Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 (14125628) Review

My computer has a browser hijack. When I search with Google or Yahoo or even go to Suite 101 and click links, I go to random web pages including shopica.com and other commercial link lists.

My thoughts are that Norton anti-virus 2009 to the tune of over $100 for 2 years would be fixing such problems. But, no, Norton is up and running, and my computer is chugging and giving me bad links.

I got on the Norton support page on chat. Yes. They can fix my problem . . . for $139.99. And, they will guarantee the "fix" for seven whole days. Yes. My computer is safe for seven days after paying Norton $139.99.

Well, I don't know what the yearly fee at Norton covers if not nasty trojans that prevent me from using search engines. General malmare and adware can be cleared with Ad-Aware for free. Thumbs up to Ad-Aware. But, I pay extra for Norton, and I would expect it to clean up bigger problems like the browser hijack.

Back to the drawing board if I can get around the internet without much search with something nasty on the computer doing goodness knows what else.

Update: There is a $99.99 service that can be done online by remote to search out and remove trojans or viruses. It's called NortonLive Spyware Virus Removal Service. That did take care of the problem. That's still a lot of money, and I still think the software should catch such problems, but I am glad the computer is now working right.

Spoke Too Soon: The Norton "fix" lasted a couple of hours, and then the Trojan was right back at work. I got a second round of help. But, the guarantee dates from when I paid, so I basically lost a day of that right off the back.

It Gets Better: My credit card company called (bless them). My identity has been stolen. The card was used to make almost $600 in overseas charges. Was this related to Norton? Who knows?

I have contacted Norton. The "help" is out of India. It takes FOREVER to get a "supervisor" if I even did get one.

Here is how we left things (copied direct and pasted) which makes me think "OH JOY!"

Senan(Sun Sep 20 17:01:23 EDT 2009)>

Cynthia , our Customer relation team look into your case and they will do the needful for you .