Because of its popularity it is of great importance that I review Nortons virus protection products.  I cannot tell how many computers I see with Norton Antivirus that are overrun with viruses and spyware.  Also be sure to note the huge performance hit your computer takes as Nortons Libraries grow.  The reasons for this is simple.  Norton products are so popular that they have made themselves target rendering the software totally useless.  Do your computer a favor and find another antivirus program. 

     If you must own a copy of Norton be sure not to get any of their product suites.  Some of the individual componets are ok, but the suites will render your computer slow and almost useless.  The additional firewall is totally unnessasary as Windows XP SP2 and higher have a firewall built right in that unlike the Norton firewall will not interfere with your daily internet activity. 

     Norton Antivirus by itself seems to work marginally, more than a few times I have had computers come in with Norton on them that were totally infested and near to death.  Throwing a different antivirus program on has usually eliminated the problems.  Be aware that these are not the controlled lab tests that reviewer usually give, these are real world what we actually see and do tests.  In lab tests many of the antiviruses that seem to score well we avoid from experience.   Norton is one of these products.  Although Norton is certainly not the worst program on the market, it is also far from what we consider the best.

Breakdown: 1-5, 1 = Terrible, 2 = Below Average, 3 = Average, 4 = Excellent, 5 = Superior 

Interface: 3

Effectiveness: 3

Functionality: 2

Value: 2

Overall: 2.5