I have been using this product for several years without issue. Recently I upgraded my virus protection and after a run I no longer have the ability to start up this program. The desktop link is gone and when I go into the program there does not appear to be any executable file that would start the program. Should I uninstall the program and then reload? I may have one more lic allowable on the initial disk, but would prefer not to use it? but rather save it for my next computer upgrade.

<p>Advantages & Disadvantages:-<br /> <p>Though Norton anti-virus products and its various versions are one of the best protection software, Norton anti-virus software has some advantages and disadvantages.<br /> <p> <br> <p>Advantages: -<br> <p>When Symantec redesign Norton for Widows compatibility, Norton becomes one of the best protection software in the market. With its every release Norton introduced new features or upgraded features. Norton release new versions almost every year. Some unique features of Norton anti-virus are Sonar protection, File Insight, Network Insight, Power Eraser tool etc. which provides more reliable protection against viruses and other malicious code. It can run at background to work silently. It will warn you before running or installing malicious programs. It can protect your computer spreading viruses from your Facebook feed, e-mail attachments. Simple user interface will help you to work more easily. Norton provides PC utility tool to tune-up your pc and Backup and Restore tool. You can solve your problems online from tech support, where you can find answers for possible problems, use-one-click-solution-first to solve your problems manually and customer help desk, where you can interact with tech support personnel for your query.<br> <p> <br> <p>Disadvantages:- <br> <p>While Norton offers variety of benefits to its users, there are also some drawbacks as well. Prior to the 2009 version of Norton anti-virus, reviews claimed that the software required considerable memory to run, this slowed down the overall performance of the computer. Computers that have an old copy installed might experience this resource issue.<br> <p> <br> <p>Uninstalling is another drawback of Norton. If you attempt to remove Norton Antivirus, the uninstallation process proves difficult. This is one area where Norton fails to compete with its competitors, according to PC Antivirus Reviews. Reviewers asserted, "Uninstalling Norton is nowhere near as good as uninstalling McAfee, which sets the standard for fast, clean, easy uninstallation for anti-virus software."

<p>There are many different types companies, who create different anti-virus software. One of the most popular companies is Symantec Corporation. Symantec has its own products like Symantec Anti-virus, Symantec internet security, Symantec also have another anti-virus products called Norton. Symantec launched various versions of its products and till now, the latest version of Symantec Corporation is Norton Internet Security 2011. It's about 25 years before Norton antivirus came on the market. The name of the first Norton anti-virus was Norton Commander, released in the year 1986, served as a standard interface for DOS. This version of Norton was invented to protect DOS from malicious programs. Norton anti-virus can be listed as an oldest anti-virus program. The initial version of Norton commander was called vdos with a slandered interface for dos, for initial virus protection.<br /> <p> <br> <p>Compared to other anti-virus software, Norton provides in-built firewall software, e-mail scanner, anti-rootkit, and anti-spyware, anti-virus. Some newer options released like Sonar protection, file insight, threat insight, insight network etc. It is fast and compatible with vista like operating systems.<br> <p> <br> <p>Other popular companies are McAfee, which provides anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall software like features and PC utilities, like QuickClean tool, defragmenter and file shredder, which lets you permanently delete sensitive files in a manner that they can't be recovered. Protection software is Kaspersky; it also provides anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall software. One very unique feature of Kaspersky is the virtual keyboard; this small application lets you input sensitive information like credit card number, password in online without worrying about keyloggers or hackers.<br> <p> <br> <p>Many other anti-virus software have been uses, like ESENT Webrot, NOD32, QuickHeal, AVG, AVAST anti-virus etc. you can also download free versions of anti-virus from online. Whichever anti-virus you're using make sure one thing that you have to update it regularly to protect your computer.

<p>Anti-virus software is a unique software program, which is used to prevent, detect and remove malicious programs, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, Trojan Horses, Spyware and Adware.<br /> <p> <br /> <p>The primary method of preventing the propagation of malicious code involves the use of anti-virus software. Anti-virus software is an application that is installed on a system to protect it, and to scan for viruses as well as worms and Trojan horses. Most viruses have characteristics that are common to families of virus. Anti-virus software looks for these characteristics or fingerprints to identify and neutralize viruses before they impact you.<br /> <p> <br /> <p>There are many types of known viruses, and new ones are added all the time, so in this situation without anti-virus software your computer will be at great risk. There are different types of anti-virus software, some of them use basic technique to detect and remove viruses and malicious codes from your pc.<br /> <p> <br /> <p>On the other hand some anti-virus software uses its own unique features to protect your pc. Many known anti-virus software uses some very useful method, like Signature base detection and Heuristics base detection to detect viruses and malicious programs, and uses other methods and techniques according to their features. As new viruses added almost every day, anti-virus software companies also upgrade their anti-virus protection products, they launches their new version of antivirus software within very short period of time to provide users maximum protection from most recent threats.<br /> <p> <br /> <p>So if you are using any anti-virus software, it is recommended that you upgrade it and its virus definition regularly to be protected from viruses and malicious programs.