Bill Bergfeld Companies

Norton Internet Security 2010 Product Reviews

This is my fifth year of using NIS to protect my home computer and laptop. With the noticeable improvements last version, Norton came back with a bang. While Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC still has some flaws, the good trend seems to continue this year as well.

Installation: Installation was very quick similar to NIS2009. It does require a restart which seems to be the case for most virus protection software. Norton for some reason wants us to download and install parental control separately. just a hazel. If you are an existing NIS user you can upgrade from Norton's upgrade website before deciding to purchase the new version. The upgrade will retain your 2009 subscription and your license will be retained as well. NOTE: If you install from CD, your old license will be over written.

Performance: I don't think Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC is a resource hog. Norton also has performance meters where you can check how much of the system resources are being used by Norton. It seems NIS 2010 uses most system resources only during a complete scan. Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC upgrade virus signatures on the background during idle time just like NIS2009. So you dont feel that it exists. Quick scans during idle times also seem to be pretty quick. I havent noticed any loss of performance in the one week that I have been using Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC .

Virus protection: Based on tests by PC world and CNET Norton is only behind the not well known G-DATA internet security in virus detection. I havent used G-DATA so I cant compare them. However, NIS has gotten better at malware detection. It did detect a number of malware that adaware and other security software that I use (e.g. Advanced system care). NIS2009 missed a number of these malware.

Network protection: Although NIS claims that when NIS is installed in all PCs on your network, it can detect and keep a trusted network, it has not worked for me. NIS detected my skype phone (ofcourse didn't protect it), but didn't detect my other PC on the network that also has Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC installed. I am not sure if this 'trust' is of any use to me anyway.

Internet security: Norton identified websites that you visit (amazon, bank and ccard websites for example) as trusted ones based on IP address and other data. so you can be safe you are not entering your password on a phishing website. It is very handy for me. I always look for the 'trusted' sign from both Firefox and NIS before entering my passwords.

Password manager: I dont know if I will trust NIS to be my password manager. You need just one password for Norton and it can manage your other passwords and form filling information. However, it seems to be easy to break in to NIS to obtain the password manager's password list. Although the hacker needs physical access to your computer to do this, it is a concern if your laptop gets stolen for example. Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC offers to have the password manager's list reside on removable media which is a somewhat safer alternative. Norton safe search which identifies safe websites on your serach list is also helpful, but google can do this as well.

Over all, Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC is a good virus protection for your PC, checks files on the fly, can scan emails and attachemnts, IM text and links. Not very good for password management and parental control.

By Gene Cloner, St. Louis, Missouri

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I am a very satisfied long time Norton security services customer. Norton puroducts are effective, esay to use, and now - esay to install. Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC was the easiest to install version ever - I was done in less than 30 minutes, including checking all the settings to be sure they tranferred correctly. It is completely Windows 7 and Vista compatible.

That in itself is a real plus - I have hundreds of logins, with varying IDs and passwords. Trying to input them all again in a new program would be a nightmare! As soon as the program restated my computer, I was able to check and find them all in place in the Identity Safe, ready for easy access and automatic use.
Insight is a new feature, at least as it is now configured. It monitors your downloads, optimizations, and processor usage. It accesses Symantec's Community database of programs which they have examined for viruses, trojans, and other harmful programs and compares those results with the programs you have running on your computer, then reports the level of trust for each program. There are currently 70,500,000 such files.

My favorite Systemworks programs are also included - optimize. This and many other features are included in the new Performance segment of NIS.
The other very important feature to me is client integration, where email scanning (in- and outbound) is available for MS Outlook, Outlook Express, and Windows Mail.
If you don't have Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC , buy it!

David Parker, Colfax, North Carolina