One of the most important programs to own.
Written: Sep 17 '00 (Updated Oct 16 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything, I am very happy with Norton
Cons: none
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| Furbster's Full Review: Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2000 6.0 Full Version Ac... |
Anyone with access to the internet should understand the importance of having an anti-virus program running on their system at all times. It should be a current program with all the latest virus definitions and information so that you get the maximum protection possible.
A computer not connected to the internet has less of a chance to get infected, for it's major source of infection would be shared files with other computers and such.
On the internet you have an added risk and that is you are accessing insecure sites day after day, allowing your browser to download thousands of files of various types. Most people have email that reads in html and scripting, thus allowing more invitation for more chances of infection. Any and all downloading has a certain risk if the source is not verified as safe and trust worthy. Even friends that are safe, aren't always safe to get files from. I'll explain more what I mean shortly.
When I got my new computer about a year ago I decided right away that I would get Norton Anti-Virus. They have a good reputation and they were the first ones to come to mind when I was deciding.
I bought it online. I simply went to download.com and searched for it, then went to the page and got the 30 day freebie version. Once downloaded I upgraded it to the full version by buying it online. Took less then 10 minutes to get the whole program and everything was set up and ready really fast and easy.
The program is real easy to understand, I looked through it for no more then 30 minutes and I know it inside and out - it is made so anyone can use it. It sits in my system tray and I have the protection enabled at all times. I was able to select what kinds of protection and exclude anything I needed to. It's very easy and well done.
A major feature of this program is Live Updates. Norton updates it's virus definitions at least once a week. I just click on that button and it usually takes less then 15 minutes to get new updates and virus definitions, making it so I have the latest protection from the newest viruses out there, while still protecting from the oldest ones to date. This feature was one of the major reasons I decided to get this program. They were one of the first to get a protection out for the "I Love You" virus shortly back!
It protects my system from the moment I turn it on, not just when I'm in windows! It monitors all programs and activities, ensuring that everything I download/run is safe. When I download from the internet I click on download, when the file is done downloading, Norton will tell me if the file is free of viruses or not and ask me where I want it saved.
This is also one of those programs that you buy in hopes and prayers that you never learn if it really works or not. Why is that? Because if you know it works, that means you have gotten a virus or a threat to your system. So in blind faith, you hope it works - because any demonstration you get, is a live demonstration.
Unfortunately, I recently found out that Norton DOES work!
My friend and I run a free email newsletter and recently we asked the opinions of our readers on a topic. We use onelist.com so the owners return address sends a copy of the reply to both of us.
Lots of people use HTML and images in their email, and lots of programs automatically format and send mail along like this.
One of out readers had such a set up like this. He sent us a regular email and an attachment came through. My friend didn't have Norton, I do. When the attachment came through, everything was halted and Norton threw up a blue screen, telling me my in box has been infected with the wscript.kakworm virus. It asked me what I wanted to do with it. I could quarantine the file, thus making my email unusable, I could continue (which would allow the virus to destroy my system basically), I could try to fix the problem, or delete the virus.
I tried fix first, it could not fix it. So I deleted the virus. After that I downloaded new virus definitions and reran a check on my system and verified everything else was just fine. It turned up clean.
I sent test emails to my other email addresses to make sure it wasn't attaching itself and they sent through clean.
The virus did manage to delete everything in my in box, but that was an easy sacrifice. When I looked up the definition of this virus in Norton, I found it would basically destroy my system and require me to reformat my drive! I'd rather sacrifice my in box for that!
My friend did not have Norton, his email simply told him there was an ActiveX program that was going to auto execute, he had a choice to not let it and he didn't run it, which was good. I told him what happened and he downloaded Norton and cleaned his system up. Worked perfectly.
Norton saved me and as cheesy as that sounds, it is true. I value my computer and I'm sure you do too. The person that sent me that virus did not know he had it at the time. We informed him in hopes that he takes action to rid himself of it.
Best to be safe then sorry - isn't that the rule? Norton gets my thumbs up. Norton saved more then my computer, but my files, my work, my memories.
While my review is on Norton, even if you don't want Norton, get one of those other top rated Anti-Virus programs. However, I don't think you will find the satisfaction in others, like you will with Norton. But security for computers that you go online with is important. So it's best to have something, and Norton is the best! You won't regret it. There is nothing like that feeling of security!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Furbster
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Location: La Habra, CA
Reviews written: 51
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
Web developer/programmer who lives in CA with two Aibo puppies, Spaz and Ziggy.
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