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| Norton Internet Security for Macintosh 2.0 | |
| As reliance on
Internet-based services grows, so does a law firm’s exposure to viruses,
hackers and surreptitious information gathering. To combat the worst of the
Web, Symantec bundled Norton AntiVirus, Personal Firewall and Privacy
Control in a tightly integrated software suite. At less than $100, the suite
is inexpensive protection from unwanted and destructive intrusions from the
Web.
Internet Security ships on a single CD that contains separate OS 9 and X versions of the software, although the OS X version of the suite is implemented differently. While each contains AntiVirus and Personal Firewall, only OS X installs Privacy Control and integrates all three into a single application window. In both Classic and X, Norton Internet Security (NIS) 2.0 is exceedingly simple to configure and is extremely easy to use. You can refer to an extensive, detailed 225-page manual or a QuickStart guide, but the programs are fairly straightforward. AntiVirus is, of course, Symantec’s flagship program for preventative and remedial efforts at computer viruses. AntiVirus’ “Auto-Protect” function proactively scans removable media and downloaded Internet files for viruses. This feature works in OS X with NAV-Mac 8.0. Norton Privacy Control provides separate “Ad Blocking” and “Confidential Data” protection functions. “Ad Blocking” blocks Internet ads identified in a Symantec list of offending ads and a list you create by dragging and dropping offending ads from sites you visit frequently. You also can update Symantec’s list by using NIS’ “Live Update” feature to download a new AntiVirus Definition List. “Confidential Data” allows you to enter personal information such as PIN and Social Security numbers, passwords, bank account and other similar confidential information. Once entered, this information will not be disclosed to requesting Internet sites unless password/administrator approval is first secured. You can designate which sites with which you wish to share this information. The downside to this application occurs when sites persist in demanding information you wish not to disclose. Although Privacy Control can facilitate limited or one time disclosures, the repeated requests for information might persist. Norton Personal Firewall is designed to address hackers’ attempts to access your computer. For those with dial-up services, this isn’t much of an issue, but for always-on Web access such as DSL, cable, T-1 and others, it’s surprising how often attempts are made to access personal computers. If elected, Personal Firewall creates a log of any attempt to hack into your computer and provides warnings of these attempts. The install CD includes a third-party program called “Who’s There,” which provides information about whomever is trying to hack into your computer. Personal Firewall identifies a number of ways to access your computer, and permits you to choose from four levels to control that access for each category. You can set access levels ranging from complete access to no access for categories of File Sharing, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Program Linking, Secure Remote Login, Web Sharing and All Others. Or you can create a list of Web addresses that are either denied or allowed access. Setup is fairly straightforward. There is little to fault and much to applaud in this fairly inexpensive and simple-to-use suite of programs. I would, however, love to see Privacy Control as a Mac OS 9 application. I didn’t test Personal Firewall in Mac OS X enough to have an opinion on its instability, an issue reported extensively on the Web. And, my dial-up connection made my machine a less than ideal candidate for this review. Nevertheless, this dual install CD provides good protection from Internet calamities at a great price. |
Symantec Corp.
Price: $99.95; upgrades at $69.95 Reviewed by David A. Saraceno, a practicing attorney and operator of MotionLaw, a forensic animation consulting firm in Spokane, Wash. PROS CONS VERDICT |
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