Customer Reviews

Norton AntiVirus 2002

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(48)

 

 

For years I have used Mcafee and been totally satisfied. Then about a year ago, I got a new computer that came with Norton AntiVirus on it. It worked well enough but I still preferred Mcafee. Then one of the big viruses started going around and I couldn't get my files clean. So I stayed with Norton and got Norton AntiVirus 2002 and man this is awesome. I installed and ran a scan and it cleaned up over 200 infected files. I haven't had a problem with my computer since.
One of the neat features I really like about this AntiVirus is that it will scan any e-mail as you are receiving and will get rid of any virus detected in the e-mail. If it can't be fixed, it will quarantine it for you or you can just not receive the e-mail. I had that happen a few times so far. It also will make sure any e-mail you are sending is checked and cleaned and if it can't fix it, it won't send it. It's just a relief knowing you aren't getting infected files on your computer and you aren't sending them to anyone else.
Another nice feature is the Live Update feature. The one I had just notified you that you needed to update Antivirus, but you had to do it manually. Norton AntiVirus 2002 will automatically update and install the new changes for you.
Basically, it will do everything the Norton AntiVirus has always done, but has added new features (like the 2 mentioned above) and improved on an already solid product.
So yes, I am converted over from Mcafee now. Norton AntiVirus 2002. Buy it now and get the maximum protection available.

However, beware of downloaded versions of software. After 2 downloads, it is difficult to reinstall software again. Would recommend getting a CD as oppose to downloading. I had to reformat my HD and am having trouble reinstalling software again.

This is the best antivirus protection I have had. I have used Panda, Macafee and Innoculae IT. It checks everything, and I mean everything, automatically and has eliminated several problems already. The only possible complaint is that the full computer scan is slow, but since it is automatic and goes about its business in the background, this is an observation and not a problem. I have it installed on a new computer: pentium 3, 1ghz, 512 ram 60G hard drive and an old computer: pentium 1, 64 ram and 10G hard drive, with no problems of stability or system slowdown on either computer.

After reading all the reviews of this product here, I was a little nervous about installing this, but I'm aware that virus protection is important, especially if you have a business or other key info on your computer. After reading the reviews, I decided to go with the CD-ROM box version rather than a download from the internet, as a few people noted problems with downloads. I did all of the steps the installation noted, including creating an Emergency Disk set and Rescue Disk set of floppies as the installation instructed (NOTE: this took 10 1.44Mb disks, so I'd advise having these around during installation if you choose to create these disk sets). Everything installed well, and the program went to the internet and downloaded update files. After a simple reboot the software scanned my entire system, which took over an hour (I have 2 hard drives, one 20Gig and one 10Gig, with over 110,000 files). The program noted one infected file in my AOL Instant Messenger folder and corrected the problem. The virus scan seemed to hang up for awhile when it found this file, but with a little patience the scan finally continued on with no problems. You can choose how active you want the program to be, whether you want to schedule virus scans or do them on your command, whether the program should be active or inactive, continual internet updates or on-command, etc. I noticed the slightest drop in system performance, but I'd recently installed another 128 meg of RAM and this more than made up for the slight decrease in computer speed. Anyway, this program seems to work well for me with no problems, and I'm satisfied. By the way, I'm running Windows 98 on a PIII600 processor.

..the people who have had good experiences with the product don't feel as motivated to comment. I highly recommend Norton AV for several reasons. It is much easier to update than McAffee, and has a better interface with less drain on resources. I have found it to be easier to install than McAffee, which will give errors if other McAffee products are installed.
The installation problems I have seen is the result of a virus already on the system, most prevalent now is the Klez virus, and appearing again Sircam, for which Symantec offers a free removal tool for anyone to download from their site.
The safe mode configuration and crashing or corruption I've seen mentioned are more probably due to other system problems, and could have occurred with any program, although you must be sure to apply the updates, which also update the virus definition files to enable detection of newly discovered viruses.

Norton AntiVirus 2002 8.0 installed easily, and configuration was a breeze. After conducting an initial scan of my computer's hard drive, 4 infected files were found and immediately quarrantied after repairs failed.

I had been running my computer for about a year without anti-virus software, so this product was a necessary purchase. This version of Norton supports Windows XP, so my decision to purchase was made easier. I still run 98 SE, but plan to upgrade to XP within the year.

More experienced users will want to tweak with the settings, because Norton will do everything (scan Excel files before opening) if you don't put a leash on it. I am happy with a program that allows me to set a time and day for virus checks, and I also need one that will check incoming files and emails for viruses, worms, etc. Norton does this well, and even a computer lightweight can navigate the controls. If you let it do everything, it will take applications much longer to open. I run a 1 GHz Pentium III, so the little pause isn't too bad. Do you really need to have every file on your PC scanned before opening? Especially if you scan your incoming emails and your drives on a regular basis? Seems like a program trying to be too helpful. Definite overkill.

I use Norton in conjunction with ZoneAlarm Pro 3.0, and I rest a little bit easier knowing that I am at least trying to protect my PC. Norton historically bests other entries in independent tests, and the version 8 is no different. Do you homework if you need to, but this product is definitely the best anti-virus application out there.

My only complaint is a "Registry Editor" error that pops up when my computer boots. This never happened until I installed Norton AntiVirus 2002 version 8, so I have to believe that Norton is the cause. I haven't been able to eliminate the error, so this is a slight annoyance. I will try to un-install and re-install to see if that helps. This review will be updated upon completion of my efforts.

I have previously used Norton 2001 on a Windows 2000 system and was very happy with it, so the poor quality of this release was a disappointment. I attempted to install NAV 2002 on a fresh install of XP Pro and it failed completely. As soon as the installation program completed, the entire OS locked up. After several minutes of lock-up I powered off the computer. When I attempted to reboot, Windows could not load. I had to reinstall XP in order to use the computer again. I contacted Symantec tech support and they recommended installing from a clean boot. The results of following this advice were the same as before. After several hours of reinstalling Windows because of this product, I have no further interest in attempting to use it. It has caused me more damage and annoyance than a virus ever has.

My PC was recently infected with the WORM_BADTRANS.B virus and I purchased the CD version of Norton AntiVirus 2002 8.0 to remove. It exceeded beyond expectations: it removed this dangerous virus (which arrives via a friendly attachment, and embeds an executable in your registry to obtain and transmit your private data to others), it innoculated my PC from future occurrences, and it automatically performs "Live Updates" to offer protection against future virus infections. I was quite impressed with its email screening capability which automatically removed or quarantined other virus attacks. The NAV 2002 software was also quite easy to install. In addtion, the "Live Update" virus definitions and innoculations as well as the software patches were painless as well. I found the Norton online technical support to be both responsive and quite informative. It contains a vast amount of useful information provided in a user-friendly tutorial fashion. I highly recommend this software product (Norton Antivirus 2002)and the impressive online technical support it provides. It saved the day for me, and far exceeded my expectations (having been exposed to other software products and the support provided). Having experienced the Badtrans worm virus, and the damage it promotes, I encourage the Norton Antivirus 2002 purchase prior to a virus infection.

I must say, this product, is HORRIBLE. I tried to install it, and I keep getting a scipt error. I dont care what anyone else says, I shouldn't have to pay via credit card for advice on how to install this product after I spent fifty dollars on it, and countless other dollars on previous NORTON products. I have tried ALL of the worthless troubleshooting techniques off of the website, and they do not work. I am A+ and N+ certified, so I know it is not me. Others have had this problem. Norton, you dropped the ball big time on this product. I will NEVER buy another one of your products again, and will make it my mission to make sure those I know do not buy your product. Instead of trying to capitalize on the XP launch with your claim that you are "the first piece of software designed for XP", take some time and make sure all the bugs are worked out before you release the product. Norton, you are rich enough, work out the bugs before releasing the product. I am disgusted with this.

I tried the downloaded version first - it would not run on an infected computer. Since most people buy an anti-virus program after the fact, this is kind of important. Norton's alternative: Install the software on a non-infected compyter with the sam OS (I had Windows 98 - everyone I know has ME, XP, etc.) - not a good option. I purchased the CD. Then the real install nightmares started. The interface is all HTML based - there's a TON of scripting problems - their support site has many, many, MANY pages of help for these. My two questions to tech support (using their on-line system, 24 hour guaranteed answer time) took over two weeks to have answered - and the answer did not even apply to my question.

So the support rating is a big, fat, zero. After I finally got it to install (in safe mode - it crashed any other way), it would not configure correctly - more script errors. Had to download almost a dozen files from Norton and Microsoft to take care of these problems.

Now it runs fine, squashes bugs flat, etc. But it's still crashes whenever I try and configure it - unless I reboot in safe mode. A real pain.

As far as virus killing, it's great. I had a friend install hers on an XP system - worked and installed perfectly. ME and 98 are not so lucky. 95 - forget it - it automatically installs an older version.