackers are constantly on the toes inventing new ways of stealing your confidential information by hijacking your keystrokes when you shop or bank online.

With online identity theft becoming a burgeoning problem, protecting yourself from these types of threats is necessary. You need strong multi-layered Internet security protection - an antivirus, a firewall and an anti-spyware at the bare minimum.

Researches show that most security threats come from phishing, adware and spyware. It is generally well-known that these threats are amongst the fastest-growing threats to computer security. These applications are tiny programs that can be easily transported over the Net and get installed on a vulnerable computer in seconds and cannot be detected without proper anti spyware software.

Some spyware may not be that harmful, just gathering knowledge on your browsing habits or what you do on your PC, but there are some dangerous spyware that can for example be used to connect your computer to a bigger network of infected machines - called a botnet - that can then be used to initiate DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) on web servers.

Some magazines have reported that a million people replaced their computers in the past six months because of spyware infections. This is indeed alarming statistics showing the damage done can be vast. We can conclude that if we choose the best Internet security software, it does work to protect us.