After the latest download from McAfee, I’m looking to maybe change anti-virus software. The latest download took some liberties with my computer that pissed me off, such as adding a Google toolbar and others to my web browser without my permission. No sweat, I can get rid of those. Then it added a feature that searches my computer on startup for their stupid protection programs, which, if I wanted them, I would have bought them. This slows down my computer while it looks around, then it pops up a window with an ominous “Your computer is not fully protected!” message. Once, okay. More than that, MOST ANNOYING! And I can’t get rid of the feature, even by turning off the check boxes.
Annnnyyyywayyyy, the question for my fellow doperbrains is this: what has been your experience with Norton (Symantec)? Have you had both? Which do you prefer? Does Norton screw with your computer? Would I only need the virus software or do I need their “Internet Security” software for an additional $70?
I don’t use either, for the reasons stated. They hog resources, they slow everything down, and they install stuff I don’t want. Between AVG anti-virus and Zone Alarm firewall, I’m adequately protected.
Vote three for AVG. I used to have McAfee and Norton, and both were terrible resource hogs. Norton in particular slowed my startup time to something resembling molasses running uphill in January. I’ve used AVG exclusively for a few years now and love it.
The current issue of Consumer Reports ranks antivirus software (and some other kinds of security software too). They rank BitDefender first, then ZoneAlarm, then Kapersky Labs, then Norton, then McAfee, then others. They don’t list AVG.
I’ve used Norton for years but don’t feel especially loyal about it. The way it keeps popping up in front of my work to tell me it’s taking care of me and suggest buying additional products reminds me of what I think the viruses I’m afraid of will do. And I’ve been able to update yearly subscriptions on some PCs but have spent hours trying to get other PCs to do so - savvy friends tell me Norton is notorious for not being able to update subscriptions on all PCs and you have to buy the shrinkwrap CD to make it work (note the updates during the year seem to work fine).
The other day at BestBuy, Norton was the highest-ranked product they had on the shelf, except for ZoneAlarm. I seem to be the only person in the world who can’t make their firewall work - I bought several versions and spent hours on that too, and if a single feature is enabled I can’t reach any web sites at all. So I won’t use that.
It’s hard to choose well, though, isn’t it? Their most important feature, catching viruses, is impossible for the consumer to test in a meaningful way. A couple years ago this PC got so virus-infested I had to have someone else wipe the hard drive - and that was using Norton, AdAware, Spybot, and a hardware firewall.
Excellent information, all. I’m so brainwashed I didn’t even think to look outside the big guns. Today I become McAfee-free! Or de-McAfinated, if you will.
Okay, I’m trying to uninstall this goddamned program and it’s hanging on like grim death. I’ve deleted everything that will allow me to delete it (a subject that is absolutely Pit-worthy), but the Security Center logo still appears on the bar in the lower right. At least I finally stopped it from scanning my computer on start-up. The website is useless, since you can’t contact the company unless you download their diagnostic program (I don’t want anything downloading from McAfee ever again). Any hints?
When I dumped mine, I went through Uninstall, then hunted down the folders in the Programs file and dumped them, then looked for residue in other places. Then rebooted twice. The toolbar finally cleared.
Oog, yeah if McAffee or Norton doesn’t want to go, that’s rather difficult. I would suggest doing a backup and be ready to reinstall Windows.
Not saying it will come to that, nor that you necessarily need to worry about losing data, more of that it might be the most expedient measure and certainly the one that’s going to leave you with the most stable computer after.
I’ve looked in most places, but some of the files are protected from deletion, which is really annoying. Even after uninstall I was able to delete nearly 100 other files that uninstall didn’t touch. And the feature that scans your computer to see if you have their other crappy products has managed to reappear. This thing is almost as bad as having a virus. AVG installed without a hitch and even told me about a bug in Roxio, which I fixed. I have Spyware Doctor, so will probably pass on Zone Alarm, since it appears they do the same thing.
on the advice of a computer tech who I really trust, I just downloaded an antivirus program called AVAST! (that’s right, the exclamation point is part of the name).
The version for home use is free. Seems pretty good to me.
>>Okay, I’m trying to uninstall this goddamned program and it’s hanging on like grim death…Any hints?
Wow. You just stumbled onto the biggest reason I keep using Norton.
You want to stop viruses because they will appear in front of whatever you’re working on when you least want them to, and because they will take over your computer, and because they can even try to get money out of you. Can anybody here explain how that’s different from what an antivirus program does?
I currently use norton because I have a similar grudge against McAfee. I had one of their products once that was supposed to clean up my registry, but not delete anything important. It deleted what a programmer friend of mine told me, was essential commands windows needs to operate. I had to wipe the
HD and reload windows. Since then I’ve stayed away from McAfee.
This is the mindset that keeps Norton and Macafee in business and its not as imperative as you seem to be phrasing it especially when most routers and XP itself has firewalls already in place.
Granted, they are far from bulletproof but nothing really is.
Education is the key, not more software.
That said Zone alarm is a perfectly respectable firewall if a bit of a resource hog as mentioned above.
If you have a need for additional security, Zone Alarm can serve you well. Power users will find it an annoying resource hog. If security is a major issue, you probably would not be doing risky things with the machine in question or would handle higher security data on a separate non/disabled network machine that only goes online occasionally for updates.
The big security app sellers all would love for us to think we are dead meat if we don’t have our PC’s locked up like fort knox.