Is Norton Antivirus 2009 good?

I think I might end up getting this only because NOD32 looks complicated and I don't like it's user interface. Is it light on resources, very effective and does it slow down your internet? I am considering getting Norton Security Suite 2009 but I am wondering if it slows down your internet. Has anyone had issues with it detecting software on your computer that is not malware, such as Kaspersky detected some Lenovo software as malware/virus ext. How often does it update? Does it get stuck on scans when on big files like Kaspersky?

 

I haven't used norton for a long time (before the days they were subscription/yearly basis), but even back then they were filled with bloat. I would like to hear if they turned it around at all. They used to be very good.

 

They say that the 2009 products are the next big thing as in they listened to there users and fixed a lot of the mistakes they previously made with Norton.

 

I gotta say that NOD32's user interface does look very complicated. I bought NIS 2008 last month but got a free upgrade to 2009 a few days ago. So far, all I can say is that it's been way better than NIS 2008. The user interface is very friendly to use and CPU consumption is taken into account with an active graph monitoring CPU usage. Updates are downloaded every day I think. Every time I check "Definition Updates," it says like a few minutes/hours ago or something, so it automatically does the job silently and not too hard on CPU usage. Downloadin the Norton Safeweb Plugin (which I just did like a minute ago, and have yet to try) might possibly slow down internet by a bit. But it's an optional plugin, and it's optional too whether to activate the Norton Toolbar or not. So far, it has not detected software on my computer that is not malware. And it never gets stuck on scans for big files. I just ran an entire scan today on my 250GB HD, and my external hard drive (160GB), and it took less than 30 minutes.

The only issue so far I have had is USB device recognition. In another post, I mentione that my USB thumdrive had a trojan on it which was surprisingly not detected by Norton, but upon transferring a file to a friend's notebook (which was running Kapersky or AVG I think), it quickly detected it and deleted.

 

NIS '09 is very good and UI is excellent, IMHO.. very user friendly and easy to customize..... and there are threads already on this.... browse the first few pages of the security software forum... its there.

 

Does it cost money?

Avira (free) has caught more viruses for me, and given me specific file details so I could use a trojan remover, Norton didn't even know it was there.

 

Are you talking about Norton 2009?

 

Yes, it's not free. It costs about $70.00USD. But it's worth it for all the features and customer service reliability that comes with it. For more info on reviews and price ranges, check:

http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-se...ernet-security-2009/4505-3667_7-33246586.html

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330018,00.asp

 

In my point of view Norton products have been going downhill for the last year or so.

 

Not for 2009, everybody is raving about it. Take a look at the reviews.

 

I'd stick with AVG Free when I'm Windows. If you're careful and have the Windows firewall up, you're pretty safe.

 

Yeah AVG is good! I'm not too keen on the windows firewall though. Something like the free Armour Online or Zonealarm firewalls are quite good.

 

Kaspersky?

 

I recommend AVG Anti-virus free edition. It is free and has not failed me. Compared with Norton, it consumes much less system resources yet provides enough coverage

 

Which year are you in??

You couldn't be more wrong...

NIS '08 had very good reviews and popularity and NIS '09 has only improved on it *a lot*... I have had both and Norton have come a *long* way since those downhill days.. and all Norton products now are very good and on par with other AV suites out there.. in fact, its gaining popularity as we speak!!

 

Compared with Norton?? Did you compare? Ran some tests???

and for your comment, NO.. NIS *does not* consume system resources.. I had posted some screen captures some time back... See them. Norton is very light these days.

 

I still do not think Norton is the way forward. This is only my opinion though. We should have a vote!

What about ESET NOD32 eh?

 

No need for a Vote (coz there are like a 100 threads for this already here in NBR!!!)

Secondly, thats 'your' opinion... though the global consensus and expert reviews / analysis say something entirely different. Cheers.

 

I installed NIS 2009 last night and was impressed how quickly it installed ( ~90sec with no reboot required).

The interface is okay - I was able to find the settings I was looking for without too much effort.

Unlike the previous edition which would look for updates or scan according to the task schedule even if you were in the middle of using the PC, this version will wait for a predetermined idle time (1 min - 30 mins. Default it 15 mins.) before attempting to do anything.

I've been a long term Norton user, generally pleased the last few versions (07+).

 

Same here, and Norton NIS has most definitely improved greatly; I actually stopped using NIS 2007 'cause it was so bad and started using McAfee (free from my internet provider) but ended up hating that even more.

So, when NIS 2008 came out and the reviews said how much better it was, I gave it a shot and I really like it; it doesn't drag down your system like earlier versions. When my subscription is up (in about 90 days), I will get NIS 2009 (it got a great review in Consumer Reports).

 

Hey fonduekid!

Firstly, The global consensus and expert reviews / analysis????? Is that not a general agreement among the members of a given group or community, each of which exercises some discretion in decision. I.e many peoples opinions?

Secondly. I'm sorry if you think I was disregarding your experience. I was not intending it come across like that.

 

The new Norton 09 dose indeed trump the other previous versions, so if you have the budget, sure you can go for it. personally, I'm a freeware person so AVG, Avira and the like pick my fancy rather than the paying type. If you're careful, you shouldn't need the beefiest of protections anyways(and it's not like a hacker would want your computer on a daily basis anyways).

 

Nothing to be sorry mate.. and I didn't disregard anything you said as well.

And yes many people' opinion... against one or two or a few??!!! the problem is (as Gary pointed out in the other sticky thread here) that people actually come up with information *without* actually using a particular application or software or doing some comparisons or stuff like that.. which the expert reviewers did actually.. thats what I meant.

Its not just members of a given community or forum... its more widespread than that.. and Norton overall has been received well, as well as its true (since I use it personally, both '08 and '09).. and I am not the only one who 'actually uses it' and then comments on it... the problem is the other case and as very rightly pointed out by Gary (which is, information 'heard by word or mouth' without actually experiencing one!!!!)

 

Hey No probs fonduekid! Anyway gotta go home for food or it'll be in the dog! LOL! Hope the original poster gets his answer............... eventually! LOL!

Gday!

 

If you want free use Avast or Avera , but not Avg, If you want to pay for it, don't ask me i always go for free as i dont have any money!

But i have had problems with Mcafee , system Erros and the like, not Norton was always good, but it is a resource hog, and i have not used it for years.

Regards

John.

 

Must admit the following:

1. Used Norton AV for about four years. Paid subscription every year.
2. Searched and found FREE virus protection with AVG.. Loved it until V8.0. Does or did not suit me. Looked around and discovered Avast.

3. Decided to try Avast. I think it is great still. Used it for around three months. (My posts are still here somewhere).

4. Then tried Avira. WOW. Plan to use it forever. And it's free.

So, back to the OP question: give Avira a bash. It's free and protects your computer like you won't believe.

 

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 all the way.

IMHO, this is the best that there is. Amazing interface, awesome detection and real fast scanning. Never got stuck on any large file. Also, it's very very light on resources and updates atleast twice or thrice a day.

What more could one ask for. Also, if someone really wants to buy it I have a 70% discount voucher for one license lying around. Just PM me

 

Something found from a different thread, quite intresting

http://arstechnica.com/journals/mic...and-kasperksy-fail-latest-virus-bulletin-test

 

I've only ever used Kaspersky 2006/2007 (hated it), Norton 2005/2006 (HATED it), Panda security 2006 ( HATED it. I could've written something better and I don't know how to program)

anddd...

NIS 2008/2009 and I love it. (admittedly these aren't fair comparisons). The one main weakness of Norton is the anti-spam and I have no use whatsoever for it anyway. It runs very smoothly despite the continual updating. I would say the only problem with it is that it disturbs my gaming when it comes to the front (minimizing my game) announcing that it found that my laptop is clean.

 

Have Norton 07 on my laptop and don't care for the interface. My gf told me of AVG and I use it on my desktop and have had no problems since.

Will check out Avira though, thanks for the tips!

 

If you have a valid subscription to NIS 2007, you can download the NIS 2009 trial version, enter your subscription key and voila, you'll have the best NIS version ever.
Although, personally I prefer Avira also.

 

norton and good in the same sentence is an oxymoron... i think

 

Norton has taken it's time to achieve a bad reputation but with NIS 2008 and NIS 2009 they have improved their security suite drastically.
(About 9 MB memory usage for NIS2009 on XPSP3 for instance).
I guess it will take much more time to convince folks of their new versions .

 

I am now using Armor Online's firewall and NOD32. PC still nice and fast and very clean!

 

Norton AV = Thumbs down

Norton Internet Security = Thumbs up

 

The other major problem with Symantec products, and one they STILL haven't fixed, is their rubbish customer support. They won't give any advice on the free phone number, but tell you to phone a fee charging one instead. With Norton 2009 they may have finally addressed the atrocious CPU hogging, but I'd still avoid them.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4060756&postcount=15

 

I'll be upgrading to Vista Ultimate soon... rest assured, NIS 2009 will be there as well.

I currently have NIS 2008 and it's awesome.

 

In the last 3 years I have owned 6 laptops and left them all running 24/7. Half had Norton and the other half had McAfee. Not once did any of my laptops succumb to any internet virus or abnormality. I do like the Norton user interface better than McAfee.

 

Dropped Norton when they changed to Norton 2007. Probably should give NIS another look, thanks for the suggestion.

Currently using Avira AV (instead of free AVG, thank for the tips!) and it runs well on my desktop and gaming notebook.

 

Reading this i'm maybe thinking about giving NIS 2009 a go. I tried the Norton Anti Virus 2009 beta and liked it.

I've got an account with a company called spire and they sell OEM versions of NIS 2009 for £11.95. ($20ish). A quick question I have, how would the OEM version differ if any, it's a single user licence copy obviously, but wouldn't want to buy it and half of it's missing or won't update.

 

Can't imagine that the OEM version is any different.
Missing features/updates sounds really unlikely.
Just contact Spire and ask if you can use the subscription key also for the NIS2009 trial version.
If the subscription key is used in that version, it becomes the final one.
Cheers.