Norton Internet Security 2008

(Windows XP, Windows Vista)*

When it comes to total internet security for your PC, Norton Internet Security 2008 could have done a much better job. The antivirus protection is solid, the firewall is adequate, the anti-phishing is ok, but the overall user experience is almost terrible. The software runs extremely heavy on system resources, and the setting options are all but absent. While Norton has it's high points, this all-in-one internet protection package is lacking in usability.

There are a number of separate components involved with this version of Norton Internet Security. Unfortunately, Norton doesn't provide any helpful information as to what each component does and why you should enable or disable them. Options such as Browser Defender, Bloodhound, SONAR are all but meaningless if there is no explanation for them, and Norton provides none. We should at least get a help PDF manual: but there's nothing.

$69.99

Editor's Overview

Top-notch antivirus protection
Good antispyware protection
Good firewall
Average antiphishing security
Very heavy resource usage.
Difficult install and removal
Lack of help information
Fee-based tech support

Does Norton Internet Security 2008 do Anything Well?

Yes, as far as the basics go, Norton Internet Security 2008 has got things covered: Great antivirus protection, good anti-spyware protection, good firewall, and anti-phishing security. Norton continues to score high on the antivirus front in independent tests. Viruses and malware of all kinds are easily stopped and/or quarantined before they can do harm to your PC. But that's where the honeymoon ends for this version of Norton Internet Security 2008. The user experience is just too convoluted for us to give this software package higher than average marks.

Internet Security Features

Spyware protection
Anti virus
Antispam
Parental Controls
Two-Way Firewall
Protects against hackers
Anti-phishing security
Standard scanning
Wireless network monitoring
Rootkit detection

Where did Norton Internet Security 2008 go wrong?

For starters, the install process is extremely slow and utilizes way too many computer resources. In fact, it's been reported that the install process can even lock up your PC requiring a hard boot to get started again. After the install, the interface is uninspiring and difficult to decifer. Norton prompts you to turn on certain features, but doesn't explain what they do. There is no user's manual or on-board help pages to figure out what these settings do and why you should want to turn them on. These seem like no-brainers to us.

Also, Windows 2000 is not supported, and newer Yahoo and AOL Instant Messenger clients aren't supported either. With the growing threat of IM virus attacks, Norton is simply lacking when it comes to IM protection.

Support

There's free chat, free e-mail, and telephone service. However, beware of other, more intensive support services. Norton charges a pretty penny for real hands-on service. While their light service is generally free, anything more involved will cost you.

Conclusion

While Norton is still good at keeping viruses, hackers, phishers, spyware, and malware at bay, they really need to focus on their user experience. Also, Norton really needs to do away with the heavy fees for support and get back to solid customer service. All-in-all, Norton Internet Security 2008 will do its job, but at the price of a slower PC, hard to use features, and possible need for tech support.

Try Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 or BitDefender Total Security 2008 for a better option.

*System Requirements

Windows Vista Home Basic/ Home Premium/Business/Ultimate**
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 Home/XP Pro/XP Media Center Edition
300MHz or higher processor
256MB of RAM
350MB of available hard disk space
** Must meet minimum Windows Vista operating system requirements.

POP3 and SMTP compatible email clients
Supported instant messenger clients:

AOL – 4.7 to 5.9
Yahoo! – 5.x and 6.x
Microsoft – 6.0 or higher
Trillian – 3.1 or higher
Internet browsers (phishing protection)Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (32-bit only) or higher Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher

$69.99

Note: This is the Norton Internet Security 2008 Review.

2010's antivirus software reviews include our Norton Internet Security 2010 Review and are available right from our homepage.