Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 provides essential protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. Norton AntiVirus is the world's most trusted antivirus solution.... more
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hackers, and privacy threats. Norton AntiVirus is the world's most trusted antivirus solution. Norton Personal Firewall keeps personal data in and hackers out. And Nor...
A review by sallysmith1973 on Norton Internet Security 2005 Complete package March 18th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Instructions / Help
Good
Ease of use
Easy
Ease of Installation
Satisfactory
Value For Money
Good
Advantages:
Good complete package
Disadvantages:
Noticeably slows down speed of system once installed
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I bought this product after previously using Symantec's security products (anti virus, firewall, anti spam etc.) and because I've always felt safe and secure and have never had any problems with them before, however......
I noticed after installing it, and also after recommending it to approx. 6 friends and installing it on their machines, that it noticeably reduced the speed performance of our PCs, compared with before we installed it. Mainly on booting up the system.
The programme itself has to load up all of the components it uses to protect your system before you can start using your PC - fair enough obviously! But in doing this, bootup time is significantly extended. I understand that in having a package, using many different programmes (anti virus, anti spam, privacy, firewall etc.) running in the background, you're bound to notice a reduction in processing speed, but I was quite disappointed with this version in that respect.
Also when opening the programme itself, it takes a while. All of the PC's I've installed this on are Dell 8300 Pentium 4's. Most have more than 512Mb RAM, mine has 1Gb RAM - most are 2.8 - 3Ghz processors, but still we think it has slowed our systems down noticeably.
Apart from that, the product itself it second to none. It has 'worm protection' that stops certain damaging internet worms at the point of entry, rather than letting them get into your system, then detecting them when it's too late!
It removes viruses (from both email attachments, your PC, and also scans any any external media - CD/floppy disks etc. for threats) It also removes worms and trojan horse programmes. The programme also detects 'spyware' (programmes that track where you go and basically spy on you, while you're surfing the net).
The firewall will 'hide' your PC from the outside world, making it invisible to hackers etc. 'Intrusion protection' automatically blocks suspicious incoming traffic. It also has an inbuilt 'network detector' so it changes your setup when you transfer from stand alone operation, on to a network - useful for laptop users that come into the office and connect to their company's network.
The anti spam programme included it also goodand very effective, blocking most 'illicit' and 'fraudulent' spam messages, as well as general advertising spam, putting them into a spam folder.
The anti privacy programme included is also worth having - you enter in your personal details (name, address, email address etc.) and the system notifies you when you're entering any of this personal information on websites etc. and checks with you if it is ok to do so. You can also tell the system which sites you would allow information to be sent to, and others you would not - handy for when the kids are surfing and inadvertantly give out information to all and sundry. Talking of which, the programme also has 'Parental Control' blocking access to websites and newsgroups that you consider unsuitable for your kids.
It is easy to set up and install, maybe 'reasonably easy' to the average home user, and the manual is good and informative, and Symantec's website is always very good for support queries and finding our virus information. If you register your email address on their site they will also notify you of latest threats.
Programme/anti virus definition updates can be set to automatically download and install without bothering you, or if you prefer, it will notify you when updates are ready to download and you can choose when to download them. It is recommended that you download them as soon as possible, in order to keep everything up to date, to fend off the very latest threats. Their 'Live Update' service is fast and reliable.
The programme itself it easy to use and easy to navigate. It is clearly laid out and straightforward. The help section is particularly good, should you find you have a problem. Their support line is also good - on a few occasions I've had to contact them (for the product we use at work - not this one!) and they've been great at solving them very quickly, and usually first time - that's always a good thing as far as support is concerned!
I also think the price of this product is good, compared with some others, you get a lot for your money. If you bought the products individually (anti virus, anti spam, firewall programmes all available separately) you make a big saving.
You get a year's worth of updates free with the initial purchase, and usually have to pay around £21 to continue the update subscription for another year. The programme notifies you when you have a month to run on your subscription, so you have plenty of time to plan and budget for your upcoming subscription fee. Once it expires, it's easy to renew - you follow the link shown in the programme and it takes you to the appropriate area of Symantec's website, where you can enter in credit card details and renew within minutes.
One thing I would say, is that a broadband connection is highly recommended, as sometimes you get programme updates to download that are large in size and can take a while. Also to on a standard dial-up account, depending on your internet provider, the connection can 'time-out' also halfway through the download and disconnect you, which is annoying, but the programme will remember how much of the update you downloaded before the disconnect, and next time you reconnect, will continue to download it with no problems.
Overall, I've always been impressed with the standard of Symantec's products and would recommended it to anyone, but I personally wouldn't recommend trying to install it on a machine any lower than a Pentium 2, 800 Mhz, 256Mb RAM. I have tried, but it was so slow you couldn't do anything else!
The box itself doesn't actually give a processor or RAM requirements, but it states: Minimum system requirements: Windows 98, ME, 2000 Professional, XP Home Edition, or XP Professional - 200 Mb of available hard disk space - Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later - DVD or CD drive.
Advantages: So many features, Use, Installation Disadvantages: None
Introduction
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Norton Internet Security 2005 is an excellent software package offering a large amount of software sold by Norton all in one package.
Installation
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Inserting the CD into the CD-ROM and waiting for the installation to load automatically is half the installation because the user only needs to select where they want it to be installed and what type of installation they want and all that is left is to sit ... ...to think about clicking on Norton every time the computer starts. There are also no boxes that will pop up asking for decisions to be made because this software configures its self automatically. Features
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Anti-Virus – Norton is a well established software business when it comes to anti virus software because of how good and easy it is to use. This version is just like previous additions except additional virus definitions have been built ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: All-in-one package, Good graphics,Effective spam killer.Updates sent as per instructions Disadvantages: Slows down my system too much, possible conflict with Windows XP Sevice Pack 2, let in 4 Trojans, a gap exists between turning on the PC and it activating, problematic install.
...me so I saw this Norton Internet Security all in one package at Staples for £24.95 down from £49.95-an absolute bargain or so I thought! Everything on one disc and no need to choose three different packages. I just couldn't go wrong...
Installation involved removing my Panda software and disabling the Firewall-this took about 15 mins to install as I couldn't get through on the net to register so I had to phone. This left my system dangerously exposed. ... ...suspicious ones into a Norton Anti spam folder. You have several levels of protection you can choose but the most effective one is most likely to stop genuine emails. It is also a learning program and you may have to help it by correcting the odd mistake but it does get progressivly better.
FIREWALL-The Firewall is meant to recognise attacks coming onto your system, block them and alert you to the fact. This comes up as a display in three distinct ...
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Advantages: complete security is in one package Disadvantages: not the cheapest
Norton AntiVirus™ • NEW! Norton™ Internet Worm Protection stops certain damaging Internet worms at the point of entry. Which is very effective.
Norton™ Personal Firewall • NEW! Automatically turns the firewall back on after a set period of time if you need to turn it off temporarily. Norton™ Privacy Control • NEW! Confidential information blocking now lets you send personal data to sites you trust while protecting you from sending it to sites you ... ...useful minor alteration.
Norton AntiSpam™ • NEW! Filters email coming to Yahoo!® Mail accounts.
• NEW! Helps detect and filter fraudulent and explicit email. • NEW! Automatically synchronizes its Allowed List with your POP3 email address books.
This spam control section is excellent, as the use can teach the program what is spam and what you actually wish to have delivered into you INBOX. Also learns from address you may email off websites, but ...
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Advantages: "Known company" Disadvantages: Mistakes non viruses for viruses, lets viruses through, lags computer, cost money
I personally find norton antivirus and firewall one of the worst out there, I find it slows my computer and sometimes causes it to crash due to the reg keys in your system causing it to boot up when your computer starts. And there on it slows your computer.
The firewall I must admit is solid as good as the competition such as mcafee which also provides a decent firewall.
The virus tracker software on the other hand is terrible, once when i ran ... ...I feel the Norton package IS solid but needs major improvments for it to be used by mysely, and fir now I feel there are better options avalible for litttle or no money.
If the improvments are made I would consider, for now I advise to stay clear. ...
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OS Required: Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1, Microsoft Windows XP
Peripheral / Interface Devices: CD-ROM
System Requirements Details:
Microsoft Windows XP - 300 MHz - RAM 128 MB - HD 70 MB
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - 133 MHz - RAM 96 MB - HD 70 MB
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition - 150 MHz - RAM 96 MB - HD 70 MB
Microsoft Windows 98/98 Second Edition - 133 MHz - RAM 64 MB - HD 70 MB
Software Requirements: Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
Manufacturer's product description
Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 provides essential protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. Norton AntiVirus is the world's most trusted antivirus solution. Norton Personal Firewall keeps personal data in and hackers out. And Norton Privacy Control, Norton AntiSpam, and Norton Parental Control safeguard you and your family from other common online risks.
From what I have heard, most people have a satisfactory experience of Norton, however for me it was a complete nightmare.
It is reasonably priced, as I'm a great believer in you get what you pay for and it's the most trusted name around. I'd checked... more
I have been using Norton for a few years now, and have tried several alternatives. Some free, some not. To be honest I just don't feel safe on-line without Norton safeguarding my computer any more. Without wanting to bash the rest, they were slow,... more
