Want a software-based firewall that's truly reliable? How about anti-virus software that's consistently ranked the best in the market by PC Magazine? Or maybe you're looking for the ultimate in anti-spam software to cut down on the hundreds of junk email you get every day? Of course, in addition to all of this, you want all three software packages to be affordable, effective, and easy to install and maintain. This may have seemed like a pipe dream before Symantec introduced its Norton Internet Security 2004 edition, but now that they've released it, everything you've wanted is a reality.

Chances are you've heard about Norton AntiVirus. Well, take it from the Computer Mechanix, Norton is the only anti-virus software that we recommend. We use it exclusively from the Corporate Edition we have running on our servers to the Personal Editions we install on our own computers as well as our clients. Bar none, Norton AntiVirus is the only the software to use to catch all the little nasties floating around the Internet.

Norton Internet Security is a package that includes a personal software-based firewall, ad-blocking, intrusion detection, privacy control, and Norton's personal god-send, AntiSpam. Now, the rest of the services are excellent though you probably don't need a software-based firewall if you have Windows XP, but the star of Norton's Internet Security 2004 is definitely AntiSpam.

AntiSpam integrates seamlessly into your email client software (Outlook Express, Incredimail, Eudora, etc.) and scans your email for repeating symptoms of spam. It will then automatically pull the spam out of your downloading email and put it in a convenient folder named "Norton AntiSpam" where you can peruse it at your leisure (or just click on the Norton AntiSpam button and clear the whole folder into the Trash). AntiSpam is extremely accurate and has been carefully programmed by Symantec to avoid what are called "false positives." False positives are real emails that you want accidentally being identified by spam. In addition to its constantly updating spam definitions, AntiSpam allows you to identify spam that may have escaped its grasp and landed in your inbox as spam so you never have to see them again.

Thinking about Norton Utilities 2004 instead? Don't. Unfortunately, Norton's Utilities see very shaky reviews and have questionable reliability outside of the products discussed in this review. Norton Internet Security 2004 includes all of the software that you need and none that you don't.

Also included is one year of LiveUpdates that update the software programs, the virus definitions, and the spam definitions. This is one piece of software you don't want to miss. I use it on my computer and can tell you first-hand that I absolutely adore the AntiSpam features -- I used to get over 100 emails a day and now I only get the email I want to read. Norton Internet Security 2004 is nothing short of spectacular.

Manufacturer's Link: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2004

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