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Norton AntiVirus 2012 User Reviews
Spectacular
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"Takes actions without asking or even telling you"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
Industrial strength protection
Low system impactCons
SONAR technology silently deletes files
Summary
The last version of Norton introduced a set of heuristic protection tools, among them one called SONAR. It is basically a reputation engine. If some particular file is, in Symantec's judgment, used by an insufficient number of people, then it is treated as a virus and removed from your system. That in itself is annoying, but what turns irritation into a MAJOR BUG is that Norton does not tell you what it did. No warning, no asking for permission, no informational popup telling you what is going on and why, not even a history log. It is up to you to figure out why that program you thought you had vanished without a trace. Making major alterations to my system, silently and without my permission, is the one behavior I simply will not tolerate. Yeah, you can turn off the "feature." And the next time Norton updates, it will turn itself back on. I've been testing Avast on another machine and so far I'm pretty happy with it. I don't see the point in paying for antivirus any more, and certainly not in paying for deliberate irritation.
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"Symantec are just useless money hoggers"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
Not a very big resource hog
Fast and easy installationCons
I tested norton personally against a few viruses and some virus killed norton completely and also the net connection. Norton couldnt repair itself and i had to use kaspersky rescue disc to save my system
Bad detection and protection
Cluttered interface
Expensive and no VFM -
"awful program"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
none doesnt have any
Cons
everything price,doesnt stop all viruses
AVAST is the way to get get norton off this siteSummary
go for avast its more better
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"improved, faster!"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
Much faster load time, I'm the only one of my friends not to get hit with a virus lately, (don't use exploder, of windows firewall)
Cons
None i can find
Summary
Free with Centurlink, take it, don't stick with the freewares
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"I think it's good :)"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
I've had really good luck with this antivirus I'll keep supporting Symantec. However I think the reason why people are saying it slows down their machines is because their machine is crap. Or they don't know how to personalize their SONAR exclusions and any other settings.
Cons
None to be found
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"Never Buy Norton products"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
It updates regularly but waste of money
Cons
It doesn't stop viruses.have been using norton 4 a couple of years & it's a ripoff.2 months into service and all 5 computer went down i thought maybe something i did but every year it's d same result take ur money but don't produce.You will be spending more money cleaning you computer using NORTON.
Summary
People Norton is a Ripoff.
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"Norton/Symantec/Trend Micro are Garbage Programs"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
I've tried those three anti-virus software programs. They all slow the computers down to 70-percent and less of the speed a computer should run. With Trend Micro, it works great for a couple of months and then the computer slows down to a crawl. One virus made it's way through my Trend Micro program and blanked out my computer. What popped up on the screen was a statement to pay $70 to some Windows 7 website to get everything up and running again. After deleting Trend Micro, my computer runs like the wind. As for Norton and Symantec, they have so many holes in them that the backdoors are wideopen and leave the unsuspecting consumer to be violated repeatedly. Their usual excuse is that someone got the code and gave it away; so some hacker broke in and stole some information. I don't go for those lame excuses and lackadaisacal computer performance throught their own incompetence. I would like an anti-virus software that maintains computer speed as it should be, in consumer hands.
Cons
Trash and I don't mean TRS-80 from Radio Shack.
Summary
Still looking for an anti-virus software. Trend Micro used to offer keystroke encryption. The more things change the more they stay the same: lackluster performance and the usual suspects that sugarcoat the obvious. I've read some reviews that offer rotten cabbage remarks such as, "Oh, Norton is so lovely. It smells like roses in my cow pasture."
"Symantec, beautiful Symantec. Wherefore art thou Symantec? Yes, wherefore are thou when Anonymous attacks and some schmuck steals your codes and hacks in."
"Trend Micro. I give it five stars for the punches I've received into the face of my computer with lowered performance and viruses that somehow workthrough your so-called protection."
It's seems as if all anti-virus software is purposefully leaving backdoors open for some odd reason. We know Microsoft and their Windows systems have so many holes in them that they require constant patches (finger-in-the-**** scenarios). Close one opening and leave a hundred open. I hear that Linux is a pretty good system but I'm still searching for an anti-virus software that can't be hacked by some person living in his mother's basement, like Anonymous. -
"I think its very good"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
Fast for me, catches bugs
Cons
can take a long time for a full system scan
Summary
I have used several anti virus' over time. But I seem to come back to Norton. I have no problem using it as my computer has 12G of ram, but I also have it running on my laptop that has only 4 and it runs 64 Vista and has no problems. So I tend to read all of the negatives with a grain of salt since they all seem to say the same thing...."trust me", "slow", etc etc. Norton used to be slow about 4 years ago....but it has much improved. All I know is that I havent had a virus in a long time. I do also run another free anti malware, but they work together. My wifes computer has 8G or ram and it works fine there too....so I dont think the new version is that slow at all. It is thorough and you may not entirely be able to remove it anymore? I havent tried, but I dont have to. Ive been using it here on this computer for 3 years and have not had a virus....enough said.
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"Stay AWAY from Norton/Symantec"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
I really can't think of any?
Cons
Where to start...
1. Horribly bloated program.
2. Incredibly resource intensive - Make sure you have ample resources if you plan on using ANY Symantec problem err I mean program.
3. You really need to have at least 4Gig of RAM and a dual core processor not to drop your system to the speed of a snail.
4. The only way to get rid of this program (completely) once you have installed it is to reformat a hard drive. It is that invasive.
5. Incredibly slow scan time.
6. Routinely horrible customer service and tech support.
7. Horribly expensive for what you get.
8. Constant compatibility issues with even the most simple of other programs.Summary
Symantec is as always a worthless product. I can not prove it but I would guess they bribe places like Best Buy, CNET, and PCWorld to push them on unsuspecting barely computer literate people. These people buy it from name recognition. Horrible mistake.
I cannot express to you enough to stay away from Norton/Symantec. Their programs are some of the absolute worst.
I strongly recommend you stay away from McAffee, Norton/Symantec, and PCTools in terms of antivirus/antimalware and System Security.
Stick to security suites such as AVG, Avast, Comodo, Avira, or ESET NOD 32. These are all very good programs. Norton/Symantec and PCTools by affiliation because it is owned by Symantec are JUNK! -
"Buyer BEWARE!"
Version: Norton AntiVirus 2012 19.5
Pros
As with Norton's competition it offers "almost" maximum protection.
Cons
Buyer Beware! Your new "must have" is 8GB+ of memory. Norton's Zeus Background System Scan will paralyze, lock up, white screen and shut down your system guaranteed or your money back!
Summary
Dear Norton and Friends,
I agree it's not about the money. It's about productivity, work productivity that is. In case you are unaware, high-level users who elect this software should simply forget about being efficient or completing multi-screen projects at a PRE-Norton Indy 500 pace.
Yes, it is a sad day indeed my friends when common non-desktop folk such as myself who are functioning with a paltry 4GB must explore purchasing a new XPS laptop with double++ memory capacity simply to run a scanning feature in the background. Please tell me it hasn't already come to this?!
Signed,
Security Solemn in Seattle :(
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