January 26, 2005

Norton Internet Security 2005 (Symantec, Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, $69.99) is a highly recommended, tightly integrated suite of programs: Norton AntiVirus 2005, Norton Personal Firewall 2005 and Norton AntiSpam 2005. These programs provide Internet protection against viruses and worms, hacker attacks, unwanted "cookies," spyware, adware and keyboard loggers, all while providing security of personal information and offering parental controls.

Viruses and worms are mini-programs designed by unprincipled individuals and can be simply harmless and annoying, but can also cause extensive damage by erasing files, wiping out programs and data or formatting drives. Viruses come from opening infected attachments to e-mails or infected disks or from opening files downloaded from the Internet.

Worms are independent programs that propagate themselves in your computer, across networks and on the Internet. Norton Internet Security 2005 scans downloaded files, e-mail attachments and your hard drives to find and cure or quarantine viruses and worms; it also scans outgoing e-mail to ensure that you’re not unknowingly spreading a virus.

Spyware, including adware and keystroke loggers, are mini-programs secretly installed in your computer to track Internet Web sites you visit, record keystrokes you use, online information (including credit card numbers), and record data from your computer, including your address book, passwords and the like. Spyware then sends this information to the originator, who can use it without your knowledge or permission. Spyware can also capture your browser and log you on to sites you don’t want to visit or create pop-up tool bars to do the same thing. Spyware can be installed on your computer in a variety of ways, but most often from Internet sites from which you have downloaded files (commonly music files) containing the spyware. Norton Internet Security 2005 scans your computer to find and remove spyware and prevent you from unknowingly downloading additional spyware.

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer by a Web site, usually for help in using that site. Cookies can be used to remember information such as your login data, dates last accessed, items you ordered, names, addresses and such, so you won’t have to keep filling in that information. But cookies can also be used to report your browsing history to target you for advertising purposes or worse. Norton Internet Security 2005 allows cookies to be sent only to sites you choose.

ActiveX controls and Java applets are mini-programs that can be downloaded without your knowledge into your computer as part of many Web pages. These programs can perform useful functions, such as animations, pop-up windows or fill-in forms, but they can also be used without your knowledge to access information stored on your computer, such as passwords, account numbers and the like, and send them to anyone (good or bad) requesting the information. Norton Internet Security 2005 protects against these controls and applets, but it may interfere with your use of some Web sites, so you can choose to disable this function.

Norton Internet Security 2005 provides a firewall that uses a set of predefined rules to decide which connection attempts to pass and which to block to protect against hacker attacks. A firewall is especially important if you have an always-on connection to the Internet via cable modem or DSL (digital subscriber line). A Visual Tracking mode shows connection attempts as they occur.

Norton Internet Security 2005 prevents confidential information from being entered on non-secure Web sites and warns before such information is sent via e-mail, Instant Messenger or attachments. The parental control component lets you select which programs children can use and which Web sites they can access.

An ad-blocking feature allows Web pages to load faster by eliminating much of the advertising. Additionally, the program detects spam (unsolicited or unwanted e-mail) and flags it in the subject line. You can configure this feature to automatically file these e-mails in a special folder to check later or to delete them directly.

Norton Internet Security 2005 allows creation of several user accounts, each with its own level of protection and set of rules, so you can create separate accounts for children and adults. Installation can be lengthy, depending on your choices, and scans and reboots are necessary--but this is time well spent. You’ll need to make several choices during installation, but there’s help, and most defaults seem appropriate. The 74-page user guide gives info on customizing security features.

A vital and easy-to-use feature is the Live Update, which automatically provides the program with the latest security information, including the latest virus and spyware definitions, current lists of potentially unacceptable Web sites for parental control, firewall rules to protect against the latest hacker threats, lists of application programs that use the Internet and the latest patches or upgrades for the program itself. Installation of upgrades is automatic (unless you choose otherwise), with a QuickScan feature scanning immediately for the new viruses. You receive a one-year subscription to Live Update with the program ($24.95 a year after that). Don’t get on the Internet without Norton Internet Security 2005. We can’t emphasize strongly enough the need for this type of program.

Note to Parents: Please don’t depend on programs alone to keep children safe on the Internet. It’s critical to teach children rules for safe Internet use and to keep communication open so children feel free to come to you with any Internet experience that makes them feel uncomfortable.

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