The fall influx of 2009-model security suites is mostly complete, though a few like Norton 360 and Windows Live OneCare operate on a different schedule. Vendors promise that these new versions will do more for your security while tying up fewer system resources. It's about time: Users have had it with suites that offer security but bog down the computer. Several vendors have introduced new "in the cloud" technologies to keep up with the accelerating growth of new malware. And many have redesigned their user interfaces to be more attractive and look lighter and faster. Some are new, innovative, and speedy. Others haven't kept pace. Which are which? I put them all through grueling tests to find out.

Performance Testing

Is your Internet service provider interfering with your Web experience?

Washington-based interest group Free Press believes you have the right to know, and asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday to require all broadband service providers to be transparent about their network activities.

The commission needs to craft a rule "requiring all broadband service providers to disclose in detail any networking activities that monitor or interfere with any level of communications by end users to access or share unlawful content and applications on the Internet," according a filing submitted to the FCC by Free Press' Ben Scott, policy director, and Chris Riley, policy counsel.

Free Press has some experience battling ISPs over network management. The gr

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Digital video editing and software firm Avid Technology Inc said it agreed to sell its Pinnacle PCTV product line and related assets to Hauppauge Digital Inc to increase its focus on software applications.

Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close by the end of 2008, were not disclosed. Hauppauge expects to continue developing and supporting both the hardware and software components of the PCTV line following the closing of transaction, Avid said in a statement.

Pinnacle PCTV helps in watching and recording television shows on a personal computer. (Reporting by Purwa Naveen Raman in Bangalore; Editing by Pratish Narayanan)

© Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extract

Most security vendors offer a range of products, from simple antivirus to sub-suite to a full-blown top-of-the-line security suite. Normally I just review the full suite. There aren't enough hours in the day to consider all the variations from each vendor separately. I have to make an exception for Webroot AntiVirus with AntiSpyware 6.0, the very best element of the Webroot Internet Security Essentials suite. Though the suite itself isn't outstanding, the malware-fighting component merits our Editors' Choice for standalone antispyware. It's definitely worth the $39.95 (direct) price tag.