By Dennis O’Reilly

The tremendous response to our request for your opinion on the best approach to securing your PC gives us much to ponder as we prepare the next Security Baseline update.

Many readers feel that security suites stink, and best-of-breed is the only way to go — but, unfortunately, what’s “best” for one PC can be disastrous for another.

Last week’s Known Issues column presented responses to Ryan Russell’s Feb. 26 Top Story on the WS Security Baseline. We asked you to chime in on your security-software preferences. Your opinions on the subject could easily fill an entire newsletter — in fact, multiple newsletters.



The responses were many and varied, but most people agreed on two points:

The first is that individual antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall, and other specialty apps are preferable to such all-in-one security suites as Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2009. (Ryan’s article had pointed out that NIS 2009 is the top choice of PC World, PCMag.com, Maximum Software, and other reviewers. But not everyone concurs.)

The second is that a security solution that works great on one PC or network may flop miserably on another.

Reader Mary Smith-Markell puts it this way:

• “OK, I’m going to take you up on your offer to share my thoughts. I’m tired of people giving their opinions about which security product, operating system, word processing software, hamburger, pizza, automobile, etc., is ‘the best.’ Opinions are like assholes … we all have one.
  
  “NIS 2009 might work just great on my computer because of the way my machine is configured and the specific software I have installed. NIS 2009 might totally suck on my neighbor’s machine because it’s not set up the same as mine. Does that mean NIS 2009 is a defective product, or is it an unreasonable expectation that Norton (or McAfee, AVG, Avast, Trend Micro, et al.) be all things to all people? With so many user variables — not to mention machine variables — it’s a wonder that most software actually works most of the time.
  
  “A few months ago, a friend bought a 2009 Cadillac Escalade — a fairly pricey and supposedly well-built vehicle. It’s been in the shop more than it’s been on the road, and the dealership is taking action under the Lemon Law to replace it. Stuff happens.
  
  “To all the readers who have a favorite security product they swear by, I’m happy for you. Really, I am. But to those who tried a product and found it didn’t work, quitcherbitchin’ and use a different product. Having some kind of security product is better than no security product at all.”
  
  

If experience counts for anything, you’d be nuts to buy any security suite, regardless of how highly the professional software reviewers rate it. Tim Marsh echoes Dennis Edelbrock’s sentiments regarding best-of-breed vs. all-in-one security programs:

• “Like Dennis Edelbrock, I too have been building/repairing computers for 20 years. I must agree that Peter Norton was a genius and had the best products, bar none. It’s not surprising that his products were wanted by a larger company. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long before Symantec completely ruined Peter’s great name. It’s a shame, really.
  
  “If you ask any repair technician who’s been doing this for years, they’ll all tell you that standalone products far outperform their suite counterparts. There is simply no debate on this matter. I agree that for a large number of people, suites are easier to install/maintain and are therefore a good choice, as compared to not running anything or not enough.
  
  “You must also realize that magazines/Web sites are in business to make money. It makes me wonder how any reputable company could ever say that the Symantec suite is best of class. I guess if by ‘class’ you mean ‘suites,’ then it’s possible to make this claim. However, if the intent is to configure one’s computers to ensure maximum protection, then standalone products simply can’t be beat. And the funny thing is, in my opinion, many free products outperform most commercial products.
  
  “I urge your readers to keep reading this newsletter, as it always shows both sides to every story. Also, keep in mind that any commercial-based company may not have the end user’s best interest in mind when they’re advertising-based. I would rather take the advice of someone like Dennis Edelbrock any day before a magazine or commercial Web site.”
  

In defense of computer magazines, I know that the one I worked for until late 2007, PC World, went to great lengths to ensure the impartiality of its hardware and software reviews. I truly believe that most professional tech journalists are not influenced by the vendors. Their bosses, on the other hand, may be a different matter.

Readers Mary and Tim will each receive a gift certificate for a book, CD, or DVD of their choice for sending tips we printed. Send us your tips via the Windows Secrets contact page.

The Known Issues column brings you readers’ comments on our recent articles. Dennis O’Reilly is technical editor of WindowsSecrets.com.

Related posts:

1. Readers reach out to help other readers
2. Positive reviews for Norton raise readers’ ire
3. Labs provide alternatives in evaluating suites
4. Security Suites vs Standalone Software
5. Google, Live, Yahoo run dubious scanner ads