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Not much has changed in this update to Symantec's established antivirus software. Norton AntiVirus (NAV) runs on all versions of Windows, from 98 onwards, including XP. You can install NAV 2002 on a system running Windows 95B, but its antivirus protection defaults to NAV 2001 version of the signature.
It performs both on-access and on-demand scanning, although if the former is working properly, the latter is rarely needed. Email and web protection is also provided and configured automatically.
There's also a Windows Explorer toolbar added to your system, which allows you to scan individual files or groups of files by highlighting them and clicking the toolbar button. You can also access the NAV quarantine and backup folders through the toolbar. This add-on isn't going to be of much use most of the time, though, providing you have automatic protection turned on.
In addition to blocking infected downloads when you try to save them, the web protection utility will attempt to detect script-borne viruses. This uses a heuristic technique to spot virus-line script activity, and will block this type of virus without needing definition updates. However, if you have software that uses web scripts to retrieve updates, the program may interfere with this process. The default action prompts you when a script virus is detected, so you need to allow scripts you know to be safe.
As with previous versions, NAV includes the LiveUpdate utility, which downloads both virus definitions and program updates. With a default installation, LiveUpdate will run automatically whenever you connect to the internet.
So, while you don't have to remember to update your virus definitions, it could mean your connection is tied up with downloading updates when you don't necessarily want to. If you're using a dial-up connection, you might want to configure it to prompt you before downloading updates or disable automatic LiveUpdate if you're sure you'll remember to do them manually. One year's subscription to virus definition updates is included in the price of NAV. After that, a year's subscription costs $9.95.
You no longer need to configure your email client to protect against email-borne viruses. It intercepts any traffic on the standard ports for POP3 and SMTP, the protocols used by most email clients. However, this assumption of POP3 and use of the standard ports leaves the possibility of some email coming in without being scanned - IMAP mail.
If you're using regular software in standard configurations, you should have no problems with Norton AntiVirus 2002. Dial-up users should be aware of the default update settings, but if you have a permanent internet connection, this won't be an issue.
Contact
Symantec: St Cloud Gate, St Cloud Way, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8XD
Tel 020 7616 5600
www.symantec.com/region/reg_eu/product/nav2002.html/
See also:
Panda Antivirus Titanium is a polished product offering good protection. 18 Jun 2002
Norton Internet Security 2002 & McAfee Internet Security 4 slug it out in the antivirus arena. 30 Jan 2002All Antivirus & Firewalls
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