Norton AntiVirus (NAV) is a product of Symantec Corporation and is one of the most widely used antivirus programs. Its function is to detect and remove viruses, spyware, adware, and other potential security risks.
Norton AntiVirus is sold as a standalone product and is also included as part of Norton Internet Security and Norton SystemWorks. There is also a standalone corporate version called Symantec Endpoint Protection (formerly known as Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition), which is aimed at centrally managed corporate environments and has features not present in the retail version of the software.
History
Since its release in 1990 and the acquisition of Central Point Software in 1994 by Symantec, NAV was integrated with its main competitor of the era, Central Point Anti-Virus (CPAV). CPAV was also licensed to Microsoft as the Microsoft Anti-Virus utility.
Version History
Version 2006 (13.0)
Norton AntiVirus 2006
Norton AntiVirus 2006 introduced spyware and adware detection in full system scans as well as the auto-protect feature. Norton AntiVirus 2006 also introduced the Norton Protection Center, a one stop interface that aggregates all the security data a user needs to know about their PC and displays it on an easy to understand screen. Also introduced in Norton AntiVirus 2006 was home page hijacking protection and new product features throughout the year.
Faulty Update to Norton AntiVirus 2006 Users
On July 25, 2006, Symantec released a faulty Norton AntiVirus update affecting Norton AntiVirus 2006. Many users of Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2006 and any product that contained Norton AntiVirus 2006, such as Norton Internet Security 2006 and Norton SystemWorks 2006, experienced difficulties due to the faulty update sent via LiveUpdate. Users reported getting an onscreen message stating that "Norton AntiVirus 2006 does not support the repair feature" and asking that they uninstall and reinstall Norton AntiVirus.
Symantec said the faulty update was downloaded to customers between 1PM and 7PM on that day. The security vendor recommended the affected users either download a workaround tool or follow steps posted on their site. Symantec said in a statement that they expected to "deliver a repair patch to affected users by the end of day, Monday, July 31, 2006." Symantec, however, never issued a repair patch for the problem.
Version 2007 (14.0)
After many years of customer complaints regarding the speed and system resource utilization of the product, Symantec responded in 2007 with a much needed rewrite of the code in an attempt to make the product lighter and faster. Installer size in Norton AntiVirus 2007 was reduced by utilizing 7-Zip technology.
Norton AntiVirus 2007 automatically detects and blocks viruses, spyware, rootkits and worms. Several of its key features are Rootkit Protection which finds and removes hidden threats in the operating system, Internet Worm Protection that blocks viruses, spyware and worms without specific signatures, email and instant message scanning that detects, removes or blocks infected attachments and Full System Scan which performs a deep scan to remove existing viruses, spyware and other threats. Norton Protection Center provides a central place to easily check overall security settings.
Version 2008 (15.0)
Norton AntiVirus 2008 was released on August 28, 2007. It includes new features such as SONAR (Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response) technology, which detects potentially malicious code before traditional virus definitions are available. SONAR works by monitoring programs behavior rather than looking for signatures. Norton AntiVirus 2008 also includes Browser Defender (which protects Internet Explorer from drive by downloads and unpatched exploits), One-Click Support, Home Network Security Status (displays status of Norton AntiVirus on all PC's in your network), multiple daily updates, and improved performance (about 60% faster than Norton AntiVirus 2007).
Version 2009 (16.0)
The 2009 Version will be released in Fall 2008. Starting in July 2008 until the End of August 2008, there will be a free Beta Trial for the new Version.
Features
Like most standard antivirus software, Norton AntiVirus provides real-time protection from viruses, spyware, worms, keyloggers, rootkits and many other forms of malware. The program also includes a real-time scanner.
Virus definitions
Symantec's Norton LiveUpdate provides virus definition updates, which enable Norton AntiVirus to detect viruses known to Symantec; a total of 73,939 viruses as of March 23, 2008. In order to receive updates, a valid subscription is required; an initial subscription good for one year (or 90 days for OEM copies) is included with the purchase. When a user's subscription expires, the user can still receive program updates (patches) for free but will not be able to download virus definitions updates without renewing his or her subscription or purchasing a new version of the Symantec product with a year of subscription included.
The corporate edition has a client/server strategy to update virus definitions. Each of the workstations will still have LiveUpdate installed, but it will be linked to a central server instead of connecting directly to Symantec. The server will download all necessary updates directly from Symantec's LiveUpdate service, then make those updates available to the client/managed workstations. This is to reduce redundant updates over the organizational network (such as 100 PC's updating the same definitions).
Competition
Norton AntiVirus also attempts to remove spyware and adware, both of which are forms of malware that are not computer viruses. It competed in this capacity with the freeware Spybot - Search & Destroy (among others).
Product activation
Beginning with Norton AntiVirus 2004, Norton AntiVirus includes an anti-copying feature called "Product Activation," which is similar to the activation process in Windows XP and Office XP. The activation process for Norton AntiVirus 2004 through 2007 can be accomplished through two methods: over the Internet or by phone. Starting with Norton AntiVirus 2008, activation can only be accomplished over the Internet.