Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition: Advancing the Fight Against Malware Additional Security Components in NIS AS Wayne Kawamoto
Additional Security Components in NIS AS
To fight unwanted e-mail, Norton AntiSpam integrates with Microsoft Outlook and most popular client e-mail programs. The program looks at incoming e-mail, identifies those that are spam, and places them into a spam folder. If you find a legitimate e-mail in your spam folder, you can tell Norton to allow e-mail from this sender the next time (in something called an "Allowed List"). The program also filters email from Yahoo! Mail accounts and synchronizes its "Allowed List" to reflect contacts in your email address books.
Norton Privacy Control, which was introduced in the 2005 version, prevents confidential information from being sent out without your knowledge in email, instant messages, Microsoft Office attachments, and Web forms. Finally, for concerned parents, Norton Parental Control effectively blocks access to Web sites and newsgroups that you consider unsuitable for children. Kids won't like this one, but it's a useful tool for parents.
While the programs in NIS AS make your computer safer, they slow operations down. Generally, the faster your computer, the less you'll notice the additional overhead. But if you have a slower computer with limited RAM, the slowdown will be significant. In this case, security and peace of mind come at a considerable price.
Another potential downside: some (especially existing NIS users) will dislike the fact that you have to purchase the entire Norton Internet Security 2005 suite in order to obtain the anti-spyware features. And if your system is running an older version of Windows, you won't be able to use NIS AS Edition at all — the program is only designed to run on PCs with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 Professional operating systems.
Bottom Line
As a first line of defense against the internet's evils, Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition is a competent and worthwhile product that can work as a virtual bouncer standing at your PC's internet door.
Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition is available for purchase via electronic download from www.symantecStore.com for an estimated retail price of US $79.95. The product will also be available at various retail locations and through online retailers in early June. Current users of Symantec products as well as users of select competitive products can upgrade to Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition for an estimated retail price of US $49.95 after rebate. Prices include a one-year subscription to updates.
In addition, a fully functioning, free 15-day trial evaluation release of the software has also been made available by Norton.
