Norton Internet Security 2009

[Sanith]

"Even this year Symantec renews its offer of security solutions by presenting the new Norton Internet Security suite 2009. According to the manufacturer, the new solution offers a significantly improved and is also faster and
lighter than previous editions "

Introduction

In the field of information security, Symantec is certainly one of the most famed and known to the general public: the company, based in Sunnyvale in 1982, has managed to build over the years a reputation, largely due to its anti-virus solution to the consumer market, the famous Norton Antivirus. Although Symantec has diversified its activities to the public also proposing other solutions, such as Norton Utilities and Norton Ghost, the products of the United States remains dedicated to protecting against viruses and intrusions.

Like many other software houses that deal with security, including Symantec has long decided to offer complete solutions, simple to use and offers even novice users, protection against all major threats on the Web; born so The Norton suite 360 degrees and Norton Internet Security, explained in the course of this article.

Although these solutions have in the past enjoyed good reputation and have been adopted by a large number of users, today the situation is quite different: over the years, the suite from Symantec, as well as those of other producers, have become increasingly hungry in terms of resources, especially in reaching some juncture to have a very negative effect on system performance, which has pushed many people to look around in search of less invasive solutions proposed by other competitors.

To erase the negative perceptions that hovers around its security software, Symantec has just launched new editions of Norton Antivirus 2009 and Norton Internet Security 2009. In both solutions Symantec has wanted to introduce two new technologies to ensure minimal impact on system performance, specifically the case of the new system upgrade Pulse Update and the new scanning system Norton Insight, which speak in the next few pages.

The new suite for Security Norton Internet Security 2009 that we are going to describe, in a single solution provides the following features:

• Antivirus and Antimalware operating in real-time updates of virus signatures every 5-15 minutes
• Intelligent firewall with ability to monitor the traffic generated by each individual process inbound and outbound
• Phishing Filter to a secure web browsing with Internet Explorer 6 and above, and Firefox 2.0 and later
• anti-spam filter for Outlook 97 and later and Outlook Express 6.0 and later
• Storage system for secure credentials for access to sites
• Parental Control to block access to content deemed inappropriate
• Free for a year via chat or phone line.

According to the manufacturer indicated on the package, Norton Internet Security 2009 requires a minimum requirement system with a processor clock with at least 300MHz, 256MB RAM, 200MB of free disk space, and as the operating system Microsoft Windows XP SP2, or Windows Vista, in the case of Windows Vista, the minimum adapt to the operating system.

To evaluate the capabilities offered by the suite, we have to install it on a notebook Acer TravelMate 6460, equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 at 2GHz, 1.5 GB DDR2 RAM, video card ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 and 160GB hard disk. The machine has been installed the operating system Microsoft Windows XP SP3, duly updated with the latest patches available.

[Sanith]

During the official presentation of new versions of Norton AntiVirus 2009 and Norton Internet Security 2009 (now NIS2009), Symantec wanted from the beginning to emphasize the sharp change in trend from the past focusing on journalists speed during installation of NIS2009: on that occasion the stopwatch stopped at a little over 52 seconds, but we must clarify that this survey refers only to the time of copying files needed. In practice we found that before you can use the suite takes about 5 minutes: this time is necessary for entering the product key, for the installation files for the automatic configuration of the suite and the next reboot is required after installation of some major updates.

Users of the previous edition of the suite, NIS2008, rebooting your system surely will notice some differences already in the graphics: Symantec has wanted to rearrange the features in the main control panel in a more intuitive, a breakdown in the three categories Computers, Internet , Personal information.

In the category Computers are grouped all items relating to protect your computer from viruses and other types of malware, while in Category Internet are all features aimed at navigating the Internet safely and on the Web. The last category, personal information, contains Instead Identity Safe, an extremely useful tool to store and protect all accounts that typically use the Web, and the filter antiphising.

Using choosing the CPU will be displayed information on the workload of the CPU and memory over the last 90 minutes. In both graphs, Symantec distinguishes the resources used by his suite from those used by other processes on the system. This means in practice is not of vital importance and in fact merely show how some alternative information available through the task manager (management activities, if you are using Microsoft Windows Vista).

The article Norton Insight is extremely rather more interesting. In order to reduce and make faster your antivirus engine, Symantec has developed Norton Insight, a technology that avoids a major PC to work on developing and scanning. To understand how this technology requires a small premise: Most of the software installed on a system is also used by other users on their computer: just think for example the Web browser Firefox or Internet Explorer, which are used every day by million people. Every time you run a scan, so it takes time and resources to monitor file already analyzed by other users, Symantec has developed a system to share information on security of each application in order to drastically reduce the time to scan the system.

But how Norton Insight? before proceeding to scan a file, the software from Symantec apply the hash function on that file and then compare the result with other hash stored in an archive that works similarly to that of the virus signature. If the hash is created equal just one of those in the present, then that means it is the same file and therefore do not need to again re-scan. Recall that the hash function returns a string of bits unique to each individual file, so you can not get the same string by two different files, for that reason, the hash function is often used in various information technology areas.

The latest innovation is the new upgrade system Pulse Update, which provides security updates even every 5-15 minutes. According to some recent statistics provided by McAfee, including the isolation of a new malware and the release of a patch useful to eliminate the problem may also spend 72 hours and in this time window malicious code reaches its maximum degree of dangerousness; with continuous releases close together, Symantec hopes to drastically reduce the window period, so as to reduce potential hazards to their users.

[Sanith]

The virus is perhaps one of the most important among those made available by a suite for security. The Symantec suite integrates its own the 2009 edition of the famous Norton Antivirus, presented last September simultaneously with NIS2009. The new engine Symantec has already obtained the certification VB100 and ICSA Lab, also has performed in some very interesting comparative tests conducted by independent research laboratories.

In the report available on the site of AV-Comparatives.org, dating back to August 2008, has been tested a beta version of Norton Antivirus 2009, as the final version had not yet been officially launched. The results show that Symantec was not limited only to improve the user interface: this version has achieved the highest level of certification ADVANCED +, and at a rate of virus detection equal to 99%; only AntiVir Premium Avira and AntiVirusKit G DATA have been able to do better, with rates of detection respectively amounted to 99.6% and 99.5%. Also in agreement with what was reported in the comparative AV-comparatives, Norton Antivirus 2009 notes, however, fewer false positives and offers greater speed scanning system, especially through the introduction of Norton Insight technology we mentioned earlier.

There was no other connection settings available to users, which should be very intuitive to the less experienced. Obviously could not miss the opportunity to make rapid or complete scan on demand, as well as the ability to run periodic scans in times of inactivity computer. We performed a thorough scan to assess the impact on system performance and we have found that you can continue to safely perform their work without excessive delays, a pact not to use applications particularly demanding in terms of resources, such as video games and rendering programs.

Another very important element that can not miss in a suite for security is the firewall, a component whose job is to block any unwanted access to your system. Symantec has designed a solution to intelligent and necessitating the intervention only in special circumstances. Being a product NIS2009 addressed even novice users, the firewall decide autonomously on the basis of the reliability program, whether or not access to the network.

Advanced users can still manipulate the rules preset by the firewall for each application at a later time, depending on your needs. The network access control by the applications can be set both on entry and exit, also have a large number of preloaded rules for operating a large number of communication protocols.

NIS2009 is also equipped with a silent mode, especially useful when you are doing important work and do not want to be disturbed by warning messages. This mode blocks any warning or notification of the suite, and also temporarily suspend most of the work completed in the background, and if it is detected a security threat while you are silent, the suite takes the action necessary to protect the system without requiring user intervention. mode in question has activated manually for up to 6 hours or so automatically detects when a full screen (for example a video game or a player during playback a film).

[Sanith]

So far we have talked and Anti firewall, two essential tools for the security of your PC. There is, however, another set of elements no less important for safe navigation on the Web: the antiphishing and antispam filters. The phenomenon of spam is growing, both against private companies, as it can be said also of phishing, which in recent years has affected many unsuspecting consumers.

To tackle the problem of spam, NIS2009 provides a spam filter based on the search for certain strings of text within email messages received that provides 5 different levels of protection: as you climb level, increases ability to properly detect your spam messages, but also increases the risk of mark as spam messages from e-mail reliable. To avoid such problems, Symantec also offers a filter based on blacklist and whitelist, it is appropriate lists within which you can store all e-mail considered unsafe (blacklist) or reliable (whitelist) . Unfortunately, the spam filter is compatible only with the mail client Microsoft Outlook 97 or later and Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 and above.

For protection against online fraud, NIS2009 provides a Phishing Filter made compatible with the Web browser Internet Explorer 6.0 and above, and Firefox 2.0 and later. In detail, this is a toolbar that goes to integrate within the Web browser, in addition to protecting users' browsing preventing access to sites counterfeited, this bar allows you to take advantage of well-known feature offered by Norton Identity Safe .

For those who do not know yet Norton Identity Safe, this is a solution designed to ensure the security of passwords and confidential data on the Web. The facility also offers functionality to store credentials for access and login automatically on their Web sites to trust with a simple click. According to Symantec, 58% of users of the Norton suite 360 said they regularly carry out banking transactions online, while 68% said they engage often in shopping network, in this integration of Norton Identity Safe in the NIS2009 suite is definitely helpful.

NIS2009 finally make available a system of Parental Control to block access to Web sites deemed inappropriate for children and adolescents. This feature is not installed along with the rest of the suite, but it must be added manually. Symantec has preferred to make the Parental Control module downloadable from the Internet at no additional cost, leaving the user the option to install it or not, we believe this very sensible choice, since not all users to whom the suite is designed to have resort to this type of functionality.

Through the panel management Parental Control can be set for each user on the computer a different profile: Symantec offers two preset profiles suitable for teenagers and children, but you can create new ones depending on your needs. By creating a new profile you can define what types of sites can be seen and which must be blocked, Symantec offers a variety of groups already set: sex, alcohol, crime, drugs, gambling, violence and many others. We can define an exception to allow the vision of a site belonging to a blocked category, is also given the ability to track the history of Web users. All the settings for the Parental Control module can be reached after entering a password, set previously in order to avoid possible misuse of the computer without the administrator.

[Sanith]

The suite Norton Internet Security 2009 has proved an interesting product from different points of view: Symantec has worked a lot to make this product lighter, less intrusive and easier to use than previous versions, especially the technology Norton Insight, that makes it quicker scans of the system, was a welcome novelty.

Symantec wanted to make its suite very discreet, limiting its presence to an icon in systray bar and a menu item in the boot. The suite's graphical interface has been redesigned and now much is even more intuitive than in the past However, we consider quite superfluous to the function of monitoring the workload of the CPU and memory system, this feature was included probably more to do to better perceive the magnitude of the changes to the antivirus engine, which for a real usefulness.

Regarding the instruments available in the suite, you can say that overall the quality level achieved by Symantec is definitely good: thanks to improvements, the suite proved to be light enough not to have a certain performance of the system during everyday use.

Some small flaw is seen in the firewall, however, that while it provides an excellent solution for users less experienced, may be limited in the eyes of most users. Apart from the above said, it must be added that the anti-spam filter offers compatibility with mail clients rather limited: they are supported only Microsoft Outlook 97 and above, and Microsoft Outlook Express 6 and above.

Would be particularly welcome the presence of an instrument for carrying out regular backups of the system, but for those who had needs of this type you can always turn to Norton 360 degrees, a suite all-in-one that, in addition to what already seen in NIS2009 offers just some tool for optimization and maintenance of your PC.

Finally we come to the suite: Norton Internet Security 2009 has a Recommended Retail price equal to 67 euros, excluding VAT, that sum includes a license valid for 3 PCs, upgrades and technical support via chat, e - mail or phone line for a year.

[ssinha28]

Since I have installed Norton Internet Security 2009 I am having broadband connectivity problems to my ISP which is DSL from Airtel and have tried all possible options including complaining to the service provider but with no recourse. TThey put the blame on Norton Internet Security software.
The basic issue is that I get an intermittent 'Request Timed out' to the ISP provider as long as the Norton Internet security is on. The same is also not at fixed intervals but it is really annoying as due to the same I get page breaks and then on refresh it works fine.
If anyone knows why this could be happening or what are the possible ways to fix this issue ? Prior to installing this version of Norton Security 2009 I had fault free DSL connection for the last 18months.
Thanks for any help..

Sanjay