Norton 360 v6.0, 1 User, 3 PCs 1 Year Subscription (PC)

Introduction

Norton. Where do I start? I've used Norton security products pretty much since they were first available and most of them have far by trumped the competition. It's the only security product that works for me, it provides sophisticated but easy protection. Don't worry about compromising on computer performance, Norton 360 will make absolutely no difference except maybe 6/7 seconds extra boot time. I've seen this run on and even improve slightly the worst of computers.

Protection

More than 10 years I've used Windows with Norton installed. I like to explore even the darkest mine-fields of the internet and I have never ever got a virus that's managed to do anything. I've had plenty of warnings from Norton, but nothing has left it on it's head. More specifically to this particular product, it is a robust piece of security software with a few advanced and unique protection methods. Take SONAR, for example "unlike virus signatures, SONAR examines the behavior of applications to decide whether they are malicious" - Wikipedia. Finally, I like the fact it scans downloads once you've done them to make sure they're safe.

Ease-Of-Use

The advanced parts are a bit too advanced to get your head round. For example the long-winded process of recovering a file that Norton deleted because it is unsafe is annoying. The easy parts, however are as easy as you'd expect. Everything is cleanly laid out in the main Norton 360 window. The different segments are labelled 'PC Security', 'Identity',' Backup', 'PC Tuneup'.

PC Security - Manage your Anti-Virus and Firewall settings. Perform scans and updates.
Identity - Make use of Identity Safe, where Norton securely saves your passwords so you don't forget them.
Backup - Back up data.
PC Tuneup - Clear temporary files, optimize your hard disk and clean your registry.

Performance

As I stated in the Introduction, Norton makes little-no difference to your everyday tasks. Boot-up is a tiny bit slower, however it's impossible to avoid that as it has to start in the first place. The interface runs quite smoothly although can seem a bit choppy even on my £1,500 computer that I built for gaming.

Extras

-You get about 2 GB of online storage for your Backup files although these can be stored on your own USB stick, portable hard drive or optical media (CDs and DVDs).
-Backup is alright for the basic 'My Documents' backup, but is not as good as dedicated software I have used and do use. Although a good thing is it runs a backup while your computer is idle.
-PC Tuneup is pretty effective but again, you can make better use of a dedicated file cleaner (CCleaner) or registry cleaner (Registry Doctor).

To Buy or not to Buy?

If you use your computer most days and that time is spent sparingly on the internet, then yes this is the product to go for. It is overkill if you are a general once-a-week user and for that I'd recommend Norton Internet Security instead. For ultimate protection, this won't steer you wrong.

I have used Norton for a number of years now and I agree with some other reviews that the Norton 360 v6.0 is alot faster. I am very happy with it. The only problem is when you renew the cost is high, so I waited until the date of expiry and closed my computer down. I then purchased the program from Amazon where I found it to be considerably cheaper I bought the CD and installed it. No problem whatsover.

What do people do to experience the calamities with Norton 360 v6 that some reviewers describe? I installed Norton 360 on my new laptop without any problem, after uninstalling the McAfee Trial version without activating it. I was put off by stories of automatic debiting by McAfee of bank accounts when new subscriptions are due. There are so many pros and cons concerning these programmes that to retain my sanity I went ahead with the Norton in an air of defiance. Twelve years ago I remember installing Norton System Maintenance for Windows 98, which put a set of traffic lights on the desktop: red, amber and green signalling the computers health. This all worked okay and so Norton 360 beckoned my decision.

I'm sure all of the programmes available do a decent job at protecting your computer, but they are not perfect; nothing in this world is. If it were perfect there wouldn't be people trying to harm your computer with viruses. Now loaded on my laptop, Norton 360 v6 just sits there doing what it does and I haven't noticed any adverse effect. I've run a few scans and once it did warn me out of the blue of something naughty, which it resolved. For people like me, who are not into tinkering with computers, Norton 360 v6 is adequate. I also use a Mac, which I am informed uses a more inherently secure operating system than a PC, and is kept up to date with security downloads direct from Apple.

Being a previous Windows XP user, I find Windows 7 not too dissimilar. I haven't found that Norton slows down Windows 7 in any way, not that it would tax my patience if it did. One can become too up tight about it - not good for the blood pressure. `Like a streak of lightening flashing cross the sky, like the swiftest arrow whizzing from a bow', as went the opening song for the old TV series `Champion the Wonder Horse'. How many of you remember that? Pre-computer days. I'm sure most people using Norton 360 v6 will be satisfied.