Antivirus replacement for Nortons?

[WarBot]

I just removed all the norton stuff on my pc (antivirus and internet security). First, I cant believe what a pain in the ass it is to remove the stuff. Took the better part of 3 hours to hunt down fixes and removal tools at the norton website to actually remove the stuff. Now that its all gone my computer is about 3 times faster. My programs load right up, my email zips right in, my computer starts right up when I turn it on. Ahh... feels good.

Anyone have any good recommendations for a replacement?

[Torn Rose]

We have been using http://www.avast.com/ for over a year, never once a issue and it is FREE and updates daily and no where near the resource hog Norton is.

[HC-Majick]

Avast is a good option.......
So is kaspersky antivirus. Been using it for 3 or 4 years now, and it's never let me down (or slowed me down).

[WarBot]

Thanks guys. I think Im going to try out Avast. The price is just what Im looking for

Kinda funny though, during the whole mess with nortons, I figured out that if I uninstall and then re-install it, my subscription resets and I have a whole year before it expires. Still dont want to use it though. This computer isnt exactly state of the art and the nortons makes everything painfully slow.

Thanks
WB

[emmanuelle]

Norton helps me sleep well :-)

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by emmanuelle

Norton helps me sleep well :-)

Yup, I know there are programs out there that use less resources...but Norton has never let me down. Been using Symantec products for over 10 years, and have never had to re-format a drive due to virus or malware.

But, being a slight geek...I usually run pretty robust hardware so having a security software that's kinda hungry doesn't slow me down appreciably

[WarBot]

Im actually thinking of not using ANY antivirus. I havent surfed the web in about a year and I dont think Ill be picking up any virus' from my sponsors sites or any of your submission pages. Im liking this quicker computer.

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by WarBot

Im actually thinking of not using ANY antivirus. I havent surfed the web in about a year and I dont think Ill be picking up any virus' from my sponsors sites or any of your submission pages. Im liking this quicker computer.

One thing I do that helps a ton with spam/nasties in the mail...

I check all my webmaster mail boxes on the servers via a webmail interface so nothing can 'get' me. No mail is actually downloaded to my local drives until I've already pre-viewed it in a safe environment. Since starting this, NAV hasn't screamed at me in over a year

[sue-fl]

Originally Posted by emmanuelle

Norton helps me sleep well :-)

Yep, my feelings exactly! I don't notice a slow down on my pc with Norton it's fast as hell.

Warbot no antivirus would scare the hell out of me. Your pc only needs to be turned on to let the creeps in to mess with ya!

[WarBot]

Originally Posted by sue-fl

Yep, my feelings exactly! I don't notice a slow down on my pc with Norton it's fast as hell.

Warbot no antivirus would scare the hell out of me. Your pc only needs to be turned on to let the creeps in to mess with ya!

I know... I will probably re-install the nortons before long. Feels good right now though, sorta like walkin around with no skivvies

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by WarBot

sorta like walkin around with no skivvies

Wait... you mean you normally wear clothes when your at home? Weird...

I used one computer of mine without protection for a while. Took me about 2 months before a total melt-down.

And this was before I started looking at porn... well... as much as I do now.

I like McAfee. It's a nice combo of light yet robust.

[MediaGuy]

I use Grisoft's free AVG antivirus and the thing kicks ass, seriously.

It updates twice as much as Norton, and during the whole MyDoom scare it was updating three times for each ONE time MacAfee update.

It is simply the best balls-up anti -virus program around... have never ever gotten anything since. When I was using the office network's MacAfee it wasn't unusual to get some weirdies, but I argued and finally won to have my office machine taken off MacAffee (which when ever it updated would FREEZE my machine) and put myself under AVG (under my own responsibility).

I won..

[ArtWilliams]

I use Kubuntu Linux. I havn't had a virus since I started using it.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by artwilliams

I use Kubuntu Linux. I havn't had a virus since I started using it.

And if Linux or the various other *nix flavors are too scary, there's always the Mac. Gotta love those new commercials.

Cleo?

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by Simon

...there's always the Mac.

No doubt, if/when my cheap ass gets sick of my current machine I may just have to switch. A record of 0 to Too_God_Damn_Many is mighty tempting.

[GunnCat]

I hate to report this, but I have seen NAV miss some pretty significant things within the last 2 months. I switched from Nortons suite of tools to McAfee's last spring and I found it a really pleasant surprise. I had used McAfee back in the 90's and didn't like it. I renewed my subscription this year, will probably do so again next year. Additionally it seems 'lighter' than Nortons.

[juggernaut]

I use Norton but never install any of the extras. just the AV and standard disk cleaning, etc never had any problems. my thoughts are this, if it gets in there past the software your wiping the box anyway.

[carol.prime]

Using BitDefender 9 proplus recently and so far, it's good. It doesn't slow us down.

[Linkster]

Gotta agree with Grisofts AVG free edition - Ive used bitdefender paid version, norton and mccafee and never had as much identified and removed trojans without any downtime then since I switched to AVG three years ago - the only other thing I use is Spysweeper on top of it(the paid version) as it takes care of the exploits none of the antivirii can find on webpages

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Linkster

Gotta agree with Grisofts AVG free edition - Ive used bitdefender paid version, norton and mccafee and never had as much identified and removed trojans without any downtime then since I switched to AVG three years ago...

Same story here, switched to AVG about three years ago. Not only does it do a better job than the others, it's far less obtrusive and doesn't slow your system.

[MediaGuy]

I read somwhere that most spyware removal software on the market installs its own spyware while removing the competition's. Better to have one or two programs than dozens or hundreds...

So I basically stuck to ad-aware and SpyBot S&D - which don't do anything but remove, and two of the only ones i've heard or read about.

Actually, Spybot S&D immunizes as well as removes, so that unless something truly ahead of its detection database comes out, you don't detect anythign after awhile because it just prevents it from being installed...

I've had no problems with any exploits or spyware at all, not even with the IE fears we've been getting told about... I am fearless (unless I stupidly open or accept something, but then that's my fault).

[kitty_kate]

Let me drop a few lines here...

@MediaGuy: The anti-spyware programs you use are among the best in the industry (I don't say the best cause the oppinions are divided). There are few apps out there that really remove spyware. The other ones could be found here http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm . Before you think about buying an anti-spyware software, just take a look at that webpage and find out if you can find a better use for your money.

@everybody else:
My favorite antivirus is Kaspersky (made in russia ). I have some friends who repairs computers and they told me that KAV is the only one handling the situation before and after you get infected. They trully find NAV a nice bloatware who gets marketed heavly. Being marketed heavly doesn't means you are the best.
McAfee comes second in their opinion. And, seeing that in 5 years didn't had any problem with my pc from this point of view, I belive them fully.

There is a free tool helping you against the shitware, called SpywareBlaster from javacoolsoftware.com (if you are already using TeaTimer of AdWatch you don't need it).

And the most important of all thing is to BACKUP YOUR DATA! I sincerely wish you to never apreciate this advice.

Stay safe, folks. And remeber where your backup CDs are s

[ieatjackets]

I've been mostly using Trend Micro for all my antivirus needs and it has been working out pretty well (it's less intrusive than Norton from what I can see).

http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/home.htm

You can try it online (!) for free here:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

[dekaz]

I've been using nod32 and I haven't ran into any problems.