Customer Reviews
More trouble than it's worth 
2004-07-29
Based on my very postive experience with Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Personal Firewall, I didn't think twice about upgrading to Norton Internet Security Pro. I should have. It does not do properly what it is supposed to do, and it runs so many unneeded processes in the background that it may bog down your machine, depending on your specs. It's content blocking feature blocks the most absurdly innocuous webpages, graphics, etc.
On top of that, it is more often than not too unstable to be at all useful or satisfactory. The worst example of this I have found is that the NIS user/logon/password feature interferes with a similar built-in Windows feature. The average user doesn't need to password-protect access to their machine at all. In my own case I found that this element of NIS, which you are obliged to use, made it impossible to restart the computer; instead I had to do a complete shutdown (and far too often). As a consequence, the first thing I do when I start up is disable NIS altogether. If I uninstall it, I lose the anti-virus protection -- which *does* work.
I requested a refund and was sent a Letter of Destruction (LOD), which I duly signed and returned -- and never heard another thing from them. I never did get my money back.
Neither the average user who excersises common sense, nor the professional who is trained to detect threats needs NIS. You're much better off sticking to Norton Anti-Virus (or a competitor's equivalent) and running the Windows (XP) firewall if you feel you need one. Beyond that, it's just a matter of being smart enough not to walk down a dark alley with $20s hanging out of your pockets.
Lastly, if you are concerned about spyware, bots, tracking cookies, etc., checkout Lavasoft's free program called 'Ad-aware,' available from http://www.lavasoft.de/
Not recommended due to poor customer/technical support 2004-07-21
I have Norton Internet Security 2002. I have used NIS for a long time and I have, until a few months ago, recommended it for virus protection, anti-hacking security, ad blocking, and privacy protection.
A couple of months ago, a Live Update created an apparent problem with SYMPROXYSVC.EXE that made it very difficult to browse Web pages. Pages often downloaded as slowly as 100-200 bytes/second. (E-mail and FTP seemed unaffected by the problem.) Although Symantec was quite happy to take my money for a subscription update this March, it refused to provide E-mail technical support for the product because support for NIS 2002 had been discontinued. E-mails to customer support received nonresponsive replies (or no replies), and a customer support rep ignored my explicit requests to be put in contact with a supervisor. A fax to the attention of the customer support supervisor was ignored.
Although a subsequent Live Update fixed the underlying problem a while later, I would rate Symantec's customer and technical support as effectively nonexistent and I do take notice of the company's refusal to stand behind its product even though it took my money for an extension to my virus definition subscription. Accordingly, it is no longer possible for me to recommend anything that Symantec makes.
I forwarded a copy of the letter I faxed to the customer support department to Symantec's Investor Relations department because I think their corporate office reallly needs to know what is going on with their customer and technical support departments.
Simply awful 2004-07-16
My husband was so frustrated with MANY problems that he finally uninstalled the whole mess. Even getting it off his machine took 2 days. For the first time in his life, he considered suicide.
It slowed my PC down (and I have a new AMD). I cannot access IE without disabling Internet Security Professional (this started out of the blue a couple months ago). I'm afraid to even try to uninstall it. I'll probably end up taking it in to a shop and having them uninstall it - and paying.
I will never buy from Norton again. I thought Norton was supposed to have a reputable product. It's trash.
Great Product... With One Exception... Caveat Emptor 
2004-07-08
For the past several years I have used various Symantec/Norton products. Furthermore, as an IT professional I typically recommend their products to family and friends, primarily because of the User Friendly consoles.
However, as my subscription was about to expire for updates, I recently upgraded to Norton Internet Security Professional 2004 (NISP2K4) from 2003 (non-Pro) . I encountered a problem which I have found to be fairly common among folks who use multiple user profiles on their machines. I found users of 2000, XP Home, and XP Pro were all affected.
I am running XP Professional w/ three (3) user profiles (one work related, one for personal use, and one for wife). Each profile has it's own separate e-mail account set up in Outlook.
Before loading NISP2K4, I was not experiencing any problems. Following the installation, whenever I start Outlook after switching profiles, I receive the message listed below:
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program C:\ProgramFiles\MicrosoftOffice\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE
This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information.
Troubleshooting Steps: I initially performed an Uninstall (including shared files) and then performed a Custom Install, selecting a single configuration for all profiles on the machine. Still receiving error messages.
Conducted the following Google search: (Norton Internet Security 2004 Outlook Runtime Error terminate)
Based upon some of the postings I read, this is a widespread and common problem with users of machines with more than one profile. I found a work around which disables the Norton Anti Spam toolbar, but still am seeking permanent solution which would leave the toolbar intact and not generate the error message.
If this problem is not resolved soon and integrated into future updates of Internet Security Pro 2004, I hope it will be integrated into the 2005 release and since I complained we might receive a free upgrade.
Sitting here thinking about it a little more, I realize that the problem may be specifically with the Anti-Spam portin of the suite. Will update with any responses I get from Symantec/Norton Tech Support.
As they say, Caveat Emptor... Buyer Beware!
Gives meaning to the word 'safe' 
2004-07-02
This is very good. My pc has never been faster, and more safe. Plus you get Norton Antivirus Professional 2004 for free with this! Very good protection and regularly updated. Firewall gets a Truestealth rating on Gibon Research's ShieldsUp! test (https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2).
Only problem with the popup blocker (which works just fine by the way) is that some sites that use popups to navigate don't work. Luckily you can define not only what sites should be allowed to display popups, but also what PART of the site. It is possible to have the main site display popups and another part blocked.
I have seen people having problems with installing it. The problem seems to be that after installing and rebooting the program does not start, only a tray icon with a red cross. Pointing at this icon causes it to dissapear. Also, it is impossible to activate and register the program. I have a solution so more people can enjoy this fine program (cause you shouldn't expect much help from Symantec)
This solution only works for Windows XP. Sorry...
First, uninstall EVERY Symantec program you've got. After you are CLEAN of those programs, do the following:
A. C:\Program Files\Symantec (this could already be removed)
A. C:\Program Files\Common Files. Delete the Symantex Shared map.
C. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data. (If Application Data isn't visible, enable 'view hidden files in Map options). Delete the Symantec map COMPLETELY.
D. Each account that the programs have been used on also have files (check all of them). See C:\Documents and Settings\(enter user-name here)\Application Data. Delete the Symamtec map.
E. ****These are register deletes. It is advisable to make a backup before you do this****
Open the Regedit (type Regedit in the Execute window(or whatever that is in English, I have a Dutch version). (Or go to Task Manager, New Task, and typ Regedit).
Now go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE. Delete the Symantec map.
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE and delete the Symantec map here.
I would do a reboot at this point. After that, install Internet Security. This time, the registration window will appear.
Norton Internet Security 2004 can no longer be installed 2007-04-22
We used Norton Internet Security 2003 (NIS 2003) to filter the internet for our children. After doing a Windows XP SP2 reinstall recently we tried to reinstall NIS 2003 again and the program crashed after the first on-line update. Reinstalled Windows again, purchased a like new NIS 2004 CD, and the same thing happened. We tried a fresh installs a total of five times before giving up, and neither Norton program will work anymore.
It would not surprise me if Norton purposely now breaks these older programs, trying to force people to purchase a newer product. Their "Knowledge Base" for the error code took me directly to a Norton 2007 sales pitch page.
Norton used to be respectable, but now they are just a very sleazy company. There are better choices.
Great Software 2006-02-23
I've had none of the problems these previous people are speaking of. I had a new Dell with this installed and never had a problem. It sounds as if these people don't know a thing about software. Oh well. Great product!
Easily cripples network connections for novice users 2004-12-06
I've done ISP tech support since 1998. Of all the firewalls I've seen the various versions of Norton Internet Security have caused more crippled connecitons than any other.
I get calls weekly where disabling or uninstalling Norton Internet Security resolves problems with connectivity. I'm not sure if it's the becausethe program is just poorly designed or it if it's just poor help and tutorial info with it.
But the end result is that this program has cost my employers huge resource drains in supporting Norton's customers, and cost my users countless hours of time wasted troubleshooting issues with thios software, and days of lost network access. I also know someone working an a major univeristy that found that this was a source of problems in how their pop-up stopper re-wrote HTML code in web pages it was filtering and caused applications they'd built to fail.
There are free firewalls you can download that are as effective and easier to use. This one can cause far more trouble than it's worth.
Sadly -- lost integrity 2004-09-04
I have been using Norton products only since about1986, but I'm ready to switch. All manner of problems with this program never seen in previous editions. Instructions and support seriously inadequate at all levels.
I have used this version on two machines -- spent days trying to clean a botched installation [I believe not by me, but the installation program] on one machine. Now a month-old installation an a new desktop is failing. Spent hours with "knowledge" base and incomprehensible advice. Then, for a $29.95 phone call, received numerous recorded "we are too busy to talk to you even if you pay us." Then, a rude and sarcastic rep, who dumped my into an uninstall routine that failed, disconnected my call, and refused to hear symptoms.
What happened?! 2004-08-10
I bought Norton Internet Security 2004 after I got a VIRUS that NAV 7 corporate edition couldn't detect or remove. I thought upgrading the 4 year old program would help. Nope! Norton detects Trojan.Bookmarker.Gen but even in Dos mode is unable to fix it. It turns out that I got an advanced form of the Cool web search trojan/spyware. Well Norton seems to care less. I emailed them about the problem with no response after 2 months. They used to let you submit a new virus discovery but I couldn't find anything anywhere on their site about reporting new viruses.
What happened!?
I guess I could pay them by calling their highly over priced help line to tell them their program sucks but they already have too much of my money.
And what is it with these guys claiming that because it is spyware it is not a virus. If a program hides itself, alters files without permission, and otherwise takes control of your system without your permission, I'm sorry it's a virus. And the leading Anti-virus software should do their job to make their software do what it's supposed to do, eliminate uninvited software(period). Stop passing the responsibility to Spyware removers. It's a virus, plain and simple.
No, I didn't install any freeware, only MS, Adobe, Macromedia, Mozilla, and Norton software. Like someone else said, get McAfee Antivirus and Zone Alarm, not this piece of worthless junk.
Am I alone in this sentiment? (...)
