Norton Internet Security 2012

1. AV-comparatives.org

Norton Internet Security 2012 blocks more than 95 percent of the malware thrown at it by AV-Comparatives.org, an independent testing lab. However, a high number of false positives -- 57, the second-highest number among all programs tested -- costs the software an Advanced+ certification.

Review: Anti-Virus Comparative, Editors of AV-Comparatives.org, Aug. 2011

2. AV-Test.org

Norton Internet Security easily earns a certification from AV-Test.org, another independent testing lab. Although the software's malware removal rates are average at about 95 percent, it blocks every attempt at intrusion from new and widely known threats.

Review: Detailed Test Reports, Editors of AV-Test.org

3. PCMag.com

PCMag.com reviewer Neil J. Rubenking sings Norton Internet Security 2012's praises en route to giving it an Editors' Choice award in this lengthy, detailed review. The only flaw he finds is the SONAR component's tendency to toss out false positives.

Review: Norton Internet Security 2012, Neil J. Rubenking, Sept. 7, 2011

4. NotebookReview.com

NotebookReview.com conducts its own tests of Norton Internet Security 2012's antivirus, firewall, anti-spyware, performance impact and more. In addition to discussing results, the publication also provides individual numerical ratings for a number of different categories. The overall suite earns a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.

Review: Norton Internet Security (NIS) 2012 Review: Protecting Your Whole Family, Charles P. Jeffries, Dec. 7, 2011

5. Download.com

CNET's Download.com awards Norton Internet Security 2012 a perfect 5 star rating. Reviewer Seth Rosenblatt finds little to complain about. "The tight integration of behavioral threat detection, in conjunction with serious attention to download stability, makes Norton a compelling choice," he writes.

Review: Norton Internet Security 2012, Seth Rosenblatt, Sept. 6, 2010

6. Expert Reviews

Kat Orphanides gives Norton Internet Security 2012 a 4 out of 5 star rating. The program allowed 4 percent of viruses through in the publication's testing; not much, until that's combined with Norton's higher sticker price. That combination prompts Orphanides to recommend Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 instead.

Review: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2012 Review, Kat Orphanides, Dec. 3, 2011

7. Which? magazine

Norton Internet Security 2012 is one of more than 20 security programs reviewed by Britain's Which? magazine. Discussion and extensive numerical ratings are provided, and the publication's favorite software earns a Best Buy award.

Review: Norton Internet Security 2012, Editors of Which? magazine

8. PC Advisor

Simon Williams' discussion of Norton Internet Security 2012 is brief but full of the insights he received during hands-on use and testing. He gives the software a 4 out of 5 star rating, but like PCMag.com's Neil J Rubenking, he runs into problems with the SONAR behavioral protection flagging false positives.

Review: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2012 Review, Simon Williams, Dec. 6, 2011

9. Computeractive (U.K.)

Computeractive magazine gives Norton Internet Security 2012 its Buy It! award and a perfect rating. Cliff Joseph says the software is full of minor tweaks, rather than major changes, compared to the previous iteration.

Review: Norton Internet Security 2012 anti-virus and protection software, Cliff Joseph, March 3, 2011

10. ITReviews.com

Paul Lester conducts hands-on usability and performance testing on Norton Internet Security 2012, coming away impressed. He gives the software a 4 out of 5 rating. "It's still one of the most effective security suites on the market today," Lester writes.

Review: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2012 Review, Paul Lester, Sept. 27, 2011