Norton Internet Security 2011

A word about Norton Internet Security 2011. Like many others, I was first a Norton Antivirus enthusiast and then a strong critic from about 2004 to 2008 when the product became bloated and incompatible. I strongly recommended a competitor as did many good computer magazines. But with the 2009 release, Norton earned top reviews (*not* for the Corporate versions, however).

Symatec vastly improved Norton Internet Security and it now has received PC Magazine's Editors Choice award two years in a row.

Pricing is improved, too. You can buy software for 3 business computers for $49.99 (the single user package allows 3 PCs), 5 PCs for $109.99, or 10 PCs for $199.99. Prices include a 1-year subscription to updates.

In 2009, Symantec responded to several years of bad reviews that criticized Norton AntiVirus as being slow, bloated, and lacking in current features. They revolutionized the product. Since 2009 the versions are light and fast, but more significantly, extremely easy to set up. Defending against today's threats requires an arsenal of tools. Norton Internet Security (NIS), which I recommend over its sibling, Norton 360, makes it extremely simple to turn features on and off, using simple sliders in the first window.

I work with many small firms and solos that need to spend their time on client work, not hassling with software settings. I recommend NIS not only for the quality of its features, but also because it does a great job of setting the defaults for you. It also doesn't annoy you, making you approve each program that needs to access the Internet, because NIS recognizes a long list of common programs. NIS also is very friendly toward small networks so that you don't have to go through detailed firewall settings to access files on other computers in your network.

A note to techies: You can dig deeply into the settings, which are grouped into 5 sections. I don't think the sections are well named, but it is easy enough to click from one to another to see immediately what each one covers. Be sure to scroll down in the Computer Settings and Network Settings sections to see all their settings.

Another reason I recommend NIS is that it integrates with Google searches to flag websites that are dangerous so that users won't even click through to them. Norton Site Safety inserts an icon after each search result, coding the site as Safe, Unknown or Dangerous. In addition, it has defenses against infected webpages if a user does happen to visit one.

It used to be that Norton Antivirus did not play well with the leading practice management software, Time Matters, but now it does.

Originally, Norton Antivirus was the gold standard in this product category. It fell on hard times in the mid-2000s, but recovered nicely in 2009 and now has a clear lead on the pack, especially for small firms and solos.

Tips:  Hide the Norton browser toolbar - who needs another bar? - but leave the Safeweb feature operational. Safeweb can spare you from wasting time going to dangerous websites that show up in your searches. For example, a search for a Supreme Court Justice nominee quote listed a harmless looking URL but Norton Safeweb flagged the site as Dangerous.

At $49 for 3 computers, it is not only less expensive than the competition, it does a great job and doesn't get in your way. The installation was straight-forward and very effective. You don't have to do a lot of customization to get it working the way you want it to. Norton critics who may be unaware of the product's turn-around in 2009 should reconsider their views.

Buy it here:

Norton Internet Security 2011 - 1yr protection - 3 computers - $49.99
Norton Internet Security 2011 - 1yr protection - 5 PCs for $109.99 - 10 PCs for $199.99