I bought and installed Norton AV 2006 on my aunt's computer in January 2006. I am a Norton Internet Security 2005 user, and have owned and used earlier versions of Norton AntiVirus in the past. I maintain computers for several people, and am the Network Manager for the LAN in my workplace. Here's what I think about NAV 2006 -
FEATURES AND CONTENTS
I paid a hefty price for Norton Internet Security 2005 for use on my own computer. The features offered in Norton's AntiVirus 2006 are very similar (with the exception of some firewall features), and you can pick up the software for a fraction of the cost of NIS 2005. Here's what you get in the box:
Installation CD
Abbreviated Owner's Manual
FEATURES(from Symantec's website, http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/virus_protection/nav2006/features.html):
Key Features
-Automatically removes viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.
Checks incoming and outgoing email attachments for viruses.
-Automatically scans incoming instant message attachments for threats.
-Checks compressed file archives for viruses.
-Keeps dangerous Internet worms out, blocking them before they infect your system.
-Automatically downloads updates to protect against new threats.
-Automatically scans for viruses upon downloading updates.
-Uses smart technology to detect emergent worms and other new threats without waiting for updates.
-Disinfects your system prior to installation, starting you off with a clean, virus-free computer.
*New Features*
-Automatically detects and blocks high-risk spyware and adware programs before they are installed on your system.
-Now includes 12 months of protection updates and new product features as available throughout the year*.
-Detects and removes dangerous spyware, keystroke loggers, and other unwanted monitoring software*.
-Prevents spyware programs from hijacking your home page and redirecting you to their download sites*.
**NOTE** The new features of Norton's AntiVirus 2006 include the same Anti-Spyware tools found in NIS 2005. This applies if you are running Windows XP or 2000 only.
EASE OF USE
Unlike the problems I have encountered with NIS 2005 (see my Epinions review of NIS 2005 at http://www.epinions.com/content_220657913476), I have had no difficulties whatsoever with Norton AntiVirus 2006. So far it has been free of glitches, and the LiveUpdate feature runs reliably and efficiently. To install and run, simply put the CD into the drive, and it starts up on its own. Just follow the prompts and allow Live Update to run once connected to the Internet.
SUPPORT AND TROUBLESHOOTING
I have not needed to use any of Symantec's support system for this software. But from prior use with other applications, I know that they provide a reliable and complete customer service and technical support system. IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OR NEED HELP -
You may choose their 'Automated Support Assistant' which will browse through your computer's files to see if something appears to be causing your problems. The ASA will also automatically fix the problems found, if you so choose. This option is easy as point and click.
The Symantec site also lets you enter an error code or type of problem, and search thru their database for answers by yourself. This can be frustrating and time consuming as they have a HUGE database of information.
Another customer support solution is to have 'Live Chat' or E-mail contact with one of Symantec's Customer Support Agents. The 'Live Chat' can take a while to connect due to user volume, but the E-mail support usually gets back to you with some answers within 24 hours.
Symantec's Client Services Team is competent and knowledgable.
PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY
NAV 2006 runs a system scan upon installation to check for existing and new viruses and problems. This worked well on my aunt's computer, picking up on old viruses that hadn't been addresses. Once identified, NAV 2006 quarrantined the problems, and continued. She has so far not had any other viruses get through, and is pleased to see a pop-up window from NAV 2006 which communicates any hijack attempts or security threats when she is surfing the Internet.
NAV 2006 doesn't seem to have any negative affect on the speed of the computer, but the Live Update feature can be slow and tedious (perhaps owed more to the fact that she has dial-up access and not high-speed). Even so, the inital Live Update process upon installation takes the longest, as the program is updating all the latest virus definitions. After that, Live Update occurs only when there is a necessary new definition available.
BOTTOM LINE
If I were looking to make a purchase again, I would buy Norton AntiVirus 2006 over NIS 2005. I paid roughly half the price of NIS 2005, and have gotten highly reliable, glitch-free results. NAV 2006 is easy to use, and excellent value from a well-known and proven company.