You turn on your computer and hit the Internet and the next thing you hear is the sound of your hard drive coming to a screeching halt. You've just been another victim of a back door Trojan, or more likely, worse and your PC is now dust. Okay, maybe it doesn't happen just that way, but it could. And the sad part of it is, in today's age with computer hackers, the chances of your PC being compromised are greater than you can imagine. But there is something we can do about it. We don't have to just give in to the powers that want to turn our computers into yesterdays roach droppings.

Norton Security to the rescue.

Say what you want about how their software seems to make your PC perform like a turtle on his death bed, because it can if you don't have a pretty powerful machine, but one thing you'll never have to worry about is your computer being compromised by anyone or anything. Norton Security is about as bullet proof as it comes.

Actually, the program is two programs in one, Norton Firewall and Norton Anti Virus. Each one performs a different function, both equally as important.

Norton Firewall is basically a defense against hackers trying to get into your machine to steal your personal information like credit card numbers, social security numbers and things of that nature. Any time a hacker from an IP address tries to access your computer, Norton Security will flash a warning up on the screen that this is happening. The software then blocks the hacker from getting through and getting any of your info. In the meantime, the program will also give you details on where the attack came from so that you can track this person down, if you so wish. Most people are just content that their PC wasn't broken into.

Norton Anti Virus is a protection against files that you may download off the Internet that may contain viruses which ultimately can either shut your computer down or steal information from it, which is done with Trojan type programs. These programs got their name from the old legend of the Trojan Horse that the Greeks used to break into the city of Troy with. Legend or not, the name fits because that's just what these viruses do. If Norton detects a file with a virus it firsts tries to repair the file. If it can't do that it then tries to delete it. If it can do neither, it puts the file in quarantine so that it can't hurt your computer.

Norton Security has a number of reports that you can view in order to see all the outside activity that has taken place around your computer. You can view all threats, serious or not and all virus alerts. It is best to check these reports on a daily basis if you are concerned with these problems or if you have been a victim of attacks in the past.

Yes, Norton Security can slow your PC up a bit, but the peace of mind you'll get in return is worth a little sacrifice in performance.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Software Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell