Norton AntiVirus Deluxe 4.0 by
Symantec This is the latest in the AntiVirus series by Peter Norton, and
comes on one CD-ROM. It covers all platforms, that is, Windows NT, Windows 95,
Windows 3.1 and DOS, and comes with three manuals for each system (Windows 3.1
and DOS are together). The requirements are different for each:
Windows NT Windows 95 Windows 3.1 DOS Processor Intel CPU 386DX or higher 386DX or higher 386DX or higher RAM 16Mb 8Mb 4Mb 4Mb Hard disc space 16Mb 16Mb 9Mb 9Mb Other requirements CD-ROM Drive, three 1.44Mb discs CD-ROM Drive, three 1.44Mb discs CD-ROM Drive, three 1.44Mb discs CD-ROM Drive, three 1.44Mb discs The last requirement is for the rescue disk set, which you use to repair your
PC if a virus is found. It creates an Emergency Boot Disk, to re-boot your
computer, an Anti-Virus Program Disk, to scan and remove viruses, and an
Anti-Virus Definitions Disk, virus definitions files used during scans. These
run in DOS, in case the infected file is used in Windows.
Installation is very easy and is fully explained in the 130 page manual. Each
of the nine questions asked during the installation is covered, with an
explanation of what you should do, and why.
1. Select the folder for Norton AntiVirus - Where you want to install
the program.
2. Schedule weekly scans of your local hard disc that run
automatically - To ensure your disks are virus-free you should scan them
regularly.
3. Automatically start Auto-Protect - This constantly monitors your
computer to ensure a virus does not infect your system.
4. Scan at startup - Checks your system before the main operating
system starts. I personally don't use this feature and it slows the boot up
sequence, but I have every other feature on to compensate.
5. Norton AntiVirus has detected a Netscape browser, do you want to
install plug-ins? - Files can be scanned when you download them from a web
site using a Netscape browser.
6. Do you wish to create Rescue Disks? - Recommended if you want to
fix your computer when a virus appears.
7. Run LiveUpdate after installation - The version you install may not
have the latest virus definitions, so choosing this will connect to the symantec
site and update the program automatically.
8. Scan for viruses after installation - You may already have a virus
undetected, so you should choose this to make sure.
9. Restart your computer? - Only after a re-boot is your computer
protected from viruses.
Running the program in Windows 95 is the same as with previous versions. The
Auto Protect is loaded on start up and an icon is placed in the toolbar. When
you want to scan for viruses, and you run the program, the only difference is
that you have a splash screen with a colour picture of Peter Norton (the same
one as on the front cover) before the program starts!
There several key features common to both the Standard and Deluxe versions of
the program, namely:
BloodHoundTM heuristics - Real-world protection that
"sniffs out2 new and unknown viruses, and detects and repairs unknown macros
viruses. Researchers at Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre estimate Bloodhound
can detect over 90% of new macro viruses and 80% of new file viruses.
LiveUpdateTM - Downloads current virus definitions either
manually or at a time scheduled to suit you. These are provided free for the
life of the product, and now available for the Windows 3.1 and DOS platforms.
You can get the updates via floppy disc if you are not connected to the
Internet.
LiveUpdateTM Email - For the latest news on viruses and virus
hoaxes. By registering your e-mail address, users are kept informed of the
latest virus information, availability of new virus definitions, and any hoaxes
or other threats to guard against. Each LiveUpdate E-mail message comes from
SARC and includes a LiveUpdate attachment. You click on the attachment and
LiveUpdate is immediately launched from your e-mail program. Any new virus
definitions or program patches or enhancements are automatically downloaded and
installed.
Repair WizardTM - Removes viruses automatically without
damaging files. Now available for Windows 3.1 and DOS platforms. When I found a
virus on my system five EXE files were infected, but after repair they ran
perfectly, but to be absolutely sure, you should re-install the file (unless the
installation contains the virus!)
Emergency Boot Disk - If you already have a virus and can't load your
operating system, this will help remove the virus so you can resume using your
computer.
Norton CrashGuardTM 2.0 for Windows 95/NT - included only in
the deluxe version, this extra program works in the background to stop and
repair most application crashes.
Symantec and Norton's security technology - included only in the deluxe
version, this proactive security automatically blocks hackers and destructive
Active X and Java™ applets from entering your computer. Only for Windows 95.
Several web pages are installed with several checks on your system written in
Java. An icon is placed in your toolbar when the system is loaded, and the
checks are made in the bakcground when you use your web browser.
Encryption technology - included only in the deluxe version, this
encrypts files you send via email or the Internet for greater privacy. Only for
Windows 95. Norton Secret Stuff makes it easy to encrypt files for yourself or
others. Because it creates self-extracting archives, you can use Secret Stuff to
share secured data with any Windows or DOS user. To encrypt data, you add up to
2000 files to a list, enter a password, and then click the Encrypt button.
Secret Stuff prompts you for a file name and then encrypts and compresses the
selected files, converting them into a single self-extracting DOS executable. To
decrypt the data, you double-click the executable file and enter the password.
The files are then restored to their original form. The program itself is
written for Windows 3.1 and it shows.
There are some important notes in the included Readme file that are not
featured in the manual , that might be of interest:
Options settings from earlier versions of Norton AntiVirus - Options
settings from earlier versions of Norton AntiVirus are not preserved when you
install Norton AntiVirus 4.0. The new version stores options settings in a
different format.
NAVDX and Long Filenames (LFNs) - NAVDX, the command-line scanner used
for startup scans and emergency recovery, does not properly display long
filenames in a DOS box.
Innoculation Alerts -
Partitioning Software. If you use partitioning software (such as
Partition Magic) or drive overlay software (such as Disk Manager and EZ drive),
you may receive inoculation alerts for legitimate changes. When you set or
modify partitions after Norton AntiVirus is installed, choose Inoculate, not
Repair, to respond to these alerts. For example, Partition Magic may generate
several legitimate inoculation alerts when setting or modifying partitions. If
you choose Repair, your drive may be rendered inaccessible with little chance of
recovery.
Program Files. If you use inoculation protection for program files,
Norton AntiVirus reports an inoculation change when the newly installed file is
accessed (or during a manual scan). Choose Inoculate, not Repair, to respond to
the alert. In this case, the inoculation change is legitimate because it is a
new file
Automatic Protection and Downloading Software - If you configure Norton
AntiVirus to monitor for virus-like activities or use the Virus Sensor feature,
you may get unknown virus alerts when downloading program files from some online
services. These alerts do not necessarily mean a file is infected with an
unknown virus. The alert may be generated due to the way the file is
transferred. For example, the CompuServe WinCIM program creates a file the size
of the expected download when you begin a file transfer. During the transfer,
the contents of this file are replaced with the data being downloaded. If you
are downloading an executable program, Auto-Protect will properly notice that
the file is being modified and alert you. Simply select Continue when the alert
is generated to complete the download. If you frequently download programs, you
can add exclusions for this behaviour so that the alerts are not generated at
all. For example, you could add exclusions for WinCIM for "Unknown virus
detection" and "Write to program files."
Using Netscape with Norton AntiVirus - If Norton AntiVirus is installed
as a Netscape helper application, a downloaded file will be lost if Netscape is
closed before the download is complete.
This software can cover most virus problems that you may have, and does not
charge for the updates (unlike other Anti-Virus software I could mention). The
manual gives you a complete explanation of any term used, what viruses are and
how they work. The software itself covers all operating platforms (except
perhaps OS/2) and the manuals are written for those platforms. This means you do
not get one manual that says, if you are running on Windows 3.1 go to page ?? to
find out how to do something, or go to page ?? if you are running on Windows 95
to find out how to do the same thing. It can be slower than some other AntiVirus
programs, especially when set to scan every file and archive on your system.
With the addition of Norton Safe on the Web, CrashGuard 2.0 and Norton Secret
Stuff you get some useful programs that help protect your computer and it's
data. Along with the free upgrade to version 5 when available, Norton AntiVirus
gives you the reassurance that your system will be protected against the viruses
around today and the ones that have yet to be written.
Review first appeared in ROM Newsletter of the Guildford PC User Group in
March 1998 (Vol.8,No.3)
Reviewed by Laurence Fenn