Antivirus Software

Vigilant Virus Protection
Norton AntiVirus 4.0 updates itself daily with the latest virus data from Symantec's Web site.

(9/24/97) -- If you're looking for a solid antivirus program, you can't go wrong with Symantec Corp.'s Norton AntiVirus, Version 4.0 (NAV), released today. Like other programs of its kind, NAV keeps tabs on all of your system's resources and alerts you when it finds something suspicious. NAV takes protection one step farther, however, by updating itself daily with the latest virus data and watching for and finding unknown viruses.

Since the NAV interface is very graphical and user-friendly, it's easy to get started with the program. NAV scans and cleans your system memory, boot sectors, and files when you first start your PC. It also scans programs when you first launch them, so you know you're always working in a safe environment.

You can also use it to scan removable media, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, individual files, and folders. You can even schedule the program to perform scans when you're away from your PC, so you don't have to sit and wait for it to run. If a virus is found on your system while you're away, NAV can remove it from your drives and repair any damage it may have caused.

The most significant new element in Version 4.0 is a new updating feature, LiveUpdate, which visits Symantec's Web site as often as you like and retrieves current virus definitions. The definitions—or virus signatures—are installed into the program and help NAV identify viruses on your system and delete them. Unlike other antivirus programs, these updates are free; many of the popular antivirus programs available today require a monthly or yearly subscription fee. Since this feature is automatic, you don't have to worry about going to an FTP site and downloading the updates. NAV is set by default to run LiveUpdate once a week, but you can set it to update daily if you like. Along with the definitions, you'll also receive e-mail that informs you about new viruses and keeps you up to date on any widespread outbreaks.

There are several features you can use to add an extra layer of protection to your system, two of which especially impressed us: Inoculation and a Netscape Navigator plug-in. Inoculation lets you monitor key files on your system, watching them for unknown viruses. The feature works by taking a "snapshot" of the file you want to keep track of. Its size, the date it was written to your drive, and other information is stored. Once a file has been inoculated, NAV can go back to it and watch for changes that may mean the file has been infected with a virus it couldn't detect. The Navigator plug-in simply watches your online sessions for possible security problems or viruses. Since files downloaded from the Web can be major sources of viruses, however, this feature should appeal to anyone who spends even short periods of time online.

Although NAV is a very simple product, its functionality rivals or surpasses most of the other antivirus programs available on the market. In addition, the free virus updates and Netscape plug-in make it an inexpensive yet comprehensive program.

Norton AntiVirus, Version 4.0
Requires: Windows 3.x, 95 or NT; 16MB RAM; 12MB hard disk space. Symantec Corp., Cupertino, CA.; 800-441-7234, 541-334-6054
http://www.symantec.com/