Thread: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009

Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 came in as the clear winner. It wasn't tops in every tested category, and it is pricey. But if you're seeking a solid product to protect your PC, Norton is a great option.

In AV-Test.org's malware-detection tests, Norton did very well, identifying 97.8 percent ofthe samples. The suite took top honors in eliminating malware. It got rid of 85 percent of the files and Registry changes, though it failed to scrub all the files from two out of ten infections. It was similarly strong in detecting and removing rootkits, cleaning away all nine active rootkits.

For adware, Norton was average with a 96.8 percent detection rate. But it didn't produce any false positives (misidentifying safe software as harmful). In heuristic tests, it tagged just 44.6 percent of samples. The new "pulse" updates, which send malware signatures to the program every 5 to 15 minutes, could help offset that lackluster performance; Symantec responds quickly to new widespread attacks.

The new Norton Insight feature uses Internet elements to identify trusted apps, which Symantec says can help scan speed. This suite was the fastest at on-demand scans, but was a bit on the slow side for on-access checks. The antispam feature adds a toolbar to Outlook and Outlook Express, and the firewall will 'automatically allow known, trusted apps to access the Net.

Inspite of all its strengths, Norton lacks a backup capability, and it can't scan for missing application or Windows patches-a function that's common among many of its competitors.