Customer Reviews

Norton Internet Security 2004

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(201)

 

 

In late Oct. I wrote a review of this product based on my intitial impressions from around 2 weeks of use. I gave the product 3 stars after a number of hassles that seemed to be ending. Well, this weekend I uninstalled this piece of crap for the 4th and last time. And like virutally everything else about the product, even the uninstall didn't work correctly and I am still suffering from Norton's mess that they loaded onto my computer. Here's the lowdown on a worthless software program that will stay in memory as the single most destructive thing I have ever had around.

It hogs memory. I went out and bought another 128mb which Norton instantly grabbed. 374mb and you would have thought I had an orignal antique computer from the 50s. Both the boot and shut down times lasted so long I could take a bathroom break and still get back before anything had finished. While the computer was on I continually heard my hard drives doing something almost nonstop.

The program often misdownloads during startup. You are suppose to see icons for the virus and firewall in your bottom tray. No icons means you can't open the program. It is runing in the background but will not open a window regardless of what you do. The only solution is to completely shut down and then restart your computer. Do this 2 or 3 times a day and things get tiring real fast. Norton's excellent online help site mentions that changing the order in which it is loaded may solve this problem. Part way into a major rewrite of my set up, and I'm not a computer geek, convinced me that I didn't buy a program to learn how to write software.

The program often refuses to let you on the Internet. This is what did it for me in the end. I got so sick of being unable to connect. It would take a complete uninstall, and I mean complete, to solve the problem. Just using your start/settings/control panel/uninstall was not enough. You had to also do a start/find/norton&symantec and delete every darn thing before whatever mess they created was finally removed. The last and final time I did this Norton must have realized I was dumping them forever because the Uninstall refused to start. :) Haha. I kid you not. 4, count them, 4 complete shutdowns and startups on the computer were needed before the Uninstall would finally begin to work. And then I had to manually delete anything I could find with their name on it. I have a sneaking hunch there is still stuff on the hard drive but several hidden files I tried to change are somehow producted by Windows so I decided to leave them as they are.

I am running a free version of ZoneAlarm at the moment and shopping for a new virus program. I had Norton AntiVirus before and was happy with it but I'm frankly scared to install anything with their name on it after what happened. I don't like buggy software and I hate stuff that digs into your system and hides itself everywhere and then refuses to leave.

I bought Norton Internet Security years ago when it first came out. While it didn't have all the features I would have liked, it was better than anything else I could find at the time.

Unfortunately, Symantec has since chosen to follow McAfee's lead in selling unbundled programs (It's better to sell 10 programs at $30 each than one integrated suite at $100), with conflicts between the programs, lots of bugs, no customer service, and a $30/year per program charge for updates.

The only way we can show our dissatisfaction with this sort of foolishness is to vote with our feet. So I'm offering the following alternative, hoping that other reviewers will suggest others.

Trend Micro has just come out with "PC-cillin Internet Security 2004," an upgrade of "PC-cillin 2003" (a top-rated anti-virus program---see Amazon user reviews), which offers a personal firewall providing protection from network viruses, spam email, inappropriate web content, and Spyware programs.

If you do decide to move away from Symantec, you should be aware that the normal uninstall process will not remove all Symantec files from your computer (this has been a serious problem with Symantec from the beginning). In the case of Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Internet Security, the remaining files are likely to conflict with replacement software (they definitely do conflict with Trend Micro's products). To remove them, go to Symantec's website and download a file named "RnisUPG.exe". Run it, and it will remove the offending files.

This is a very full featured product. It checks every 5 minutes for virus and spam definition updates. Also, with one click you can help train your spam killer. And the firewall came with a wizard which made it effortless to configure it to my LAN.

So it is with deep regrets that I uninstalled this program. I think I would have loved it if it did not slow down my machine so much. Relatedly, the burden on Windows 98 resources is huge. Unfortunately, one of my older programs necessary to my business would not even run. (It requires a high percent of windows resources to operate.)

I'm going back to just running Norton Antivirus, and using my router software for a firewall, google to block pop-ups, and dealing with spam the best I can with my ISP.

Maybe at some time in the future I will be able to run this program, but Windows 98 resource limitations, my computer, and my existing software make doing so now impossible.

Okay, how can I say this nicely? This product is absolutely not ready for release. It is buggy, slow and basically frustrates the heck out of the user. I am an IT professional and have used Norton for years, but this product is a complete and utter dud.

I just bought a new computer so I figured I would install the new Norton with the new system. Bad idea. My new computer which clocks at twice the rate of my old system is SLOWER than my old system when using Norton 2004. Also, I despise software activation. Microsoft already treats us like criminals, but we have little choice there. With Norton we can fight back because we have many alternatives.

Bottom line? Save your money. Look for copys of Norton 2003 or simply buy an alternative. This product signals the decline of Symantec and the Norton line.

I rated this product 3 stars but that's just to put something in the box. A week ago it would have been no stars. Or a minus 5 stars. Today I am more generous.

This is my third virus protection program and the second from Norton. It is my first firewall program. My Norton 2000 Virus software is: #1. outdated and #2. about ready for its annual subscription payment of $25. After finally leaving a dial up connection for the real world of broadband it was time for some serious protection.

I'll get to the criticisms in a second but let me say that the installation goes quickly and smoothly. The accompaning reference manual is huge compared to the typical tacky flyers that so many programs now have. Or else they tell you to visit their Internet site which doesn't help much when your computer won't even start. The program itself is very well organized in its setup once you begin to get a feel for it. The help manual within the program is as good as the hard copy. All of this gets a 5 star rating.

OK, now for the not so nice stuff. The first two days were absolute hell. Maybe 8 hours a day online, or trying to get online, with everything going wrong. Repeated system crashes, failures to shut down correctly, failures to start up correctly, continual competing software conflicts, warning windows everywhere. Get the picture? Help!!!!!

After several days of use things settled down and today, our one week anniversary, I guess we will stay together. Maybe I have managed to twik the program enough so that it does whatever it is doing and leaves me alone to surf and download. Maybe the program really does "learn" from its environment.

The obnoixous warning windows concerning retards trying to get into my computer have now been replaced by a simple little flashing red arrow in a corner to let me know that Norton is kicking butt and has the scalps for my inspection if so needed. They provide a nice record of how many intrusions were foiled and that alone proves the value of the program. I have the parameters set for how cookies, ads, personal information, and the like are to be handled. Sites that I repeatedly visit and "exchange" data with are now veted with Norton and allowed to proceed without having to continually stop and deal with the latest warning window. And as I open all the folders and click on all the links within the program I begin to appreciate its thoroughness. The user can ad or subtract any number of things to configure the program so that it best works for them. The morally correct crowd will have a ball with all the different boxes of "sin" that you can check off under the section of Parent Control.

The virus section does its part in silence. So far anyway. I get little tiny popup windows in the corner of the screen to inform me that auto updates have been done. That's nice. My old program made me stop everything, connect to the Internet, and wait forever to download the latest files. I know how well Norton Virus software works because they have saved my butt several times in the past from ugly viruses that were attempting to take over my computer.

The entire program is a memory hog and then some. However, that negative aspect seems to have lessened in the last few days. Maybe Norton killed everyone else on my hard drive that was competing for RAM usage. :) I wouldn't put it past them. Extra memory has been found by closing down some individual programs which are available withing the System 2004 package. Their pop up ad killer is working perfectly as is the program which eliminates most of the extensive graphic rich ads which pollute so many web pages and slow the downloads.

So, one week later I feel comfortable enough with my software to walk away with the computer running, go do some shopping, and come home fully expecting to find everything running perfectly. And it is. 3 stars today and it will probably be more after the first month. Good software works in silence except when absolutely necessary to get your attention. Norton may get there.

One last thing. Others have seriously bitched about the annual renewal fee. I'm sorry but I just don't feel that I am owed a lifeterm support from anything. And definitely not for $60. I have to renew my magazines once a year, see the doctor for a physical, pay for a car registration, and so on. Norton has an ongoing product support and I have no problem paying my part of the rent. Few things are as cheap as software and yet can allow us so much freedom.

I actually cant believe I'm writing this. I have been a loyal symantec customer for easily 10 years. If this review stops one person from buying Norton Internet Security 2004 then I'll feel better about this.

If you have IS 2003 I strongly suggest keeping it and subscibing for updates. Stay away from IS 2004. I downloaded it hoping for a more secure firewall and security package. I always upgrade. What I got was a program full of bugs and crashes and what's worse - no support.

I have 2 PCs that I loaded it on so it cannot be said that it's my other software. One PC is for media and the other for simple tasks. I never had issues with IS 2003 on either system. Since downloading IS 2004 I've had to reinstall it no less than 5 times! The program disables itself when it encounters a problem even when I'm not home. I've come home to find myself having been without firewall protection for hours. The error message that the program provides directs me to their knowledge base site. Each time this has happened the end solution is to reinstall. What's worse is the first two times I realized the issue was that IS 2003 left traces of itself behind. So basically Norton's own program is the problem. The knowledge base directs you through a complicated uninstall process involving the registry. This is okay for me but what about the average user? Why do they have to go through this when all they are looking for is a sense of security.

I've experienced problems with using LiveUpdate for updates because of the same issue. The knowledge base instructs the user to reinstall the program or go through the process of making sure IS 2003 has completely vacated the building as if it was a competitor.

Needless to say - emails to Symantec's support have gone either unanswered (I'm sure they are busy) or replied to with links to the same old knowledge base articles.

I honestly never thought I'd be writing a scathing review of a product I've been loyal to, and recommended, for years but I feel it's necessary. Please stay with IS 2003 if you are considering the upgrade. Your peace of mind will thank you for it.

John W Thompson CEO
World Headquarters
Symantec Corporation
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I have wasted over 200 pounds sterling of my time trying to install the Norton 2004 upgrade and other potential customers should know this. Whilst Norton Antivirus does work, Norton Internet Security most definitely does not.

Potential buyers are warned that even on a 3-month-old machine with a recent version of Windows XP, they are likely to have similar problems to mine even if, like me, they are pretty competent - albeit not 'tecchie' - 'users'. Installation scans freeze, perpetual error messages appear about failed driver initialization. Hours are spent following Norton's instructions to uninstall and reinstall, and the Symantec web site 'help' pages are a veritable nest of do-loops taking the user round and round in circles to no avail whatsoever.

After following all instructions and still finding that the default for NIS is 'off', that on launching it Intrusion Detection won't work and simply lobs out more error messages, the user will find that Symantec's site will suggest that he or she pays it a hefty fee to use its helpline. This beggars belief, when you consider that most computer manufacturers and respectable software houses will give free telephone help for the first year.

I recommend to Amazon's customers that they do not buy this product now or in the future, unless Symantec is prepared to announce free telephone help for stymied would-be users. Customers: find something else, or buy a pen and some stamps and ditch your computer.

Alison Whitehouse

I had recomended this product to my father after getting it myself for free after rebates, and he just called me concerned about all the bad reviews on this site. I must say I am stunned. I have used Norton for the previous 3 years and I think this is the best version so far. Its true that it is fairly resource hungry while it is in the middle of scanning for viruses, but thats why you can schedule it to run whenever you want (like when you are at work or sleeping). I don't notice any slow down in my broadband connection while it is idle. There is a small delay when it scans downloaded files and such, but a little speed must be sacraficed if you want to have protection. The only slightly annoying thing I have noticed is that it takes up to about 15 seconds for my wireless connection to be detected.

When installing this, as with any software so integrated with the OS, care should be taken. Make sure your computer at the very LEAST meets the system requirements for the software. In my experience, clean installations always result in fewer errors. However, upgrading from NIS2003 my save you some time and effort. Uninstall any other virus or firewall programs beforehand and if you have win xp, disable built in firewall too. Restart. Make backups and a system restore point (if applicable) then restart your computer and install NIS2004 from a fresh boot. These steps are even recomended in the instruction book.

My computer:
P4 2.8GHz 800FSB
512MB PC3200 RAM
GF4 Ti 4200 AGP
160 GB 7200RPM HD
Windows XP Pro SP1
1MB Cable internet connection via
wireless router.

I've had the last 3 versions of NIS. All in all it hasn't been a bad product. However, Symantec has taken a significant turn for the worse with this release.

I'm currently running a Pentium 4 @ 3.5GHZ (C stepping with hyperthreading), 1GB of RAM, SATA RAID Array with Western Digital Raptors on XP Professional. Needless to say, I have plenty of system resources to run this application. Forgot to mention I've worked in the PC Hardware and Software industries as a Product/Marketing Manager and also am a MCSE (MS Certified Systems Engineer) and CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate). I've been dealing with hardware and software for a long time both professionally and at home.

Downsides I have come across:

1) This application is a major resource hog. My system slowed to a point where I began to question the state of the hardware. I uninstalled NIS 2004 and installed NIS 2003, worked like a champ.

2) Some websites suddenly became inaccessible. Symantec couldn't tell me why. I reinstalled NIS 2003, they came up without a hitch.

3) I've been asking for Trillian support for 2 years. Despite the fact that the messenger client has an installed base of nearly 10 million users and is a valid entity, Symantec seems to deem it not worth their consideration. Bottom line, Symantec is unresponsive to customer requests. I'd have better luck asking for a feature from Microsoft.

4) After spending 2 weeks exchanging email with Symantec Support, I was unable to turn on autoprotect @ bootup. No one could explain why, I tried all the solutions. I'm betting it was a compatibility issue with my RAID array since the function is integrated into Intel's Southbridge chipset.

5) Norton doesn't like to have features turned off which could be the reason why I've had so many issues. I only want to use it for privacy, cookie management, ad blocking and anitvirus. Anyone who has experience with systems security knows that it isn't a good idea to rely on products from just one vendor. I have the computer behind a Linksys router (NAT firewall is much better than the NIS software firewall hands down), use ZoneAlarm for application control and NIS for the features I mentioned above.

6) Ad blocking is partially functional. Symantec has touted it as a feature for the last 3 years and I have yet to see a decent implementation. Also, during setup and configuration, if you turn on ad blocking and go into the options, you'll find that NIS does not turn off ads from specific adservers. Kickbacks anyone? You have to manually go in and block them (under options).

7) As my other esteemed reviewers have said, the activation scheme is unacceptable. I will not buy separate versions for the 2 desktops and 2 laptops I have. I like to stay on the cutting edge of computer hardware and change out components frequenty, so only being able to activate the product 5 times is completely unacceptable. This was another deciding factor involved in my decision to return the software. Not to mention, the process to obtain a refund pretty much sealed the coffin on me every buying another Symantec product for quite some time.

I would recommend you wait another month or two and hope the bugs get worked out, buy NIS 2003 or try to find another solution on the market.

I recommended this for my father based on my experience with previous versions. I wish I'd done some research first....

My father installed it on his desktop (a Dell running WinME) without any problems. When the system asked him to reboot, he said he'd do it later because it was late, and simply shut down the computer. The next morning he discovered the worst.

When he tried to boot up the computer, it started booting up normally, but when it got to his desktop, that's all he got - a blank desktop. No icons, no start menu, nothing. In fact, CTRL-ALT-DEL shows that nothing is running. Weird huh? Even weirder is that when he tried to go into 'Safe Mode', the exact same thing happens. I'm not sure what NIS 2004 did to his computer, but nothing short of reinstalling his entire system would get it to boot up.

Now comes the fun part - Symantec Technical Support and Customer Service. They don't exist. The only free tech support they have is email based, and run by people in India, who apparently don't speak English. I sent them email after email telling them that the system wouldn't boot up, and every time the sent back replies telling me to go to the 'Start Menu' and go here and there and do this and that. The just didn't get the fact that I couldn't load Windows.

So, I thought I'd give them a call to complain about the terrible tech support. I looked up their number on the internet and called. I got routed around the country to different phone systems, and then sat on hold for over two hours before I finally got frustrated enough to hang up and write the Better Business Bureau. Needless to say, I won't be installing this product on my own computer, and unless Symantec makes some major changes to the base program, won't be buying any more of their products.

If you're a computer guru, you might be able to get it to work, in which case this is a good program. The problem is, I'm a computer guru, and I couldn't make it work...