Norton Anti-Virus

This program is available directly from the vendor.

Pros - Norton Anti-Virus 2003:

• Good virus detection rate

• Easy to use, automated

• Easy to update signature files

• New version (NAV 2003) includes support for instant messenger clients

Cons - Norton Anti-Virus 2003:

• Slow on initiating a scan

• Log file could be more informative

• Doesn't remove trojans, you have to download a separate program

• Has trouble running on computers with multiple accounts

• Slow on disk-intensive work

• Resource hog, uses a lot of RAM

• Some users have reported dying dial up internet connection shortly after they have logged on the internet, reboot necessary

• You have to pay an additional $4.99 to have the option of redownloading your purchase later

• Expensive, not worth the extra $20 / $50

Major flaws - Norton Anti-Virus 2003:

• Inadequate detection rate of backdoors and trojans (misses 1 out of every 4 viruses)

• Has trouble detecting viruses in zip files. No support for ACE or RAR archive files.

• Major compatibility issues with a wide range of third party programs, Zonealarm, Corel, AdSubract, and others

• Difficult to uninstall without manual intervention, involving cleaning up the registry (experts users only) and deleting leftover files

Email clients supported - Norton Anti-Virus 2003:

• Outlook

• Outlook Express

• Eudora

• and other POP3 clients (but none listed)