Dump Norton for something else?
Which to choose?
Thursday, November 2, 2006 by Bebi Bulma | Discussion: Personal Computing
I've been thinking about dumping Norton AntiVirus because it hogs a lot of ram and I've noticed a lot of people saying it's just crap. AVG was one recommendation and I've downloaded the free version but haven't installed it yet.
I've been using Norton for years so I've gotten accustomed to it. How does AVG compare in terms of features, processes running, resource use? Can AVG be set to scan once a week at a certain time? Email scan, auto-protect, automatic virus definition updates, etc?
I don't want to install it yet in case something happens with the two running at the same time (if it can happen, it'll happen to me). Just wondering what some other more experienced people would suggest.
I've been using Norton for years so I've gotten accustomed to it. How does AVG compare in terms of features, processes running, resource use? Can AVG be set to scan once a week at a certain time? Email scan, auto-protect, automatic virus definition updates, etc?
I don't want to install it yet in case something happens with the two running at the same time (if it can happen, it'll happen to me). Just wondering what some other more experienced people would suggest.
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Erk.
Reply #2 Thursday, November 2, 2006 8:53 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, November 2, 2006 8:53 PM
First: I'd wait till you've uninstalled NAV ...[and good luck with that] before installing another AV program.
I'm using the free version of AVG, and find it to be pretty good for my needs, but I keep a handy array of anti-spyware apps nearby, also.
Also using AVG's new anti-spyware [trial], which also seems to be pretty good. It downloads updates for itself regularly [at least daily, sometimes more].
The free version of AVG will do a daily scan, and will update itself once per day.
More features are available in the pay-for version though, of course.
There are other free AV prog's available which others use and swear by ...but I've settled on AVG.
Good luck with your decision.
I'm using the free version of AVG, and find it to be pretty good for my needs, but I keep a handy array of anti-spyware apps nearby, also.
Also using AVG's new anti-spyware [trial], which also seems to be pretty good. It downloads updates for itself regularly [at least daily, sometimes more].
The free version of AVG will do a daily scan, and will update itself once per day.
More features are available in the pay-for version though, of course.
There are other free AV prog's available which others use and swear by ...but I've settled on AVG.
Good luck with your decision.
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #3 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:27 AM
Reply #3 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:27 AM
AVG is useless, it's got more holes than Swiss cheese... I had it installed for a while - till it let viruses through and I had to use Norton to clear up the mess...
Try Avast! or BitDefender if Norton doesn't work for you.
Island Dog
Reply #4 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:43 AM
Reply #4 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:43 AM
It's not free, but I use Trend Micro PC-Cillin. It is great.
PurrBall
Reply #5 Friday, November 3, 2006 6:53 AM
Reply #5 Friday, November 3, 2006 6:53 AM
Windows Live OneCare I used and liked during the beta.
WebGizmos
Reply #6 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:25 AM
Reply #6 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:25 AM
Personally, I've been using Norton ever since I've owned my pc and the only problem I have ever had with was caused by a cleaner app that cleaned something it shouldn't have and my speed disc got all screwed up. I never notice any slow downs...don't know if thats due to having a gig and a half of memory or not...but I hardly notice norton running at all.
The one thing I will say though that I'm not to thrilled about with Norton is when I had to fix speed disc it was indeed painful getting Norton uninstalled so that I could reinstall it to get speed disc working again. Norton sent me about 8 different tools they said would get rid of it...but I ended up having to reformat my pc.
Basically...all software is great but turns to crap once its broken. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Check out my handy dandy Problem Solving Flow Diagram which will help you solve your problems. (Caution: Colorful language)
The one thing I will say though that I'm not to thrilled about with Norton is when I had to fix speed disc it was indeed painful getting Norton uninstalled so that I could reinstall it to get speed disc working again. Norton sent me about 8 different tools they said would get rid of it...but I ended up having to reformat my pc.
Basically...all software is great but turns to crap once its broken. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Check out my handy dandy Problem Solving Flow Diagram which will help you solve your problems. (Caution: Colorful language)
Bichur
Reply #7 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:31 AM
Been using one of those for 25 yrs!
Reply #7 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:31 AM
| Check out my handy dandy Problem Solving Flow Diagram which will help you solve your problems. |
Been using one of those for 25 yrs!
RPGFX
Reply #8 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:48 AM
AVG is the best AV I've ever run. I've had viruses with both Norton and McAfee, and I've had general problems caused by both Norton and McAfee. AVG has been PERFECT for me for the last 2 years plus. It's caught at least a half dozen viruses at the door, and it's never a problem. It works perfectly quiet in the background. It does a full system scan for me everyday at 4 am, and it updates whenever I want to. It's like ninja software. Updates take less than 30 seconds, and don't hog up any resources, it's just a fantastic AV overall.
Reply #8 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:48 AM
| AVG is useless, it's got more holes than Swiss cheese. |
AVG is the best AV I've ever run. I've had viruses with both Norton and McAfee, and I've had general problems caused by both Norton and McAfee. AVG has been PERFECT for me for the last 2 years plus. It's caught at least a half dozen viruses at the door, and it's never a problem. It works perfectly quiet in the background. It does a full system scan for me everyday at 4 am, and it updates whenever I want to. It's like ninja software. Updates take less than 30 seconds, and don't hog up any resources, it's just a fantastic AV overall.
RPGFX
Reply #9 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:50 AM
Reply #9 Friday, November 3, 2006 10:50 AM
By the way, if you plan to dump Norton, do it in this order. First close it (as best as it will let you), then go to Add/Remove Programs, and remove the Live Update portion FIRST. Then remove the main Norton program next, then all the remaining crap. After you restart, manually remove any left over folders.
RPGFX
Reply #10 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:06 PM
Reply #10 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:06 PM
One more thing... I just received word today that AVG Free 7.1 will be null in January, so if you get it be sure you download 7.5
SanChonino
Reply #11 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:11 PM
Reply #11 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:11 PM
I'm an avast! kid, I know a lot of people complain about the interface, but I have yet to get a single virus while using it . . . and Norton let two get through, stupid program that costs too much . . .
windoe
Reply #12 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:32 PM
Reply #12 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:32 PM
Since I have Avast 4.7, no more viruses yet... 
Permanent protection for browsing, downloading and mailing...and automatic daily update.
try it !
Permanent protection for browsing, downloading and mailing...and automatic daily update.
try it !
Island Dog
Reply #13 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:55 PM
Reply #13 Friday, November 3, 2006 12:55 PM
After I uninstalled Norton many years ago, I found the best way to completely get rid of it was to wipe the drive clean of everything and start over. But that's just me.
scorpNZ
Reply #14 Friday, November 3, 2006 1:47 PM
Reply #14 Friday, November 3, 2006 1:47 PM
Use nortons uninstall tool to remove it's AV not windows add/remove,you'll have to download it from their site.
As for a new free AV it's either AVG or Avast both are pretty much similar in detection rates, i tried avast and avg and stuck with avg,
you could always google > "the best free anti virus" i would think cnet would also have a comparison chart of what's good and what's not
you could always google > "the best free anti virus" i would think cnet would also have a comparison chart of what's good and what's not
seldomseen
Reply #15 Friday, November 3, 2006 2:47 PM
The whole issue's just bothersome...
But since I don't want parasites in my system, I've got to use something.
Running McAfee on the main box, seems to work fine. I like their "trace this event" feature. Using AdAware/AdWatch along with it.
The @#!*^#@!! laptop (Sony) came with Norton preinstalled and TrendMicro blocker. So far no issues with either. Laptop's another story (P.U.), _____ Sony and the horse they rode in on!
Don't like throwing $ at anyone, so will look into Avast/AVG etc. when the re-up time comes.
Thanks for the thread!
Reply #15 Friday, November 3, 2006 2:47 PM
| If it ain't broke don't fix it. |
The whole issue's just bothersome...
But since I don't want parasites in my system, I've got to use something.
Running McAfee on the main box, seems to work fine. I like their "trace this event" feature. Using AdAware/AdWatch along with it.
The @#!*^#@!! laptop (Sony) came with Norton preinstalled and TrendMicro blocker. So far no issues with either. Laptop's another story (P.U.), _____ Sony and the horse they rode in on!
Don't like throwing $ at anyone, so will look into Avast/AVG etc. when the re-up time comes.
Thanks for the thread!
Bebi Bulma
Reply #17 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:10 PM
Reply #17 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:10 PM
I have a gig of ram but it just annoys me that Norton seems to have at least half a dozen processes running. The only other thing running that many processes is my HP printer which is off 90% of the time. 
I've never actually had a virus, the only thing that was detected was this "trojan" thing Norton found that was something in my mIRC folder which I put there anyway so I know it was nothing harmless. I also run Spybot and AdAware periodically so I think I'm pretty safe (and the only things those find are ad tracking cookies).
Looks like I'll give AVG a try, I did download the latest 7.5 version off their website. Sometime this weekend I'll try my best to get rid of Norton using the advice given.
I've never actually had a virus, the only thing that was detected was this "trojan" thing Norton found that was something in my mIRC folder which I put there anyway so I know it was nothing harmless. I also run Spybot and AdAware periodically so I think I'm pretty safe (and the only things those find are ad tracking cookies).
Looks like I'll give AVG a try, I did download the latest 7.5 version off their website. Sometime this weekend I'll try my best to get rid of Norton using the advice given.
kryo
Reply #18 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:53 PM
Reply #18 Friday, November 3, 2006 3:53 PM
Personally, I use Avast. I don't mind the cruddy interface since I generally just leave it in the tray to do its thing and keep itself updated.
Island Dog
Reply #19 Friday, November 3, 2006 4:33 PM
After I uninstalled Norton I couldn't believe how much improvement I saw on my system.
Reply #19 Friday, November 3, 2006 4:33 PM
| I have a gig of ram but it just annoys me that Norton seems to have at least half a dozen processes running. The only other thing running that many processes is my HP printer which is off 90% of the time. |
After I uninstalled Norton I couldn't believe how much improvement I saw on my system.
tjesterb
Reply #20 Friday, November 3, 2006 5:28 PM
After you do that, download and run Nonav
WWW Link
It will clean up the remainder of what their removal tool leaves behind.
I've used Norton/Symantec's home products in the past and hated them. I use the Symantec corporate version from my work now (there have to be some kind of perks to being a network admin ) and it's much, much less of a resource hog than their home products.
I have recommended AVG to some people here at work and they have been very pleased with it.
Reply #20 Friday, November 3, 2006 5:28 PM
| Use nortons uninstall tool to remove it's AV not windows add/remove,you'll have to download it from their site. |
After you do that, download and run Nonav
WWW Link
It will clean up the remainder of what their removal tool leaves behind.
I've used Norton/Symantec's home products in the past and hated them. I use the Symantec corporate version from my work now (there have to be some kind of perks to being a network admin
) and it's much, much less of a resource hog than their home products.I have recommended AVG to some people here at work and they have been very pleased with it.
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Reply #1 Thursday, November 2, 2006 8:50 PM
I think Avast! as a freebie is likely superior to the AVG freebie....so I use that on some machines.
On this one [the principal comp] I'm quite happy with Bit Defender 10 - purchased ver. [though for some odd reason its auto scan didn't adjust for Daylight saving - hardly a drama]....