Symantec’s latest anti-virus suite, Norton 360, goes on sale today. I wasn’t really expecting a price drop, but it’s come out with a $79.99 per year price tag. Does that seem too much?

First of all, let’s look at what they offer. Norton 360 is the all-in-one internet computer security suite; except for online-transaction security any wireless security tools. It has all the favorites, including firewall, antivirus and antispyware scanning software, rootkit detection, online and local backup and restore, and computer diagnostics tools.

You could just pay them once, but you won’t get the database updates, which are very important for up-to-date virus and spyware protection. So we’re looking at a yearly fee.

Reportedly, 360 is a step up from Norton Internet Security 2007. Better looking and easier on your CPU.

Even though Internet security is widely accepted as an important faccet of web browsing, and something that, if not maintained, could have serious affected on anything you undertake online; do people care that much?

“I think that Norton 360 is a huge step up in consumer security,” said Forrester Research analyst Natalie Lambert. “However, getting customers to make the purchase will be a challenge.”

Forrester also explains that although 79% of US computer owners use anti-virus software, only 3 in 5 are protected against spyware and other threats. Norton 360 covers those other threats within a product that many users are familiar with.

I happen to use a free anti-virus, free spyware protection, and free rootkit detection. I didn’t happen to find it very hard to come by these programs. Is it really that convenient to have everything together?

Is this the turning point where those who thought they had to buy internet security tools begin looking for alternatives?

“There will definitely be some price sensitivity” on the part of users, said Mark Kanok, 360’s product marketing manager. “But the breadth and execution of Norton 360’s functionality is greater [than Microsoft's OneCare]. And I don’t think anyone should undersell the intelligence of users.”

Based on CNET’s review of the product, I will concede that Norton 360 probably is a good option for many users. I accept that a product which integrates several different internet security applications into one smooth and easy to use program does have some value. The question remains, how much is that really worth?

CNET Review of Symantec’s Norton 360

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Entry was posted on Monday, February 26th, 2007 at 6:20 am under Internet, Security, Software.

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