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I have used NIS for the past several years. It's time to either re-up or check some of the other available products.
My ISP is cox and they offer free security. Is it any good?
Are any of the free programs good? I've looked at Kaspersky and Trend. Just looking for some advice.
Thanks for your help.
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If it works for you, why not keep it? On the other hand, many of us don't like suites and just as many don't like Norton. I found in the past that it dug too deeply into the registry, was nigh to impossible to get rid of, and was a resource hog. The last IS I used was Norton 2004 and I vowed then never to use it again. You'll find that everyone here has different ideas. I use the paid for version of Kerio (firewall) and NOD 32 for my AV. I like the idea of separate apps. If you want free: AVG for your AV, Zone Alarm or Kerio free versions for your AV.
Well you will get a lot of different opinions on this.
Norton and Mcafee are the originals. From back in the days when DOS was king.
They have tried too hard to be the "be all" "do all".
These 2 are at least in the top 5 or 6 as virus scanners and security suites. But! So are AVg and others.
They bury themselves deeply in the file system and registry both to try to do their job their way but additionally I think to force themselves on you.
I would say average computer user cannot properly un-install either of these programs.
I am A Sr. Systems Analyst and have been doing this for 27 years. Here is what I have seen on these 2 programs.
On a network I was replacing Norton with AVG. Since I was properly un-installing Norton and moving on to another computer, after a while some of the users that I had completed began to come by and ask me what else I done, as their systems were flying now.
All I did was remove Norton and install AVG.
But Norton does not un-install by simply running the Add/Remove process in control panel.
Norton is even aware of this as they have cleaner programs that clean up after normal un-install.
Actually these days I use 2 or 3 programs from Norton to clean up after a normal un-install. Plus 3 other programs other programmers wrote to clean Norton.
If Norton is un-installed and even if the Norton cleaner programs are run, a disk search will still find Norton and Symantec all over the disk. A registry search will still find hundreds of registry entries for these two.
The other cleaners in addition to disk searches and removals and a registry search and removal finally will get them. Usually only then will you see the full performance and system stability returned to normal.
Most that have had Norton and un-installed it are cruising along in ignorance that Norton is finally gone.
The performance loss is much more noticeable as the CPU speed of the system goes down. Is less noticeable on faster systems but is there.
I say all of this to clarify this statement: Unless you are going to properly un-install Norton just stay with it.
If you properly un-install it I recommend AVG as the best free, with several others just as good. AntiVir and Avast for example.
If you are using a Norton suite then there is the firewall and other security to consider.
If you are behind a Router (a router is not a firewall but by its very nature acts as a basic firewall) the Windows Firewall is usually sufficient for most people.
As opposed to being directly connected to a Cable or DSL modem. I do recommend a better firewall then.
If I got into firewalls in depth now this post would just be too large.
I will say that one of the older firewalls is still the best in ease of use and low CPU overhead. That is the Kerio personal firewall ver 2.
Slide to Download Tools section download all but the msifix.bat as it is dead. Just download these do not run. Get the 2004/2005/2006 Removal tools and the 2003 and earlier Removal tools.
I don't care what version you now have get the cleaners for all versions
Once you have them we begin:
1. Thru Add/Remove un-install all Norton and Symantec entries.
2. Reboot check Add/Remove for any Liveupdate or LiveReg and remove these
3. Run Symclean
4. Run Rnav2003. Run it for each version do not reboot after each as it suggests.
5. Run the others (except the reg file) that you downloaded in any order decline the reboots if you can
6. Click and OK the symmsicleanup.reg
now reboot
Back to desktop
Do a search (set advanced search to include hidden system files) for
norton*.*
and delete all entries
same for syman*.*
You would think you would now be clear of Norton but no.
When you run the below in the registry cleans you will still see many many references to Norton and Symantec. Just watch for them. These are general cleans and will clean up other bad registry items. Remove all found.
Slide to Download Tools section download all but the msifix.bat as it is dead. Just download these do not run. Get the 2004/2005/2006 Removal tools and the 2003 and earlier Removal tools.
I don't care what version you now have get the cleaners for all versions, if you are notified of an expiration you will be sent tp a page to get the updated file, do so!
Once you have them we begin:
1. Thru Add/Remove un-install all Norton and Symantec entries.
2. Reboot check Add/Remove for any Liveupdate or LiveReg and remove these
3. Run Symclean
4. Run Rnav2003. Run it for each version do not reboot after each as it suggests.
5. Run the others (except the reg file) that you downloaded in any order decline the reboots if you can
6. Click and OK the symmsicleanup.reg
now reboot
Back to desktop
Do a search (set advanced search to include hidden system files) for
norton*.*
and delete all entries
same for syman*.*
Then
Regseeker
Find in registry
norton (delete all)
then new search
symantec (delete all)
You would think you would now be clear of Norton but no.
When you run the below in the registry cleans you will still see many many references to Norton and Symantec. Just watch for them. These are general cleans and will clean up other bad registry items. Remove all found.
Sorry that it has taken so long to respond. I have deleted norton from my system. Thank you for all of your help.
I will warn others reading this post to be very careful as I deleted several programs and files. I'm not sure how but was able to use restore to regain the programs but lost all my pictures and all files in "my documents" except for the folders. Anyway , below is a new hijackthis log can you check it for me? Thank you!!
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 5:12:26 PM, on 2/15/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16414)
I use kaspersky internet security and in my opinion it is a very very good program for security.Just give try on trial version.
NoD 32 and bitdefender is a another very good antivirus programs if you want to use unbundled security software. it takes little resources especially nod32 (very little resource) when compared with Norton.
Hello all,
Mflynn has sound suggestions for alternatives, but like posted already - everybody has an opinion on this subject.
I use Trend and have since they debuted with PcCillin95 (for Win95).
Previously I had McAfee for my DOS machines..
For 2007, they have an internet security package that will protect you against spyware, virus, and offers a firewall and anti-phishing features as well.
It's customizable and maybe a bit daunting for a new user but very comprehensive. It also doesn't hog your computer resources.
I have tried AVG and like it - but it's only an Anti-virus package.
In my past experiences, I have "caught" (and supressed) viruses where my friend's computer (protected with Norton) was infested.
Being a good friend, I cleaned it up but for some reason Norton remained the "popular" choice for Anti-virus.
Anyway - my two cents.
Which Antivirus ??
