Norton Internet Security Mac 3.0 [AntiVirus, Firewall, Privacy, Controls, iClean]

Customer Reviews

The worst software product I ever purchased

2005-09-19
Without a doubt this must the worst software product I ever purchased. Not only does Symantec start charging you for updates to their Virus data base, which containt exactly zero viruses for OS X (since there are none), OS X already comes with a firewall free of charge, so you need neither. Being new to OS X, I though extra security couldn't hurt, but I was wrong: This product makes OS X unstable (my powerbook used to crash or not wake up without any apparent reason), it must be turned off frequently to install extra software (otherwise your installer will hand without error message), but WORST OF ALL: It CANNOT be unistalled! I tried many time to unistall this product - even using the provided unistall utility, but the utility crashes half way through the process and after restarting the software is still there. Since you cannot turn it off, I ultimately decided to wipe my hard drive when I installed Tiger and my computer now lives happily without unexplained crashes. I will NEVER buy another Symantec product again.

Examine Before The Purchase

2005-03-11
Norton Utilities and AntiVirus form the foundation of any computer health program. However, when adding SuperClean to my G5's overall health regimen, my anger peaked. I payed twice for the privilege of using iClean. As excellently as this software functions, twice paid is once too much. Concerning AntiVirus itself, no software matches it for reliability.

Internet Security for internet security

2004-05-29
I suppose that I am concerned about internet security. Aside from those hilarious commercials (by Citibank, I think) of fraud (usually credit card theft), there is a fair amount of potential problems regarding what others see of my life from my internet usage. In addition, I think that my life would be extremely disrupted if I had my powerbook hit with any damaging/destructive viruses. (Thats why I recommend backup, backup, backup. But I digress...)

There are real problems "out there." But at the same time, I think balance and prudence are called for.

So, I continue to use the internet. I surf, and I send email. I purchase over the internet. And I "do" wireless.

But, I also set up passwords, and I use OS X's default firewall. And I think (without any real confirmation) that I am fairly safe from prying eyes...

With this all in mind, I looked at Symantec's Internet Security 3.0 with interest. This is a collection of three (plus) programs which helps with (surprise!) your internet security.

The three programs are AntiVirus, Personal Firewall, and Privacy Control. In addition (the plus, referenced above), Alladin iClean is included. I'll discuss AntiVirus more at the end of this review.

I was impressed with the detail in the enclosed user manual, plus I like that the manual is fully available as a postscript file (.pdf) which means its more referable when I'm on the road. The install was smooth and easy.

Personal Firewall seems to do a good job. At least, once started, I checked it against its self checks, and all reported adequate. I am no expert, but OS X has a firewall installed in 10.3 (under System Preferences / Sharing.) I don't know if one is better than the other; only than one comes installed with the system software, and one comes as part of Symantec's software suite. I haven't a good idea of how to tell the strengths of the firewalls themselves, so I compared preferences and options. In general both are similar in ease of set-up and usage. I like the access to the System Preferences, where as to get to Symantec's I am required to start the software application, so this is a minor downside.

Privacy Control was much less "obviously" useful. I use Safari's built in add-blocker, and I trust its privacy security with that "little lock" icon, I generally believe my data transfers to be safe. And I didn't see any benefit to Symantec's version, other than if you might be using an "older" or less capable internet browser.

I like the idea of Alladin iClean, in the ability to "scrub" data from browser records. And I might recommend this be part of a business or multi-use computer, where a general user account is enabled. However, I didn't see this as a benefit to the average home user.

Finally, Symantec's AntiVirus ran smoothly and efficiently. I believe its updates are as good as others (since I've read that most antivirus information is shared and there isn't a benefit of one type or another, as long as you are routinely running a check for viruses.) But once again, my current set-up and use seem to be part of the issue here. I signed up for a .mac account when I acquired my new powerbook, and as one of the benefits, I use Virex 7 (included as one of .mac's account benefits.) And so, I feel my money was much better spent on .mac, with Virex 7 included, rather than on Symantec's Internet Security 3.0 software.

This is a good set of software, and if you don't have a collection of programs similar, I highly recommend you consider the suite. However, weigh the price when you are deciding. I found the price a bit steep for what I got out of the software.

This program IS NOT fully compatible with OS X Panther 2004-01-08
The privacy controls are not compatible with OS X Panther. According to symantec's web page they are working on a patch. The rest of this program does run very smoothly and I have no problems. Have I been hacked? Im typing this on the computer that has the program install on it.

Norton Internet Security Mac 3.0 2007-10-17
Not until I was installing NIS Mac 3.0 on my new iMac did I receive install errors indicating that only a limited portion of the suite works on an intel-based iMac. The intel iMacs use OS 10.4. The older powerPC Macs use 10.3. The small print on the box indicated it was for OS 10.3 but the Amazon specs only indicated compatibility with OS 10 Macs. No updates/patches fixes are out on the Symantec website (as of 10/15) for use of this product with OS 10.4, yet intel iMacs have been shipping for 9-10 months now. Symantec is off on this one. I have mailed-off for the 60-day money back guarantee from Symantec as a dissatified customer.

Fraudulent Advertising 2006-03-20
This product, which is being advertised by numerous vendors for use with OSX, no longer works with current versions of OSX (from 4 up for sure).
Norton has stated publicly that they are no longer providing upgrades for
Mac related software such as Firewall and Network Privacy.
Their Antivirus V10 works with OS 10.4, but in view of their stated policy on other Mac products, one may question whether they will continue to upgrade Antivirus in the future.
Intego products do work with current versions of OSX.

Total crap!!! 2006-02-18
I bought this package after upgraded my PowwerbookG4 to Tiger in Sept. 2005. The Autoprotect and Firewall never worked. The Symantac Co admitted this probelm in their website and never offered a solution for these problems. A piece of junk!!!

Fraudulent sales at it's worst 2006-02-04
I purchased this back in August '05 at the same time that I bought my new iMac running OS 10.4 Tiger. It's advertised, and lists system requirements as Mac OS 10.1.5 OR HIGHER. Didn't work since it was installed. Waited and waited for the patch or update to allow it to work with OS 10.4, low and behold, they recently just posted a buried footnote on their site saying that it IS NOT going to be updated to work with OS 10.4. Tried to contact their customer service....still waiting for a response. (...) I was a repeat customer of Symantec products...this is the last money they'll rip me off for! Where is the class action lawsuit? Sign me up.

Getting rid of Norton 2005-10-11
Those upgrading to OS X 10.4.x from an earlier version, and who have already installed Norton products under the old OS, can remove them by means of a Unix-based utility that finds and erases Norton files, including the invisible ones. They would be well advised to do so, since older Norton products don't work with 10.4, and interfere with the functioning of the built-in firewall. There are several such utilities posted on the web. The one distributed from the Kenyon College site works perfectly, and can be found via Google.

The built-in firewall can be turned on via the "Sharing" menu in the Control Panel.

As far as anti-virus protection goes, that's an entirely theoretical issue as far as Macs are concerned. Anyone who wants to go down that road would do well to explore the various on-line Mac forums before deciding.