This keeps private data within an encrypted database and prevents unauthorised leakage via email, IM or the Web.

The same can be said of the Privacy Service, which bundles the same functionality as the ZoneAlarm ID lock, privacy and parental control functions within one integrated module. Needless to say, it sailed though our anti-virus testing. The ScriptStopper and WormStopper functions have now been copied by the competition, but McAfee pioneered these techniques and their application is faultless here. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with VirusScan 2006, which is as impressive as ever, relatively slow in scanning but 100 per cent dependable. In such a value-aware market as this, we can’t help but think that McAfee has misjudged this issue. To get this level of protection will cost another £30 if you stick with McAfee. So changes to browser settings, system files, search page, homepage hijacking and so on will go unnoticed. Unlike the standalone AntiSpyware product, this integrated version doesn’t have the ability to monitor changes to your system that are indicative of spyware/malware. However, none of these ratings are enough to pass the high standards we set for our spyware tests. You can scan separately for viruses or a combination of viruses and PUPs and, although painfully slow, it performed only reasonably well in our tests by detecting 66 per cent, removing 71 per cent and blocking 55 per cent. Yes, McAfee VirusScan 2006 is included and does detect and remove spyware, or Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP) as McAfee refers to it. Last year, spyware was becoming a big problem, now it’s the big problem consequently, security vendors have invested a lot of time and money into getting this component right.

Left out is a copy of the new AntiSpyware 2006 product, which is a shame, as it’s spyware detection that really differentiates security suites now.

Mcafee internet security suite 2006 $