Norton Internet Security 2011 Performance Pack, 3 Computers, 1 Year Subscription (PC)

While Norton had a reputation in the past for hogging resources, this has been much improved since 2006. The latest version builds on these improvements by adding more features, without compromising performance. I have upgraded from the 2010 version (for free, since I had a valid subscription), and I let the upgrade centre uninstall the old version and re-install the new version. The entire process took just over a minute and a half, plus a restart of the computer. (Seriously!)

After installing, I ran a quick scan of my computer, which took 30 seconds, followed by a full scan which took just under an hour. This is certainly comparable to other security suites, if not better, so performance shouldn't be a worry for anyone considering this package. I was also using my computer while these scans were taking place, so the times may be a little longer than if the computer was idle.

This package is also set up so that updates will take place around every 5 minutes, and scans (both quick and full) will occur when your computer has not been used for 10 minutes. This time can be adjusted to suit your own preferences. Once you return to the computer, the scan instantly pauses, and will resume when the computer is idle again.

Packed into this suite are many features, some of them new for 2011. As expected, it contains a firewall and virus and malware sweeping tools. But in addition to this, many other features are included. Firstly, applications which are running on your computer are analyzed, and if they are deemed to be safe by Norton, they are eliminated from future scans, thus saving time. Downloads are also examined, and any which are found to be dangerous are blocked. Another feature is SONAR protection, which looks for unknown threats by looking for suspicious program behaviour and blocking it. Browsing the web is also protected through Safe Web and Norton Identity Safe, which tells you which web sites are safe before you visit them, and stores your passwords securely, thus eliminating the need to remember many different user names and passwords.

New features for 2011 include a facebook wall scan and performance alerts. These alerts can however be turned off for any applications you trust. Norton Rescue Tools is another new feature, which can be used in the event that your computer cannot be restored by any other means. These work by creating a safe boot environment, from which the malware can be eliminated.

With regards to Norton Utilities, it's not the reason I would buy this package. Many paid for system cleanup packages exist, all of which claim to do a better job than anything else. In reality, there's plenty of free tools out there which will do the same job. In fact, the Utilities suite actually broke my browsers with a cleanup, in that flash would no longer work! However, as you may have guessed, my opinion is that it is the Internet Security part which makes this package special. However, this can be bought on it's own, so possibly a better idea!

The package as a whole is well worth investing in, if only for the Internet Security part, as in my opinion, this does an excellent job. If however, there is a wide price difference between this and the Internet Security on its own, I'd say go for the single package. Norton Utilities is not worth the extra money.

Having spent all weekend trying to restore my computer to a functioning state, to say that I am disgruntled with Norton Internet Security 2011 Performance Pack would be an understatement.

I have an HP Pavilion laptop with Windows 7. I didn't buy the Performance Pack specifically for this computer, I bought it for my netbook which is struggling under the weight of too many programmes and I thought Norton Utilities sounded just the thing I needed, but because the programme comes with 3 licences I thought I might as well install it on both of my computers - big mistake! After running the registry defragment option and agreeing to restart the computer I was faced with a blue critical error screen. Essentially the registry defragment destroyed the Windows registry beyond repair! It disabled system restore so I was unable to restore Windows to a previous functioning state and it prevented the use of safe mode.

I contacted Norton support to be told that I needed to use the Windows 7 installation CD to initiate a repair of the registry - HP no longer distribute Windows installation discs with new computers - when I explained this to the Norton 'analyst' he was only able to suggest that I return my computer to the manufacturer! Eventually I had to resort to wiping the hard disc and replacing it with a full system backup I made just over a month ago. Thankfully with the guidance of a friend I was able to launch an alternative operating system called Ubuntu which allowed me to access and backup my files.

I am now painstakingly attempting to update my computer to how it was yesterday morning before I made the critical error of installing Norton Utilities. I am thankful that I recently invested in Acronis True Image Home and had a full system backup to fall back on - otherwise the situation could have been much worse!

Having googled the problem, I can confirm that this appears to affect all those that use the registry defragment in Windows 7. Despite what it says on the box - this product is not compatible with Windows 7!!

Bought this instead of 360 as it was £10 cheaper. As it came bundled with Norton Utilities the package provides everything 360 does except for the online storage facility, which at 2g wouldn't be particularly useful to me.

I have always found it cheaper to buy a new disk than the expensive online renewals and if you get yourself organised to order a couple of weeks in advance of your renewal date then there is never an issue of being unprotected.

Internet security 2011 is quite unobtrusive and easy to use. Norton seem to have made it less "clunky" over the last few versions.

It appears from the paperwork that you can use the licence to download Netbook Security as one of the options if you have a netbook. I have just loaded the full version onto mine anyway.

Norton Utilities was particularly useful and has speeded up the boot up speed of the 3 machines I have used it on. It also seemed to sort out one or two gliches. No doubt there are other utility programs out there that are better but this one is quite user friendly.

Amazon provided their usual efficient delivery service so no gripes on that front.

All in all a pretty good purchase.