Symantec Corporation Antivirus and filtering

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 2010 builds on the immense progress made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 300 MHz or higher, CD-ROM, DVD drive, 300 MHz or higher

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 2009 hits all the right security notes, and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some, technical support may continue to frustrate.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: A near-perfect all-in-one solution for brand new PCs, Norton 360 v2 may be hard to install and run on legacy machines. However, don't count on Symantec's time-consuming and expensive technical support for help.

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista / XP, 300 MHz, 2.0, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 2008 didn't wow us this year. While the protection is solid, the user experience could be much, much better, and the product itself could be more streamlined. Also we can do without the addition of paid services in the technical support section.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 2006 improves its detection and removal of spyware and adware but lags behind the more proactive McAfee VirusScan 2006.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, 2006, CD-ROM, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 9.0 for Macintosh stops Mac users from unwittingly spreading PC viruses.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS 9.2 or later, Apple MacOS X 10.1.5 or later, 40 MB, PowerPC G3, 128 MB, 9.0, CD-ROM, PowerPC G3, MacOS

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 300 MHz or higher, CD-ROM, DVD drive, 300 MHz or higher

Specs: 25 users, Complete package, 11, CD-ROM, Windows

Specs: Media, 10.2, NetWare, Windows

Specs: Media, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 400 MHz, 11, 400 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later