Norton Internet Security 2008

There was a time when all you needed was a good anti virus program like Norton AntiVirus and you could surf the net without worrying about picking up a virus that could bring your computer down.

As the net grew in leaps and bounds new dangers developed which presented new dangers. Chief among these is the phenomenon called identity theft. Viruses could destroy your data, but identity theft could destroy your financial life. By hacking into your computer, an identity thief could gather information about your credit cards, bank accounts, and financial data and wreck havoc with your credit rating for months.

If you think that this could not happen to you, you are dead wrong. First of all, I personally know two of my friends who were victims of identity theft. Although your Internet Linked Computer is only one way you can be attacked by these identity thieves it remains a major potential for financial disaster. Search Google for "Identity Theft" and you will see that there are more than Five Million References to the term!

If you do your banking on the Web, or pay for your web purchases with a credit card, you are susceptible! In my friends case it took dozens of hours of work and an interface with local police and federal authorities to restore his credit rating. Sadly, the after effects  continue to this day, but the situation is slowly going away.

Many of the sites you visit on the web leave "cookies" behind them which a little data programs that make re-visiting the site in the future a faster proposition.

Although benign for the most part, some cookies contain Spyware.  Spyware consists of  little programs that report your keystrokes back to a remote resource. Initially the information was used by the site that put the cookie on your computer to gather information about the users surfing habits. The information was sold to online marketers who then would bombard you with Spam about their site, try to sell you something, and clog your e-mail with dozens of solicitations, etc.

Spyware can also send confidential information back about your bank accounts, and financial data such as credit card numbers, etc. It isn't just annoying it may prove to be a disaster to your financial health.

Enter Norton Internet Security2008. Like Norton SystemWorks that is an all-in-one solution to PC problems Norton Internet Security 2008 is an all-in-one program that protects your computer from external attacks by hackers, Spyware, Viruses, Phishing, and a host of other threats to the security of your individual computer or your network.

The screen shot below shows you the at-a-glance Norton Protection Center.  All the program's security features are activated. One glance and I know that I am protected against attacks from the web, and Note the link to Norton SystemWorks. One click and I get an at-a-glance view of my computer's health.

The yellow ball shows that I am protected against hackers and that my incoming and outgoing e-mail is being scanned for viruses, or any other form of intrusion. The program blocks Spyware and addware before it can invade your computer. In the picture above, the program has detected a problem with my computer and notifies me both in the System Tray and with the RED X below the yellow ball. In this case the Phishing Filter has been turned off.

A pre-install checker, checks your computer before the main program is installed so you know that your machine is free from pre-existing problems.

If you have a home network, the program runs in conjunction with your networking equipment. My wireless router has its own firewall and Norton Internet Security adds an addition level of intrusion prevention.

An add on pack (optional) will also enable you to block spam and includes a parental control feature that will not allow your children to visit objectionable websites.

The LiveUpdate feature keeps your virus protection up to date with daily updates and the latest weapons in the Symantec Anti-Virus Arsenal.

The combination of Norton SystemWorks 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 are a must have dynamic duo for anyone who uses a computer.

Norton Internet Security 2008 Retails for $69.95 for the downloaded version or in-box edition. In addition there are combo packs at your local software dealer that offers several other Norton products together with Norton Internet Security for a small additional premium. If you are contemplating an upgrade to the New Microsoft Vista Operating System, Upgrades will be available to you after the installation on the Symantec site.