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Why you should ditch Norton AntiVirus

Robert Vamosi CNET

Published: 08 Nov 2004

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Every year, I take a look at the latest crop of antivirus software. Usually, the new versions of these programs are just the same software packages in a new box with the current year on it. This year, however, I saw a demo for an application that had me running home to install it and raving about it to friends and family. Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 12 (2005) is the best antivirus software package I've seen in a long while. Give it a try; I think you'll agree.

Under the surface, antivirus programs are basically the same
For £40 or so, no matter which program you buy, you're investing in antivirus software that includes a scanner engine and a year's worth of signature-file updates. You need the updates to identify the latest viruses and worms, and most antivirus programs now automatically download the updates behind the scenes, so you don't have to worry about it. The engines themselves match patterns -- that is, they look at files on your hard drive and compare them to the signature files you just downloaded. If there's a match, the suspect file goes into quarantine, a protected folder on your hard drive where it can't hurt your system (again, this too has been automated so that you hardly even notice this process). Lately, antivirus programs have added heuristics -- the ability to sense a new virus or worm before a signature file has been downloaded based on malicious behaviour. Also, most antivirus software will check both incoming and outgoing email messages for signs of infection. The differences, then, lie in the nuances of these applications. How much of your system resources do they hog? How fast or how often does the vendor release its signature-file updates? And what additional features does the software offer?

Norton AntiVirus 2005
My annual complaints about Norton AntiVirus, the industry leader, are as follows: Symantec's telephone technical support is very expensive (£18 per live support incident), and Norton AntiVirus traditionally slows all but the fastest PCs. And what's really new about it? I'm sorry to report that nothing has changed this year. In fact, Norton has been coasting on old code for several years, simply dressing it up with an occasional new feature here and there. This year, Norton AntiVirus 2005 adds a limited firewall designed to block incoming worm code. I say, why not give us a full firewall instead? No, for that, you'll need to cough up another £44.99 for Norton Personal Firewall or go whole hog and get the £59.99 Norton Internet Security suite. Norton AntiVirus 2005 produces a perceptible resource drain -- you'd think they'd have fixed that by now. Worse, in order to completely remove Norton AntiVirus from your PC, you'll need to download a free tool from Symantec (follow the links in the 'Norton AntiVirus installed as a stand-alone product' section of the page).

McAfee VirusScan 9.0
I have similar complaints about McAfee's antivirus software. A few years ago, I switched from Norton to McAfee because McAfee VirusScan included a firewall with its antivirus program. Then the McAfee overseas technical support became a nightmare to work with via online chat. Now that McAfee is providing antivirus protection with new Dell computers and notebooks, McAfee has fixed its technical support woes, but it's since dropped its firewall feature from McAfee VirusScan 9.0. As with Norton AntiVirus, if you want a firewall with your McAfee antivirus program, you'll have to shell out £29.99 for McAfee Personal Firewall Plus or pay more for the McAfee Internet Security suite. McAfee VirusScan 9.0 also produces a noticeable resource drain and installs the McAfee Security Center, which not only reports whether your signature files are up-to-date, but also advertises McAfee and various partnered applications in little pop-up windows -- annoying.

Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 12 (2005)
Last year, I awarded PC-cillin our 2004 Editors' Choice because Trend Micro included a firewall with its antivirus program and offered free technical support. I thought that was as good as it gets. Well, it just got even better. This year's version of Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security, our Editors' Choice for 2005, includes an antivirus scanner, a firewall, anti-spam and anti-spyware capabilities, plus parental controls -- and that's only the start. Trend Micro also added a wireless network monitor this year, allowing you to enable or deny wireless access for others to your network. And Trend made it possible to apply one set of security configuration rules across every computer on your home network (other programs require you to copy the configurations from machine to machine). Here's the clincher: PC-cillin costs the same as Norton's or McAfee's antivirus software. It also makes barely a dent in your system resources; when it's scanning, you'll hardly notice PC-cillin.

Why can't Norton and McAfee get it right?
When I see the annual updates for their antivirus programs, I'm always quick to ask: why should anyone update? In the case of Norton, Symantec requires an upgrade. Signature-file updates are available for only two years after a product's release. Thus, every three years or so you must upgrade to the latest version -- or switch to another antivirus application. Although McAfee's policy is not as draconian, it also eventually discontinues its updates, although not on a set schedule. I think everyone should periodically upgrade antivirus software to take advantage of the latest and greatest security features, but only if the vendor gives you better features from year to year. Within the antivirus market, Trend Micro is a distant third in terms of market share, but it deserves your attention. It's your £40, so why not get something worthwhile for your money?

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		Product	Date	Editors' Rating	Readers' Rating
		McAfee VirusScan 9.0	[07 Oct 2004]	7.7	3.3
		Norton AntiVirus 2005	[06 Oct 2004]	7.7	3.9
		PC-cillin Internet Security 12	[01 Nov 2004]	8.3	8.9
		Product	Date	Editors' Rating	Readers' Rating