After years of sharing the top two spots in the commercial Macintosh anti-virus market and rarely being challenged by others, Symantec's NortonAntivirus and Network Associates' Virex have both reached version 6.0 at similar times while sporting similar features.
While their new version numbers may imply that many new features abound in each of the respective utilities, Norton AntiVirus 6.0 represents a relatively small step up from last year's 5.0 and Virex made the even smaller, sequential jump from version 5.9.1 to version 6.0. Considering the activity on the Macintosh virus scene, or lack thereof, that isn't too surprising, as both of these utilities have reached the level where refining features, and not necessarily adding them, is a big deal.
Both Norton AntiVirus and Virex utilize similar user interfaces. With version 6.0, Virex has changed its color choice from blue to green and altered the main screen a little, but otherwise it retains the same look and feel as its predecessor. The biggest change in appearance with Norton AntiVirus is found in the Suspicious Activity Alert boxes, which have finally gotten rid of their black and white, System 7 look and assumed the Mac OS 8 platinum appearance.
The ease with which a user can update the virus definitions file for each utility, which come out at the start of each month, is one of the main areas that both utilities have focused on with version 6.0. Norton AntiVirus employs its LiveUpdate system, which Symantec introduced with both the recently released Norton Utilities 5.0 and Norton AntiVirus 6.0, which checks not only for new virus definitions but also for updates to the application itself. LiveUpdate seamlessly checks, downloads, and applies updates with a single mouse click and can also be scheduled to automatically check for updates. Virex features an 'eUpdate' button on its main screen that performs equally well and also makes checking, downloading, and installing updates a one-click process.
While both company's reputations would imply that each utility is equally capable of repairing viruses, which they appear to be, Norton AntiVirus performs a little better because of its speed. Scanning 17,553 files that occupied 8 GB data took 13 minutes and 30 seconds with Norton AntiVirus, roughly twice as fast as it took Virex. However, as a result of the SpeedScan feature in Virex, future scans of the same drive took only four to eight minutes with that utility.
Of course, the ultimate goal of an anti-virus utility is to prevent viruses from infecting your system, and both Norton AntiVirus and Virex use similar means to accomplish that. Norton AntiVirus features SafeZones that can be easily configured through the application. A SafeZone is a folder where files are scanned automatically when they are copied or moved to that location. By default the Desktop is a safe zone, and the Downloads folder specified in the Internet control panel can also be selected as a SafeZone with one click. Other folders need to be manually located and selected through a standard dialog box.
Virex forgoes the need for the specifying individual folders by automatically scanning any file that is downloaded or copied to your computer. This task is performed seamlessly in the background and doesn't add any noticeable time or delay.
Additionally, both products also have features to protect you from viruses that may not be in the current virus definitions file. Norton AntiVirus will alert you of any suspicious activity before it takes place, while Virex uses heuristics when scanning and also features a Snapshot option that takes scans a drive while it's in good shape, then compares it to a later scan to see if any files have undergone any unusual changes.
Both products also feature the standard protective measures, such as scanning floppies and the option to scan other removable media or mounted drives as well. Virex also offers a DropScan application that will scan any file or folder that is dragged to it. A contextual menu with similar functionality is also included.
If its any testament for their support of the Mac, information on Network Associates' web site for Virex can only be found through the complete list of products that the company has, and the Virex web page makes no mention of the version number while featuring screen shots from previous versions of the product. Dr. Solomon's, which is owned by Network Associates, does have easier access and better information on the product, but still uses outdated screenshots. In contrast, Symantec, which has been dedicated to the Mac for a number of years, makes it very easy to find information about Norton AntiVirus through their web site.
Both Norton AntiVirus 6.0 and Virex 6.0 offer comprehensive features for scanning, repairing, and detecting viruses; the only question that remains is whether or not you should invest in one of these costly choices. In my six years of serious Mac use I have never witnessed a virus, and that includes managing a network of over 400 Macs. Mac users simply don't come close to facing the number of viruses that PC users do, and whenever a widespread virus appears, such as the recent AutoStart virus, good Mac samaritans have always been there with a free utility to check and repair your drive. Years ago the free Disinfectant utility did an equally good job of keeping your Mac virus free, but has since been discontinued. Another free utility, Agax, has recently arisen as a solid and free anti-virus utility.
If you are currently using version 5.0 of Norton AntiVirus or 5.9 of Virex, there are very few reasons, and none compelling enough, to warrant an upgrade. If you currently don't use any commercial anti-virus software and believe or know that find yourself encountering viruses frequently or simply get a better feel of security by having a comprehensive and commercial anti-virus utility, both Norton AntiVirus and Virex are excellent choices, with neither one clearly outshining the other.
