McAfee VirusScan 8.0 protects your PC against a wide range of viruses, Trojan horses, and other rogue programs. With so many viruses being transmitted by e-mail, you absolutely need an antivirus program to protect your PC and, more importantly, your data.

McAfee VirusScan 8.0 installs easily from the CD-ROM and immediately checks your PC for any viruses that may already have infected it. As soon as you connect to the Internet it downloads the latest updates to ensure you are up-to-date with all the newest virus signatures.

To enable it to work effectively, McAfee VirusScan 8.0 operates on many levels. The new Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) constantly monitors your PC for viruslike activity and integrates well with many different e-mail clients. The VShield feature runs constantly in the background, checking files as you open them. Even if you choose to disable VShield, the program still protects Microsoft Office files by checking them before you open them.

Another common way hackers infect PCs is by using scripts in e-mails. McAfee VirusScan 8.0 works well here, too, by looking for suspicious behavior in scripts such as those trying to open, write, or delete files. Anything suspect is stopped immediately.

For users running Win 98, 98 SE, and Me only there is a Safe & Sound function that makes copies of your documents and keeps them safe in case they get damaged by data corruption or virus activity. Note that this does not work on Windows 2000 and XP.

Some of the latest viruses can stop antivirus programs from working properly once they have infected a machine. If you suspect this has occurred, you can boot your PC directly from the McAfee VirusScan 8.0 installation CD-ROM, ensuring a clean environment for it to work in. You can also create a boot floppy to do the same thing.

Like the other products in McAfee's security range, McAfee VirusScan 8.0 uses Instant Updater, which constantly checks for product updates and automatically downloads these when you are online. Of course, any antivirus product is only as good as its ability to stop viruses from infecting your system. Happily, McAfee VirusScan 8.0 has been given a 100% rating by Virus Bulletin (although this assumes you do keep your product up-to-date with Instant Updater).

McAfee VirusScan 8.0 is a worthy update, and existing users will appreciate the improved security this release offers.

Iain Laskey, Amazon.co.uk
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Like its arch-rival Norton AntiVirus (NAV) 2003, McAfee VirusScan 8.0 automatically downloads up-to-date virus definitions from the Internet; provides a cogent, lucid interface that's quick to navigate; squashes malicious scripts, worms, viruses, and other digital miscreants; and is reasonably priced. Unlike NAV 2003, VirusScan 7.0 has superior technical support and faster scanning times, and it comes with a firewall -- essential for anyone with an always-on DSL or cable Internet connection. Although it's a tad less slick-looking than NAV 2003, VirusScan 7.0 is a fine first-time anti-virus choice for any Windows user.

Current VirusScan users who use Outlook Express or Eudora will want the new features for those applications and should upgrade, while current Outlook users should pass for now. Choosing between NAV 2003 and VirusScan 7.0? No need to switch if you already run NAV, but if you're picking for the first time, go with VirusScan.

Installation & Interface

First-time installation is quick: load the CD and click the Next button a few times, and within minutes you're done. But if you're upgrading from a previous version of VirusScan, you must uninstall your old copy before loading version 7.0, which is a major hassle. You’ll also need to reconfigure your customised settings -- preset scan times, firewall configuration and so on -- because version 7.0 can't inherit them.

Like Norton AntiVirus 2003, VirusScan 7.0 fully automates its virus-definition downloads -- you won't need to install these yourself. Version 7.0 also includes a complimentary one-year subscription to McAfee's virus-definition service.

Unlike NAV 2003, which automatically deletes viruses once it intercepts them, VirusScan 7.0's default setting posts a warning dialogue asking whether you'd like to delete, clean or quarantine the infected file, which gives you more control over the process. However, VirusScan 7.0 users who prefer Norton's ‘don't bother the user’ method can change this setting by entering the Advanced Options dialogue and choosing either the Clean or Delete (infected files) menu item.

VirusScan 7.0's interface, with its browser-like Back, Forward and Home buttons, is pretty much unchanged from version 6.0, with the exception of a new feature that allows you to schedule scans of individual folders. For example, you can schedule it to check your always-changing My Documents folder to provide you with a degree of control that version 6.0 didn't offer.

Features

Under the surface, McAfee's Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) detects unfriendly viruses, such as mass-mailer worms. This time around, HAWK supports SMTP-based email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook Express and Eudora, in addition to Outlook, so if your email program tries to send a message to more than 60 percent of your address book, HAWK will alert you. However, like NAV 2003, VirusScan 7.0 offers only limited protection for AOL email users, no thanks to AOL's proprietary email format.

VirusScan's VShield in-memory scanner monitors active scripts for potential trouble from Visual Basic and JavaScript and also scans file transfers between your handheld and your PC. And like NAV 2003, VirusScan 7.0 now examines file downloads from the popular instant-messenger applications of Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft.

But here's the clincher: version 7.0, like its predecessor, includes McAfee Firewall to prevent unauthorised access to Internet-connected PCs, which is especially important for those machines with always-on broadband connections. The firewall is unchanged since the last version, except that it now automatically allows desktop applications such as Internet Explorer, AOL and Music Maker to access the Internet.

Performance

In ZDNet Labs' performance tests, VirusScan 7.0 beat NAV 2003 soundly in scanning speed (the amount of time it takes to search your PC for viruses), while both anti-virus programs made a similarly minimal impact on overall PC performance. To measure VirusScan 7.0's impact on system performance, we used BAPCo's SysMark2002, an industry-standard benchmark. The Internet Content Creation portion of SysMark measures a desktop's performance running off-the-shelf applications such as Adobe’s Photoshop, Microsoft Windows Media Encoder, and Macromedia’s Dreamweaver. (We did not run the Office Productivity portion of the benchmark because it incorporates McAfee VirusScan 5.13.)

Our test system was a Compaq Evo W4000, running Windows XP Professional, with a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 processor and 512MB of DDR RAM. With VirusScan 7.0 running, our test system scored a 97 -- a 3 percent reduction in overall system speed, which is reasonable and wouldn't be noticed by most users. In comparison, Norton AntiVirus 2003 scored a 95, or a 5 percent reduction in system speed. (An Internet Content Creation score of 100 represents the performance of our test system without any extraneous software running). In a test of scanning speed, VirusScan 7.0 took an average of 1.7 minutes to scan a 1GB directory, beating NAV 2003, which averaged 3.1 minutes.

To determine whether VirusScan effectively blocks viruses, we examined its past performance in tests conducted by independent antivirus-testing laboratories. In the latest Virus Bulletin tests, VirusScan 6.0 earned the coveted VB 100 percent rating only once in the three most recent Windows tests, compared to Norton AntiVirus 2003, which won all of the last three Windows tests. However, VirusScan has performed as well as Norton in live virus tests conducted by AV-Test.org. Previous versions of VirusScan have also been certified by the independent antivirus-testing laboratories at West Coast Checkmark and ICSA Labs.

Technical support

VirusScan 8.0's interface includes links to a respectable collection of FAQs and troubleshooting tips on McAfee's Web site. We were pleased with McAfee's Web-based technical 24/7 chat with a technical support rep, too. In our tests, the reps were knowledgeable and helped us repair a scanning glitch.

If you're choosing an anti-virus package for the first time, McAfee VirusScan 8.0 is a fine choice. It's a hard-working, virus-crushing crusader that delivers solid value for money. Existing VirusScan users who run Outlook Express or Eudora should upgrade, but Outlook users will find the overall enhancements to be marginal.

Jeff Bertolucci
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With firewall and PDA protection, McAfee VirusScan Home Edition 8.0 ably secures your system against multiple threats. VirusScan is a good deal if you know what you're doing. But its plethora of configuration options can leave less experienced users perplexed by tough decisions about suspicious files.

VirusScan's improved HAWK (Hostile Activity Watch Kernel) looks for behavior redolent of mass-mailing worms, malicious scripts, attachments with double extensions, and even rapid forwarding of e-mails in succession. It also scans files transferred to and from a PDA and Microsoft Office documents.

The revamped interface is now better suited to beginners but not as streamlined as that of Norton AntiVirus (NAV). It takes some digging to get to advanced settings, but home users shouldn't need to change the defaults, which scan all files. In case you need to change settings, VirusScan, like NOD32, allows detailed control over scanning and actions taken when viruses are detected.

As with Panda Antivirus and PC-cillin, generic heuristics are turned on by default, but you have to activate macro and script heuristics manually. As with NAV, the initial definition file is big (over 4MB on our tests), but regular updates are small. You have to register VirusScan to receive updates. (By contrast, NAV doesn't require registration.) As a bonus, VirusScan's Instant Updater displays outbreak alerts.

When VirusScan detects a virus, it asks you to choose an appropriate response—putting undue responsibility on inexperienced users. For instance, if it detects an infected file within a ZIP file and you choose Delete, VirusScan deletes the entire ZIP, not just the infected file. You can change the default actions as you see fit. In-depth e-mail alerts, similar to those of NOD32, describe the detected virus, and auto-replies can be directed to the sender of an infected e-mail.

VirusScan offers comprehensive control over scheduled scans, even letting you choose a window of time so that scans won't always begin at the same time. Configurable logs show minute details of each scan, including engine version and settings.

As with NAV, you're encouraged to seek help for basic questions on McAfee's Web site via FAQs, user forums, and live chat. Paid phone support starts at a steep $39 per incident or $2.95 per minute. A downloadable Stinger tool repairs hidden damage caused by viruses, and a slick McAfee Security Center applet can check the overall security of your PC, including the status of virus definitions (for any popular AV product, not just VirusScan) and the existence of firewalls and spam filters.

With a firewall included at no extra charge, VirusScan offers bang for the buck, but it's best suited to experienced users who relish adjusting advanced settings.

Greg Alwang
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From the Manufacturer
*Awarded PC Magazine's Editors' Choice Award in November 2003.*

Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus 2004 now comes with expanded detection of both known and emerging threats. Norton AntiVirus detects and removes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses automatically--without interrupting your work.

It works in the background 24 hours a day to protect email messages, instant message attachments, Internet downloads, and other files. Now it can also detect viruses in compressed file archives before you open them, reducing the risk of infecting your computer. Symantec’s exclusive LiveUpdate technology automatically checks for new virus protection updates on a regular schedule to keep the program up to date against the latest threats. It now even alerts you when your virus protection is getting outdated.

Norton AntiVirus also defends your PC against emerging threats. Script Blocking intercepts fast-moving script-based viruses such as "ILoveYou" and "Anna Kournikova," and Worm Blocking stops worms from using your outgoing email messages to infect other computers. The expanded threat detection in Norton AntiVirus 2004 alerts you to the presence of spyware, keystroke loggers, and similar programs that can steal personal information and leave your PC vulnerable to other attacks. Stop viruses and protect your PC with award-winning Norton AntiVirus. Small office packs for five or 10 users are also available.

Features:
• Expanded threat detection alerts you to certain non-virus threats such as spyware and keystroke logging programs.
• Scans compressed file archives before you open them and risk infecting your computer. (Not available on Windows Me/98.)
• Includes product activation procedure to ensure authenticity.
• Automatically removes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
• Scans and cleans both incoming and outgoing email messages.
• Detects and blocks viruses in instant message attachments.
• Downloads new virus protection updates automatically to protect against new threats.*
• Worm Blocking detects worms such as "Nimda" in outgoing mail.
• Script Blocking defends against fast-moving, script-based viruses such as "ILoveYou" and "Anna Kournikova."
• Worm Blocking and Script Blocking can detect new threats even before virus protection updates are created for them.

*12 months of virus protection updates included with purchase of Norton AntiVirus 2004; annual subscriptions available online for subsequent updates per computer.

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Norton AntiVirus (NAV) 2004 debuts with a promising pedigree. Previous versions have consistently led the anti-virus pack in security innovations, being the first, for example, to scan instant-messaging attachments as well as inbound and outbound email. The program routinely receives high marks from independent anti-virus testing laboratories. Its interface is easy for beginners to navigate, yet it offers advanced users plenty of scanning options. The 2004 version continues the traditions (including some we don't like, namely the fee-based phone support), but it adds an imperfect anti-spyware feature. NAV 2004 is a solid program for first-time anti-virus users, but its half-hearted enhancements make it a questionable £29.99 (inc. VAT) upgrade for existing users.

Setup & interface

Norton AntiVirus 2004 offers the option of a pre-installation virus scan, an added protection measure not matched by its leading competitor, McAfee’s VirusScan 8.0. This procedure adds a lot of time to the setup process, however -- 30 minutes on our test PC. Users with time constraints may wish to bypass it (NAV does an automatic postinstall, scan, too).

The program froze during our first install attempt, but it ran perfectly once we rebooted. NAV 2004 supports Windows 98 through XP and requires a slightly larger amount of drive space than previous versions -- from 85MB to 125MB, depending on the OS version.

After setup is completed, NAV connects automatically to Symantec's Web server to download the latest virus definitions. NAV 2004 users get a year of free definitions, after which the annual fee is £13.81. Symantec has also added an activation process similar to that used by Microsoft in Windows XP, although we found this to be a painless extra step.

NAV 2004's well-designed interface changes little from its predecessor's. The main screen presents a snapshot of your PC's security, with red or yellow icons marking items that need attention, such as outdated virus definitions. Default settings provide strong security by automatically deleting viruses and scanning compressed ZIP files, as well as stopping spyware and Trojans from infecting your PC. Popular options, such as scheduling automatic scans, are easily accessible.

Features

NAV 2004 adds two major capabilities. First is its enhanced detection of compressed files. Previous versions of NAV detected viruses embedded in ZIP and other compressed formats during manual scans. NAV 2004's real-time scanner finds and deletes these hidden viruses on the fly -- as they are being downloaded, for example -- adding another layer of protection.

NAV 2004's second new feature is the ability to detect and destroy spyware, adware and hacking tools that may be lurking on your hard drive. NAV 2004 is the first anti-virus application to include this feature. However, the free standalone utilities, such as Lavasoft's Ad-aware and PepiMK’s Spybot Search & Destroy, ferret out these same annoyances much better. For example, in our tests, NAV 2004 failed to find a malware component uncovered by Ad-aware 6.0 in a follow-up scan (we ran Ad-aware immediately after the completion of a Norton system scan).

Performance

In our tests, NAV 2004 caused a 4 percent drag on our test system's performance. McAfee VirusScan 8.0, on the other hand, produced no perceptible drag. But NAV 2004 scanned our 1GB drive much faster than McAfee did. Here are our test results in full:

Norton AntiVirus 2004 v Mcafee VirusScan 8.0
	Test system	Norton AntiVirus 2004	McAfee VirusScan 8.0
SysMark2002 Internet-content-creation (ICC) score	233	223	234
Normalised score	100	96	100
Percentage degradation	n/a	4	0
Average boot time (s)	40.8	52.72	48.38
Scan 1GB directory; average scan time (m)	n/a	3.59	4.75

Norton AntiVirus has been tested on Windows systems six times since 2000 by the independent testing organisation VirusBulletin and earned its coveted VB 100 percent title each time. By comparison, McAfee's VirusScan has been tested and earned a VB 100 percent title only once. However, it's hard to draw any meaningful conclusions from such limited data. Previous versions of Norton AntiVirus have also been certified by the independent anti-virus testing laboratories at West Coast Checkmark, ICSA Labs and AV-test.org.

Service & support

Like McAfee, unfortunately, Symantec charges for its live technical support via phone -- £18 per incident. We tried the free alternative: email. The form was hard to locate, but representatives were responsive, answering within 24 to 48 hours. Unfortunately, Norton does not offer technical support via online chat, a feature that McAfee offers (with mixed results) for its VirusScan customers. The Automated Support Assistant, another feature accessible via the support site, is a convenient way to download product upgrades and keep your copy of NAV 2004 up-to-date. Symantec's free online knowledge base is a helpful do-it-yourself resource.

Jeff Bertolucci
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With Norton AntiVirus 2004 (NAV), Symantec adds new touches to a familiar face, keeping NAV atop our A-list. It can now scan your system for installation-stopping viruses before installation, instead of using the old DOS boot CD and a slow command line scanner. It also prescans at setup and scans within ZIP and other archive files by default.

Keeping up with the times, NAV now finds and removes spyware, adware, and dialers. Also new is protection for instant message–borne threats in Yahoo! Messenger, MSN/ Windows Messenger, and AIM. NAV performs automatic updates by default, and you get a systemwide warning when your virus pattern files are out of date.

Installation now includes a product-activation scheme that the company hopes will keep illegal copying of its software under control. This requires you to connect with a server at Symantec to get an activation code to use NAV. Activation is anonymous, and registration is not required. You can reinstall as many times as you like on the same machine, and you have the flexibility to upgrade to a newer machine without buying a new copy.

Spyware, adware, and dialers, while not technically viruses, are threats to your privacy and finances. Like McAfee VirusScan 8.0, NAV now scans and removes these threats. In our testing, NAV found most of our adware, though it missed some spyware and dialers and had difficulty removing others. Symantec claims that NAV will stop incoming spyware and adware received via instant messaging or e-mail but not from Web sites.

This version of NAV has improved default settings. The installation wizard walks you through the options, which include automatic updates, a full initial system scan, weekly system scans, and real-time scanning of compressed files. The status screen shows green, yellow, or red icons to indicate your protection level. In previous versions, if you let your updates lag, only the Update icon turns yellow or red. In NAV 2004, if you bypass an update, the program displays yellow and red icons across the board, indicating that auto-protection is out of gas.

With a 6.4 percent slowdown, NAV came in last on our performance degradation tests, though the hit wasn't significantly worse than VirusScan's 5.9 percent. We think this minor performance impact is a good trade-off for the protection you get. As with VirusScan, NAV has conservative defaults that provide excellent protection. With better defaults and easy updates, Norton AntiVirus once again gets our Editors' Choice nod.

Jay Munro
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