Consumer Reports Windows Freeware Security Suite Picks are If-fy

Consumer Reports' September 2008 issue (on the stands now) is kind of a back-to-school issue with lists of notebooks, desktops, and security suites (all for Windows, of course). They have 11 security suites listed (#1 is BitDefender) - see page 34. However, number 9 on the list is a home-made freeware bundle consisting of Avira AntiVir Personal Edition, Microsoft Windows Defender, and SPAMfighter Standard. However, on the very next page (p. 35) SPAMfighter is listed in the Minimal Protection category of products in the anti-phishing tools list. The free Netcraft Anti-Phishing Toolbar, however is listed in the dependable protection category as is McAfee SiteAdvisor.

I think Consumer Reports also missed the boat by picking Internet Explorer 7 as the best secure browser over Firefox 2 (3 was not yet released). The problem with IE7 is that ActiveX exploits are still possible. Since Firefox (2 or 3) does not run ActiveX out of the box, it at least is safer from that dangerous class of exploits.