East-Tec Eraser 2011

As you know, Windows saves a copy of more or less everything on your computer. Every Web site you visit, every picture, every video; it's all cached or saved or logged somewhere inside your PC. Apart from the security and privacy issues, all that stuff consumes storage and performance resources. A lot of tools promise to clean it all out, but few do. We looked at East-Tec Eraser 2011 from East Technologies, and found it to be a tool that can do the job. It cleans deeply, even files stored as Shadow Volume Copies; thoroughly wipes deleted files; alerts you to risks; runs scheduled cleanups; and cleans traces from all major (and many minor) browsers as well as messenger programs and other popular applications.

East-Tec Eraser 2011's wizard-based interface opened with a Quick Start page with three basic options: Privacy Guard, Erase Deleted Data, and a tool that erases specific data. We started with Privacy Guard in basic mode, which is suitable for most users. There's also an advanced mode. A thorough scan revealed quite a list of cookies, images, videos, Web pages, deleted files, and other PC debris. A review found nothing on the removal list that shouldn't have been there, so we let the cleaning commence. Clicking Change Automation let us configure the scan wizard. When the operation finished, Eraser recommended an immediate reboot, though we could also choose Restart Later or Ignore and Continue. This last option is a "use with caution" option that won't launch Eraser when you reboot and in fact hides your use of the program (for example, from your boss) upon reboot. We clicked Restart and Erase, which restarted our system and returned us to the Eraser interface. The Risk Monitor runs from the system tray; it popped up with an alert that required the Erase Deleted Data tool. This tool makes multiple passes and can take hours, according to Eraser, although our session was much quicker.
Eraser's automated, customizable deep cleaning can help you protect your privacy and security and keep your machine free of a lot of junk without requiring a lot of regular input or effort. While no tool of its type is set-and-forget, Eraser won't forget to do its job when the issue has slipped off your radar.

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Norton AntiVirus 2011

The bottom line: You get less, for less. Norton AntiVirus 2011 offers the same core high-quality computer and networking protection features as its more full-featured sibling, Norton Internet Security, but it lacks some key Web protection features that users shouldn't really go without.
Review:
Editors' note: Portions of this review are based on CNET's review for Norton AntiVirus 2010.
Over the past few years, Symantec has completed a course reversal for its Norton consumer Internet security suites. The massive package of security tools works better than it ever has before, with an impressive set of features, some useful new tools including the free Power Eraser, and third-party security efficacy benchmarks that are nothing short of remarkable. Meanwhile, CNET Labs' performance benchmarks indicate that though Norton doesn't leave the smallest footprint on your system, users should see a minimal impact overall.

Installation
For the second year in a row, Norton's former sluggish beast now offers a smooth and fast installation operation. Once you run the installer, the program is ready to operate in about a minute--impressively fast, and doubly so considering past performance. The installation process is also the first time that you will interact with Quorum, Norton's behavior-based detection engine. You'll be asked to participate by sending anonymous data to Symantec's cloud. Opting out of the data submission, according to Symantec, will not affect your security.
Running the trial of Norton also requires registering the program. Like many programs, Norton used to force open your default browser and take you to the company's registration Web site. One of the new features in Norton AntiVirus 2011 is that the program comes with a Web interface for your desktop. Users first encounter this when registering, but it pops up in regular program usage as well, keeping users from being forced to open their browsers to manage certain Web-based features. Uninstalling the software left about 10 Registry entries behind, but no other traces were detectable. Overall, Norton's installation experience was fast and hassle-free, with a minimum of configuration options--but the ones that did come up appeared necessary.

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