Norton Internet Security Mac 3.0 [AntiVirus, Firewall, Privacy, Controls, iClean]

There are real problems "out there." But at the same time, I think balance and prudence are called for.

So, I continue to use the internet. I surf, and I send email. I purchase over the internet. And I "do" wireless.

But, I also set up passwords, and I use OS X's default firewall. And I think (without any real confirmation) that I am fairly safe from prying eyes...

With this all in mind, I looked at Symantec's Internet Security 3.0 with interest. This is a collection of three (plus) programs which helps with (surprise!) your internet security.

The three programs are AntiVirus, Personal Firewall, and Privacy Control. In addition (the plus, referenced above), Alladin iClean is included. I'll discuss AntiVirus more at the end of this review.

I was impressed with the detail in the enclosed user manual, plus I like that the manual is fully available as a postscript file (.pdf) which means its more referable when I'm on the road. The install was smooth and easy.

Personal Firewall seems to do a good job. At least, once started, I checked it against its self checks, and all reported adequate. I am no expert, but OS X has a firewall installed in 10.3 (under System Preferences / Sharing.) I don't know if one is better than the other; only than one comes installed with the system software, and one comes as part of Symantec's software suite. I haven't a good idea of how to tell the strengths of the firewalls themselves, so I compared preferences and options. In general both are similar in ease of set-up and usage. I like the access to the System Preferences, where as to get to Symantec's I am required to start the software application, so this is a minor downside.

Privacy Control was much less "obviously" useful. I use Safari's built in add-blocker, and I trust its privacy security with that "little lock" icon, I generally believe my data transfers to be safe. And I didn't see any benefit to Symantec's version, other than if you might be using an "older" or less capable internet browser.

I like the idea of Alladin iClean, in the ability to "scrub" data from browser records. And I might recommend this be part of a business or multi-use computer, where a general user account is enabled. However, I didn't see this as a benefit to the average home user.

Finally, Symantec's AntiVirus ran smoothly and efficiently. I believe its updates are as good as others (since I've read that most antivirus information is shared and there isn't a benefit of one type or another, as long as you are routinely running a check for viruses.) But once again, my current set-up and use seem to be part of the issue here. I signed up for a .mac account when I acquired my new powerbook, and as one of the benefits, I use Virex 7 (included as one of .mac's account benefits.) And so, I feel my money was much better spent on .mac, with Virex 7 included, rather than on Symantec's Internet Security 3.0 software.

This is a good set of software, and if you don't have a collection of programs similar, I highly recommend you consider the suite. However, weigh the price when you are deciding. I found the price a bit steep for what I got out of the software.


Fraudulent sales at it's worst   February 4, 2006
Michael Mcmasters (NY USA)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

I purchased this back in August '05 at the same time that I bought my new iMac running OS 10.4 Tiger. It's advertised, and lists system requirements as Mac OS 10.1.5 OR HIGHER. Didn't work since it was installed. Waited and waited for the patch or update to allow it to work with OS 10.4, low and behold, they recently just posted a buried footnote on their site saying that it IS NOT going to be updated to work with OS 10.4. Tried to contact their customer service....still waiting for a response. (...) I was a repeat customer of Symantec products...this is the last money they'll rip me off for! Where is the class action lawsuit? Sign me up.