Choosing a package such as McAfee Internet Security Suite solves a growing problem, namely being safe online without spending your time installing updates rather than getting on with the task in hand.

Combining protection from viruses, spam and spyware as well as a firewall, this covers just about every aspect of online security.

Installation is quick and McAfee replaces the Windows security centre, keeping things simple. Registration is required to receive updates and a year’s subscription is included with the software.

You can download the software and buy a licence online, which means you’ll receive any new versions of the software as well as updates. But this version won’t work at all at the end of the licence period.

The updating process has a definite advantage over the free offerings of Grisoft and Zone Labs. McAfee provides daily updates, and they are downloaded and installed automatically in the background.

You are alerted when these take place, but it’s possible to have the whole process take place silently. There’s also a link to the McAfee website to check how serious a threat is and rescue disks can be created to restore a damaged PC.

Users must log in before they can use the Internet, although it’s possible to automatically sign in to avoid the reminder. The main security centre shows the level of protection active on the computer, including whether there are any outstanding updates, and there’s also a link to the online support page.

There are email plug-ins for Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape Mail, Eudora and Pegasus. Other email clients aren’t protected beyond Activeshield scanning attachments when they are opened. This is a mild disappointment, especially in comparison with the POP scanner of AVG that protects all clients.

Virus Scan comprises the Activeshield, for scanning files continuously, and full disk scans, which can be scheduled for a convenient time. The firewall provides much better security than the Windows offering and has a useful wizard that should be included in the main install.