The overall rating of a review is different from a simple average of all individual ratings.
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 .
I'm back on the net now with access virtually 24/7 so be expecting new reviews and the same old att...
I'm back on the net now with access virtually 24/7 so be expecting new reviews and the same old attitude. Regards-Peter.
Member since:25.07.2004
Reviews:64
Members who trust:6
THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN REVISED AND RETITLED IN LIGHT OF SOME MORE EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED BACK IN FEBRUARY.
Back in June 2004, I took the plunge and purchased a PC.Whilst I was aware of viruses,things like spyware were new to me and only became relevant when my internet access started slowing down. Having spoke to a colleage who is also a qualified computer technician, I was made aware of spyware, the need for a firewall and some anti spam package.
Porno spam has become a real pain, I was told it crops up everywhere but the solution is anti spam software. I had relied on "freebies" to protect my system i e Panda Anit Virus Titanium (which worked very well) and the Windows XP Home Edition Firewall (which was ok).
Well, the Christmas sales were on 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.
The installation from then onwards went ok
The package provides three distinct sections
ANTI VIRUS-a package which helps detect and remove viruses and other nasties such as Trojans. On installation a sweep is automatically activated which gives you a readout of the number of files checked,if any viruses etc were present, if so what they were, a log of any action eg Quarantine etc which was taken against the virus. As with all anti virus programs there are updates supplied which are normally automatically done-because viruses are constantly changing-see it as a battle between the good guys and the bad guys.
ANTI SPAM-This attaches itself to your email account and then scans any incoming emails and sections them into normal then any 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 levels Low, Medium and High. It also displays a web address if either you have a program such as Kazaa attempting to access the net or vice versa. If a PC is attempting to send you a Trojan-it will warn you and display the IP address of the potential attacker.
There is also a Parental Control package so you can prevent unauthorised access to Adult sites for example.
The theory was fine but what about the use?
Well everything was working fine. The updates came on time, the odd attack was effectivly blocked and I was rid of that irritating Spam.
That was until at around mid February, when I I was recommended by Microsoft to install Windows XP Service Pack 2. Nothing noticable happened at first until about a week later when I logged on and noticed the PC was taking an incredible length of time to come on. Surfing on the net via the 2mbs Broadband service I have became sluggish (slower than dial-up!) and it got to the point where I asked that work colleague of mine why it had slowed down. He suggested two possibilities-either there was a conflict between it and Sevice Pack 2 ( which he said was quite possible as Microsoft had released it full of bugs) or there was the small possibility of a virus. I did a virus sweep which took an hour but spotted nothing. Worse was to come ,the system started crashing with error codes being displayed on the screen indicating a conflict with the FirewalI.I was also finding it impossible to log off!
This had gone too far, I contacted my ISP Telewest Blueyonder who checked my connection and confirmed there was no fault at their end but suggested I may have spyware on the system, they also suggested I downloaded AVG Anti Virus. So I uninstalled the whole package,downloaded AVG and ran it.
WITHIN 30 SECONDS AVG HAD SPOTTED FOUR TROJANS which had got past the Firewall and the Anti virus package. These were variations on the Istbar Trojan and were the culprits for slowing my system down and stopping it from logging off.After the AVG package effectively quarantined them, my system was back to normal and Norton was given a miss.
But the spam was back and nastier than ever so recently I reconfigured the Norton package again to see whether it had been updated to cope with Service Pack 2 and those Trojans hid had let in I never got as far as the Trojans-the system started grinding to a halt so off it came and back on went the AVG.
So what do I make of the famed Norton and it's products?
On this standing TOTALLY USELESS!
The only thing which worked was the Anti Spam package. I've now given up on this product and will be contacting Norton to see what they are prepared to do about a product which cannot keep up with any changes Microsoft may make to Windows XP Home Edition , which lets in Trojans and furthurmore cannot spot them and eradicate them despite claims to the contrary.
After further enquiries, I was informed that this Norton package is notoriously slow in starting up and any accessing of the net before the Firewall is fully active can let in Viruses, Trojans etc which may not be picked up by a subsequent sweep. It certainly lets spam through on EMali it the Symbol isn't showing.
With this experience in mind, I would strongly advise against purchase. It takes far too long to install, doesn't spot all the nasties on your system and slows things down too much. Norton may introduce an upgrade to get round these problems but until that £50 is an awful lot to pay for something where only one out of three things it's meant to do it does properly.
An example of NOT getting what you pay for!
AVG via www.avg.com has proved remarkably effective since and I've reduced spyware to managable levels via Adaware www.lavasoft.com. As for spam , I could do with some recommendations.
One thing's for certain-it won't be Norton.
You would be advised to look elsewhere.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
A very good review giving all the facts, if you see my review you may or may not be aware of the links I encluded which may make for interesting reading regarding serious flaws in NIS2005.
At least I am happy to know that it is not just 'my' experience, I am now using AVG7 free for the time being and now considering going to the AVG7+ Firewall.
Davy
brucebolt 12.06.2005 15:07
Good review. Norton seem to be making their products cheaper now, but charging a lot more for the second year subscription.
rowei 07.06.2005 23:57
I even had trouble installing this on my computer!
Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 provides essential protection from viruses, ... more
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...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: refer to website
Feb 1st, 2005
(May 4th, 2005)
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