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Symantec, makers of the Norton Utility line, have been busy. Their latest anti-virus application, the appropriately named, Norton AntiVirus 2004 includes several new features and their various “packaged” systems include some new “extras” as well.
Symantec, along with others, frequently create packages of their applications in suites. This affords the end user the opportunity to purchase several applications at one time without having to pick and choose each utility. Depending on your computing needs, and the types of applications you are looking for, picking the right package, or suite, will depend as much on your computing needs and preferences as your price points.
To make the process easier, Symantec offers several packages. This includes Norton Internet Security 2004, Norton SystemWorks 2004 and Norton SystemWorks Pro 2004. Each has a slightly different leaning. To pick which one is best suited for your needs, one first has to look at the components that make up each package.
The common denominator for all of the packages is the inclusion of the much lauded Norton AntiVirus 2004. Realizing the reputation for accuracy this application has earned over the years, its inclusion in every package makes sense. It is something of a flagship application for Symantec, and definitely a favorite among many professionals. The enticing features of version 2004 include new spyware detection, and the ability to scan within compressed file types. The new expanded detection features make this rendition of AntiVirus the first to offer the ability to scan for prying programs that can report your surfing activity, or come with malicious intent.
Like previous versions, AntiVirus 2004 includes online updates, the ability to scan messaging clients, email within Outlook and Outlook Express as well as retaining the familiar interface common to the last few versions. If you are acquainted with version 2003, you will have no difficulty finding your way around the 2004 model.
After the inclusion of Norton AntiVirus in each package, the contents within the packages start to show their differences.
Internet Security 2004, as the name clearly states, is dedicated towards safer surfing on the Net. Along with the ubiquitous Norton AntiVirus, this set of utilities includes Norton Personal Firewall 2004, Norton Privacy Control, Norton AntiSpam and Norton Parental Control. If for no other reason than the fact that Norton AntiVirus, Norton AntiSpam and Norton Firewall are here together, this combo pack makes sense, and becomes a good deal. If you are concerned about safety online, this is about as good as security gets.
Having looked at several spam blocking programs, Norton AntiSpam 2004 wins hands down when it comes to ease of use, accuracy and simplicity of setup. Having used Norton AntiSpam over a period of a few months, their integrated solution of what to do about junk email is the most elegant. Rather than creating a new application to deal with the problem, Symantec wisely chose to integrate their anti-spam email program within existing popular clients like Outlook and Outlook Express. The accuracy of the program is excellent. The setup is extremely simple. There is no need to enter any data into the program. Just install it, and it automatically configures itself.
Packed in with Norton Internet Security 2004 are Privacy Controls to insure your sensitive data is not inadvertently made public and parental controls for those that want to ensure a safer surfing experience for “sensitive” or “younger” household members. Point for point, Internet Security, as a bundled package, is a solid deal. Included with this program comes a 210 page booklet outlining the basics of the program. The entire suite of applications is contained on one disc. Also of note, activation is required in order to use the application. This is a new feature for Symantec and is present in all new 2004 versions of their software.
Interestingly enough, the system requirements actually support Windows 98. The requirements for all installations include 200 MB of hard drive space, a DVD or CD-ROM for installation and Internet Explorer v5 or later. The various flavors of Windows supported start with Windows 98 and go up to Windows XP and XP Pro. Supported messaging clients for virus scanning include: AOL Instant Messaging 4.7 or higher, Yahoo Instant Messaging 5 or higher, MSN Messenger 4 or higher and Windows Messenger 4.7 or higher. Supported clients for private information blocking are: AOL Instant Messenger 4.3 and later, Yahoo Instant Messanger 5 and up and MSN and Windows Messenger 3.6 and higher supported.
With the emphasis on Internet safety with Norton Security, Norton SystemWorks Professional 2004 is aimed squarely on ensuring that your PC runs smoothly. Using a plethora of tools, the idea is that each when used in tandem offer not only a faster system, but a backed up system. The added benefit here is support for backing up and cleaning up your hard drive as well.
The advantage that this program has is the inclusion of Norton Ghost. What this application in essence does is make a replica of your hard drive as a ghost image file that can then be used to restore a system. Preferred by the professionals, this is an excellent system restoration tool. The advanced features include cloning a disk or partition to another disk or partition, running ghost interactively in DOS mode, running the program peer to peer between two connected computers and an image integrity check.
To ensure that there is little wasted space on your hard drive, CleanSweep is included. This program allows you to uninstall programs, clean up temp files and other debris on the fly and the ability to back up and restore programs that were archived in CleanSweep.
Also added to the mix are a password manager and Norton Go—Back Personal edition. For those familiar with the recent incarnation of Norton Utlities, they are back as per usual. One Button Check Up, Speed Disk, Norton System Doctor, Unerase Wizard, Norton Disk Doctor, Norton Win Doctor and the Norton Protected Recycle Bin are all present and accounted for in 2004 professional.
Norton SystemWorks 2004 bears a striking resemblance to the Professional version. The key difference between them is the inclusion of Norton Ghost. As far as the interface, functionality and basic operation are concerned, they are about the same minus the inclusion of Ghost. As I stated before, if you recall recent incarnations of Symantec’s utilities, there is very little here to throw you off center. From the time I started using Symantec products, I have noticed that their approach is more evolutionary than radical revision.
When it comes to both anti—virus software and spam control, Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus 2004 and Norton AntiSpam 2004 are front runners. Consistent time and time again, and accurate, there is little to find fault with either program. When you factor in a firewall coupled with the other security features, Norton Internet Security becomes all you need.
If you have not purchased new virus software and need a firewall and spam filter, this boxed all in one set is the way to go. If you are content with more than one part of your existing arsenal of Web utlities, a combo set may not be the best way to go. With an application, or rather applications, like this, it makes sense to purchase it with the idea that you will use all of the parts. A good rule of thumb is that if you need more than two of the aforementioned, then this suite is the way to go. In the end you will come out ahead and have supported high end utilities protecting your PC investment.
The differences between SystemWorks 2004 and the Professional version are slight. However, they are enough to make purchasing the Pro version the better choice. Ghost by itself is a proven excellent backup. One never knows when trouble can strike. With Ghost coupled with the basic utilities that comprise the suite, the Professional version makes more sense than having just the utilities without it included.
The only real problem with the utilities is that Symantec programs do have a tendency to be resource intensive. If you are running a new system and have about 512 MB of memory, you should not notice a performance hit. The programs do tend to load up applications at start up that may not be completely necessary. Added to that, the utilities themselves while solid are not as feature rich as some of the others on the market. A few features that were once here are no more and have not been replaced with new ones. Fortunatly for most users, Windows XP is more stable and therefore some of these programs may not be needed. However, there are some small gaps in an otherwise complete system.
Factoring in support, automatic updates and overall consistency, one cannot go wrong using Symantec’s utilities. For those that want one shop stopping, the bundled packages here are the way to go. For me, however, the standout remains Norton Internet Security and Norton SystemWorks Professional 2004.
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