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Norton AntiVirus 2008

A newer version of Norton AntiVirus is available.

(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)

Features

Publisher's description of Norton AntiVirus 2008

From Symantec:

Norton AntiVirus blocks viruses and spyware with advanced protection. It helps protect your entire computer by stopping viruses, spyware, and other security risks. Norton AntiVirus works in the background so you can surf the Internet, read the news, play games, and download software or music without disruption. It also scans and cleans all email and instant messaging (IM) attachments, preventing you from receiving viruses, or spreading them to others. With set-it and forget-it functionality, Norton AntiVirus checks for updates continuously and automatically blocks new and emerging threats from getting on your system. In addition to protection updates, Norton AntiVirus provides new product features as available throughout your service subscription. Version 2008 improves performance.

Note: The Download Now link will direct you to the developer's site where you'll be asked to provide your e-mail address to download a file.

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Editor's review of Norton AntiVirus 2008

  • 5.0 stars

  • "Norton remains strong"

Although Symantec provides users with a full-function 15-day trial of its Norton AntiVirus 2008 program, which is good, there are a few gotchas along the way.

One, to download, you must provide your name and e-mail address to Symantec. Two, you will be asked to load the Yahoo toolbar along with the demo Norton AntiVirus 2008 (we suggest you disable that). Three, you will be asked to provide name, address, and phone number before continuing (we found that by hitting Next three times, we were finally offered a Skip option).

Once installed, however, the protection provided by Norton is quite good, even excellent, removing viruses, spyware, and rootkits alike. We could do without the thick, oppressive interface, and wish there were more configuration options beyond enable or disable, and more documentation to explain these options. Finally, beware the premium services being offered in the technical support section; for example, having an expert remotely repair your computer could cost you $69.

There is an uninstall option within the Norton AntiVirus 2008 trial, although after our 15-day trial period ended, we needed to use the Norton Removal Tool to completely remove all traces. While companies often leave some data behind to prevent serial trial users, Norton leaves behind more registry changes and files than most.

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User reviews of Norton AntiVirus 2008

  • Showing 5 of 164 user reviewsSee all 164 user reviews
    This software version | All versions

  • 2 stars

    5 out of 8 people found this review helpful

    Version: Norton AntiVirus 2008

    "Very expensive too."

    by JoyceNgo on May 9, 2008

    Pros: I can't judge what is good about this yet except when it came with my laptop, it would update as much as possible, which is good.

    Cons: Everything else about this program is not good. And it was strange how this person I saw said this is a lot better than Avast! It might be, but it's not close to being the best or one of the best anti-viruses to offer, especially of its price and of its huge file size. Interesting enough, Norton has been a nightmare for me, especially on the laptop. My mom would complain about the constant slowing, the constant messages, and they were all from Norton.

    I dislike their new additions to the program and I disliked the old versions too. I had a bloated bar on my Internet Explorer, I had so many processes running, and so much memory being used by Norton. The scans take too long and may freeze here and there. It bloats up the school computer so typing a report and web browsing would take extremely long.

    I must have gotten a bad computer even though it's new, or it's just Norton being going bad on my laptop once again. This program is only known because if its name, not of its features. I am disappointed once again.

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  • 1 stars

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Version: Norton AntiVirus 2008

    "no go"

    by super61 on June 8, 2008

    Pros: none

    Cons: it's slow not better them avast

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  • 2 stars

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Version: Norton AntiVirus 2008

    "Some free bloat for your PC ;)"

    by shockwavesn1per on May 20, 2008

    Pros: Norton Internet Security came with my Sony VAIO PC when I first boot it up. What sucked was that, the program was outdated and so were the definitions. The Liveupdate took forever.

    Cons: Should you use NAV or NIS, be prepared for a huge lag. Norton puts down a hell lotta start-up programs as well for running processes. The scanning can't scan sh*t. It finds false positives too. :( Agreed?

    Norton finds only the most common and major ones. It can't fix sh*t. Even with a Virtuemonde infection. That's what sucks. Use avast!, Spybot-SD, and SAS. Safe surfing. ;)

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  • 1 stars

    20 out of 23 people found this review helpful

    Version: Norton AntiVirus 2008

    "A Nightmare"

    by wildbamaboy on October 9, 2007

    Cons: Oh my god, this thing is T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E!!!

    It still DEVOURS your PC's resources, making it extremely slow. It has poor response time to viruses, and STILL refuses to uninstall completely.

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  • 1 stars

    11 out of 14 people found this review helpful

    Version: Norton AntiVirus 2008

    "Piece of Trash"

    by darthvador365 on January 3, 2008

    Pros: I'm aware for a fact that is definitely not rogue.

    Cons: EXCESSIVE SPACE CONSUMPTION, AND SLOWS DOWN COMPUTER.

    CHECK OUT AVAST! & AVG.

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  • See all 164 user reviews Write review

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