McAfee vs Norton: Internet Security 2009 Products Head-to-Head

Can't decide between McAfee Internet Security 2009 and McAfee Internet Security 2009? Read this article to find out which product will provide you with the most bang for your buck.

Introduction

Both Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2009 and McAfee Internet Security 2009 are the top products that are aiming to be the best overall protection software for the computers. Both have pros and cons and we have gathered them in one place for the Bright Hub readers.

If you want to have in-depth analysis of the products, here are the reviews: Norton Internet Security 2009 and McAfee Internet Security 2009.

Comparison

In terms of on-demand malware scanning and the features offered, both products do very well. It is also nice to see that the prices are more or less the same. The following table compares both products in detail:

As you have noticed, Norton Internet Security 2009 is two steps ahead with the Botnet and rootkit protection features. Plus, Symantec's Norton has a built-in feature that reduces the time with your scans, in which it checks the important system files at first and marks them as trusted. Norton then scans for the files that it considers to be risky. Considering that the on-demand virus scanning takes a lot of time and resources, Norton Internet Security had a really nice thought here. McAfee falls short of the on-demand scan times and it is not easy to say that the times are short.

In terms of updates and protection against zero-day attacks, Norton has its own PULSE technology, which sends updates to your computer between 5 to 15 minutes of interval. McAfee has implemented the feature as real-time and it does not wait for a specified time to send the updates; it delivers them as they are known. Internet Security 2009 is the first product that McAfee has this instantaneous update feature.

Both of the programs offer in-depth configuration features for both newcomers to intermediate users. The headlines can be turned on or off but if the user wants to go for a detailed configuration, he can do that within the menus. For example, you can turn your firewall on but allow some ports to be open for your specific programs.

Conclusion

Looking at both products objectively, Norton Internet Security 2009 is a clear winner both in terms of features offered and in terms of their implementation. Plus, with its huger user base, it is easier to find support without contacting Symantec - through web forums, for example. Furthermore, you have the option to connect to a Symantec's representative for chat or call 1 (877) 788-4877 to get paid support. The bottom line is, Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2009 is the clear winner.

11 Comments

Showing page 1 of 2 (11 Comments)

2next

Nov 2, 2009 10:36 PM

D2D_DarkStar

DOA years ago.

Both original authors actually understood the OS and how to scan it. Neither has been associated w/ the respective products for many years (in name only).

Bought out, outsourced, poorly coded and shipped overseas. Reasonably configured systems -- through router firewalls, solid backups/restore capability -- have made these overly hyped "subscriptions" completely unnecessary and a waste of resources.

Neither is capable of detecting more than the already logged more simplistic of known threats, they usually create more problems than solutions.

The content of other reviews reflects some IT pros, from security to senior IT management, listen to them.

Nov 2, 2009 8:58 AM

avuser

mcafee has anti rootkit

If custom scan is chosen in mcafee, there is an option to scan "hidden malware". So a full scan takes care of rootkits and also in recent malware removal test in av-comparatives mcafee is able to remove rustock which is a rootkit. Programs tend to launch a little faster in mcafee than with norton but full scan takes longer than norton

Oct 28, 2009 2:36 PM

Chris Abraham

Norton internet security 2009

I used both of them in the past.

Norton - Easy to use, fast, loads up quick, understandable features, firewall, one software only where as mcafee has two - security and security management.

Mcafee - It's complicated to use, to hard to use.
sometimes dosn't load up.

rather get the easy one.

Oct 19, 2009 3:17 PM

name withheld

unneccessary

take the plunge to linux and never worry about viruses again!

Oct 3, 2009 6:12 PM

Yeti

mcfee

mcfee has done ok for me for the last 3 years but to be honest theyve both missed things in the past, you should top up with other software. Ive experimented with lots and now I use Mcaffee (paid subscription) and also Spybot search and destroy (free).
I have Iobit 360 which is also free and used as a back up scan once per week, it seems to catch malware which avoids mcaffee, i also have Advanced System Care (free) as a back up scan which also has other utilities. between those I never seem to get anything serious (oh and use Firefox not Explorer, that just acts as a magnet for security risks!)
if I ever get anything its fairly easy to clean up with Sysclean by Trend Micro (free)

Sep 11, 2009 2:43 AM

Dipankar

Norton Ins 2009

Norton was doing well in the past and is also doing well now. One issue was that of taking huge PC resources. Yes this issue has been resolved, and believe me i was using other products like Kaspersky, that really sucked and accepted Trojan entry as if it is a friend. Quick heal is an Indian product that even could catch a trojan which kaspersky could not. Upon installing norton Ins 2009, everything changed. It caught 19 viruses that were hiding in my PC, playing hide and seek with Kaspersky, Quick Heal. Mcaffe is really cool as it takes less resource, but i get bit confused if i want to download the updates offline from a cyber cafe. Norton allows this and serves as a real protector. More is that Norton Ins 2009 send updates in PULSE and every 1 to 2 minutes the updates arrive. So you remain protected always. NIS 2009 is also not taking up resource, as it was doing in previous versions. So best is NIS 2009, next best is Mcaffee 2009. Its a brand that you like most and love most, decides which you like most. My brand is NIS 2009.

Sep 8, 2009 10:40 AM

Laura

Norton was just slowing me down

I removed norton and installed McAfee...wow what a difference.
Norton allowed a virus in and charged me $99 to remove it!
There was something called lucallback.exe that was REALLY slowing me down with Norton...even my MS Word would do a (very long) virus scan on documents that I created...
McAfee is working fine on my computer and things are working so much more quickly!

Sep 4, 2009 7:58 PM

Tom

Macafee

Bigger choice of selective scanning and faster scanning MacAfee is the way to choose

Jul 30, 2009 9:13 PM

steve

norton is best

norton before 2009 was bigger yes but was better protected because you add all the antivirus on the system only people with slow pc where complaining. Mcafee as to many bug and compatibility issue. norton now win all over and if you go in benchmark norton is no 1 and mcafee no.8.

Jun 20, 2009 2:46 PM

It don't matter

They both use 2 suck

Both of these choices use 2 suck i have tryed both of them over the years. norton use to take so many resources that it would lag your computer so much that you couldn't use it. but norton was loseing so many customers that the new norton internet security 2009 was the first norton that did not slow your computer. they took so long to acomplish this and made me so mad over the years for haveing such bloated software that i refuse to ever use norton again it shouldn't have took them a decade to address this issuse i would use mcafee before norton just because it takes them a decade to even consider listining to customers and if you ever call norton support you get a guy from india that you can't understand. Do you really want to support a company that outsources all your jobs instead of useing american workers?????????????????