Norton Internet Security 2009
The focus on improving performance and minimising distractions is very welcome

Review: Norton Internet Security 2009 security software

The veteran security program goes turbo

Written by Cliff Joseph, Computeractive

Larger Image

Verdict:

Good points

  • Improved performance reduces distractions
  • 24-hour technical support
  • Protects up to three PCs

Bad points

  • No printed manual to help new users get started

Overall

  • The improved performance and ‘silent’ option are welcome, and we like the 24-hour technical support

Rating:

4

Price:

£50

Norton Internet Security (NIS) is one of the best-known names in anti-virus and security software.

However, we’ve often heard complaints from users who have been annoyed by the fact that it was prone to slowing down the computer when running its scans, and by the messages that pop up offering warnings or advice.

So for the new 2009 edition, Norton's maker Symantec has primarily concentrated on performance, rather than simply adding new features. We wouldn’t go so far as to say that NIS 2009 is ‘zero impact’, as Symantec claims, but we did find it a lot less intrusive than previous versions of the program.

Advertisement

The improvements start from the installation, which took us just one minute to perform on our test notebook (it actually took us longer to complete the online registration). When it’s running, NIS 2009 only uses 7MB of memory, so it doesn’t take up a lot of resources that might be needed by other programs.

And if you’re playing games or watching video and don’t want to be interrupted for a while you can right-click on the Norton icon in the Taskbar and activate the new silent mode. This temporarily stops messages from appearing on screen and tells the program not to download any new updates.

In addition to the regular four-hourly checks for information about new viruses, there are new so-called ‘pulse’ updates that can perform a quick check every few minutes just to make sure there have been no recent updates that need to be installed.

If you’re worried that your PC might have been infected, NIS 2009 includes a new module that performs a very quick scan just to check that everything is OK, which on our PC took only 43 seconds.

The quick-scan option uses a new feature called Insight that checks the files on the computer against an online database of known and trusted files. Files that are a normal part of Windows are included on this list, so NIS skips past these to save time and only check files that it doesn’t recognise.

There's still the option of running a full scan for maximum security, and such scans can also be set to automatically run when you’re not using the computer.

So while Norton Internet Security 2009 doesn’t provide many new features, its focus on improving performance and minimising distractions is very welcome.

Our main complaint is that there’s no printed manual, and we sometimes struggled to find our way through the online Help files to locate specific features. However, with 24-hour online chat and telephone support now available, there is the comfort of knowing that there’s someone ready to help when you need it.

Manufacturer: Symantec 0800 331 6025

See more Antivirus & Firewalls

Reader comments

More from Computeractive

News

The latest home computing news

Downloads

The best PC tools, applications and more

Reviews

Independent opinions on new hardware and software

Step-by-step guides

Easy-to-follow projects with pictures

PC Help

Solve PC problems with our Q&A

Videos

PC projects demonstrated and product reviews

Articles

An in-depth look at how to get the best from your PC

Magazine

What's coming up in Computeractive

Forums

Get help with your PC problems from our readers

Competitions

Your chance to win computing prizes

Shopping

Great deals on products, services and more

Computeractive Back Issue CD-Rom 11
All 26 issues of Computeractive from 2008 on one CD-Rom.

Ultimate Guide to Free Computing
Find out how you can get free software, services and more!

Create your own calendars softwareCreate your own Calendars
The fun and easy way to create your own calendars!

Computeractive - Issue 280Computeractive Back Issues
Missed an issue? Click here to find a back issue

Save money on software and PC utilities!

Visit the Computeractive Software Store

Advertisement

Free email newsletters

Techno babble demystified...

[Display all definitions]

Or type in any computer-related word and click "Go"

Blogs

Windows Watch

Windows Watch

Keeping an eye on the latest XP and Vista news

Office 2010 preview

I had a meeting with Microsoft to have a look at Office 2010 and some of the changes that are being made....

Download Junkie

Download Junkie

Your daily dose of download discussion

Create and manage your own site with TOWeb

Most businesses now have their own websites, even if it's only a few pages describing what it is they do....

The test bed

The test bed

The hottest products, news and gossip from PCW's Labs

Traditional computing versus the app store

What will computers be like in ten years time? The answer is harder to predict now than if the same question was...

Primary Navigation

© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093

Search computeractive.co.uk
opfine.com - markets sentiment analysis