![]() Their virus protection promise guarantees a full refund if their software catches a virus and their US-based restoration team can't remove it. ![]() In our ShieldsUp and Port Scanner tests, NIS successfully blocked every attempt to gain entry to our test PC, and it cloaked every port on our test PCs with such stealth that hackers wouldn't even know that those machines existed.Depending on which plan you select, Norton offers a variety of services to help protect your devices and personal information. Using this technique, NIS can detect advanced worms, such as Nimda and Code Red.Īs before, NIS 2003's Personal Firewall passed all of our probing tests with an A grade. If these scans spot suspicious data exchanges, which it finds by comparing them to a frequently updated database, NIS 2003 automatically severs the link to the offending computer. The 2003 version not only autoblocks port scanners, which it has always done, it also scans each packet of data that leaves or enters your PC. Last year, NIS debuted a feature that kept rogue programs from masquerading as trusted apps. Year after year, this utility suite continues to beef up its security intelligence. Supposedly, the new antispam tool, Norton Spam Alert, stops a significant amount of spam, but we couldn't test it thoroughly in the short time we had, so we must take Symantec's word for it.įar be it from NIS to rest on its laurels. While a personal firewall may be its backbone, NIS 2003 also includes the full version of Norton AntiVirus 2003, as well as tools that block pop-ups, pop-unders, banner ads, unwanted cookies, JavaScripts, ActiveX Controls, and even outgoing personal info, such as your credit card number. NIS's new Visual Tracker not only traces threats to their origin, it also graphically maps their IP addresses. In case of an unavoidable attack, version 2003's new Alert Assistant provides more information about any suspicious activity, including whether the program that's attempting to connect contains a digital signature, which means that it's probably trustworthy. It immediately reports both unauthorized attempts by apps to access the Net and illicit port scans. What's more, the familiar Norton Alert Tracker pop-up still warns you if someone's trying to break into your PC. ![]() You can schedule these scans manually, as well. During installation the program automatically scans your drive for Internet-able programs, such as browsers, instant messengers, and e-mailers, and it automatically configures itself to allow those apps through the firewall. As before, it's a snap to tell NIS 2003 which apps can connect. Personal Firewall blocks malicious hack attacks while letting applications that you trust (and so designate) connect to the Net. The heart of NIS 2003 remains Norton Personal Firewall (also available separately for $50 or $30 as an upgrade). There's also a new Security Monitor, a smaller window that keeps all of NIS 2003's main features on the desktop. Borrowed from ZoneAlarm Pro, this one-click button shuts down all Net traffic, in and out, for those times when you want supersecurity. Among other interface enhancements and additions, we like the new Block Traffic button the best. On the NIS 2003 interface, the Status display's new green and red indicators tell you at a glance which options are active and which may need attention-very nice. For $40 (after the rebate), this firewall/virus-killer combo is the best deal in town if you don't mind the expensive technical-support fees. It has also added a bunch of other security and privacy tools, which let you, for instance, map the locale of hack attacks and stop pop-up ads. Now with intelligent intrusion detection that sniffs out suspect data transmissions (the sneaky hack popularized by Nimda and Code Red), NIS 2003 protects you from backdoor break-ins. If you're willing to spend a buck or two, however, NIS 2003 will make it worth your while. The software isn't free so, if money's tight, the no-cost version of ZoneAlarm 3.0 remains your best bet. Keeping your PC safe from hackers and virus-writing cranks is a breeze with Norton Internet Security 2003 (NIS). For details, please see our corrections page. Since this review was first posted, Symantec has removed a feature we liked from the final product shipped to customers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |