Symantec, Norton Internet Security 2007 not so secure Cupetino California

One would expect that a company such as Symantec would produce an anti-virus program that detects viruses, adware, malware and other malicious programs. One would also expect that upon reading the back of the Norton Internet Security 2007 box, you could expect a hihgh level of security from their product.

Not even close. Not only does the program allow the entrance of viruses through the firewall, it also does not detect adware and spyware that hijacks a computer. Often it takes several days before the virus is detected by the scans.

According to the product description on the back of the packaging, Norton Internet Security is supposed to do the following:

1) Block hackers form accessing your computer,
2) Prevent unkown threats from entering your PC,
3) Remove viruses from email and instant messages,
4) Block internet worms at point of entry,
5) Stop spyware from tracking you online,
6) Block spyware from hijacking your computer,
7) Guard against online identity theft,
8) Inpsect website to make sure their not fakes,
9) Remove dangerous threats from files you download,
10) Block suspicious programs,
11) Allow only authorized programs to connect to the internet.

These are the things that are actually listed on the back of the box. Of 11, I have found that the program actually does 2. So far, in the roughly 2 months we have had this on our computer, my husband has had his credit card numbers stolen, we have had to run daily scans to rid the tracking cookies from the hard drive, reformat the computer 5 times, dealt with viruses that keep coming back because they are never fully removed by the product, fighting with hijacks nearly constantly, have had keylogger spyware invade our PC. We got all this for the low, low price of $60.00.

I'm no techno-idiot. I realize that the firewall that accompanies the program plays a big part in preventing much of these problems. However, how good is a firewall when it lets viruses in without so much as a warning?

Now, for the interesting part. I called Symantec's support line. These people must think that I am an idiot. They won't even stand behind their product, but they will certainly charge you $99.00 to have one of their techs remove the viruses for you. And that's $99.00 per day!! How truly convenient!!

In speaking with a tech, he informed me that it was I who that was at fault for downloads that allowed the viruses to enter and that I wasn't going to get free tech support. Ummm...doesn't the back of the box say that it is supposed to block dangerous threats from any files we download? And isn't it supposed to prevent unknown threats from entering the PC?

It gets better---not only does Norton's NOT recognize many viruses, but a free online scan from McAffee will.

So to all those out there that are looking for a new anti-virus program...here's a word of advice----go with a virus protection program that has numerous seals of approval from different magazines and sources. One endorsement just isn't enough.

Naomi
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.