RBradford's Full Review: Symantec Norton AntiSpam 2004 (10102571)
What's worse than Spam? Apparently, Symantec seems to think it's unorganized Spam.
Disclaimer: Before I go any further, let me be clear that the only reason that I have Norton AntiSpam 2004 is because it came in a bundle package with Norton AntiVirus Professional 2004. The bundle came with a rebate, essentially making the total purchase "free". I had been using Norton AntiVirus 2003, and rather than pay the ridiculous cost of "renewing" my virus definition subscription for another year, I bought the newest version (which comes with a 1-year subscription) and still came out ahead.
By the way, I use Outlook 2002 for e-mail. Norton AntiSpam 2004 does seem to integrate well into Outlook 2002, but then again, there's not a lot there to integrate.
Now, on to the review...
Norton AntiSpam 2004 is really something of a misnamed product. It doesn't actually block Spam in any way, shape, or form. In fact, it's main function seems to be to label Spam by adding the text [Norton AntiSpam] to the header of any e-mail message suspected of being Spam. You then have the choice of adding it to a "restricted list" by clicking on "This is Spam" (in Outlook) while viewing the e-mail message. It is then magically moved to a folder called "Norton AntiSpam Folder".
In a further display of sheer genius, you can browse messages in the Norton AntiSpam Folder and click on "This is Not Spam" to remove the sender from the restricted list. The message then magically moves back to Outlook's Inbox. There's even an option to delete all messages in the Norton AntiSpam Folder by clicking on "Empty the Spam Folder". However, they don't get completely deleted, they just move to the "Deleted Items" bin in Outlook.
So, rather than going on and on, let me quickly summarize:
Norton AntiSpam 2004 adds the following buttons to Outlook:
- Open Norton AntiSpam
- This is Spam
- This is Not Spam
- Empty the Spam Folder
Norton AntiSpam 2004 flags e-mail as Spam in 2 ways:
- Automatically, based on headers or addresses that seem Spam-like in nature, with no consistent logic
- By the user clicking on a message, then clicking on "This is Spam"
When Spam is identified according to one of the 2 very complicated, technical methodologies employed above, the message is moved to a folder aptly named "Norton AntiSpam Folder". To delete alleged Spam from this folder, one can select the option of deleting all at once by clicking on "Empty the Spam Folder", or by selecting and deleting each message individually. To completely delete the messages, one must select "Empty Deleted Items Folder" in Outlook. This is much the same method as used by people who don't have Norton AntiSpam installed.
Interestingly enough, as a regular user of Outlook, I had utilized the "Rules Wizard" to create my own criteria for identifying and deleting Spam messages. For those comfortable with doing this, much of the functionality of Norton AntiSpam is redundant to what's already built into Outlook.
In summary, Norton AntiSpam does not actually do anything to block, prohibit, keep out, ban, or otherwise cut down on Spam. It simply provides a simple way of sorting Spam. So, if disorganized, unsorted Spam is driving you crazy, this is the software to get. Otherwise, just use the filters built into your e-mail program (such as Outlook) and save yourself the cash.
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