Norton AntiVirus 2008 is a top-tier anti-spyware application, blocking all of the malicious applications in our testing, including a broad range of viruses and spyware. Norton claims to be the fastest scanner, however our comparative testing indicated otherwise.

User Interface: Norton AntiVirus’ 2008 basic functions are easy to use and configure. It would be helpful if the product showed the current version or date of the definition files, or did more to explain Norton terminology such as, “Turn on Bloodhound Heuristics.” The personal firewall is very effective, but configuration can be a bit tricky.

Scanning: Norton AntiVirus 2008 detected all of the viruses, malware, and spyware we could throw at it. However, it did have difficulty identifying a Trojan simulator and allowed it to write to the registry and run its process.

Real-Time Protection: Norton AntiVirus 2008 provides robust protection from viruses and most spyware.

Upgrades and Updates: User can configure how and when updates and upgrades will be performed.

Value: The price of Norton AntiVirus 2008 is $39.99 for a 1-year subscription for one computer. You can extend the 1-year subscription to 24 months for $74.99. Extended Download Service is an additional $9.99. Norton does not offer bulk licenses: If you have three computers at home, you’ll need to pay $120 to protect them all with Norton AntiVirus 2008. Note: Users who purchase downloadable products from Symantec may redownload the software at any time for sixty days only. Extended Download allows the user to redownload the product for the full term of the subscription.

Integrated Support Options: A new feature, One-Click Support, launches Norton AutoFix from within the application, which is often all the tech support you’ll need. Remote Live Access enables support technicians to get user’s permission and view desktop and share control of mouse and keyboard to fix problems. This service is costs $69.95 per incident.

Top Features

• Thorough: Detects, blocks, and removes spyware viruses, worms, and rootkits.
• Removes viruses from e-mail and IMs.
• Stops browser hijackers.
• Free 15-day trial with full functionality.
• Free unlimited technical support for registered users.
• One-click support launches Norton AutoFix.
• Network mapping provides a view of your home network.
• The 15-day trial version is fully functional.

Pros

• LiveUpdate is integrated into software.
• Blocks malware proactively.
• Minimal memory usage (11 Mb for all services/drivers, 60 Mb or more when scanning/updating.)
• Good integration with Microsoft Internet Explorer.
• Automatically disables Windows Firewall and replaces it with its own firewall.
• Automatically enables Windows Updates.
• Online Virus encyclopedia.
• Automatically scheduled a weekly full-system scan.
• No reboot required after installation.

Cons

• User needs to provide e-mail address and agree to get periodic follow-up e-mails from Symantec in order to use the trial version of the software, although there is an UNSUBSCRIBE link in e-mails.
• Large footprint: Norton AntiVirus 2008 requires 300MB of hard disk space, far more than any other comparable product.
• Norton AntiVirus 2008 supports only Windows XP and Vista operating systems.
• Installation requires that you uninstall most other security applications.
• Limited customization permitted. Configuration settings are either on or off.
• Scanning parameters are limited.
• Does not work with newer AOL and Yahoo IM programs.
• Does not support FireFox.
• Does not display definition file date or version information on Console.
• Difficult to configure or disable built-in firewall.
• No identity fraud or Anti-Phishing support is included by default.
• E-mail scanning does not support non-standard SMTP commands. However, this can be disabled easily enough.


Installation: The installation dialog prompts you to scan your PC before it begins installing. It also downloads and updates all files before installing them. Installation and scanning we lengthy. During this scan, it removed several pre-installed virus and malware threats. It also installs a personal firewall, replacing the Windows Firewall provided by Windows XP SP2.

Uninstalling Norton AntiVirus 2008 is more difficult. The standard Add/Remove Programs feature in Windows does not remove it completely; the Norton Removal Tool is required.

Virus Detection: In our testing, Norton AntiVirus 2008 virus detection was outstanding.

Phishing and Malicious Web site Protection: Norton AntiVirus 2008 does not provide protection against phishing attacks or malicious Web sites.

Updates: Norton AntiVirus 2008 updates definition files automatically through LiveUpdate service.

Customer Support: Free instant live chat is available 24/7. E-mail support is also free, with an estimated response time of 96 hours. Live phone support is available 24/7 for installation and known issues. Other phone support is available at a cost of $9.95 per incident. In order to use this service, the user must send Symantec an e-mail, and receive a support phone number and ID number in reply. Online Help and FAQs are also available. A new feature, one-click support, launches Norton AutoFix from within the application, which is often all the tech support you’ll need. Remote Live Access enables support technicians to get user’s permission and view desktop and share control of mouse and keyboard to fix problems. This service is costs $69.95 per incident.