Symantec Testing New Norton AntiVirus

By Nate Mook | Published July 26, 2005, 3:09 PM

Symantec has released a public beta of Norton AntiVirus 2006, an updated version of its popular PC protection software. NAV 2006 includes improvements and new features to block Internet worms and protect e-mail. Symantec is also expected to begin testing SystemWorks and Internet Security 2006 in the coming weeks.

To reward testers, Symantec will give a free copy of the software to the first 50 users who find undocumented bugs. The release only works with Windows 2000 and XP and will expire 30 days after installation. Norton AntiVirus 2006 beta is available for download via FileForum.

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still no mention of supporting windows 64 bit.. as one of the industry leaders in anti-virus solutions this is a supreme disappointment - with little guys like avast able to release a 64 bit version, theres NO reason for this laziness. Just another reason why I am glad I left the big corporate machine of symantec (once a good name) behind for other companies that actually produce

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no thanks...

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This is basically SAV10 without the configurability.

In a word:

*yawn*

There is MUCH better out there and much of it is free.

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I've used NIS 2003 and recently upgraded to 2005. Must admit that the only problem i have had was Outlook crashing and slowing down when using Norton AntiSpam with it - easy to fix, just disabled it from integrating with Outlook.

This beta WILL NOT install over the top of any other Symantec Products, it says that I must removed all previous Symantec products before installing, something I don't wish to do.

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I am glad everyone can agree on one thing...and that is that NAV is resource hungry.

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NAV 2005 was a resource hog. After removing it, it crippled some of my other Windows programs and drivers. Besides, their phone support is beyond poor - I hung up after being put on hold for 40 minutes (due to NAV crippling the WinXP Security Centre after a NAV software update). I'm keeping my distance from all future versions of NAV.

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This preview works fine for me on a laptop with a 1.6M processor. It's not as much a processor hog than 2005 and 2004. I've used 2003 for a few years because it was better than the later version, but I just might buy this version if I find that it does a better job than 2003 (which really works fine anyway).

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I have to agree with all the comments regarding how bad norton av is these days. I used to rely on it heavily, but it is far too bloated and resource heavy it has become a liability. I have lost count of how many of my friends have had problems with it. Its rediculous how many processes it puts on your system , and when it does find something it claims it cannot be removed and then offers you to exclude it from future scans !! how useless is that.

Im now using kaspersky and Sophos on my home machines, and i have to admit i do prefer Sophos. At first the user interface seamed lacking, but it turns out to be awesome protection, the lowest cpu overhead of any antivirus scanners i have tried and updates with ease ( Being free using the work volume licience helps ).

Its a good job they are limiting the offer to 50 copies for finding bugs, otherwise it would be far far too costly with more people running free than paying lol.

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The best thing I ever did was remove Norton from my machine when my subscription ran out last year and install sygate and avast!, they are free, work better and dont screw up my machine.

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I agree with negative "bloating" comments about Norton. I will NEVER install Symantec products on my computer ... EVER. Their idea of security is making the internet so unuseable that of course you won't get infected!

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Norton Antivirus was great up until about version 2000. Since then it has been a bloated dinosaur which slows your computer down like it were authentic malware. Can't believe that people still pay for this thing when there are free alternatives which are far less bloated. (AVG, for one.)

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This thing didnt install on my current machine.. although it MIGHT work on my new PC that Im getting soon :\

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Just wanted to say that you will need a key to install this External Test beta of NAV2006. To get the key, browse to http://www.symantec.com/public_beta/ and give them your email address.

Regards,
PUC_Snake

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I bet that this will be even more of a system hog.

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