Entered CNET Catalog: 08/26/2003
SKU: 10097935
Manufacturer: Symantec Corporation
Manufacturer description
Utilizing new, state-of-the-art technology, Norton AntiVirus 2004 provides consumers with core protection against certain emerging non-virus threats such as spyware and keystroke logging programs. Norton AntiVirus 2004 empowers home and small office users to proactively ward off privacy and security breeches that are often caused by the presence of these non-virus threats. The new expanded threat detection capabilities of Norton AntiVirus 2004 will include scans for programs on the user's computer that can be used with malicious intent to compromise the security of a system, spy on the user's private data, or track users' online behavior. To help ensure maximum protection Norton AntiVirus 2004 will identify and block these threats at the point of entry to the system, detecting the threats during scans of email and instant message attachments, or during scheduled or on-demand system scans. The new, real-time compressed-file scanning feature prevents users of file-exchange services from sharing or downloading infected files even if those files are compressed. Additionally, as a measure to protect users from pirated or counterfeit software, Norton AntiVirus 2004 will also now include a product activation component. Like previous versions of the product, Norton AntiVirus 2004 will continue to help users achieve maximum protection with minimum effort by automatically scanning all files for malicious code, and automatically removing viruses, worms, and Trojan horses without requiring user intervention. Protection is further enhanced by Norton AntiVirus's consistent ability to protect automatically against both inbound and outbound online threats at all points of entry. Unlike many of its competitors, Norton AntiVirus 2004 will also install out of the box with all key protection settings and technologies active by default, including real-time scanning, automatic updating, and sophisticated heuristics. To ensure Norton AntiVirus 2004 users' protection stays updated against new online threats, Symantec's LiveUpdate will check for new antivirus updates whenever the user is online. LiveUpdate will then automatically and unobtrusively download updates in the background to minimize disruptions, thus allowing users to achieve the continued peace of mind that comes with knowing their antivirus product is working at its best.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/24/2003
Norton AntiVirus 2004 offers the option of a preinstallation virus scan, an added protection measure not matched by Norton's leading competitor, McAfee VirusScan 8.0. This procedure adds a lot of time to the setup process, however: 30 minutes on our test PC. Users with time constraints may wish to bypass it. (NAV does an automatic postinstall, scan, too.)
The program froze during our first install attempt, but it ran perfectly once we rebooted. NAV 2004 supports Windows 98 through XP and requires a slightly larger amount of drive space than previous versions--from 85MB to 125MB, depending on OS version.
NAV 2004's main screen provides an easy-to-read snapshot of your PC's security and uses bright red and yellow icons to indicate areas that need your immediate attention.
After setup is completed, NAV connects automatically to Symantec's Web server to download the latest virus definitions. Inflation alert: NAV 2004 users get a year of free definitions, after which the annual fee is $19.95--a significant jump over the $10 renewal charge for NAV 2003. McAfee users pay $14.95 annually after the first year. Symantec has also added an activation process similar to that used by Microsoft in Windows XP, though we found this to be a painless extra step.
NAV 2004's well-designed interface changes little from its predecessor's. The main screen presents a snapshot of your PC's security, with red or yellow icons marking items that need attention, such as outdated virus definitions. Default settings provide strong security by automatically deleting viruses and scanning compressed ZIP files, as well as stopping spyware and Trojans from infecting your PC. Popular options, such as scheduling automatic scans, are easily accessible.
NAV 2004 adds two major capabilities. First is its enhanced detection of compressed files. Previous versions of NAV detected viruses embedded in ZIP and other compressed formats during manual scans. NAV 2004's real-time scanner finds and deletes these hidden viruses on the fly--as they are being downloaded, for example--adding another layer of protection.
NAV 2004 detects viruses embedded in ZIP archives the moment they reach your hard drive.
NAV 2004's second new feature is the ability to detect and destroy spyware, adware, and hacking tools that may be lurking on your hard drive. NAV 2004 is the first antivirus app to include this feature. However, the free standalone utilities, such as Lavasoft's Ad-aware and Spybot Search and Destroy, ferret out these same annoyances much better. For example, in our tests, NAV 2004 failed to find a malware component uncovered by Ad-aware 6.0 in a follow-up scan. (We ran Ad-aware immediately after the completion of a Norton system scan.)
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Norton AntiVirus has been tested on Windows systems six times since 2000 by the independent testing organization VirusBulletin and earned its coveted VB 100 percent title each time. By comparison, McAfee's VirusScan has been tested and earned a VB 100 percent title only once. It's hard to draw any meaningful conclusions from such limited data. Previous versions of Norton AntiVirus have also been certified by the independent antivirus testing laboratories at West Coast Checkmark, ICSA Labs, and AV-test.org.
Like McAfee, unfortunately, Symantec charges for its live tech support via phone: either $29 per incident or $2.95 per minute. We tried the free alternative: e-mail. The form was hard to locate, but techs were responsive, answering within 24 to 48 hours. Unfortunately, Norton does not offer online tech chat, a feature McAfee offers (with mixed results) for its VirusScan customers. The Automated Support Assistant, another feature accessible via the support site, is a convenient way to download product upgrades and keep your copy of NAV 2004 up-to-date. Symantec's free online knowledge base is a helpful do-it-yourself resource.
Symantec's online knowledge base is one of several ways NAV users can learn about viruses and troubleshoot problems.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84
User Rating: 
1/10
dreadful...just dreadful.
Pros: works well when it works
Cons: ohmigod, why did I do this....
So to summarize; I got a message that my NAV 2006 subscription needed renewal. No matter how many times I clicked on the link it wouldn't open. I went to the Symantec website, couldn't upgrade the subscription and made the mistake of buying NAV 2008 for $50. Downloaded it, but when I tried to install it it said I needed XP service pack 2, which of course I'd already downloaded 2 years ago. But I downloaded SP2 again. I reloaded NAV. it STILL told me I needed XP SP2. I rebooted. I uninstalled NAV 2006, had to re-download it (sure glad I spent the extra $8.99 for that extended download service - that's a real bargain). Reloaded it. STILL got told I needed SP2. F- it.
I'm getting a refund and looking for McAfee or anything else. Unbelieveable company.
User Rating: 1/10
very expensive, unusable and slows down every pc
Pros: rather complete package, rather good support
Cons: very expensive, unusable and slows down every pc
In my previous job, the management purchased this AV without consulting me. I had to install the corporate version on 10 different machines... Altough there was an automatic management console, this console was unable to automatically install their product in 8 of the 10 cases (standard windows domain, logged in as domain admin, and tryd to install the software on 10 XP Pro machines on the same domain). Automatic updates didn't work (didn't get them to work, ever), and finally i was unable to install this thing on 2 of the 10 machines...
The second time i used norton, my grandfather bought a copy without asking me first... The original installer failed because a previous LEGAL version was already installed, and in the process of failing, it seemed to have damaged several system files because it was impossible to reinstall this thing before i manually deleted several files and registery keys...
One good thing: the support guy i contacted was rather helpfull and he gave me a to-delete list really fast. In the end i was able to get this product running properly, altough i'm not to happy about the fact that it seemed to make my grandfather's PC increadibly slow, it seems to take up a lot of system recources.
User Rating: 1/10
The worst customer service there is
Pros: there are none
Cons: horrible customer service
User Rating: 
2/10
Resource HOG, Phones home
Pros: Has a good detection rate
Cons: Will kill computer performance, all hype
I found this to be such a terrible product I will try again and keep it simple.
Don't buy this software:
1. It's a horrible resource hog. Will noticeably negatively impact your computers performance.
2. Phones Home
3. Very poor tech support.
User Rating: 
6/10
Incredibly effective!
Pros: Effective, will catch even the virus in IM
Cons: SLOW AS HELL!
I'm pretty certain of improvements in the next release.
User Rating: 2/10
OFF TO TRY ANTI-VIRUS 2005
Pros: It picks up a little viruses
Cons: Does not update
User Rating: 
4/10
Slow but effective
Pros: Good automatic update process
Cons: Slows overall computer performance
User Rating: 
8/10
Another Norton success
Pros: Gold and frilly interface, good virus detection, very configurable
Cons: Slowed down system a tad
The scanning speed was slow, but the good virus detection made up for it. Overall virus detection was pretty much the same compared to McAfee with perhaps McAfee just a little better at finding Trojan Horses. The program was very configurable and had plenty of options to customize to the user's needs or wants. It was a little hard to navigate but not at hard enough to rethink about using the program. It slow down overall system performance and took up just a little more memory than other companies, which was my only complaint. The golden color plastered all over the program was impressive, but seemingly a conceited and overconfident act on Symantec's part.
The program worked well and caused no problems for me. As much as a big time McAfee fan I am, I was considering switching to this product but I didn't for two reasons at the same time: I didn't have the money on me after buying MIS, and I feared of being upgraded to NAV 2005 which I know nothing about aside from that it's a resource hog.
User Rating: 
7/10
Norton-good to go
Pros: Used Norton since 2001, absolutely no problems and it seems to have almost daily updates
Cons: Don't have any
User Rating: 8/10
Slow, but incredibly effective
Pros: Absolutely brilliant antivirus program. I've never had any problems with viruses when I've been using Norton Antivirus, it picks them up effectively and deals with them just as efficiently. It also picks up spyware and adware, a good feature. When customi
Cons: Cost. It's quite bad that simply updating a subscription to Symantec for updates costs more than just buying the update that comes with the same updated subscription. However, good value for money. Also can slow down system a bit, but I haven't had too ma
User Rating: 2/10
I will never buy another Norton produce
Pros: Uninstalled pretty easily
Cons: After loading my entire system slowed to a stall speed.
User Rating: 
10/10
dont lock your computer up!!!!!!!
Pros: 2002 worked good, but i had to upgrade, now cant go to secure sites.
Cons: no support
User Rating: 4/10
The worst experience I have ever had.
Pros: I have found no positive aspects of this software mainly because it has never been completely functional.
Cons: Since my initial installation attempt I have been unable to completely install the program completely ,nor can I unistall what is there. I have also found tech support to be an excercise in futility. After five months and many exasperating hours I have gi
User Rating: 2/10
Only marketing
Pros: only well known brand..
Cons: effect to computer to work slowdown. support is very bad. there a lot of unneeded software modules in it. company use only their name.
User Rating: 1/10
slowed the system, can't send email, what tech support??
Pros: None.
Cons: I recently built a new computer and decided to switch from McAfee to Norton for Anti-virus. What a mistake. I bought it, downloaded and installed Norton Anti-virus and immediately noticed problems. My boot time went from a few seconds to 30 seconds.
User Rating: 2/10
A Real Stinker!
Pros: Was easy to install.
Cons: Slowed my system down so badly that my ISP kept disconnecting me. I'll stick with AVG.
User Rating: 
3/10
Worst customer support
Pros:
Cons: My purchase rebate was denied despite having produced the receipt and purchase ID. The rebate is then handled by a 3rd party rebate company that resists paying the rebate. There is virtually no response from Symantec except for boilerplate messages that
User Rating: 3/10
go back to 2003
Pros: as allways- does the job on viruses
Cons: too demanding and tries to control other apps. don't like big brother apps. like this.
User Rating: 6/10
Slowed my system down alot
Pros: From a trusted company. Excelent virus detection.
Cons: Slowed my PC down, not just at start-up. Me and friend both experienced Norton internal errors. Have reverted back to NAV2003 - much quicker and more reliable, it seems.
User Rating: 3/10
slows the PC
Pros: seems to work
Cons: Uses 10-20% of the CPU all the time, and often starts going through the disk. When running other cpu-intensive applications it conspires to stop any other usage.
User Rating: 4/10
Constant NAV error problems
Pros: When it works it's great! Does a good job of catching viruses. Scans quicker than McAfee.
Cons: After using it for about awhile I started having NAV95 problems. I not only couldn't use the program I couldn't log onto my computer. I spent lots of time surfing their website and got nowhere. Found the problem with a google search and found numerous
User Rating: 8/10
First Time User, works great
Pros: I've used McAfee products in the past. Their products would eventually work after they released updates/fixes in increments. After using Norton 2004, I don't plan on going back to McAfee. It appears to work well and I didn't have any problems during insta
Cons: Just don't like the activation feature. I've got 4 computers at home and wish I can put it on all of them, at least for a reduced price. But, can't gripe too much.
User Rating: 3/10
A Virus Would do Less Damage
Pros: Familiar interface; integration with other Symantec products
Cons: INCREDIBLY unstable. Causes random memory dumps/system reboots; FREQUEST NAV errors causing uninstallation/reinstallation on an almost DAILY basis. And still no response from Symantec tech support! Upon reformatting my HDD, discovered 3 viruses that NA
User Rating: 
5/10
Looks good hies its weakness' even beta
Pros: nice easy to use interface, good quick live updates and the company are well hot on updating virus deffinitions
Cons: the new algorytm that produces the product key on the current 2004 version keeps failing and needs to be resest, this can only happen a number of times and then ur without protection, it can happen over weeks or months but at sum point uve reset the activ
User Rating: 3/10
Symantec Finally Dropped The Ball
Pros: Anti-Virus now detects spyware and came up with 3 that ad-aware had missed. Anti-spam has been vastly improved.
Cons: I have been a loyal Norton user since they came out with their DOS version of Norton Utilities. With the exception of a few hickups Norton products have always been top shelf. I didn't think twice about upgrading to their 2004 Internet Security Suite wh
User Rating: 6/10
may work well, but once you start getting problems..
Pros: If it works, it works well.
Cons: To many features that cannot switched off easily. Very very heavy package that cannot be uninstalled effectively. If things start going wrong, installation is a nightmare and support is below par. Takes a lot of system resources.
User Rating: 5/10
Pay for tech support too! NO WAY!
Pros: Well I must say if Symantec thinks all it's past customers are going to stay with them they are wrong! Sure it does protect your puter to a point. But charging us for tech support is a sin!
Cons: Charges us tech support via phone! Email tech support sucks! Paid renewal subscriptions are alot higher than past versions... Slows down the computer. I say NO
User Rating: 3/10
Dissatisfied customer
Pros: Hopefully I will be protected from viruses.
Cons: I found out yesterday from Symantec's website that I was infected w/a trojan, so I ran out and bought the Internet Suite 2004. No kidding, it took 10 hours worth of work (calling, installing, uninstalling, rebooting, safemode, etc) to get the program to w
User Rating: 8/10
Symantec is the best in A/V
Pros: I have used Symantec products since 1999 and have never had a virus infect my computer. It has caught at least 3 different strains and got rid of them just as fast as they arrived with only my decision of how to handle them...I leave firewall protection
Cons: None
User Rating: 2/10
Its a joke!
Pros: Nice interface
Cons: Does not detect many viruses nor can it clean, quarantine or delete it, also fails to update - pathetic! and a waste of money
User Rating: 5/10
Auto-Protect is Disabled
Pros: Product does cover the range of viruses and worms affected. The interface is relatively easy to use. The updates are behind the scenes and useful
Cons: 1. The auto-protect feature is disabled. After trying to reinstall it several times (which is what the online help tells you to do), it is still disabled. It turns on about 1 in 10 times when the system is turned on. Even worse, I can't seem to turn it
User Rating: 8/10
Solid Antivirus Protection
Pros: I have used Norton Products for 5 years, and have had no problems. Interface is great, simple, effective, and the product works...period
Cons: Horrible Customer Support, dismal response times, no one should have to pay for help with installation problems regarding new software.
User Rating: 5/10
Norton Virus 2004--RESOURCE HOG
Pros: Nice interface only so I recommend McAfee VirusScan 8.
Cons: -Resource hog -Slows down internet connection -Product activation (NEED I SAY MORE) -And lots more There's a quote from symantec's president "Norton Antivirus 2004 includes many new features and enhancements". Well what would be my reply "My Ass!!"
User Rating: 5/10
Hate false positives
Pros: Easy to install Good user interface Live update "set and forget" usually works
Cons: Trashed my FTP server software with a false positive - Tech support stinks
User Rating: 2/10
Doesn't do what is says on the box
Pros: Seems to catch viruses
Cons: 1. Spyware detection simply doesn't work. This morning I reinstalled Ad-Aware and found 617 (yes, sixhundred and seveteen)bits of malware. 2. Script detector doesn't work. I ran MS Baseline Security Analyzer and discovered a script that I had suspected be
User Rating: 4/10
Hmmmm...
Pros: Well, as someone who has been exposed to very few viruses and therefore never used to use a virus scan program, it gives me peace of mind to know that I've at least got something protecting me, besides XP's firewall. Nice yellow interface as well.
Cons: I've only been using it a day - still waiting for my McAfee CD back, at which point I will be removing Norton and not reinstalling it in the future. EVERYTHING has been noticeably slowed down on my AMD 2.0 with 512 DDR RAM - don't they run tests on resour
User Rating: 6/10
Slowed down my web browsing. From broadband speed to dial-up speed. Norton acknowledges the bug bu
Pros:
Cons:
User Rating: 2/10
nightmare to download and tons of problems afterward!
Pros: nortons protects well
Cons: I had a lot of problems loading it off the cd but finally it went in. Then my internet dialup kept tring to start and my pc is doing some weird things. I should have bought mcafees.
User Rating: 8/10
Switched from Norton to McAfee that was a BIG mistake...
Pros: It installs, finds viruses -- does everything I need and ask -- doesn't do what I don't want it to. In short, it works. McAfee 8.0 was unbelievable crap.
Cons: Make sure to turn off Office option as it screwed up my macros. Slows emails but I am a home user and that's no problem for me -- McAfee 8.0 STOPPED my clean emails even when email option shut off.
User Rating: 2/10
I FINALLY DID IT!
Pros: Easy to install however time consuming running a pre & post virus scan?? (My choice) Familiar interface until you check deeper...
Cons: Fairly new system - fresh rebuild - system working better than ever w/that "new life" until I got to the Norton install. Could have used the old CD but thought w/fresh rebuild I'd go out & buy updates. Was in Outlook clicking on hyperlink w/in email a
User Rating: 3/10
What's the point in Activation???
Pros: Good Anti-virus program. Microsoft should take note of what Norton has done to it's activation.
Cons: Activation. Whats the point in Activation? Someone is just going to find a crack for it, heck just ask Microsoft. When they thought they had it fix a to stop pirate software versions from install Windows XP, Windows XP sp1 or Microsoft Office XP or Micro
User Rating: 5/10
Not worth the upgrade if you have Norton AntiVirus 2003.
Pros: 1. Norton AntiVirus 2004 is better then most AntiVirus programs out there. 2. Norton AntiVirus 2004 continues with the fast and easy virus updates that Norton products are known for.
Cons: Mcafee 2004 is better then Norton AntiVirus 2004. Norton AntiVirus 2004 isn't what it's cracked up to be for a few reasons... 1. Norton AntiVirus 2004 has activation on it now, so that's just more stuff you have to type when you register Norton AntiVir
User Rating: 3/10
THE NORTON TRAIN IS GOING DOWNHILL FAST-DON'T BE ON IT!
Pros: NONE I SEEN SO FAR, SAME AS LAST YEARS VERSION
Cons: ACTIVATION IS A JOKE AND TIME CONSUMING. THE SPYWARE IS WORTHLESS COMPARED TO SPYBOT SEARCH AND DESTROY. HAS SLOWED ENTIRE SYSTEM DOWN BY ITSELF-COMPARED TO ZONEALARM PRO 4 AND SYSTEMSUITE 5 TOGETHER. INITIAL INSTALLATION HAS MAJOR FLAWS IN IT-SHUTS DOWN
User Rating: 6/10
ITS GOOD, BUT THE QUALITY IS SLIPPIN!
Pros: The homepage is the same as 2003 and scans a little faster, it seems. It seems to boot up quicker than prior editions. Same Norton Anti Virus quality. The activation is not as bad as everyone seems to make it out to be. I had no problems what so ever log
Cons: The initial installation has a bug in it that was not worked out. During my inital installation of the software, it downloaded with no problem, and yes I read the included Norton booklet. But when it concluded, the screen said for me to reboot, I could cl
User Rating: 5/10
Horrifying
Pros: It works, but at a cost.
Cons: Let me start by saying that I have used Norton products since the very first Norton Utilities back in the MS DOS days. That being said, Norton AV 2004 is a major disappointment and it coupled with Norton Anti Spam 2004 has made me toss Norton aside after
User Rating: 4/10
Install is very Unreliable
Pros: A good package if it worked without crashing windows
Cons: Poor online support. Will not address issues other than sending knowledge base solutions that do not fit the problem
User Rating: 7/10
Activation is a NO-NO!
Pros: Great virus engine with easy updates.
Cons: Activation, activation, activation. I refuse to buy any product that must be activated.
User Rating: 1/10
not ready for release
Pros: good anti-virus protection familiar interface
Cons: after installation,would not scan--a known fault,for which norton had no fix,except to re-install-which didn't work!
User Rating: 8/10
Tired of hearing people complain.
Pros: I can't beleive you let Idiots like this post. The End of a Once good program" kinoxx Cons: This years version has activation (need I say more) I have 3 computers in the house and don't want to buy multipule copies of any program so I guess I will be b
Cons: Here steal some more,youpeople are nothing but theifs. What if this was YOU research money going out the door for free? I bet it would be a different story. Read On! activation = do not buy !!!" Don S And Don say's Cons: product activation sucks, with
User Rating: 
9/10
Very good upgrade
Pros: i read the post earlier norton doesn't stop viruses on p2p networks. nav 2k4 has always done it on kazaa for me as well as great script and trojan blocking features i love. still great as ever :)
Cons: even though it requires activation and is sort of a memory hog, i'm loyal to norton because it's saved me in the past as it does now
User Rating: 4/10
I wouldn't use it, even for free!
Pros: Popularity?? :)
Cons: Performance, size, bad coded, bad install, bad uninstall
User Rating: 2/10
Simply put: NOT a worthwhile upgrade!
Pros: Good interface
Cons: Some of the newly touted features do not work including spyware detection. It never detected any spy or ad ware in realtime or scan modes,while AdAware would uncover a dozen files. Tech Support is non-existent to horrible.
User Rating: 4/10
Crashes my systems..
Pros: Nice product.. Have used earlier version for years...
Cons: This is the worst version I have seen so far.. "Low Kernel Stack" errors everytime I try to do a scan
User Rating: 4/10
Caused more problems than a virus
Pros: Nortons update servers are very reliable and fast.
Cons: Expensive, bulky and not worth the money. Norton 2004 file protection seems to actually prevent crucial apps from working. After installing Norton yesterday I am no longer able to use by web authoring software and my email client crashes every two minutes
User Rating: 5/10
Norton 2004 isn't much better then Norton 2003 or even Norton 2002 for that matter
Pros:
Cons: I have Norton AntiVirus 2003 Pro and my freind just bought Norton AntiVirus 2004. When I was setting up Norton AntiVirus 2004 up for my freind I noticed hardly any improvments in Norton's latest AntiVirus program. The new spyware feature is like comparing
User Rating: 10/10
A very good product.
Pros: Great antivirus software.Detects almost anything harmful to the computer.
Cons: None till now.
User Rating: 5/10
activation = do not buy !!!
Pros: pretty good, and useful auto update
Cons: product activation sucks, with anything -- I have 3 computers including 2 notebooks -- all dual boot XP, with the desk top having 98s.e., as well -- will i be able to install and run Norton A.V. 2004 on all my systems and all partitions ?? -- I am not ri
User Rating: 5/10
Works Well to Slow PC
Pros: Installed ok,
Cons: Only big problem slows down web surfing. Pages load slower. Non admin users gets pop up configuration not complete.
User Rating: 7/10
seems good to me
Pros: installed like a dream, no problems encountered on xp pro. Nice new features, scanned the comp quicker than 2002 version.
Cons: Just the price really, a few pounds cheaper would be better.
User Rating: 7/10
Only the model year changes. . .
Pros: Easiest to use, but isn't that the same reason so many Americans continue to torture themselves with AOL!?!
Cons: Why does everything need a model year??? I currently use Norton AV 2003 and remain sastisfied with its abilities. Is 2004 really necessary? NO! Why does it exist? Because some marketing director told them it should! Hell, even shoes have model years
User Rating: 4/10
Turns broadband into dialup
Pros: Simple, effective
Cons: Insists on using messenger constantly, Why ? Even with all options turned off my P3,384Mb,XP Pro machine, on broadband surfs as slow as dialup. Norton 2002 was much better. I may have to renew 2002 and just erradicate this beast. (and lose my $$ on this b
User Rating: 5/10
Over-weight and somewhat unstable
Pros: - Clean interface - Frequent virus updates - New anti-keylogger features
Cons: - Bloated and poor-performing - Unstable on some platforms - Wait for the inevitable maintenance fix
User Rating: 5/10
A great program
Pros: get this before you get mcafee. I don't know what you are making a big deal about norton not having a firewall neither does mcafee anymore. Put in a couple more bucks, and get yourself the norton internet security suite. Some people give norton a hard
Cons: If you have norton internet security or norton antivirus 2003 I don't believe it is worth the upgrade. If you don't have neither and you don't like norton 2004, get 2003.
User Rating: 7/10
In Responce to MadSkills
Pros: Madskills, what are you doing man... So it Doesn't include a Free Firewall... BIG DEAL!!! Maybe you haven't realized that NOTHING IN THIS WORLD COMES FOR FREE It won't kill you to Go out and Spend 50 dollars on a Firewall.... now if your using the MacAfee
Cons:
User Rating: 4/10
System Resource Hog
Pros: Looks like it might be doing a good job, but.....
Cons: Uses considerable computer resources slowing or stopping all else until it has completed it's processing.
User Rating: 5/10
Bad, bad Symantec. No product activation!
Pros: It is a good anti-virus prodcut.
Cons: I will not support any software that requires users to activate it.
User Rating: 7/10
Quite Good
Pros: I've used Norton products since the days of DOS and they are easy to use and do the job reasonably well. What I'd really like to see on these pages is better English grammer and spelling from individuals who say they are IT professionals! If they are so w
Cons: Instability Problems on all MS Windos OS on occasion
User Rating: 3/10
I had it to many bugs I saw
Pros: lets see pros. More money for the company. Pros. Maybe it has a few new things that 2003 does not have but it is 3 month befor even DEC. get it then Bugs will be out
Cons: I mad a realy big mistake I had one verson of 2003 I call in june the company and they told me that I needed to get it right away with the new updates out, but I had 3 more months of that year left paid for pluc they did not give me 3 more mounth of servi
User Rating: 10/10
Its a "best-buy"
Pros: -Faster -Cheaper -Easier -Nicer Interface -Doesnt use so many system recources -Fast Scanning -Option to send a not fixable quarantined file to Norton Labs to find a fix, and Sends you emails on what steps they are taking to fix it, then puts it out into
Cons: -Long Installation Time -Issue with installation in Windows ME
User Rating: 8/10
Finally Someone Got Activation Right!
Pros: Like everyone else I was turned off when I heard Symantec had added activation. I have more than one computer running Norton but when I bought 2004 I found out that Symantc's activation lets you install on more than one machine. I activated the same pro
Cons:
User Rating: 2/10
Product Activation!!!
Pros: If you are Norton AntiVirus 2003 user I strongly recommend stick with 2003 and just renew your subscription.
Cons: Norton AntiVirus vs McAfee Virusscan? It's stupid dispute these days because both are good AntiVirus programs but I have no idea what Symantec is thinking at this point... Product Activation? It is enough reason to move another AntiVirus program like Mc
User Rating: 2/10
Activation is a product killer
Pros: Works adequately albeit slowly.
Cons: Have more than one computer? Look elsewhere. Activation makes this prohibitively expensive. Very disappointing that Symantec would do this. They can't be hurting for money.
User Rating: 1/10
Go with Safeworld...
Pros:
Cons: My suggestion to all of you, is go with Safeworld 2003 (http://www.safeworldsoftware .com I use this and I can tell you it does just as good a job as what McAfee or Norton will ever do. Uses very little system resources.
User Rating: 2/10
No firewall, No sale
Pros: I'm on Broadband, No firewall, No sale.
Cons: I've yet to see all Norton Features work. I still get Ad's that I throw into the Ad trash, I still get spam that should be filtered. The firewall appears to work and it's the only reason I haven't dumped it. I've stopped using customer support. They will
User Rating: 6/10
Stick with 2003 and save money.
Pros: Fancy new box.
Cons: Product activation is certain to keep me from buying this as I've 3 computers to protect (and only use one at a time) but have no plans to buy a copy of this for each. I'll renew my 2003 coverage, thanks!
User Rating: 6/10
The End of a Once good program
Pros: I have been buying Nortons Antivirus since it was first introduced because of it easy to set up and use.But now they are all easy to setup and use.
Cons: This years version has activation (need I say more) I have 3 computers in the house and don't want to buy multipule copies of any program so I guess I will be buying McAfee Virusscan 8.0 or Panda Platinum
User Rating: 8/10
Ridiculous "first look"
Pros: I have not purchased the product but I have used Symantec for years, including 2003 for one full year, and it is the easiest to use virus program with consistently high detection rates.
Cons: It is absolutely ridiculous of C-Net to doc points of the Antivirus program for not including a firewall. That is a separate product, and to the best of my knowledge no other manufacturer offers a quality firewall and antivirus package for this price. S
User Rating: 3/10
Useless on blaster and SoBig, I know.
Pros: OK, it's cheap. What is important is what Symantec thinks of its importance. This is $30, the SW firewall is less than a hundred in a bundle, but their hardware firewalls run from $300+ to $700+. They should know!
Cons:
User Rating: 9/10
McAfee over Norton!?!?! Are you serious!?!?!?
Pros: Norton is the premeir Anti-Virus software. Of course they are just repackaging 2003 but if you are just starting off I would definitely go with 2004. I know it is pricey but can you really put a price on good and reliable protection?
Cons:
User Rating: 4/10
Norton AntiVirus is highly overrated
Pros: Norton pioneered the auto-update feature, and has to be commended for that, but that's as far as I would take it.
Cons: Norton AntiVirus is a bloated, slow and rather unstable hunk of software. Norton products in general are skillfully marketed -- they've got novices and the computer illiterate convinced that their products will rescue any computer from any problems. Worki
User Rating: 10/10
Head and Shoulders Above McAfee
Pros: How can you say McAfee let's you speak to a live person??? For $35 you can... Norton works like a charm, is reliable, and compatible with anything else you are running. McAfee is not even upgradable, unless you like deleting system registry files by han
Cons:
User Rating: 7/10
good av, made worse by product activatio
Pros: ever since mcafee virus scan failed to clean the infamous chernobyl virus from my computer, ive been using norton av, and its never failed me since the 2000 edition. this 2004 ver. follows the excellent trend of quality and stability expected of norton av
Cons: the PRODUCT ACTIVATION is USELESS and TROUBLESOME
User Rating: 5/10
WELL THIS IS SO SO!
Pros: well i am a mcafee virus scan 7 professional user and just switched to norton antivirus 2004 just, its a not a good program well symantec is making their program heavy and more heavy on system and resources each year,theie price is too high for the qualit
Cons: only cons are there in this software
User Rating: 5/10
Same Old Thing, Just Re-Packaged
Pros: Great Virus Protection, easy to understand interface.
Cons: Is it just me, or is this just Norton AV 2003 repackaged? Please don't waste your money, just renew your subscription from previous versions. Make Norton work harder to create something with more rich features than they came up with two years ago in their
