The last few years have been particularly rough for Windows users. The Windows platform has been attacked, hacked and cracked so many times, that the whole concept of security has become a joke. Windows is often described as being as porous as sandpaper, with the number of vulnerabilities that are discovered every week. At first we only had to deal with Virii... now there are separate categories like malware, spyware, Trojans, root-kits. The list just goes on...

This has lead to a new problem for most users. Just how many security programs does one need to keep installed on our machines, to make sure our desktops remain clean? Also another problem arises here. While power users will be able to easily maintain a clean machine, the rest of us unaware of the severity of the problem will sooner or later get ambushed. It's virtually game over then… it takes a lot of effort to “unclog” your machine and in some cases may even require a format and full re-install to get a functional system. In such a case what happens to a user’s data?

Fortunately for all these vexing questions there is now a very simple answer. Looking to tap the requirement for a comprehensive program that can not only protect your data but back it up too, security majors like Symantec, MacAfee and in a not too surprising move Microsoft itself, have started offering security suites that look to combine an Antivirus/spyware/ Trojan scanner, a stateful inspection firewall, a comprehensive backup utility that can even backup your data online and a whole set of disk optimisation software that can help you keep your PC in top shape.

One such application suite is Norton360, Symantec effort at the features that we have listed above and is the product we are reviewing today. Is it able to deliver on so many fronts? Read on to find out.

Installation

Norton360 comes in a nice attractive package with a standard CD installer, a skimpy manual and a single sheet with your license key on it. The installation was a breeze. All one has to do is the pop-in the CD, wait for the install to startup, put in your CD-key and let the installer finish. Once it is done that, it runs an update to get the latest viral database and runs a preliminary scan to eliminate any virii or spyware that the base machine maybe infected with.

Now while the operation above sounds like any typical install that you have probably done before a million times over, It is what comes in the post install steps that sets this software package apart. Post install, the software program offers an option to sign-up for a “Norton Account”. This account has the capacity to backup not only your settings, but it can store your CD-key in a safe online account. This is an excellent move that allows you to easily recover your CD-key in case the original is unavailable, if the product needs a reinstall.