As the New Year hurls towards us, it is time once again to start searching for new calendars, new organizers and of course, the latest anti-virus software. In my quest to thwart viruses, tracking cookies, phishing, spam and spyware all through the new year, I tried out Norton Internet Security 2009 suite of services. Read here to decide if Norton Internet Security Suite is just what you need or the last thing you need.

Features of Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009:

- Antivirus
- Spyware protection
- Two-way firewall
- Identity protection
- Antiphishing
- Network security
- Botnet protection
- Rootkit detection
- Browser protection
- Internet worm protection
- Intrusion prevention
- OS and application protection
- Web site authentication
- Pulse updates
- NortonTM Insight
- SONARTM behavioral protection
- Antispam
- Parental Controls & confidential information blocking
- Norton Protection System

System Requirements:

- Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Ultimate**Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 Home/XP Pro/XP Media Center Edition300 MHz or faster processor
- 256 MB of RAM (*512 MB RAM required for the Recovery Tool)
- 200 MB of available hard disk space
- Standard Web browser
- Email scanning supported for POP3- and SMTP-compatible email clients.Support for AntiSpam feature Microsoft Outlook® 97 or later
- Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 or later
- Supported instant messaging clientsAOL®
- Yahoo!®
- Microsoft®
- Trillian(TM)
- Browser support for Browser Defense and Phishing Protection featuresMicrosoft Internet Explorer® 6.0 (32-bit only) and later
- Mozilla Firefox® 2.0 and later

Awards for Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009:

- October 2008 PC Pro: PC Pro Recommended Award
- October 2008 Computer Shopper: Editors' Choice Award
- September 2008 PC Magazine: Editors' Choice Award
- July 2008 LAPTOP Magazine: Editors' Choice Award
- PC World 100 Best Products of 2008

Advantages of Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009:

It has a high detection rate, as high as Kapersky, and higher than some other services.

It is incredibly easy to complete your purchase online, and quickly download, install and configure. Even those not computer literate can easily set up their preferences and the helpful tutorial starts up with your first use, teaching you how to use the features.

An amazing array of features! My personal favorites include: the identity theft protection, spyware, anti phishing, adware detection, web browsing and image protection, as well as the parental controls. Others may like the user name, password and credit card storing and protection.

Easy to read tool bars indicate that it is working in the background. There are easy to read, use and ignore "approval" of websites before you visit them. The identity theft protection utilizes not only the firewall, and spyware protection but also a storage system for log ins, passwords and credit card numbers eliminating the need to store them anywhere else and allows for ease of use.

The Price is Right:

It is reasonably priced at $69.99 or you can get the two year download for a discounted price of $114.99. This download is available for up to three computers in your home.

The Disadvantages of Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009:

The most frustrating thing about the Symantec Norton Internet Security suite is that it drags my computer down. I type over 80 wpm, I have several windows and systems open at a time and need to be able to access these windows, systems and images quickly and easily, for both personal and professional use. This antivirus program makes the computer run so slow that I am sitting and waiting for access to what I need. Just opening my computer for the day with this system causes a delay of more or less than 6 minutes just to open my first window.

Customer support is only free if you use the telephone, and it is suggested to purchase the on-line support. I would prefer free customer support for the service, after all not everyone is born with a hard drive for a brain and this may keep some people from investing in a quality antivirus system.

The more I use Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 the less I like it, I have to walk away before I get mad at how long it takes to use certain systems on my computer. As long as my computer is open, and I only do one thing at a time, it runs slower, but not a complete stop. However, with more than one window open I consistently get a delay that is so long that I get a "not responding message" while I wait for everything to get in "sync."

The Maddening about Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009:

After weeks of the "bad" it gotten down right maddening. Since I can't have more than one application and browser window open, and my last attempt was for two hours, I uninstalled the system. The advantage don't outweigh the disadvantages for what I need. I want an all in one service package for more than one computer that doesn't limit my ability to work.

Bottom Line:

While Symantec Norton Internet Security Suite 2009 does what it says and is easy to use for scanning, other features are a little too confusing and the computer slow down would make it prohibitive for those who daily depend on their computer for many tasks including work. The fact that this slows it so much while "protecting me" was starting to feel like going through airport security and getting strip searched because my underwire bra is setting off the machine. I am told that's for my own good, but I don't want to do it either.

Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 may be just right for computer users who are generally just surfing, shopping and using e-mail and want dependable anti-virus, phishing, spyware and identity theft protection.