RSSBeta Test Symantec's 2008 Products
By the Betanews Staff | Published July 6, 2007, 4:55 PM
Symantec is looking for beta testers for two of its newest products, Norton Internet Security 2008 and Norton AntiVirus 2008. Both are slated to ship later this year, but the company has opened up the beta process to iron out the bugs before its final release. One of the major new features included in both applications is SONAR, which stands for Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response.
SONAR adds behavior-based protection to Symantec's applications in order to detect emerging spyware and viruses even before they are included in traditional signature-based definition files. The new versions of the company's software should also provide performance enhancements and make installation over a home network easier. Those interested in trying out the products can visit the Symantec Beta Web site.
Ugh.
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Windows OneCare slowed down Photoshop CS2's opening, so I had to turn off virus protection when I wanted to work.
Tried this beta. Right out of the box I could no longer receive my Outlook E-mail. It stayed on my computer less than 10 minutes.
I know, I should have known better!
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I would rather sign up for a root canal!
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I stopped using their stuff years ago because of the terrible performance of the PC after installed. I use and like AVG.
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Well, I use AVG, but even I'll admit it probably isn't the best solution. I use it because I have it, I know it, it is lightweight, and it does what I need it to do. Yeah, I'm hearing all sorts of positive reviews on NOD32 these days, but I just don't feel like switching right now. I keep my pc secure, and know every process listed under the process tab in taskmgr.exe. I use an antivirus just to be a last line of defense in case I miss something, and nothing more.
Until last month AVG had the most "reliable" detections of any AV I've used as well (e.g.; it has less false positives and good enough detection rate), although I'll admit that it discovered its first false positive last month in my old generals.exe file (from the game C&C: Generals). The correction to their detections files was made quite promptly upon it's discovery, however.
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Destroy your PC for FREE! Don't miss it kids - it will cost you to do this when it goes into full release!
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I believe I'll pass on being a beta tester for a known bloatware product.
Norton has a LONG way to go to dispel its bad reputation.... and being a screen-door in an overweight defensive submarine.
just mho
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Considering how blazing fast Norton Internet Security 2007 is, I can't wait to try the final release of the 2008 version. Norton Internet Security 2007 is probably the fastest and most accurate virus detection software on the market and it's not bloated like previous versions of Symantec software.
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Eh, it was the 2006 version that was drastically improved as far as performance, but the 6 month "revamp" of it screwed it up again. The 2007 version is as bloated as ever IMO (yes I admit its detection rate is top-notch), and I'm not too optimistic about the 2008 version. Not even trying the beta this time, I'm tired of having to reactivate Vista every time I have to reinstall anyways.
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Norton Internet Security 2007 doesn't slow down my computer at all. Then again, I have 2GB of DDR2-1066 memory. The program itself is extremely fast compared to Avast Antivirus 4.7.1001.
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Symantec Bloatware 2008? If you didnt have a virus before installing it will certainly make you think its got one now with how much it slows computers down. (AVG Free is much better)
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the betas prob run much nicer then final before the bloat hits. there is no way I'm touching it though... good luck to you who do.
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I am testing at this moment, and I have Downloaded and Installed Norton AntiVirus 2008, and Norton AntiBot Beta. I haven't had Norton on my PC's in years but I will give these two a shot. I found them easy to Install, and they are not "Bloated" like the one's in the past. Both are running well, and neither has slowed down my System. I am pleased that Norton has Beta's to test, and I will try the others after the [15 days] AntiBot Beta has expired. So far, so good!
Thank you, FmlyRnn
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Why would anyone want to beta test these. The finl releases are dire so the betas would be even worse :(
The only Symantec product I use occasionally is Partition Magic which remains the same as the PowerQuest original :)
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Like someone said before... you have to be stupid enough to use a retail symantec product. Imagine using a beta product... Thanks, but NO thanks!
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Here's the only program from them that I'll ever use:
http://www.symantec.com/symnrt
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*laughs*
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Even if it's possibly not quite as bloated anymore, you'd still be stupid to use it with many that much better alternatives around.
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Yep, you make a valid point. The performance has definitely improved but probably not as much as some here would like (especially those people using NOD, AVG, Kaspersky, etc). And, Symantec really has to nail those detection rates and gain the top spot in all detection tests, otherwise they'll never win back their customers who left due to previous versions' bloat. As it stands, being in the top 5 doesn't cut it...they gotta take it all or don't bother.
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Symantec has greatly improved the quality of their products since the 2006 series. Admittedly, 2005-2006 was probably the bottom in terms of bloat and feature stagnation, but the 2007 line (which got off to a rough start) and in particular the current suite of products are top notch products IMHO.
Are some of the other solutions mentioned here good? Certainly. I've even used some of them with good results (and one in particular with not-so-good results). The bottom line, though, is that Symantec stacks up well against any of them, especially when you can semi-regularly pick up a copy at most US retailers free after rebate.
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Unfortunately, they are the AOL of security products for the home user now.
The backlash of bad decisions will haunt them as it does AOL for some time, no matter how good their products become.
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Very true.
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I really like how Symantec uses the English very well...LOL...hmmm...SONAR....
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Me, I'm a man of simple needs, indeed so much so I'm simply waiting for an RC of Eset's IS all in one app.
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The beta is working pretty well.
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I agree with most people's comment here, I tried these products a long time ago and didn't like them, but I am willing to give it a little try and see how they have improved. Hmm, I was wondering though, about "SONAR" wouldn't that cause some confusion for Cakewalk's SONAR?...I hope it doesn't mislead. I'm just saying though, cuz people now sue anyone for the simplest little things =), though they are two different things lol.
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I used to use Norton, since 2007 they have really improved it a lot. Its very, very light on system resorces now. Hopefully 2008 is the same.
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Hopefully a raging blaze of a fire the likes of which no one has ever witnessed is 'accidentally' started at Symantec's 'utilities' division taking everyone with it. The Russian programmers are continually and unmercifully putting their American counterparts to shame.
Shame on you Symantec/Norton. You continue to 'exist' and 'do businees' but in actuality, you died many years ago. I haven't used a Norton product in almost 8 years, which is about the time they started to go down that STEEP hill of corporate bullsh*t.
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"Its very, very light on system resorces now."
That's like saying a supertanker is very light because it only weighs 10,000 tonnes instead of 11,000.
Norton is the most invasive godawful thing since the AOL Suite. When the software author has to write a tool to remove the crap because it's so tied into your system that the normal uninstaller doesn't do the job or breaks stuff, it's time to steer clear.
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well you haven't used norton products in 8 years. Norton Internet Security, ah well that is a bloat thing that I would stay away, but NAV2000, 2007 are pretty good (note that I'm skipping the middle ones since they REALLY suck bad as memory hogging piece of..)
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No thanks. Memory hogging bloatware.
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!!!!!!
GARBAGE
!!!!!!
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Im going to take a pass on this one...
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I humoured myself and tried Norton 360.
Good lord was that painful.
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Beta Test Symantec's 2008 Products/i]
Given the choice?
I'd rather not...
Unless the:
[i]he new versions of the company's software should also provide performance enhancements and make installation over a home network easier.
Actually make it somewhat usable.
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Are you kidding? Their retail products are awful enough, I wouldn't take money to install a beta Symantec product on my computer. That's insanity.
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I'd agree with you wholeheartedly for Symantec 2000-2006 products.
However for 2007, Symantec actually listened to their customers, and the products don't suck, performance wise. I guess the threat of Live OneCare really caused them to work on it.
http://reviews.cnet.com/...05-3667_7-32330411.html
http://www.pcmag.com/art...2/0,1895,2101117,00.asp
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Yep, the 2006 versions and earlier for Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security were complete pieces of bloated crap. Symantec really fixed the performance starting with the 2007 versions and made huge leaps of improvement. But they still have a long ways to go to get back their previous customers that suffered through the pre-2007 bloated crap.
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They also listened to the BETA testers. The best way to better a product and to see it contain things you would like is to join the team
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