Why Premium Security Suites?

Call them what you will: Premium; Ultimate; All-in-One; Super. Regardless of what you call them, a Premium PC Security Suite provides comprehensive protection and performance optimization. These all-encompassing package bundles typically include a robust combination of antivirus and antispyware, backup and restoration, and PC tune-up utilities. But the suites don’t end there; several solutions also include parental controls, identity theft protection, and additional features.

Premium Security Suites are specifically designed to provide all the major PC software you’ll need to protect your computer and keep it running at peak performance. Whether you’ve just purchased a new computer, are looking for an all-in-one solution, or simply want to consolidate to a single package, Premium Security Suites are a cost-efficient solution.

Premium Security Suites can include the powerful tools and functions of up to 10 or more individual software products, all within a single suite. All-in-one security suites provide all the right tools, but cost far less than purchasing them all individually. Additionally, because the components are all part of a package, they usually use your valuable system resources more efficiently.

Think of Premium Security Suites as a “best of” or “greatest hits” software solution: a unique collection of all the best PC tools and features all in one place (not to mention one low-price).  At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

What to Look for in Premium Security Suites

Not all Premium Security Suites are created equal. While they generally contain similar ranges of functionality and features, the individual components often vary. Choosing the right Premium Security Suite for you will depend on what particular features you’re looking for, and how important each aspect is to you. One suite may have a superior firewall, while another includes advanced data backup options. At TopTenREVIEWS we evaluated a variety of characteristics to find the best overall premium security suite, including: 

Antivirus/Antispyware
Malware comes in all shapes and sizes, and continues to evolve. Premium Security Suites should offer kernel-level antivirus scanning with real-time protection. Additional technologies such as heuristic detection and timely updates provide a complete shield from viruses, spyware, and other malware. 

Firewall
The firewall often serves as your computer’s first layer of defense. A powerful firewall will facilitate secure 2-way communication with your computer, keeping malware and hackers out, and keeping your private information in. A proper firewall will maintain your PC security by restricting unauthorized intruders while still allowing you to send communication securely.

Internet Security
Comprehensive internet security involves protecting your PC from a number of online threats. Whether they’re bots, Trojans, worms, hackers, keyloggers or other threats, proper internet security will protect you. Effective internet security will be able to identify phishing scams and determine a website’s relative security status, helping you avoid dangerous sites and avert dangerous downloads. Some Premium Security Suites include extra internet browser protection by offering virtual/proxy browsing, or private browsing.

PC Utility Tools
Utility tools are often referred to as the Swiss-army-knife of computer maintenance. The utilities often include registry repair and recovery tools, advanced diagnostic tools, and various system optimization tweaks. While several of the utilities are often already available within the Windows operating system, they are rarely used because they aren’t easily accessible. Premium Security Suites bring all the utilities together in a single location, and often include an automatic solution designed to improve PC performance without having to personally analyze and tweak your system.

Backup
Most Premium Security Suites include a PC backup utility for secure storage and easy restoration in the event of an emergency (or simple accident for that matter). Several of the Premium Security Suites utilize online data backup, and others also include the ability to backup your files to a hard drive, CD/DVD, or external USB drive. Proper backups should be easy to complete, securely stored, and allow files to be restored just as easily as they are stored.

Additional Features
There are a variety of additional tools and utilities included in all-in-one security suites. The most common of these components include parental controls, mobile device security, and identity theft protection. Parental controls may be as simple as basic content filtering, or may include time management and dynamic restrictions/allowances for individual children. Similarly, ID protection may be a few privacy tools like password managers, or may be as comprehensive as including credit report monitoring and ID recovery services. A good Premium Security Suite will have a healthy lineup of additional functions, so be sure and find the solution that has the right ones for you.

Ease of Use
Premium Security Suites have a great deal of versatility and powerful tools, but that doesn’t mean they should be hard to use. Utilizing a streamlined interface and intuitive navigation, security suites should be easy to use effectively and facilitate taking full advantage of all the options. The centrally managed solution should also obviously be easier to manage than having each distinct component separately downloaded to your computer.

Help/Support
While the best Premium Security Suites will be easy to use and manage, it’s imperative that they also offer a well-rounded outlet for getting assistance. The software should include embedded help files, if not in-program tooltips and context sensitive help. You should also be able to find useful resources online in the form of FAQs, forums, or searchable help files. Personalized assistance may be available through email or over the phone, or may even be offered through online chat.

Combining all the right features and utilities in a well designed package, Premium Security Suites are the ideal all-in-one solution for PC protection and performance. Take a look at our in-depth reviews of Premium Security Suites, including our top-ranked packages, ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, BitDefender Total Security and Real Broadband Essentials.