Product Review: Norton 360 Version 2.0

                                PROMOTIONAL


Norton 360 Version 2.0 is a bit of a pain to get up and running (especially if you have a prior version of Norton on your system) but it's well worth it in the long run. Norton 360 v2 includes more native support for the Firefox browser; enhanced backup options; enhanced PC Tune Up; works great on clean, new machines running Windows Vista.

If you have any of a number of security or utility applications on your current desktop, Symantec will ask that you remove them. Oddly, the most difficult to remove are Symantec's own applications. While there is an uninstall option on the All Programs listing, we found the Symantec uninstall tools weren't perfect. According to Symantec, the Symantec uninstall option is no more effective than the Windows Add/Remove option. In other words, it won't necessarily remove all traces of a Norton product from your PC. To do so, according to Symantec, you will need to use the Norton Removal Tool.

Norton 360 v2 is designed to cover all the bases; antivirus, firewall, antiphishing, antispyware, backup, performance issues, and online transaction security and therefore doesn't require the maintenance of separate security and utility products. However, advanced users will notice a lack of richly detailed setting options found in the standalone products from competing vendors. The features Symantec includes are for general audiences not necessarily versed in security.

Similar to Microsoft Windows Live OneCare, Symantec Norton 360 v2 has added a network map, allowing you, as home network administrator, to see the security status of other computers on your home network.

Installation on a very clean Windows Vista system occurred without fail and performed as advertised. However, installing Norton 360 v2 on older systems may incite trouble.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows Vista / XP

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