Any High Speed Connection Should Always Have A Firewall !
Written: Dec 08 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The Norton Name, Ad Blocker, Norton AV, Parential Blocks, Nice Logs, IP Logging, Integrates with SystemWorks
Cons: Subscription ends in a year, Think they airbrush Peter Norton to look younger on Box
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| jimyster's Full Review: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2000 |
After I had my internet cable modem connected for about three months, I started noticing intermitant problems. Unable to find the problem even though I troubleshoot for a living. I thought maybe my problems might be coming from outside my home. So I ran up to Sams Club and picked up Norton Security 2000 for $49.00. Once installed, my intermitant problems were resolved. Though Norton Security 2000 is old compared to Norton Security 2001, it's basically still the same product. I've been running this product for about eight months plus now. Just to give you an idea, on a normal weekend, I can expect to have anywhere from ten to thirty attacks that were prevented on my computer.
FIREWALLS FOR THE LAYMAN:
When computer people talk about firewalls, they are referring to an electronic barrier that guards for various attacks and hackers. With a high speed connection like cable or DSL, your computer is always online and always has the same IP address. So if a hacker finds your computer vulnerable, they can be sure to write down your IP address for future hacking. Kind of like how computer viruses has certain signatures, so does certain hacks. And much like how a Anti Virus program downloads definitions for any new viruses to guard from. The commercial firewall programs do the same for hacks. So when you purchase Norton Firewall, you are also purchasing a one year subscription to keep it updated, which it downloads from the internet. You can use simple firewalls like for Linux or ZoneAlarm, but that will only guard your ports, Norton Security does so much more.
INSTALLATION:
Norton Security install pretty straight forward, no guess work involved. If you have Norton Works, it will integrate itself with that also. Along with the Norton Firewall, it also installs Norton Anti Virus as an added bonus. Once installed, it's up and running after it reboots.
MAIN FEAUTRES - Ya Ain't Getten Thru Unless I Want Ya To:
Norton Security 2000 will block all ports. I'm a gamer, and I never realized that while playing multiplayer games how many try to get through on a port to my computer. But those are actually the small problems, the big ones are the hacking programs they use. Program like Back Oriface, NetBus, SubSeven, and tons of others. That will get on your computer, and allow total access to the hacker to take or destroy your data. I think most are problably kids that are want a be hackers. These programs are so easy to use, that yes even a child can hack in. Once a hacker attempts to use one of these hacking programs, your system will block them, and log there IP address. Once you have there IP address, you can then trace them down to there ISP. Then you can email to abuse@isp.net and they will track down the individual and close there account. It takes some time to do that, and I don't bother anymore. But I am positive I ticked off many hackers. You'll also find that many of these hackers have web pages with there email address. Yep, I've emailed some hackers also ;-) One of the nice things are the logs, it will tell you ever IP that tried anything on any port. The log also has different icons by each action that happened. And just by looking at the icon, you can tell what happened on that port.
OTHER FEATURES - So Many Goodies For The Price Of One!
Norton Security also offers Ad Blocking. Yep, you know that spam of banners that is constantly changing and downloading on web pages, now it's not there. Ad Blocking all by itself is almost worth the price of this program. For the family person, it also offers parential controls that block web sites from your children. This also gets updated on a regular basis, so you don't have to type in a list of sites. You can have it block Java on the web sites. One feature I use is it's information security that's included. You type in what information you want to block from being taken on a web site. Like I put in my email address, and I can't tell you how many websites automatically download your email address when you connect to them. It will popup and tell you it's trying to be taken, and let you click on what to do, block or give. The program also includes in full, Norton Anti Virus 2000 which gets updated regularly by downloading from the internet. And I must not forget to include the name as one of the features. Even though Black Ice had the best overall reviews at the time. I believe that because of the name Norton, it will be as good if not better in the furture releases. And personally, I think this package offers more than Black Ice. It's not just a firewall, but much more.
EASE OF USE - What's dat dar key do?
Nothing really to even configure for the layman. I would advise on maybe entering some of the personal information you want to block from the web sites. On your personal information, you don't even have to fully enter it, just partial words work fine. After installation, everything is preset for you to mid-security, which I kept mine at. And it works fine with gaming, and there are no slow downs on my system after installation. If you set the security to high, you won't be able to play multiplayer games or even surf without warnings.
CONCLUSION - Yeppers, it's a keeper!
Bottom line, if you have a high speed connection, some type of firewall is a must. Norton Security offers a quality product at a fair price. I would highly recommend this product without hesitation, and already have to several friends. If there was a ten star for a rating of this product, I'd select that one ;-)
But if your reading this, and you have a high speed connection, and no firewall. Be on the look out for oddities happening on your computer, that you can not pin point down.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jimyster
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Location: Carrollton, TX
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 3 members
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