Labs

Norton Anti-Virus installs slowly. It does a scan first, but does so using old virus definitions. Once installed, it performs a hefty Live Update and slowly, but thoroughly, scans the entire hard disk.

The program's Protection Center does a quick check that all is well, including the status of Windows Update.

Norton's found

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all our viruses, but didn't catch all the malware. The program automatically scanned incoming and outgoing e-mail, but let through a message containing an attachment with two file extensions - a common virus characterstic. There is a special scanner for instant messengers, but Internet downloads are only checked once they are saved to disk.

The program also caused a very noticeable delay when loading programs, one that was enough to be irritating on slower computers.

The program's installation CD can't be used as a rescue disc and tools to create one are not provided. If a virus prevents installation, Symantec suggests that you can clean the computer using their online scanner instead - not much use if you can't get your machine online.

Norton performed well in our tests, but it slowed other programs down too much and it should come with some sort of boootable rescue CD, or the ability to make one.