Norton Internet Security 2005
Symantec’s latest package to protect your data and web experience
By Don Lee
As long as your computer is hooked up to the internet, your system will be vulnerable to viruses, spyware and other unwanted files and programs. You have to be vigilant towards keeping your computer system clean but it also helps when you have a program that can assist you in protecting your important files.
Hackers and virus writers will never stop creating new ways to get into your computer, so you need the stop them before they attack. This is why Symantec released the Norton Internet Security package. This collection of programs is targeted towards the everyday user looking to secure and maintain their system’s integrity.
A Closer Look
The package contains Norton AntiVirus, Norton Personal Firewall, Norton Privacy Control, Norton AntiSpam and Norton Parental Control. These five programs are designed to work together towards creating maximum protection of your data. Let’s take a closer look into each program.
Norton AntiVirus has been a staple of computer usage for years. Norton AntiVirus has been protecting millions of computer users daily. Using its LiveUpdate feature, Norton AntiVirus can protect your system from the latest viruses, spyware and it can even look inside of compressed files. The program also protects you from instant messaging file attachments (although you should never accept file attachments from anyone you don’t know). This is the program most associate with the Symantec/Norton name and for good reason…it works.
Norton Firewall helps keep those prying eyes away from your data by hiding your PC and helps prevent outsiders from accessing your system. You may be prompted at times to allow access by some of your installed programs to register products or to log onto numerous websites. When you are prompted, you have the choice of allowing access, preventing access or permitting certain access. You should be wary of the activity you are performing on the internet and that you don’t permit access to unknown sources.
Norton Privacy Control works to provide a more secure way to control cookies as well as other personal information that you would want to protect. When you attempt to send certain types of data such as credit card information or social security number, the program will inform you that this specific data is being requested. You will then be given the opportunity to allow the data to be transferred or you can choose to block the information from going through.
Norton AntiSpam is a new program to my experience with Norton products. I use the latest version of MS Outlook Express and if you’ve ever used it, you’re probably aware that the mail program doesn’t come with any mail filters to help combat spam. You need to create custom mail filters based on a variety of factors such as sender, subject line, body content and more.
The last program in the suite is called Norton Parental Control. This program was designed to help control access for your children. You can let the program set the types of offensive websites you wish to block as well add websites to the blocked list as you surf the web. Parental Control offers control over access to internet programs and even newsgroups. You can add websites and newsgroups to your blocked list from Internet Explorer’s toolbar. Norton installs two quick access panels to the web browser’s address bar during installation…
