I bought Norton AntiVirus last year for around £25 in order to protect my computer from viruses, and since then I have had very mixed results with it.
On the visual side of things, Norton AntiVius is excellent. The main menu neatly lists several different security options that can be activated or deactivated, as well as an option that allows you to begin scanning your computer with a click of a button.
On the side of the main window is a tab that allows you to select specific scanning options (such as scanning only floppy disks, for example), as well as a tab that allows you access to a range of reports on previous scans.
Also on the main screen is information on the last time you completed a system scan, the last time you updated your virus definitions, and the last time you renewed your software.
The main scanning screen's visuals are also excellent - displaying the number of files scanned, the number of viruses found as well as a strange globe that looks good but serves no real purpose.
My first real problem with Norton Antivirus is it's a real resourse hog - I have 1gb of ram yet my computer still suffers a huge slowdown during Norton's hour and a half scanning process.
Also, Norton Antivirus's updating process is far inferior to the majority of other antil virus software on the internet - it only updates once a week where many others update daily, the updating process is quite slow, and it ocassionally requires restarting after the update - with a pop up that forces you to restart (there's no option to cancel).
Finally, Norton Antivrus is made almost obselete by the huge number of alternative virus scanners avaliable that are cheaper or even free. Since buying Norton I have decided to uninstall it and replace it with AVG AntiVirus which works just as well as Norton but without the price tag or, to an extent, the slowdowns.
So in conclusion, whilest Norton is a perfectly acceptable virus scanner and works quite well, I would not recommend that you purchase it due to the sheer number of cheaper and better alternatives avaliable.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Symantec's Norton AntiVirus 2005 is the world's most trusted antivirus solution. It ... more
removes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses automatically - without interrupting your work. New Norton Internet Worm Protection blocks certain more sophisticated worms (s...
Postage & Packaging: £3.16 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Good range of detection, reliable, year's free subscription. Disadvantages: Ineffective against certain viruses/trojans, requires subscription, offers few alternatives, ignores spyware, near impossible to remove.
Advantages: Good range of detection, reliable, year's free subscription. Disadvantages: Ineffective against certain viruses/trojans, requires subscription, offers few alternatives, ignores spyware, near impossible to remove.
Advantages: It is alright at finding and removing viruses. Disadvantages: Slows computer down, difficult and time consuming installation, sometimes misses viruses
Feb 2nd, 2007
very helpful by (33%):
helpful by (67%):
