Symantec Norton Internet Security™ 2004 Full Version for PC (10098800)

Pros: Symantec provides full refund if returned with 60 days which you will probably need!
Cons: Doesn't support Windows 98 like it says on the box. Support is less than satisfactory.

Bought this software for 70 dollars and tried to install on a computer running Windows 98. The program simply would not start. Symantec support gave me the solution of uninstalling and re-installing which of course didn't work. Their next solution was to tell me that sometimes the software doesn't run on a computer running Windows 98 OEM on a Compaq computer. Switched to McAfee Internet Security. Have had 0 problems. Easy install and everything works great.

Pros: AntiVirus component worth the pain. NIS not.
Cons: Email scanning slow as molasses. LiveUpdate bad news.

Stay far away from this product. I have used Norton Antivirus since the 90s and "upgraded" to NIS on an XP box this year. Big mistake.

Uninstalled and reinstalled this product more than 5 times dues to LiveUpdate, email and Registry errors. Try uninstalling NIS and updating LiveUpdate itself to find out what "headache" really means. Had to disable automatic email scanning because it is so slow the connection times out. Isn't this defeating the whole purpose of security? Sigh.

Tech support costs money. You can search the free knowledge base (which takes a lot of time), but you also have to use a MS Cleanup Utility to fully scrape off the detritus. As an example, LiveUpdate continues to reinstall one of the same update files which is over 200MB.

Joy. Not.

Pros: Pretty Yellow Box
Cons: Doesn't work with Windows 98SE, Norton service is the worst ever.

Norton Internet Security 2004 doesn't work with Windows 98SE. Upon installation your not offered the install page to enter your product key (registration code).

In 15 days it disables itself and the Configuration Wizard was never installed, nor do any of the programs open/run when you click on them (never did). At install the firewall and anti-virus programs worked (for 15 days), but they were only icons on the tray and double clicking icons on your desktop did nothing.

Called and paid $4.95/minute (because the $2.95/minute number had been disconnected) and was told that Windows 98SE systems quote have problems unquote and was emailed a detailed to-do list.

After another 3 hours (a total of 9 now) I finished the to-do list and nothing, still won't install and run properly.

Pros: If you can get it to work this is a good program.
Cons: You can't get it to work.

This program single-handedly destroyed my computer. I had a very stable system with few lockups or crashes. After I installed the program, it wouldn't boot at all. It locked up when my desktop loaded. No icons or start menu, mind you, just a blank desktop. CTRL-ALT-DEL even shows that nothing is running, no programs, no processes. Weird.

I even tried Symantec's (lack of) technical support. They kept telling me to go to the start menu and change this setting, or that setting. They didn't understand, no matter how many times I told them (5 in all), that the system wouldn't boot up.

I even tried calling them, but sat on hold for over two hours before hanging up. Apparently, they don't want to talk to me...

So, unless you're a glutton for punishment, stay away from this program. 2003 is a very stable, very secure version, this one is not.

Pros: Blocks everything, regardless of what it is, whether you like or not.
Cons: Slows down computers. Freezes your email. Bugs your network. LiveUpdate not up to date.

I installed that program on several computers and all of them lost about 40% of processing speed. The Antispam is a joke and has no desirable effect whatsoever. In fact, it constantly stops your email from downloading. The firewall blocks things randomly and behaves like a 1980s bad script. And if you use a network, prepare for a nightmare. After a few months and many attempts of reconfiguring Norton Internet Security 2004 correctly, I gave up and flush it from all my clients' and my own networks and computers. Bought McAfee's, which is good (but not great) and works much better. At least it doesn't slow down your computer to the point you can't even play music without skipping...

That program really is a waste of money and precious computer resources.

Pros: After getting in touch with the right party, they were responsive
Cons: The self help online support is sometimes difficult.

Up dated***I bought Norton Internet Security 2004 at OfficeMax. I uninstalled NIS 2000 as instructed, loaded NIS 2004 as instructed, and could not get the information wizard to work nor even get a menu to appear. I had a heck of a time for weeks trying to get it to work.

Finally I got in touch with a technician (through their pay for help "800" number), who informs me that the problem is with my Compaq computer. They gave me credit for the call.

It seems that Compaq does something to Windows (98 is my version), that interferes with the operation of Norton product.

Though I was very frustrated with them (Norton), they did finally come through and are sending me a CD to help with the problem (though I understand that I will have to use another firewall).

And Norton (Symantec)did follow through promptly.

Pros: Lots of lost potential
Cons: Very slow system performance, slow start up, conflicts with norton AV

Ugggggghhhh! Just stay away from it. PC mag gave it an editors choice award. I usually have nothing but respect for PC mag, but this time they really dropped the ball.
1. It increased my computer's startup time by three minutes.

2. Norton AV would not load properly (ie auto protect).

3. It took up a lot of the system's memory resulting in sluggish behavior.

note: It was running on a 2.8ghz intel with 500+ megs of RAM and a 128 meg Nvidia graphics cardd

Pros: None.
Cons: Unpredictable product, no viable support options.

Within the first two months of purchasing this product for my brand-new Dell Inspiron 9100 notebook, it turned on the parental controls twice without being asked, denying me access to my e-mail and anything else on the internet. It also denied my efforts to turn off the controls, saying that it required the Administrator's approval (I'm the Administrator, and it continued to refuse my efforts despite my knowledge of all passwords). I had to shut off the computer in order for it to reset and permit access. When I attempted to obtain online product support through Symantec, I could get no hits on their support database for this problem, and there is absolutely no way to contact them via e-mail or live chat regarding a technical issue. Telephone contact will cost you money. I am very unhappy with the lack of product support and will never purchase a Norton product again.

Pros: NONE, really, this program does not work well and should be avoided
Cons: Everything, dont buy this program

Terrible, hours and hours have been wasted on this crap program. I have had to manually uninstall and reinstall this program three times, it is a very complex task that requires registry editing and hidden file deletion, this program DOES NOT WORK, avoid at all costs, go with mcaffe or something else.

Pros: NONE
Cons: Piece of JUNK and Symantec customer service is unacceptable!

I purchased NIS 2004 to replace my expiring NIS 2003. After uninstalling NIS 2003, I tried installing NIS 2004, it just would not completely load. I kept getting error messages to reload the product or to update the product. The install procedure wouldn't let me register the product, so I couldn't download the update patch. After seven tries, I emailed Symantec with my problem. It took them 6 business days to reply (THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE). I was not going to pay a fee to call their 800 number (AGAIN, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE). By the way, their email reply did not solve the problem.

Fortunately, I had purchased NIS 2004 from CompUSA. I returned it within 14 days and received all my money back.

Note: I am running OS Windows 98SE. I had success with NIS in the past but NIS 2004 is a piece of junk. I should have read all the Epinions before I purchase.

Pros: None - The install didn't work correctly
Cons: Can't uninstall it cleanly if there is a problem.

I have been using Norton for Years. I have now stopped due to this 2004.
I had problems and to uninstall it was a complete mess.
No rnav utilities to make it easy. 2003 worked great & I recommended it to everyone. I wouldn't recommend this to an enemy.

Pros: Offers many features.
Cons: Full installation impossible. Slows machine. Activation is clumsy. Limited, costly and inept tech support.

I had NIS2003 and was very pleased. However, NIS2004 is very quirky and slows down my machine. I couldn't get it installed completely and what was especially frustrating was the lack of complementary telephone support. Getting technical support through email (the only nocharge option) is time-consuming and the technicians simply provide reprints of technical support documentation on the Symantec site. In other words, all the technicians can do is refer you to knowledge base or other technical support documents. There also appears to be a language problem with the Symantec technicians. The registration/activation process is inconvenient. Fortunately I bought at Costco, so I was able to get my money back.

Pros: Lots of functionality. Good in principle
Cons: Slows down system and Internet connection. Not worth the hassle.

I have had to de-install Internet Security 2004 from my Windows 2000 Professional machine because it slowed down my broadband internet connection so that it was much worse than 56K dial-up.

My friends are running the same product on XP, and don't seem to have the same problems.

I tried the help and advice on Symantec's support pages but nothing worked, apart from a complete de-installation. I have now reverted to simply running Norton Antivirus 2003 which is a great little product.

Browsing the internet review/support pages out there, there seem to be an awful lot of complaints from anyone running an OS other than XP.

Don’t buy this if you run it on anything other than Windows XP!

Pros: ZERO
Cons: Too many to list

You would not BELIEVE all the files this thing generates. It slows your system to a crawl, and GOD HELP YOU if you try to uninstall it...

I wound up having to reinstall XP.........What a nightmare....

Pros: they took the $$ quickly; easy download to doom
Cons: destructive product, the worst/rudest customer support ever

This product will delete the ability for you to have online access altogether. It is a virus in itself. Please read ALL product reviews at AMAZON.COM before purchasing. This product killed my registry and and I had to spend several days reformatting and then losing all personal data to get online again.
Norton has also developed a terrible snotty attitude toward their customers...Customer support is almost non-existent, or costs $30 per incident, even with a brand new product. I spent a month on long-wait calls, and receiving indignant and defensive emails from Norton, and my product wasn't even 100% refundable, despite me calling Norton the same day I downloaded asking them for a refund.
This is a terrible, destructive product with even worse support. Many others have had the same experience so save yourself the misery.
Check out McCaffee...much better support...don't give your $$ to Norton, they do not deserve any of it. Again, see Amazon for more awful commentary and details.