Checkpoint offers a full-featured firewall, but the rest of the suite is flawed.

BitDefender has excellent malware detection and a good price, but it adds a noticeable (though not show-stopping) system slowdown.

Intego has earned a solid name for security products and this new release of its Security Barrier Antispam Edition boosts its reputation further by significantly enhancing its Mac security suite.

While many security packages are updated to an annual schedule, AVG has been sitting at version seven for more than three years. Over that time it's evolved from a simple antivirus and firewall bundle into a complete Internet Security package, including an antispam system and web protection.

Symantec's solid program wins top marks for antivirus detection and cleanup, but its renewal and support costs are high.

Can't seem to shake Norton AntiVirus? Here are instructions for removing the last four versions.