Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7 in Software
• Brand: Symantec
• Model: 20043745
• Released on: 2009-09-30
• Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows XP
• Format: CD-ROM
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.30" h x 5.30" w x 7.60" l, .14 pounds

Features

• Norton Internet Security 2010 delivers fast and light comprehensive online threat protection, guarding your PC, network, and your identity without slowing you down
• Gives you greater insight into downloaded applications and files by telling you where they came from, if they can be trusted, and how they may impact your PC’s resources and performance
• Warns you of dangerous web sites and suspicious sellers so you can surf and shop online with confidence
• Stops online identity theft, viruses, spyware, bots and more--guard your PC, online activities, and your identity against all types of Internet threats
• Proactively blocks hackers and prevents dangerous software from downloading to your computer when you surf the web

Amazon.com Product Description
Norton Internet Security 2010 delivers fast and light comprehensive online threat protection. It guards your PC, network, online activities and your identity with innovative, intelligent detection technologies optimized to combat today's aggressive, rapid-fire attacks. Improved Norton Safe Web technology blocks Internet threats before they can infect your PC. So you can browse, buy and bank online with confidence. It even warns you of unsafe web sites right in your search results. Plus, unlike other Internet security suites, it provides easy-to-understand threat and performance information to help you avoid future threats and keep your PC running fast.

Fast and light comprehensive online threat protection. Click to enlarge.

Norton Internet Security 2010 Key Benefits

• Stops online identity theft, viruses, spyware, bots, Trojans and more--Guards your PC, online activities and your identity with comprehensive award-winning protection against all types of Internet threats.
  
  
• Stops attacks before they get on your PC--Blocks hackers from accessing your PC and prevents dangerous software that could harm your computer or steal your identity from automatically downloading onto your PC when you surf the web.
  
  
• Delivers clear performance and threat explanations--Tells you how files and applications affect PC performance, what actions threats have taken, and where they came from to help you avoid future attacks.
  
  
• Identifies unsafe web sites right in your search results--Provides safety ratings for web sites listed in your search results so you can avoid visiting sites that are likely to cause problems.
  
  
• Uses intelligence-driven technology for faster, fewer, shorter scans--Identifies and scans only files at risk to detect and eliminate dangerous software.

Norton IdentitySafe On-the-Go lets you access your most up-to-date log-ins and passwords on any Norton Internet Security 2010 protected PC. Click to enlarge.

Norton Safe Web identifies unsafe and dangerous web sites right in your search results. Click to enlarge.

Norton Insight scans only files at risk for fewer, shorter scans and the fastest scanning times in the industry. Click to enlarge.

Download Insight warns you of dangerous downloads before you install and use them. Click to enlarge.

Maps and monitors your home wireless network so you can see everything connected to it. Click to enlarge.

Norton Internet Security 2010 Features

Intelligent Protection

• New--Norton IdentitySafe On-the-Go lets you access your most up-to-date log-ins and passwords on any Norton Internet Security 2010 protected PC.
• New--Norton Safe Web identifies unsafe and dangerous web sites right in your search results.
• New--Analyzes downloads, files and applications and tells you if they can be trusted before you install and use them.
• New--Parental Controls give you insight into your kids' online activities so you can teach them good Internet habits and help keep them safe.
• New--Professional-strength antispam protection uses the same technology as many large businesses to effectively block unwanted emails.
• Improved--Norton Protection System delivers multiple layers of security that work together to provide comprehensive Internet threat protection.
• Improved--Norton IdentitySafe offers one-click log-ins and automatic form filling to prevent key loggers from stealing your information as you type.
• Improved--Vulnerability Protection guards security holes in your operating system, applications, browsers and browser plug-ins.
• Improved--Detects and gets rid of even the hardest to find Internet Explorer and Firefox cookies.
• Improved--Norton Bootable Recovery Tool repairs, restores and boots severely infected, unbootable PCs.
• Industry-leading anti-phishing technology authenticates safe sites and protects you from visiting unsafe and fraudulent web sites.
• Smart Firewall stops hackers and makes intelligent security decisions for you.

Engineered for Speed

• Improved--Proven fastest, lightest security suite for protection that won't slow you down, get in your way, or swallow up system resources.
• Improved--Norton Insight scans only files at risk for fewer, shorter scans and the fastest scanning times in the industry.
• Uses less memory than any other security suite.
• Won't slow you down when you download, copy, or edit files, or install applications.

Combats today's rapid-fire attacks

• New--Norton Insight Network uses Symantec's global security network to provide real-time protection from the latest-breaking threats.
• New--SONAR 2 (Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response) uses online intelligence and proactive monitoring to detect and stop new threats.
• Norton Pulse Updates provide rapid mini updates every 5 to 15 minutes for up-to-the-minute local protection against the latest threats.
• Prevents bots from taking control of your PC.
• Finds and removes rootkits.
• Prevents Internet worms from getting on your PC.
• Tells you which application processes currently running on your PC are safe and which are at risk.
• Norton Bootable Recovery Tool provides a deep level of cleaning for heavily infected PCs.

Provides info on threats, downloads and files

• New--Norton Download Insight warns you of dangerous downloads before you install and use them.
• New--Norton Threat Insight tells you if threats were detected, what actions the threats attempted to perform on your system, and how Norton Internet Security eliminated those threats.
• New--Norton File Insight tells you where files and applications came from, if they're trusted, and how they may be impacting your PC's speed.

Helps keep your PC running at top speed

• New--Norton System Insight helps you improve and maintain PC and application performance.
• New--Automatic and on-demand application optimization improves application performance.
• New--Norton System Insight gives you an overview of recent events on your PC such as installs, downloads, scans and detected threats, so you can see what events may have impacted your PC's performance.
• New--Norton System Insight resource usage graphs help you pinpoint what's causing your PC to slow down.
• New--Tells you how files and applications impact your PC's performance.

Protection without disruption

• New--Automatically delays product updates and other tasks if you're watching TV or burning CDs/DVDs.
• New--Power Saver Settings help extend portable PC battery life by putting off power-intensive activities until your computer is plugged in.
• Smart Scheduler conducts scans and other tasks only when your PC is idle.
• Automatically switches to Silent Mode (no alerts, updates or scans) when watching movies or playing games in full-screen mode.

Additional Features

• New--Monthly report tells you what Norton Internet Security has done in the past month to protect you and your PC.
• Free 24x7 support by phone, email, live chat or online knowledge base.
• Automatically scans emails and IMs for infections.
• Maps and monitors your home wireless network so you can see everything connected to it--even unauthorized visitors like the PC next door.
• Automatically downloads protection updates and new product features as they become available during your service period.
• With the Norton Automated Renewal Service your yearly subscription can be automatically renewed for uninterrupted protection.

Customer Reviews

Norton has done it again, almost perfect!
This is my fifth year of using NIS to protect my home computer and laptop. With the noticeable improvements last version, Norton came back with a bang. While NIS2010 still has some flaws, the good trend seems to continue this year as well.

Installation: Installation was very quick similar to NIS2009. It does require a restart which seems to be the case for most virus protection software. Norton for some reason wants us to download and install parental control separately. just a hazel. If you are an existing NIS user you can upgrade from Norton's upgrade website before deciding to purchase the new version. The upgrade will retain your 2009 subscription and your license will be retained as well. NOTE: If you install from CD, your old license will be over written.

Performance: I don't think NIS2010 is a resource hog. Norton also has performance meters where you can check how much of the system resources are being used by Norton. It seems NIS 2010 uses most system resources only during a complete scan. NIS2010 upgrade virus signatures on the background during idle time just like NIS2009. So you dont feel that it exists. Quick scans during idle times also seem to be pretty quick. I havent noticed any loss of performance in the one week that I have been using NIs2010.

Virus protection: Based on tests by PC world and CNET Norton is only behind the not well known G-DATA internet security in virus detection. I havent used G-DATA so I cant compare them. However, NIS has gotten better at malware detection. It did detect a number of malware that adaware and other security software that I use (e.g. Advanced system care). NIS2009 missed a number of these malware.

Network protection: Although NIS claims that when NIS is installed in all PCs on your network, it can detect and keep a trusted network, it has not worked for me. NIS detected my skype phone (ofcourse didn't protect it), but didn't detect my other PC on the network that also has NIS2010 installed. I am not sure if this 'trust' is of any use to me anyway.

Internet security: Norton identified websites that you visit (amazon, bank and ccard websites for example) as trusted ones based on IP address and other data. so you can be safe you are not entering your password on a phishing website. It is very handy for me. I always look for the 'trusted' sign from both Firefox and NIS before entering my passwords.

Password manager: I dont know if I will trust NIS to be my password manager. You need just one password for Norton and it can manage your other passwords and form filling information. However, it seems to be easy to break in to NIS to obtain the password manager's password list. Although the hacker needs physical access to your computer to do this, it is a concern if your laptop gets stolen for example. NIS2010 offers to have the password manager's list reside on removable media which is a somewhat safer alternative. Norton safe search which identifies safe websites on your serach list is also helpful, but google can do this as well.

Over all, it is a good virus protection for your PC, checks files on the fly, can scan emails and attachemnts, IM text and links. Not very good for password management and parental control.

Good to see somebody focused on lightweight software
While most of Symantec's competitors seem to be struggling with software "bloat", it's good to see one of the big guys heading back to more of a streamlined approach.

I installed the software on two PCs so far...one a Vista Ultimate having no existing security software, and the other a Windows XP with McAffee's product. The installer suggested removing the McAffee product (which I did) and the installation was similarly uneventful on both of my systems from there on. It does force a reboot, and between the initial install plus downloading any updates, it took longer than I expected - about half an hour end to end.

As for performance, there is a slight (but noticeable) increase in the reboot time when Norton starts up - perhaps an extra 30 seconds total. And if you're sensitive to performance, you can also tell when the product is updating virus signatures in the background, or performing one of its quick virus scans.

The basic anti-virus protection seemed fine. Not too obtrusive, although it's difficult to really assess the quality of the virus scanning, since I've yet to actually encounter a virus. I tend to be careful, but still, being one of the better known products, Norton gives you a sense of security in case you do something silly and let an infected file in.

I didn't activate the network protection features that come with the product. I tend to rely instead on a router with a strong firewall capability, and then I keep my "internal" network fairly open. The product did detect a number of networked apps I use, stopping to ask my permission before letting them open whatever ports they were using. Would have been nice to set this sort of policy globally, rather than having to bump into applications one at a time.

One feature I would have liked to see is the ability to designate one of my PCs as the "master" for policy decisions and updates, with my other PCs driven from the master. For instance, on kids PCs, I'd like to set a strict policy, record any unusual activity, and know that my policies can only be changed from my central master computer. Big corporate AV systems do this - would be nice to have the same capability at home.

Like the network protection, I also didn't find myself using the password management features of the product. My PC is a ThinkPad with the built-in fingerprint scanner, and I prefer to use the IBM security software, which provides this same function. The biometric device (fingerprint reader) seems more secure, and it would be nice if Norton provided integrated support for these types of authentication devices.

The internet security feature is sort of helpful, but if you know what you're doing, you can do this on your own by looking at a sites digital certificates. Norton automates this, telling you that it's okay to trust a particular site. Not sure I'd buy the product just for this capability, but it's a nice add-on feature.

Overall, I was also glad to see that the product seemed to be fairly stable and to operate without all that much overhead. Compared to a few of the others I've tried, Norton is about the best mix of usability, capability and efficiency.

It's sort of sad that we need this type of software in today's world...I'd rather be spending my money on software to make me more productive or entertained. But, if you accept that you need protection, Norton is as good a choice as any.

Norton Internet Security 2010
I first bought the new Norton Internet Security 2009 this spring and installed it on one computer (notebook)that had been using CA Internet Security and one (server) that was using Trend Micro IS 2007. The performance difference between Norton IS 2009 and the CA product was dramatic, not as much so with Trend Micro. With Norton IS 2009 my computers ran much faster and had far fewer "issues" with security software on both systems. I received an upgrade to Norton IS 2010 as an IS 2009 user at no charge and the installation on two machines went flawlessly. I am very impressed with the smaller footprint of IS 2009/10 and the tools it offers. One complaint is the long (1 week)interval between full scans if you choose to use automatic settings. It does quick scans every day but needs the ability to schedule full scan intervals as part of the automatic settings. A novice choosing manual scans could inadvertently leave their computer at a greater risk if not configured properly.