Norton Internet Security 2004 forms part of Symantecs new all-in-one internet security package (hence the name). It boasts integreated Antivirus, Firewall, Spam, Privacy and Parental Control protection.
In plain english, this simply means that any nasty's that you might happen to catch unwittingly from the Internet (as 99% of modern internet users do according to recent studies) this program can deal with them all.
Features: No doubt that Symantec has packed this 2004 release with features, this jack of all trades feature is the new standard for Antivirus software, and only Commercial setups can now receive them as standalone proection.
Antivirus: Viruses can be a real pain, I should know I have had many a fatal system crash because of them.
Antivirus protection is now essential, Internet Security finds and removes all flavours of virus. Disappointingly the program failed to spot a virus and a worm (MyDoom. A), until the systems had entered the computer, and were only picked up in a scan (e-mail for the worm and regular for the virus).
Firewall: For the process of testing the Firewall facilities I needed to turn off the hardware firewall built into my router. I enabled the Firewall on Norton Antivirus and it operated seemingly well (difficult to test because I couldn't stage a hacker trying to break into my PC!). It did prevent other computers on my home network from connecting to my PC and accessing shared files - try as I might I couldn't allow them in through exceptions. I was therefore forced to turn my hardware firewall back on and disable the firewall in Norton Internet Security.
Antispam: Found the Antispam feature awful, loads of it was (as it had done) continually flowed into my inbox, wasting my valuable time. It seems that Internet Security is unable to detect some of the cleverer methods of disguising the content of a spam e-mail. Such as "V1agr-a" instead of "Viagra" in the subject line - the spammers obviously easily fooled symantec!
Privacy: The need for "privacy" protection is a relatively new phenomena. It is very easy (even with 56K dial-up) to unwittingly download spyware and adware. Essentially Spyware, as the name suggests, Spys on your surfing habits and sometimes e-mail and passwords. It then relays this information back to whoever happens to have created it. From there they can do allsorts with the information, but generally they just see what websites you are visiting and products you are buying. They can then target advertising at you (using the e-mail address that they have stolen). Adware is a little less covert, but more annoying. Programs generally hijack programs such as Internet Explorer and make them display pop-up adverts or "Search Bars" which usually contain porn and viagra sales. Internet Security was generally good at picking up these little bugs, but their updates seems to be a little slow and so it didn't remove 100% of them (which is what you want right?!).
If your suffering from these little annoyances visit www.download.com, and search for the programs "Spybot - Search & Destroy" (for spyware removal) and "Adaware" (for adware). Both are free for personal usage and excellent.
Usability and Stability: The immediate impression you get from Internet Security is that it is immediately intrusive. It pops itself up constantly, asking for user input and instructions! Blah, just get on with and shut up - thats what I want! It is also a hog for system resources and on a low-range system it is impossible to run. On a mid-range system there will be a significant fall in performance (RAM usage), and on a top-end system it will work correctly - but takes excessive amounts of system resources. I suffered from a fall in performance, but other computers in the house became very unstable (low to mid-range system) and the program had to removed immediately.
Symantec: I tried to address these issues to Symantec, took a good while to get a response - then I was confronted with (your only using the trial) sort of attitude - to valid comments. Now what would make me want to fork out £44.49 at Amazon.co.uk for that level of service?
More importantly, the money you spend on the program is only valid for a year. After a 1 year "Free Subscription" you are forced to pay-up again, or your ability to update (and receive Virus updates to combat new Viruses) is revoked.
Overall: As you may have gathered from this review - I have been less than impressed with Symantec and their new product. The hey-day was Norton Antivirus in 2000/2001, since them following the rest and adopting complete internet security they have seriously failed to hit the mark.
I found a FANTASTIC product from Trend Micro, which generally makes solutions for Enterprises. It is called Trend Micro Internet Security 2004 and more information can be sought from www.trendmicro.com.
Don't forget to select "Personal" from the tabs on the top of the page in order to get to the information and free trial. As soon as Ciao.co.uk put up my request for it was a product I will review it straight away - I recommend it 120%. Chris
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I soooo need this right now, my computer is dying a slow death, the Internet used to be the only thing that worked, but it's taken me 7 attempts to get online this morning! K xxx
Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2004 provides essential protection from viruses, ... more
hackers, and privacy threats. Powerful yet easy to use, this award-winning suite now includes advanced spam-fighting software to filter unwanted mail out of your inbox. P
Postage & Packaging:£4.39 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Feb 12th, 2004
very helpful by (100%):
