Review by Bill McLean

For the price, Bitdefender’s Internet Security 2009 (Family Edition) is bargain priced. First, customers can run the program on three computers. Second, the program can be used for two years without additional costs, while it has all the features of the more costly Norton Internet Security. It does lack some desirable features of Norton 360, Version 2.0. But Norton 360 is more costly and subscription must be renewed every year. If you want more features like Tune-up, Back-up, or Online Back-up, Bitdefender offers another similar program called Total Security 2009. It has all the features of Norton 360, Version 2, and it also sells with a two year subscription.

I have installed and used Internet Security 2009 on Windows XP for almost two months without any problem. In fact, my computers seem to run a little faster than they did when using Norton 360 - for all Norton’s claims of tuning up the P.C. and optimizing its performance. Additionally, Bitdefender’s Internet Security 2009 runs without annoyingly drawing as much attention to itself as does Norton 360.

I’m permitted to update this review, and I will if I experience any problems. Until then, I can only say that Bitdefender’s Internet Security 2009 is a good program and a really good buy.

12/19/09 UPDATE: After using this program for about three months I took it off to install Kaspersky Internet Security 2010. After the install and update, I ran a full scan and found a missed virus on one computer, a network threat and a privacy threat on a second computer. This is not good, but it could be worse. Neither the virus or the other missed threats caused me any harm. And Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is an incredable improvement over anything they have ever produced - possibly better than anything on store shelves.

If I could I would change this review rating to 4 stars.