Yesterday night, after some argument with the installation-routine, I finally updated to the 2004 version of Norton Internet Security. Despite the fact that my PC could use quite some overhaul software- and hardware wise, I tend to leave problems until they get so serious, that you would rather throw the machine right out of the window than trying to fix every issue here and there. So I did the brute-force approach in kicking the old version, which is actually the most convenient way to have it done. Instead of shutting down all processes of NIS and deactivating all auto-start parameters and reboot the PC a dozend times, you can simply download two tiny programs at Symantec’s that will remove everything with just 4 clicks and one final reboot in total. Simply enter their knowledgebase and search for “removal” or “uninstall” to find the tools.
Now having this new version deployed, I must say it requires a little too much setup configuration for my taste in the beginning. Besides the usual issues with new software, there is one new feature I am pretty sure I will like the most: Norton AntiSpam. Right now, it tends to filter too many emails, but the good part about that learning engine is that it definately captures 99% of all the spam I receive every day. The weekend was the worst time ever regarding spam: I received almost 50 spam-mails in just 2 days. Serious, this is definately in the outer part of my tolerance dimension. But what can you do except from wearing out the DEL-key on your keyboard. Should emailing ever turn into a pay-thing we know why… Therefore, I really like the latest AOL-ads here on German TV. I need Kaya Yanar’s electronic bouncer on every single mailbox shouting “Du kommst hier net rein!” all day long to spam-mail. Put that on my x-mas wishlist!