Norton Antivirus 2011

The Norton name has been synonymous with anti-viral software for 2 decades now. Lots of competition has emerged but the company continues to dominate the market. With the release of Norton Antivrius 2011 it's easy to see why consumers keep buying from them. The new software comes packed with new features and is a significant improvement from it's predecessor. Here's just a few highlights from this year's edition.

Installation

The install process has never been simpler. Norton Antivirus is completely installed and running within minutes of popping in the disk. One quick tip: run a definition update on the software when opening it for the first time. This ensures it's familiar with the latest viruses. After the initial update, Norton will automatically look for new upgrades.

Features:

Network Insight

Norton has a new network insight window which allows users to view which files have been marked as 'good' or bad in real-time. They've also created new criteria like 'trust level' and 'prevalence'. Older files and more common files on your computer are naturally more trusted. It's smart features like this that keep customers from deleting files they need to run their computer!

Updated Malware Cleanup

Norton has revamped it's malware cleanup system and made it easier to use and customize. This may sound like an oxymoron but they've improved the automatic Malware cleanup but added more customization options for advanced users. Options like the Norton Power Eraser which perform a second cleanup on files that users still don't trust.

First in Viral Detection

Computer virus labs like AV Comparatives have always ranked Norton high on their list of virus detection software. Their latest tests show Norton detected 89% of viral threats on their testing systems. This put them first against competitors.

Improved Download Intelligence

Norton's testing of internet files has been spotty in past but the 2011 edition should change people's minds.
The new edition tests files downloaded from emails, download managers, and online chats. If it detects that the is a threat, it automatically deletes it from your computer. The new software also blocks any potential malware installations.

Firewall Boosters

All versions of Windows come with some firewall protection. Vista's firewall protection is actually very comprehensive but Norton Antivirus adds a few 'firewall boosters' for increased security. These boosters make for a very impressive security system.

Viral Analysis Charts

Most users of Norton Antivirus don't care about the intricate details of viruses, just as long as they're block from their computer. But Norton understands that some users want detailed information about every file it analyzes. The data charts give users an unbelievable amount of information to examine.

New to the charts is a feature that shows which applications are slowing computer performance. Norton provides a detailed report on the application in question and users can use the information to speed things up. It's very handy for computers that have hundreds of applications installed.

Social Networking Security

Antivirus can be connected to a user's facebook account. The software will automatically scan any links posted in the news feed and ensure they're safe to click.