Best Total Security

Best Total Security: most complete online security

These days you’d better be properly secured against harmful intruders and software. Total security packages offer the most advanced and extensive internet security available. Where do they differ from usual antivirus packages? What is the best? We discuss the importance of good security and highlight the most important total security solutions of famous manufacturers.

Why good internet security is necessary

If you go online, then security is probably the last thing you are thinking about. You check your mail, like to play a game, check messages from your friends on a social network, arrange your banking affairs or go on a bargain hunt. In all these cases you are susceptible to malicious software or intruders. Your mailbox might already be full of spam. The link in the mail or post leads to a site with dubious content. The checkout page of the web shop is unsafe causing your payment data to be up for grabs. For carefree online security you are dependent on good security software.

Choosing the right package

Convinced of the necessity of good security, you are looking for a suitable solution. That is not that easy, because you stumble on numerous companies which also offer different variants, some for free, others priced significantly. Entry-level software often offers some security, but is less resistant against increasingly complex, advanced hacking techniques. The most powerful and extensive variant does offer that and is called: Total Security.

In addition to all features of a standard package, total security suites include extensive applications to protect you against cybercrime. They offer real-time security again threats of the internet. They manage personal data and alert you if suspicious processes are identified.

The most important characteristics of Total Security solutions listed:

Firewall
Advanced anti-spam filter
Password management & Anti-phishing
Privacy security
Parental supervision
Online back-up
Multi device security
Encryption

Firewall

A good firewall provides security in two areas. On the one hand it prevents undesired access from the outside by monitoring all the network traffic. On the other hand it keeps track of applications to be sure that they do not misuse the network connection. The standard Windows firewall carries out the monitoring adequately, but does not manage the undesired access from applications.

However, improved firewalls do this. You will not be bothered by difficult questions about possible undesired application access. Total security packages feature the best firewalls which also keep track of suspicious activities of unknown programs.

Anti-spam filters

In best case you have never received spam in your inbox because your provider filters these. But it is more likely that you needed to find addressed mail between mountains of undesired offers and other advertisement. In these cases the filter works insufficiently. Even worse: the filter works too well. Mails which are important to you, do not end up in your inbox, because they are considered suspicious.

The better spam filters distinguish properly between actual threats and reliable messages.

Password management & Anti-phishing

A virus scanner does not protect well against fraudulent websites asking for your login data. So-called phishing sites pretend to be reliable bank websites or seem to be the online game site. As soon as you fill in your personal login data, they end up in the wrong hands. Anti-phishing helps to flag unsafe websites so that they can be avoided.

Privacy security

Total security packages often go one step further. They offer specific security of sensitive and personal data. Every undesirable attempt to send this data from your computer, is blocked and will sound the alarm.

Parental supervision

Online bullying or threats, violent or pornographic material. You are aware of the online risks, your children might not be yet. You are also not present all the time as a parent or responsible once your son or daughter is online. Parental supervision functions monitor the online behaviour of your children closely and direct it if need be.

Access to inappropriate websites and use of certain programs can be prevented. You can also adjust when and how long your child can make use of the internet connection. With most packages you set parental supervision easily on the basis of profiles of age and gender.

Back up and online storage

In a sense the best security is making a backup of all your data. This way you can simply restore data which has accidentally been removed. Total security packages offer the possibility to automatically make well-secured backups of your files online.

Smartphones and tablets also secured

In addition to your PC or Mac, multi-device packages also protect your tablet and smartphone. In case of loss you can block and localise your device remotely. If desired, you can also erase the data and the device makes photos of the thief.

Encryption: encrypting files

Do you want to make the interception of identity and personal information even more difficult? Some packages have an extra functionality allowing you to encrypt your data and sensitive files.

Total security: which is the best?

Total security packages offer the most extensive online security versus malicious parties. There are quite some providers with complete solutions and they differ strongly between each other, each with pluses and negatives. Which package is the best, depends strongly on your desires and budget. We delve deeper into the characteristics of the best and most famous Total security products: