[JohnMR]

Hi.

I've recently started fixing computer problems for other people.

I frequently find that removing Norton and installing AVG instead cures many annoying glitches.

I've heard others say Norton can be a pain - and I'm telling people to dump it.

Is that good advice, or should they keep Norton and carry on paying the subscription?

Thanks,

John

[golferbob]

i have dumped all the big names and use avg7.5 free and comodo free firwall. here is a website to compare antivirus programs.sorry i can't find the new one.


http://www.av-comparatives.org/

[JohnMR]

Useful link.

Thanks, golferbob.

John

[Noyb]

Since I broke the Norton bad habit ....
I've saved enough $$ to get an External HD and Acronis True Image to back up my computer ... OS and all.

Now I can fix anything ... Even when Windows (XP or Vista) gets confused for no good reason.
AVG, Zone Alarm, CCleaner and WinPatrol free used here.

[golferbob]

if you remove norton or mcafee make sure you use there tools. websites below. i will keep looking for the newer compare list.


http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...05033108162039


http://www.majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Con...ool_d5420.html

[golferbob]

found the site.


http://www.pcworld.com/article/124475-1/article.html

[JohnMR]

Thanks to both of you for the fast response and the good advice.

I can see this place is going to be very useful.

John

[WhitPhil]

Originally Posted by golferbob

found the site.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/124475-1/article.html

Note that this comparison is almost 2 years old. Also, that AVG ranked 10th!


This independent comparison is more current and ongoing. It gives a good comparison of the capabilities of each.
Click on comparatives, left. Then On Demand Comparative. On line results gives a summary. The Report option gives more detail and rankings.

[blues_harp28]

Hi John we had this poll taken back in March 2005.
Perhaps another poll may be a good idea?
Any takers.

http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/34...they-care.html

[jonasdatum]

Originally Posted by golferbob

i have dumped all the big names and use avg7.5 free and comodo free firwall. here is a website to compare antivirus programs.sorry i can't find the new one.


http://www.av-comparatives.org/

I have been using computers for 10 plus years now, and I can say I've had good, bad, and indifferent antivirus applications.

MacAfee was my first. I stopped using it for Computer Associate’s [I believe CA made it] Inoculate Personal Edition for a number of years. It was free and fully functional, rest it's sole!

Then I periodically started using web-based scanning tools with varying success. Trend Micro was my dominant tool for the past 5 years or so, as the years went on Trend Micro got the product better. However, being that I save money whenever possible I decided that the freeware route may need to be revisited. AVG and AVAST were my two top picks.

Finally I've decided on AVAST for my antivirus needs. www.trendmico.com still has a free web-based scanner that I use periodically, for a second opinion on my computer's health.

Now as far as firewalls are concerned I used a cheap $20 no name product and for the most part did the job. As with the .zip file and browser bookmark-exporting Microsoft caught up and built a firewall application. It does an o.k. job, but I needed something different. So both after and prior I had been testing out a slew of free and trail versions of firewall applications. While searching I stumbled upon COMODO. This program works well enough and it is free.

If I had to I'd give the retail versions of COMODO and AVAST a try. They are not name brand, but they get the job done and have gotten great reivews. Until such time comes, I'll save $50 a year in license fees - thank you very much .

From what I have read and heard from friends, Norton is like the AOL of security software.

[computertechie]

Norton is useless. Poor detection rates, bulky and hammers the CPU at times even when it's not doing a scan.

I'm sorting out a major virus problem at the moment, because AVG Pro has failed badly.

Only one I can recommend is NOD32 - smaller, faster, best detection rates. And cheaper than Norton.

[jonasdatum]

Originally Posted by computertechie

Norton is useless. Poor detection rates, bulky and hammers the CPU at times even when it's not doing a scan.

I'm sorting out a major virus problem at the moment, because AVG Pro has failed badly.

Only one I can recommend is NOD32 - smaller, faster, best detection rates. And cheaper than Norton.

So yes, it is like the AOL of Antivirus/Security software.

[Nesjemannen]

The best virus ( And allround ) sollution is SOFTWIN's Bitdefender

I personally use Mcafee, wich is also, together with Kaspersky, Eset NOD32, Trend Micro, and F-Secure ranked better than Symantec's Norton.



My tip: Switch from Norton --to---> Bidefender or Kaspersky

[hbohn123]

I only use free programs and they work very well.

[jonasdatum]

Originally Posted by Noyb

Since I broke the Norton bad habit ....
I've saved enough $$ to get an External HD and Acronis True Image to back up my computer ... OS and all.

Now I can fix anything ... Even when Windows (XP or Vista) gets confused for no good reason.
AVG, Zone Alarm, CCleaner and WinPatrol free used here.

I am looking at external HD myself. I think the cheapest way to go is to buy an adapter or enclosure. How about tape drives?

What are these CCleaner and WinPatrol?