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Norton Internet Security 2006 SUCKS

Slicksuit

One of the Regulars
Messages
239
Location
Suburban Detroit, Michigan
I agree with the other posts that Norton Antivirus is a piece of crap. The program is bloated and hogs system resources (memory, CPU cycles). Norton isn't even the best-in-class software for the job - independent tests prove that. I personally run AVG and have never had problems with it. NOD32 is also a recommendation that I can give for paid software (about $35 last time I checked).

While antivirus software is good, it is even better to follow some guidelines to prevent infection in the first place:(a good defense is a good offense)

1. Run a hardware router if using DSL/Cable: Hardware firewalls are the best, in that they drop unsolicited data packets that come to your computer, without any dent on system resources. Routers can be found for under $40, and can be one of the best investments you could ever make. A plus is that it allows sharing your internet connection with multiple computers. Running without a firewall leaves you particularly vulnerable to internet worms, which can affect a vulnerable computer within minutes of being connected online.

2. Install Microsoft's Service Pack 2: improves Windows' firewall and adds security features. Make sure to update Windows regularly, or turn on automatic updates.

3. Use Firefox, instead of Internet Explorer: Firefox is an alternative browser to IE (and better, in my opinion). Firefox doesn't natively run Active X controls, thus websites you visit cannot install progams without your permission. So use Firefox for your everyday browsing and leave IE for Windows updates and sites you trust. Firefox is free at Mozilla.org.

4. Don't open email attachments that you're not expecting, from people that you don't know. That's how most viruses spread. If you don't expect hot, sexy pictures of Anna Konorkova, don't open the attachment.

5. Don't run as administrator in Windows for everyday funtionality: Doing so will prevent unsolicited programs from installing without express permission. Run a limited user account for everyday browsing and email. Use the administrative account for installing programs and maintenance only.

Software firewalls can easily be turned off by viruses and spyware. In fact, many viruses check for the presence of popular programs (Norton, McAfee,ZoneAlarm) and turn them off prior to executing. Going with a lesser-known, but good program improves the scenario.

Spyware is actually a greater threat nowadays, if you ask me. The above recommendations are also preventative against spyware, but I'd add three antispyware programs:
Microsoft's antispyware program
Ad-Aware Personal SE
Spybot Search-and-Destroy

All 3 are free, and highly recommended. Please note that anitvirus is different than antispyware. Having more than one AV can cause problems, but having several AntiSpyware programs is actually recommended, as no single one detects over 60% of all possible infections.
 

Slicksuit

One of the Regulars
Messages
239
Location
Suburban Detroit, Michigan
Canadave said:
Mine runs out in a couple of weeks. With all your advice, I downloaded AVG Free yesterday. When I started creating the Rescue Disks, I quit after using 4 floppies. Is there another option? How many floppies can I expect to fill?

Thanks for the advice,

David

I would have to check into it, but I believe that a rescue disk can be made on a CDR, as well. I know that a new rescue disk can be made after updating the virus definitions.

The concept of a rescue disk is sort of a moot point, though. If your system is so messed-up from infections that you can't boot into Windows, it is probably beyond the point of no return, anyhow. In that case, I would format the hard drive, reinstall Windows, and start from scratch. Saving your important data (music, photos, documents, etc) on CD's or another hard drive will make such a process more painless.:p I regularly format and reinstall Windows every 6-12 months myself. Operating systems typically slow down and become corrupted over time, a term I've heard referred to as 'bit-rot'.
 

Canadave

One Too Many
Messages
1,290
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
reviving this thread...

It looks like there is a new version of AVG Free. It's 7.5, and 7.1 "will be discontinued on January 15, 2007".

Anyone upgrade to 7.5 (free) yet? Any reason not to?

Thanks,

David
 

J. M. Stovall

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,152
Location
Historic Heights Houston, Tejas
footer20060501.jpg
 

olive bleu

One Too Many
Messages
1,667
Location
Nova Scotia
I actually uninstalled my norton '06 about 2 months ago, and downloaded avg free instead, even though i had paid good money for the Norton. I couldn't stand it anymore.There are 4 of us in my house that share one computer and there is someone on it almost around the clock. We were all fed up with the problems we were having. One of the most agravating probs was that we kept losing our internet connection.It was annoying to me, but it was unbearable for my kids playing games online with their friends and suddenly, in the midst of a crucial moment, to lose their connection. DEFINITELY not COOL!;)
 

BegintheBeguine

My Mail is Forwarded Here
I loved Norton last year when it blocked hubby from online gambling (closing the barn door, but still...) and its ad-blocker, but when I renewed: no ad-blocker, no internet gambling blocker for the few times hubby visited my house AND everything ran super-slowly if at all! And it cost more! I asked for a complete refund, had to send an online letter of destruction, they said they would email me instructions on how to get rid of Norton, but numerous emails from me to them responded with useless form letters. Finally got my refund to my credit card, yay, still no email confirmation so I finally just simply uninstalled it. Now internet is superfast again. I use Free AVG, spybot, ad-aware, and I purchased Ad-muncher for $25 lifetime fee after a trial period. (If hubby visits, I remove the keyboard and mouse and lock it in a locker at work :( )
 
S

Samsa

Guest
I had this experience in October. It bogged down my system, and I got so frustrated that I simply uninstalled the program and got a refund from Symantec.

This was the straw that broke this camel's back - I bought a MacBook not too long after that, and have not looked back.
 

Honduran

New in Town
Messages
20
Location
Toronto, ON
So this is where the "techies" (as my boss calls computer geeks) hang out!

The AVG upgrade works fine, and is a breeze to set up. Just remember to immediately update your virus definitions (you'll get a warning about doing so), as the set-up file already contains out of date definitions.

Bryan
 

Maj.Nick Danger

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,469
Location
Behind the 8 ball,..
Canadave said:
Thanks BTB. When did you upgrade?

David

I just got version 7.5.430 AVG and it's working fine. I still have Norton System Works 2003, but I refuse to pay for their anti-virus updates when it's obvious that I don't need them. I will say that their utilities such as Speed Disc are pretty good. Better than Micro$oft's defragmenter.
Zone Alarm is much better than Window$ firewall in that it will warn of outgoing internet traffic as well as incoming. Therefore, if something does manage to get into your PC such as a dialer,Zone Alarm will warn you of it's attempt to connect to the internet.
I suppose it's just to much to ask to have a software program that does it all. :(
Without all this screwing around,....:mad:
 

GOK

One Too Many
Messages
1,308
Location
Raxacoricofallapatorius
Doesn't the latest version of AVG have a firewall? I thought it did. In fact, I'm pretty sure of it.

I've been using AVG/Zone Alarm for years and not had any complaints. Really reasonably priced too.
 

InspectorMorse

One of the Regulars
Messages
122
Location
West Virginia
J. M. Stovall said:

www.apple.com

viruses-ad.jpg


Watch the ads- Once you go Mac- you won't go back ;-) One day I was at my local Staples (office supply store) and was overwhelmed by all of the "cure-alls" for sale to keep PCs up and running. I knew there had to a better way, so I went home and ordered my first Mac. I am the network admin at work and have to keep 160 PCs running, 5 Linux machines up, and a dozen Macs blazing along. I am constantly impressed by Mac- I run all three platforms at home and at work- but spend my time at work & at home on a Mac by choice.
(That being said, If you are stuck behind the windows I would advise Nod 32, a router as a firewall, and for fun try zonealarm just to see the battle at work.)
 

Mindraker

Familiar Face
Messages
73
Location
The Garden of Eden
I gave up on Norton virus scanner a long time ago when I realized that Avast could do the job for free. HOWEVER, I take several other precautions -in addition- to protect my computer.
1) I don't download porn, run .EXE or .VBS files from unknown users, for example.
2) I use both ad-aware and spybot regularly
3) I have an extensive HOSTS file to block ads and cookies
4) I use my (software) firewall
5) If email looks fishy, it probably is.
6) I don't use the administrator account.
et al.

I finally gave up on IE and moved to Firefox, even though I am studying to be certified as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. The reason was I can more easily block advertisements with Firefox than with IE.
 

TM

A-List Customer
Messages
309
Location
California Central Coast
Here's links to some of the above mentioned free software:

Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Spyware Blaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

AdAware: http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

And Microsoft provides this software to search for security settings in Windows 2000 and XP that may have vulnerabilities:

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/mbsahome.mspx

It's amazing how much time you have to waste to keep your computer safe!

Tony
 

Twitch

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,133
Location
City of the Angels
On a side note to all this I find I can't download music licenses. For some damned reason I thought I'd buy a 88¢ tune online. Well some setting I have somewhere is precluding the license from being stored so the thing won't play. I can't figure if it's a firewally or virus thing. Even after turning off all of what I thought was on and installing Windows Media Player 11- no go.

Gaaa! So I got something set so that I can't do a task that about everybody on the planet does- buy and download music...or movies for that matter.lol

Norton 2003 as it was created in that year will not defend against newer viruses. Every hacker wannabe that builds a virus to prove he's cool since 2003 will defeat 3 year old anti-virus if the bug is halfway potent.

Ironically to protect against all this crapola I can't get the software to do what I want it too.:eusa_doh:
 

blacklagoon

One of the Regulars
Messages
224
Location
united kingdom
never bothered myself

When i first got my pc,i had norton internet security installed ( it ran out after 6 months ).i noticed,it just never ever detected anything on my computer,so i never felt it was worth buying into.i was right aswell.i started downloading free anti spyware software,like ad aware- se,and the free stuff removed hundreds of problems.i just can't see norton ever working.:)
 

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