Norton Internet Security 2004

Rating:
Summary: Gets worse with each new release
Review: What was once the best product of its kind has turned into true bloatware that slows down your PC and causes assorted other problems. On top of that, it has very restrictive activation requirements and Symmantec support is non-existance beyond the carefully censored stuff on their website. My copy went back.

Do yourself a favor, boycott Symantec until they figure out they're headed in the wrong direction.

Rating:
Summary: This product filters all pro gun website including the NRA!
Review: It's good to see that Symantec is looking out for us all by not letting any website in that might be pro-gun. This includes the NRA. But if you want to read all about the anti-gun websites you can browse to your hearts content. Since when does anyone want to buy security software that tries to force its political views down our throats. No thanks Symantec. I won't be buying anything you make, ever again!

Rating:
Summary: Works seemlessly--delivers as promised
Review: I upgraded from Norton Internet Security 2003 to 2004 on my PC, which has Windows XP Home Edition. I did not have any problems whatsoever. The installation went smoothly. After the installation, I went through each feature (antivirus, privacy, antispam, etc) and made sure that the settings were as I prefer them. For example, I do not want to restrict incoming email to only those addresses in my address book. Additionally, my PC is used only by adults so I did not turn on parental controls.

Since I have a constant Internet connection using a cable modem, the automatic execution of LiveUpdate behind the scenes is appreciated.

The antispam feature works well with Eudora, my full-featured email program of choice.

I recommend Norton Internet Security 2004 to any Internet user who wants effective protection for his or her PC.

Rating:
Summary: Piece O' Crap! And so is their customer service.
Review: I actually give it zero stars.

I thankfully took heed and read the other reviews of this program, and I opted for the "try it before you buy it" download. I would have been irate if I had spent the money on this software, it is the biggest piece of crap I have ever used.

I am computer savy and yet I couldn't even figure out the installation problems that kept cropping up. And as others have mentioned Symantec's "golden wrench" for everything is to "uninstall the software then reinstall". I did this twice and still have same issues. So I contacted customer service and ....this was just rich.....they said they "can't help me because I have a try it before you buy it version!! Way to sell your product guys....not to mention you showed me what unacceptable customer service you have.

Want to know MY final solution?? I purchased McAfee software instead!!!

Don't waste your time and money on this worthless software.

Rating:
Summary: NIS 2004
Review: I recently purchased NIS 2004 as an upgrade (NAV and NFW updates were expiring). I have been running System Works 2003 and Personal Fire Wall 2003.

As directed in the manual, I uninstalled NAV from System Works before installing NIS. (Left System Works and NFW on the system.) It took about 10-15 minutes to complete the install including Live Update. Absolutely no hangs, error messages or any other problems! (I am running Windows XP, Home Edition through a Linksys wireless router.) Activation took about 15 seconds via a cable modem.

I have not activated parental control (All adults here.) nor the privacy module. So, I have no comments on how they operate. However, antivirus, firewall and the spam filter (Outlook 2002) all work flawlessly. No slowdown in speed of computer or internet discernable.

I'm not sure what has created so many other reviewers to complain about install errors or that NIS slows their computer down to the speed of tree sap in winter. That has not been my experience at all. As already noted, I did not activate either the parental controls or privacy feature.

For what its worth, System Works 2003 was not adversly affected by the installation of NIS 2004.

Based on my experience, I would highly recommend NIS 2004. The antivirus, firewall and especially the spam filter programs work exactly as advertised. As a long time user of Norton products I have never had to deal with a virus. Norton has caught several such e-mails and appropriately quarantined them. One final comment, the spam filter seems to be catching about 95% of the (...) . (...)

Rating:
Summary: Faulty product -DO NOT BUY!
Review: Norton have introduced a technically faulty Product Activation system into this product. According to their help files, they know this doesn't work on some laptops & they don't know why. So until they fix the mistake they introduced in a feature which is only for their financial benefit, we customers have to just use the Internet unprotected. I bought this product 3 weeks ago, and have wasted hours trying to find a solution.
I plan to demand a refund.
REPEAT: THIS IS FAULTY SOFTWARE - DO NOT BUY.

Rating:
Summary: Don't upgrade to NIS 2004 !
Review: I recently upgraded from NIS 2002 to NIS 2004 instead of extending my yearly Virus definition download contract.
This was not a wise decision - the new version has a lot
of unresolved problems :
1. AntiSPAM does not work with all mail programs (EUDORA in my case). Each time I start Eudora, I have to go through two annoying popups.(No fix available according to Symantec support)
2. I had to disable 'Privacy Control', because I had to explicetdly permit each e-mail address in the list to be send, until the whole message timed out.
3. Finally, I can not download the latest anti-virus definition files any more (LU1821). The fix suggested in the on-line support data base does not work. (re-install liveupdate)

The on-line 'knowledge' database tends to lead you around in circles and can be a waste of time. There should be an easier way to contact an actual person you can describe your problem to.

I really do love the previous version of NIS, and wish I could back out of the new one easily.

DO NOT BUY !!
Mike

Rating:
Summary: To catch a falling star.
Review: I rated this product 3 stars but that's just to put something in the box. A week ago it would have been no stars. Or a minus 5 stars. Today I am more generous.

This is my third virus protection program and the second from Norton. It is my first firewall program. My Norton 2000 Virus software is: #1. outdated and #2. about ready for its annual subscription payment of $25. After finally leaving a dial up connection for the real world of broadband it was time for some serious protection.

I'll get to the criticisms in a second but let me say that the installation goes quickly and smoothly. The accompaning reference manual is huge compared to the typical tacky flyers that so many programs now have. Or else they tell you to visit their Internet site which doesn't help much when your computer won't even start. The program itself is very well organized in its setup once you begin to get a feel for it. The help manual within the program is as good as the hard copy. All of this gets a 5 star rating.

OK, now for the not so nice stuff. The first two days were absolute hell. Maybe 8 hours a day online, or trying to get online, with everything going wrong. Repeated system crashes, failures to shut down correctly, failures to start up correctly, continual competing software conflicts, warning windows everywhere. Get the picture? Help!!!!!

After several days of use things settled down and today, our one week anniversary, I guess we will stay together. Maybe I have managed to twik the program enough so that it does whatever it is doing and leaves me alone to surf and download. Maybe the program really does "learn" from its environment.

The obnoixous warning windows concerning retards trying to get into my computer have now been replaced by a simple little flashing red arrow in a corner to let me know that Norton is kicking butt and has the scalps for my inspection if so needed. They provide a nice record of how many intrusions were foiled and that alone proves the value of the program. I have the parameters set for how cookies, ads, personal information, and the like are to be handled. Sites that I repeatedly visit and "exchange" data with are now veted with Norton and allowed to proceed without having to continually stop and deal with the latest warning window. And as I open all the folders and click on all the links within the program I begin to appreciate its thoroughness. The user can ad or subtract any number of things to configure the program so that it best works for them. The morally correct crowd will have a ball with all the different boxes of "sin" that you can check off under the section of Parent Control.

The virus section does its part in silence. So far anyway. I get little tiny popup windows in the corner of the screen to inform me that auto updates have been done. That's nice. My old program made me stop everything, connect to the Internet, and wait forever to download the latest files. I know how well Norton Virus software works because they have saved my butt several times in the past from ugly viruses that were attempting to take over my computer.

The entire program is a memory hog and then some. However, that negative aspect seems to have lessened in the last few days. Maybe Norton killed everyone else on my hard drive that was competing for RAM usage. :) I wouldn't put it past them. Extra memory has been found by closing down some individual programs which are available withing the System 2004 package. Their pop up ad killer is working perfectly as is the program which eliminates most of the extensive graphic rich ads which pollute so many web pages and slow the downloads.

So, one week later I feel comfortable enough with my software to walk away with the computer running, go do some shopping, and come home fully expecting to find everything running perfectly. And it is. 3 stars today and it will probably be more after the first month. Good software works in silence except when absolutely necessary to get your attention. Norton may get there.

One last thing. Others have seriously bitched about the annual renewal fee. I'm sorry but I just don't feel that I am owed a lifeterm support from anything. And definitely not for $60. I have to renew my magazines once a year, see the doctor for a physical, pay for a car registration, and so on. Norton has an ongoing product support and I have no problem paying my part of the rent. Few things are as cheap as software and yet can allow us so much freedom.

Rating:
Summary: Advantages Worth Investing In
Review: Since I have purchased a variety of different Anti-Virus and Internet Security software my opinion regarding this version of Norton's is that it was a very good buy. There are ups and downs. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. If you are not sure whether to invest your money on this newer version I will let you know the new features included.

This 2004 Norton Internet Security has a much more advanced technology when it comes to email security. For instance, if you run Outlook Express, Norton will install certain menu additions not previously installed. Furthermore, you can right click any email and see its contents without opening it. You can move any email to the Norton Spam Folder as well. There is also a message rule configured on the Outlook Express program once you install NIS 2004. The rule is regarding Spam. You can add and configure the rules after the installation.

The engine running this software is much more unique and powerful. You have all software downloads including updates scanned before installed and you get much better protection with the added features in privacy control. You can adjust the settings for all features from the default or to higher or lower security.

If you are not familiar with Norton products, this software will block pop-up ads, stop spam, and add enhanced security like no other. Any email you find suspicious can be sent to the Spam folder and deleted without opening it at all. You can view the details & message source without opening the email.

Drawbacks would include the fact that some claim you can't reinstall this software more than 4 times. But if you think about it, whenever you have any problems you can call a customer service representative and explain your problem. It's obvious they will help out if you have to reinstall more than 4 times. I've installed my product a total of 4 times. I kept getting error messages. It could be a number of things but I suspect it has to do with Windows Messenger since when I stopped using it the situation resolved itself.

I have bought McAfee, NIS 2003, NAV 2004, and others but this is the only one that has CONTROL with email, SECURITY 100% online, and excellent enhancements. I couldn't find a way to have the security monitor on my desktop so I am assuming this newer version did away with it.

If you have NIS 2003 you can upgrade to the 2004 but I would recommend a new installation instead. I have tried both and I have had much less troubles with the new installation. For starters, I don't get any more error messages and my system runs a lot faster.

I tried NAV 2004 only but I had pop ups everywhere on my computer as I browsed the Internet and I didn't have any firewall protection that was as powerful as NIS 2004.

So don't be unsure pick up your NIS 2004 today and if you don't like it well RETURN IT. You have 60 days to decide. And if you are not a risker for expensive products try a TRIAL software. After getting viruses in the past I've come to the conclusion that Symantec products are the best in the market today. You get free online support but no technical assistance unless you pay. However, the online support professionals will guide you through anything. I've had nightmares of situations and they have never let me down. In short, I highly recommend this product as compared to the NAV versions or NIS 2003 and others.

Rating:
Summary: Do touch this product!
Review: I spent over two weeks trying to get this software to work and every error including the 'blue screen of death' was a known problem by Symantec. Their solution was uninstall, reinstall over and over. Each time new errors and again all known by Symantec.
This product is not ready for release and unless you want to Beta test for Symantec, don't go near it.
No stars for this product.