Rating: 
Summary: Uninstalled it after major problem
Review: After very lengthy installation and activation on my Notebook computer (Win XP Pro with Internet Information Services 5), Internet Explorer could not be started. It kept "waiting for reply" - that's when I was trying to reach http://localhost. Then I discovered the installation had also prevented me from accessing Sharing and Security ... on Windows Explorer - even when Personal Firewall was switched off. I had purchased the "Professional" edition of Norton Internet Security believing it would give professional results. Very disappointed. Had to uninstall the lot to recover full functionality in Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer. Could find nothing helpful in Symantec's support knowledge base. A whole evening wasted! In disgust and in urgent need of a firewall, I downloaded Zone Alarm Pro trial version and it worked perfectly. No hitches. In the past, I've never been able to reach a human voice on Symantec's support service by phone in Australia. I've been using Norton AntiVirus and the free version of Zone Alarm, but thought Norton Internet Security Professional Edition would be the best way to go in starting my small business. If I don't get the service I need after logging an online query for help, I'll be taking up Symantec's offer to hand in the software and get my money back - but they say it may take six weeks to process the redemption!! I'll never buy another box of software before reading Amazon's reviews. I should have known better. Anyhow, Happy New Year, everyone !!
Rating:
Summary: More trouble than it's worth
Review: Based on my very postive experience with Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Personal Firewall, I didn't think twice about upgrading to Norton Internet Security Pro. I should have. It does not do properly what it is supposed to do, and it runs so many unneeded processes in the background that it may bog down your machine, depending on your specs. It's content blocking feature blocks the most absurdly innocuous webpages, graphics, etc.
On top of that, it is more often than not too unstable to be at all useful or satisfactory. The worst example of this I have found is that the NIS user/logon/password feature interferes with a similar built-in Windows feature. The average user doesn't need to password-protect access to their machine at all. In my own case I found that this element of NIS, which you are obliged to use, made it impossible to restart the computer; instead I had to do a complete shutdown (and far too often). As a consequence, the first thing I do when I start up is disable NIS altogether. If I uninstall it, I lose the anti-virus protection -- which *does* work.
I requested a refund and was sent a Letter of Destruction (LOD), which I duly signed and returned -- and never heard another thing from them. I never did get my money back.
Neither the average user who excersises common sense, nor the professional who is trained to detect threats needs NIS. You're much better off sticking to Norton Anti-Virus (or a competitor's equivalent) and running the Windows (XP) firewall if you feel you need one. Beyond that, it's just a matter of being smart enough not to walk down a dark alley with $20s hanging out of your pockets.
Lastly, if you are concerned about spyware, bots, tracking cookies, etc., checkout Lavasoft's free program called 'Ad-aware,' available from http://www.lavasoft.de/
Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: Downloaded first for my notebook, this was okay although it dramatically slows down machine, why is it it needs to do a virus scan of a document already held on your machine?
( Assuming already done full system scan and scanning all mails)
Then downloaded version for desktop then my nightmare from hell started and whilst reasonably PC competent it was far too deep for me in what it was doing to my machine.
It was bloody murder, nothing worked or if it did it took 3 minutes to open a file. My mail went AWOL and when i checked the status window it told me I had an error in the E mail setting but no idea as to how to fix it. User support was a joke ( especially from the UK) and now i decided to forget the money spent, do a system restore ( it didn't like it) to before i bought it and now wouldn't dream of letting it get near my machine again.
Be warned!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Product... With One Exception... Caveat Emptor
Review: For the past several years I have used various Symantec/Norton products. Furthermore, as an IT professional I typically recommend their products to family and friends, primarily because of the User Friendly consoles. However, as my subscription was about to expire for updates, I recently upgraded to Norton Internet Security Professional 2004 (NISP2K4) from 2003 (non-Pro) . I encountered a problem which I have found to be fairly common among folks who use multiple user profiles on their machines. I found users of 2000, XP Home, and XP Pro were all affected. I am running XP Professional w/ three (3) user profiles (one work related, one for personal use, and one for wife). Each profile has it's own separate e-mail account set up in Outlook. Before loading NISP2K4, I was not experiencing any problems. Following the installation, whenever I start Outlook after switching profiles, I receive the message listed below: Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program C:\ProgramFiles\MicrosoftOffice\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE
This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information. Troubleshooting Steps: I initially performed an Uninstall (including shared files) and then performed a Custom Install, selecting a single configuration for all profiles on the machine. Still receiving error messages. Conducted the following Google search: (Norton Internet Security 2004 Outlook Runtime Error terminate) Based upon some of the postings I read, this is a widespread and common problem with users of machines with more than one profile. I found a work around which disables the Norton Anti Spam toolbar, but still am seeking permanent solution which would leave the toolbar intact and not generate the error message. If this problem is not resolved soon and integrated into future updates of Internet Security Pro 2004, I hope it will be integrated into the 2005 release and since I complained we might receive a free upgrade. Sitting here thinking about it a little more, I realize that the problem may be specifically with the Anti-Spam portin of the suite. Will update with any responses I get from Symantec/Norton Tech Support. As they say, Caveat Emptor... Buyer Beware!
Rating:
Summary: Norton support has really deteriorated
Review: I am on Amazon tonight to look up alternatives to Norton Anti-Virus because of their poor maintenance. (They have outsourced their maintenance, I think to India, and there is such difficulty and so many emails exchanged to try to get understanding and answers that I eventually just gave up on the anti-spam package and will never buy it again. I have had better results with the corporate version of anti-virus, but even with the business edition I have to wait very lengthy times to get to a customer service representative, but the ones I have gotten have been really great. But they are sitting at a phone right here in the USA. I have been a long time giving up on Norton because of past history. I started with windows back in the days of Windows 3.1 and Norton had wonderful software that filled the gaps in Windows and made the Windows experience better. I was also treated extremely badly when I tried to complain to the corporate/sales people about my dislike of and disapproval of outsourcing. The person ultimately hung up when I asked that my comments be relayed to her superiors. All of that being said, I feel my instincts were right and I am not even going to consider Norton, especially for a combination product. I also feel that the quality of the products are worse. They used to be much easier to configure and get working. These problems started before their firewall product, but that one was a particularly difficult product to deal with compared to many products in Norton's pass. Well, ultimately even a very loyal customer like me has to wonder whether it is time to give up.
Rating:
Summary: What happened?!
Review: I bought Norton Internet Security 2004 after I got a VIRUS that NAV 7 corporate edition couldn't detect or remove. I thought upgrading the 4 year old program would help. Nope! Norton detects Trojan.Bookmarker.Gen but even in Dos mode is unable to fix it. It turns out that I got an advanced form of the Cool web search trojan/spyware. Well Norton seems to care less. I emailed them about the problem with no response after 2 months. They used to let you submit a new virus discovery but I couldn't find anything anywhere on their site about reporting new viruses.
What happened!?
I guess I could pay them by calling their highly over priced help line to tell them their program sucks but they already have too much of my money.
And what is it with these guys claiming that because it is spyware it is not a virus. If a program hides itself, alters files without permission, and otherwise takes control of your system without your permission, I'm sorry it's a virus. And the leading Anti-virus software should do their job to make their software do what it's supposed to do, eliminate uninvited software(period). Stop passing the responsibility to Spyware removers. It's a virus, plain and simple.
No, I didn't install any freeware, only MS, Adobe, Macromedia, Mozilla, and Norton software. Like someone else said, get McAfee Antivirus and Zone Alarm, not this piece of worthless junk.
Am I alone in this sentiment? (...)
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BUY THIS
Review: I bought this product sometime in Feb of 2004 and everything worked fine but then one day about three weeks ago IIS stopped working and the machine became very sluggish. I also get .mmc errors. I am running XPpro on a P4 2.4 machine w/512mg of Ram. I am now seeing that many other people are having the same problems. It seems that Symantec has put something in one of their updates that disables IIS and causes other problems. If you call Symantec they lie to you and tell you they have not received any complaints and tell you they don't know what you are talking about and try to send you to a technician that will want a credit card number. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. IT IS A VIRUS IN AND OF ITSELF. It will alter your operating system without your permission. In my view that is a crime against property. I am a contractor and I have worked at many many different businesses. I can see that it is no coincidence that every place I have ever worked uses McAfee. If I could I would rate this product zero stars but the pull down list doesn't have a zero.
Rating:
Summary: STAY AWAY..terrible experience all around
Review: I downloaded this set from Norton, and within minutes my Internet connection failed and my PC was almost dead due to registry problems from the download. I was forced to re-format the next day due to extensive incapatability issues. I lost all my personal info. Their site offers no live help at all. I tried to call Norton, and the only numbers they list on their sites are either for Non-tech Customer Service (tried this one and hung up after 75 minute of MUZAC) or they have a $30 tech-support number. Who wants to pay $30 to discuss a defect in a product that just cost $95? (I also bought the back-up CD). I finally got a free support number for Norton through my ISP support staff, but waited an hour or more for a voice. They said they would refund all the money, but a month later, they tell me now the back-up disc is not refundable as its cost is purely handling and shipping - $15 to "handle" and ship a CD? --and they have been indignant and combative on the phone and in emails. This is a terrible company with a bad product and awful support. After 10 years, I now downloaded McCaffee's product after calling their support....they answered quickly, and for free, and were very helpful. No problems now, just a sickly disappointment in the way Norton has abandoned thier customers. I see many other reviews that say the same....stay away from Norton, they don't deserve you, or anyone!
Rating:
Summary: don't pay for another XP (extra problem)
Review: i got this product free thru promotion program & rebate. But i feel sorry to install this. I have to uninstall this after 1 hour using it. It's not simple to set up (another word, too much questions for setup), continuously popup, slow down you system and internet connection. Popup killer is not working properly.
DON'T BUY IT
Rating:
Summary: Sadly -- lost integrity
Review: I have been using Norton products only since about1986, but I'm ready to switch. All manner of problems with this program never seen in previous editions. Instructions and support seriously inadequate at all levels.
I have used this version on two machines -- spent days trying to clean a botched installation [I believe not by me, but the installation program] on one machine. Now a month-old installation an a new desktop is failing. Spent hours with "knowledge" base and incomprehensible advice. Then, for a $29.95 phone call, received numerous recorded "we are too busy to talk to you even if you pay us." Then, a rude and sarcastic rep, who dumped my into an uninstall routine that failed, disconnected my call, and refused to hear symptoms.
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