Norton AntiVirus 2008 Review

[smctainsh]

Well, after reading mixed opinions of Norton AntiVirus 2008, I decided to take the plunge and give it a go to form my own opinion. Below is my impression after using it for 2 hours; I will update this post after using it for 1 and 2 weeks.

First Impressions

Installation

The installer came in at about 57MB, which I felt wasn't too bad, but could be better. The installer was very straight-forward and user-friendly, and the only thing I saw that I didn't really like was the fact that the 15 day trial offered to install Yahoo! Toolbar. I spotted this with the help of another review and unticked it.

The installer had a very clever feature which scanned the computer before installing the application. It is up to the end-user whether this occurs, however. Installation was quite quick, but it felt like the computer was lagging slightly whilst the setup program was running. I didn't find this an issue as the installation wasn't too long.

Straight after installation, I was asked whether to continue with the 15 day trial or enter a product key. After proceeding with the 15 day trial, I was prompted to create a Norton Account, which I felt to be unnecessary due to the fact that I was simply using the trial version. I proceeded with it anyway, and created a Norton Account. One thing I noticed that was really awesome was the fact that a sidebar gadget is installed for Vista users, telling you the current state of protection for your computer.

Scanning

The program started very quickly, consuming only 3MB of RAM when idle. When trying out the Quick Scan functionality, the memory usage spiked to about 60MB total, which I feel is very high. Upon completion of the scan, memory usage went back down to about 6MB.

When the application was idle, I barely noticed it running; in fact, whilst it was running a quick scan, the memory usage didn't really cripple computer performance substantally.

Previously, I had been using Avira AntiVir, and Norton AntiVirus seems to be a bit more suspicious of cookies and the like, detecting tracking cookies that AntiVir hadn't. These cookies, however, were those from advertising such as IntelliTXT on the Neowin home page.

The scanner was quite fast, sporting a background scan feature that is designed to reduce resource consumption. It seems to do this job very well.

Interface

The user interface is fantastic, and doesn't sport a custom window border when in Vista (I'm not sure about other operating environments), instead opting for glass. The drawing of images did, at times, feel a bit laggy, but this may have been due to the fact that it was the first time it was running and accessing particular portions of the program.

It is very easy to observe at a glance how secure the computer is, and what Norton AntiVirus is protecting. This, I feel, is something that the average computer user will definately appreciate.

The Network Map feature is very useful for an at-a-glance view of all computers on the current network. It doesn't really get into any in-depth information, but is useful for general information such as IP addresses and even allows you to configure remote access to select Norton products on the aforementioned computers.

Finally, the user interface ties in with Vista quite well, with the quick links at the side of the window, helping with continuity within the OS.

Verdict

Although the memory usage is quite high when scanning, I feel that Norton AntiVirus 2008 is a much needed improvement to this product line. It is much more responsive and very user-friendly, and one will barely notice it is there when idle. I would definately buy this and plan to do so.

One Week Later (Well, just under two weeks ;))

Well, I am quite surprised at the performance of Norton AntiVirus 2008. I have barely noticed that it has been there over the time I have been using it, and the scans have been very good and unobtrusive.

As previously mentioned, it seems to be very sensitive with its scanning (which may not necessarily be a bad thing), picking up tracking cookies and the like in scans. It appears to have scheduled a scan at a set time (as most antivirus applications if not all do) and lets me know very clearly what is wrong, providing me with total control over what to do with the problem (such as fix, ignore, quarantine, etc). I've heard quite a few gripes about previous versions of Norton AntiVirus not actually fixing a problem when prompted by the user. I have to say that this appears to have been fixed and, in my books, Norton AntiVirus has redeemed itself. I would most certainly recommend this to others when looking for an antivirus solution.

Two Weeks Later

Norton AntiVirus has been running very well and I haven't had any slow downs at all. If anyone is saying anything negative about Norton AntiVirus, I highly recommend that they try this new version; it is very likely to change their opinion for the better.

(Sorry for the late update)

Smctainsh

Edited February 3, 2008 by smctainsh

[Lt-DavidW]

It will take a lot for Norton to reinstate its tarnished reputation. This is a positive step forward.

Nice review.

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

Norton AntiVirus 2008 is a great product. All the previous issues are fixed.

It doesn't 'hog' your system or anything (Yes, the previous products DID, but this has now been fixed).

Though I still maintain NIS is a terrible product.

[The Right Guy]

Well at least they are making some improvements....

but i think they have a lot of work to do to make me buy their products.....

[smctainsh]

I completely distrusted anything with the Norton brand on it until I downloaded the trial and tried it - as you can see from the review, it has changed my view considerably.

Smctainsh

[The Right Guy]

I completely distrusted anything with the Norton brand on it until I downloaded the trial and tried it - as you can see from the review, it has changed my view considerably.

Smctainsh

Maybe ill try it out when my Kaspersky internet security licence expire next year :) i only got it for 20$ :p

[+Warwagon MVC]

What was wrong with the Norton 2003 interface. They should have just kept that. Now they just try to make it so simple to find stuff they buried the information. Probably one of those interfaces that is easy for idiots but confusing to the experts. I don't know if it has changed but in the latest version of Norton, but it use to take a little looking to find out how much time was left on the subscription. Where as the earlier versions had it right there on the front of the application right next to when the latest definitions where installed.

[smctainsh]

What was wrong with the Norton 2003 interface. They should have just kept that. Now they just try to make it so simple to find stuff they buried the information. Probably one of those interfaces that is easy for idiots but confusing to the experts. I don't know if it has changed but in the latest version of Norton, but it use to take a little looking to find out how much time was left on the subscription. Where as the earlier versions had it right there on the front of the application right next to when the latest definitions where installed.

The time remaining in your subscription is in a very logical location; you just click on the 'Norton AntiVirus' tab in the main window, and presto, it tells you how long you have left in your subscription in bold.

Smctainsh

[Echilon]

Nice review. Personally, I'd never pay for anti-virus software. As long as you careful what you run, AVG or Antivir seem to do fine.

[darkwing5736]

It's good to hear Norton is trying to fix things up! I havent used Norton in a considerable amount of time. NOD32 pretty much has me sold, and I really dont think I'll be switching over to anything else anytime soon.

[AgEnTsMiTh]

I have to be blunt, it sucks. I just went to an account that had this on 10 of the 60 workstations they have at this location. 5 of these 10 computers were heavily infested on average of 18 to 50 viruses. It was fully up to date and **** poor.

[Wannes]

When Symantec first launched their applications they were "incredible". Sadly enough they obtained a high reputation and didn't live up to it causing many users, including myself, grabbing for alternatives. I ended up using AVG Free. A free anti-virus program which did not only deliver but it was free as well.

Nonetheless, good review but some screenshots would be nice.

[ncoday]

I have to be blunt, it sucks. I just went to an account that had this on 10 of the 60 workstations they have at this location. 5 of these 10 computers were heavily infested on average of 18 to 50 viruses. It was fully up to date and **** poor.

I don't care what virus program you have, if "you" or the customer are stupid enough, you can get a computer infected with any AV program on there if it is a Windows OS..

[Raa]

Sorry, but NOD32 all the way. I dont think i'd ever go back to Norton, nor do I recommend it to any of my customers anymore.

It just doesn't stack up. :/

[smctainsh]

Sorry, but NOD32 all the way. I dont think i'd ever go back to Norton, nor do I recommend it to any of my customers anymore.

It just doesn't stack up. :/

To each their own. :D I used to think that Norton products weren't very good at all, and then I tried Norton AntiVirus 2008; it's fantastic. :)

I've updated the original review with my opinions after one week of use and included some screenshots as requested.

Smctainsh

[Amano]

I'm using NOD32 (Y) but I will give it a try, hope it's better than the trash of all previous years.

Thank for the review.

[velkymx]

I like AVG but find Avast Home to be a little more organized.

[SamNeeds]

All I want from an anti-virus package is something which runs quietly, does it's job and keeps itself updated without much intervention. As well as that, I want something that isn't going to affect the PC's performace. Unfortunately for Norton, it doesn't tick all of those boxes. Plus, the GUI is over the top.

(N)

[SaT117]

umm

ok lets get something str8

NORTON SUX

having Norton is like not haveing antivirus at all

if you want a go0d one

get NOD32

[Elliot B.]

umm

ok lets get something str8

NORTON SUX

having Norton is like not haveing antivirus at all

if you want a go0d one

get NOD32

I'd rather n0t listen to y0ur opini0n if that's ok with y0u?

[smctainsh]

umm

ok lets get something str8

NORTON SUX

having Norton is like not haveing antivirus at all

if you want a go0d one

get NOD32

I get the feeling you didn't even bother to read my review, and simply saw "Norton AntiVirus" in the title and jumped to conclusions. I highly recommend that you try this latest release; saying that it is like "not having antivirus at all" is completely incorrect (at least for this version anyway).

Smctainsh

[smctainsh]

I've updated the original review to incorporate my opinion after two weeks of use. :)

Smctainsh

[ozgeek]

Can you test them by downloading some infected files and see if Norton picks it up.

And how can I obtain this trial?

[Max Veteran]

I have used many systems with the new Norton AntiVirus, and although its a slight improvment - I found it did slow down to typical "Norton Speeds" over a period of 3/4 weeks. The computer was barely usable. After the good old Norton Remover tool uninstalled it, NOD32 went on and there were no performance problems.

I used to use Norton myself until about 2002, where it became horrible and I started searching for alternatives.

[smctainsh]

Can you test them by downloading some infected files and see if Norton picks it up.

And how can I obtain this trial?

I'll have a go at seeing how well it does at picking up infected files when I get some free time. You can get the trial from Symantec's website.

Smctainsh