Kapersky Internet Security 7

Despite the version number, KIS (Kaspersky Internet Security) 7.0 actually marks the second release of this product, which comprises antivirus, antispyware, firewall and spam protection.

Version 7.0 sports a made-over interface, but in essence remains the same as KIS 6.0, with an options panel on the left and a larger details panel on the right. Its predecessor had a few gaps in its armoury, but these have been corrected. Privacy control has been improved: the Windows Protected Storage area is now monitored for suspicious activity. And KIS 7.0 at last has parental controls, such as website blacklists and definable categories of forbidden web content. You can also limit internet usage.

If you have 32bit Vista or XP then you can burn a rescue CD in case something goes wrong, but you'll first have to download PE Builder (www.nu2.nu). Any unauthorised changes made by malware can be rolled back.

KIS 7.0 has a relatively light resource footprint. The first time you run a virus scan, itis quite slow, but thereafter it checks only files that have changed. It helpfully reduces scanning speeds when processor activity rises.

KIS continues to offer antivirus protection for email, files and web browsing and kills two malware birds with one stone by scanning for viruses and spyware simultaneously. Kaspersky has won several awards for virus detection n largely thanks to its heuristics-based detection. Verdict

Overall, KIS 7.0 offers top-notch virus and spyware protection at a reasonable price. It's no resource hog either. It offers good detection levels and is considerably cheaper than Norton Internet Security.