Norton Internet Security 2008
"Norton Internet Security 2008 remains PC Magazine's Editors' Choice security suite. The unobtrusive firewall is tough as nails and the product did a superb job of removing malware in testing; let's add its cleanup is significantly more thorough than most."
-PC Magazine, 11 Critical Security Apps, March 2008
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Includes Norton Antivirus 2008 plus a powerful firewall and anti-phishing protection
$ 69.99
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 Detects and eliminates viruses, worms, spyware and phishing attempts
Powerful firewall keeps hackers away
Your identity is protected at all times with Norton Identify Safe
Uses 83% less memory than previous version; scans are 48% faster
Includes 1 user plus 2 bonus installs to cover all your PCs
From the moment you turn that brand new computer on for the first time, there are criminals out there waiting for you to make a mistake. They lie low, anticipating that first slip-up, that first wayward click, that one time when you inadvertently launch the software that will allow them to exploit your computer. Your bank accounts, credit cards and reputation are all at stake. It's enough to cause even the most carefree of souls to wonder if they shouldn't just repackage the new machine and bring it back to the store, where it can do them no harm. There's no need to fear, however. Norton Internet Security 2008 is here!
I'm not the most computer-savvy guy in the world. I know how to use word processing programs, surf the internet and send/receive E-Mail. I know that it's important to keep antivirus subscriptions up-to-date and my previous antivirus software subscription was about to end. I thought I'd give a new one a try; not because my old program didn't do the job, it just wasn't the easiest thing to use and frequently caused complications with some of my other software. I was looking for a program that I could trust, software that I wouldn't have to "tweak" to make run properly, a program that "played well with others" on my computer and something that I didn't need a PHD in Computer Geekology to operate. I found the perfect solution in Norton Internet Security.
I already new that Norton Antivirus was a good program. For years it has been regarded as the best by knowledgeable publications like "PC Magazine." Until I stumbled upon the Norton Internet Security suite, I was about to buy just the antivirus program. When I realized that for just $20 more, I could get one program that would take care of all of my computer's security issues, I almost fell over. Because of Norton Internet Security, I was able to ditch my defunct antivirus program, get rid of my separate firewall application as well as my extra spyware, anti-phishing and spam protection software. No longer would I have all of those separate applications battling each other for my computer's attention. Norton Internet Security had it all. In fact, Norton Internet Security included things that I didn't even know existed - rootkit detection and intrusion prevention (my computer-geek friends attempted to explain it to me as I nodded politely) in addition to a fabulous password manager they call "Identity Safe."
I arrived home with my Norton Internet Security box in hand and; with that twinge of anxiety I feel every time I load new software onto my computer, slid the disk into my drive. Considering all of the programs that come with Norton Internet Security, I figured I'd be there for hours, trying to figure it all out. Was I ever wrong! The installation wizard asked a handful of simple questions and; much to my surprise, I was finished and fully protected in about twenty minutes. Norton Internet Security even comes with an extensive self-help knowledgebase as well as free live support chat with Symantec technicians. Even a computer novice like me didn't need it, however.
When I rebooted the computer, Norton Internet Security did a thorough scan of my hard drive. Although this process took over 40 minutes to complete (I have a big hard drive), I was alarmed to discover that Norton Internet Security found eight security threats that my old antivirus software didn't even know were on my computer. Norton Internet Security then asked me how I wanted to handle the problem. I just went with the application's default setting and let it "quarantine" the suspected malicious programs. The quarantine option offered by Norton Internet Security is the safest, because it allows you to undo the operation and restore files if you wish.
The Live Update feature integrated into Norton Internet Security keeps the program completely up-to-date and simply hums along in the background along with all of the other features. Everything works so seamlessly, I sometimes forget that Norton Internet Security is even running.
When I'm surfing the internet, the 2-Way firewall that is part of Norton Internet Security ensures that; not only will an unauthorized outsider be unable to access my computer, but my computer will not send unauthorized information out to a web site. Norton Internet Security's automatic intrusion detection blocks traffic that merely seems suspicious and its "port cloaking technology" hides my machine from predators so that they don't even know I am on the internet! I know that all of my E-Mails have been scanned for viruses and Norton Internet Security's phishing filter protects me from the scam websites that may attempt to steal my passwords and banking or credit card information.
Norton Internet Security's "Identity Safe" not only provides a secure, encrypted place for me to store my login and password information for websites, but it keeps a list of all of the banks and other password-protected sites that I visit. Norton Internet Security then verifies that sites asking for password information are on that list and warns me if they are not.
Norton Internet Security is everything I wanted in computer security software and so much more. It provides me with world-leading antivirus protection, it replaces many other security software applications, runs smoothly in the background of my computer, and Norton Internet Security requires no extra tweaking on my part. Although I'm from the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it camp," my friends; who majored in Computer Geekology, tell me that Norton Internet Security is easily customizable for those who like to tinker with things. In this new internet world where the unscrupulous prey on the unsuspecting, I feel very relieved that Norton Internet Security is watching my back. If you aren't using Norton Internet Security, I wonder who might be watching you!
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