Norton Anti Virus

[Catwoman]

Can I have some of your expert advice please??!

hen I bought my first PC back end of last year, I rushed out and bought loads of extras (like you do) one of which was Norton Anti Virus. A couple of people that I asked about it put me off as they said it takes over your system and is hard to control. Consequently it's still sitting in its box. I have installed ZoneAlarm and can mange that OK, but am conscious that I probably need something "stronger".

I also have downloaded a 30 day trial of System Mechanic which cleans up your files/registry/shortcuts etc and to the novice that I am looks really good. I have seen the Norton version of this which also looks good, but obviously don't want to buy it if I'm not even sure of using the anti virus package.

So what I really would like to know is what people think of Norton - is it OK to use for someone who is still learning about their PC and the wonderful world of the world wide web, or are there more suitable packages out there.

Thanks in advance
Sarah

[Betty Swollocks]

I personally use Norton Antivirus 2001 standalone (legal copy, of course!) ;) ANd have had no trouble with it "taking over", very little does it do that actually. It's quite easy to use,and it'd be easy for a "beginner" to use. There's no complex "file swapping" and renaming when you want to update your antivirus definitions, like Ive found with sophos and some others, just one click and off it goes.

I think i'd personally stay clear of all that other stuff like Systemworks, dont really like things like that running in the background clogging everything up :o

[onomatopoeia]

I have been using Norton AV for years and it does exactly what it says on the tin. There are some free AV progs as well (someone will be along with links I expect).

I'm wary of anything that claims to "clean up" my system. I don't like it being fiddled with by programs I don't understand.

Cool name btw :)

[Catwoman]

Thanks! :D

I happen to be very fond of the furry litle creatures and have 3 myself. I just wished I looked like Michelle Pffeifer (think that's too many "f"'s) esp in that catsuit!!!

Sarah

Thanks for the advice - keep it coming!

[TheScotsman]

Yet another vote for using Norton Anti Virus.
It's simple to install, runs without you knowing it, is simple to update (try once a week to check for updates), it works well with Zone Alarm.

What more can you say!!

It can sometimes get in the way of defrags, but there are ways around that.

[Beep]

I use Norton Systemworkds, which includes Norton AV. Its very good indeed.

[pudds]

I use norton AV as well and it's great. Also have norton utilities as well which is O.K.

[Andrew Hamilton]

On clicking on the icon you can disable it simply. Doing this and getting rid of the screensaver meant I have no trouble with Defrag or Veritas Backup program.

It also has the option to check email as it comes in which is useful. After first year cost of updates are quoted as about £2.41/year.

[Furby]

Norton utilities is very good, and you dont have to have it running in the background all the time, you just run it when you want to. However, if you are unsure which files are which and what to delete etc, this can be a dangerous program in that you can ask it to repair something in the wrong way.

Mark, things that clean up your system can be very useful utilities - and they can keep your system running in tip top shape. Especially the cleaners that get rid of dead registry keys, that improves system speed no end - trouble is these programs have to be used very carefully.

A good all round cleaner that is very simple to use (although it only deals with temp files, office tracks etc) is windows washer. So simple, just one click, and it is failsafe if you don't mess around with the settings of it too much. It is a great alternative, and you will be surprised how cluttered your hard drive becomes sometimes.

I still use Norton utils, although I have moved more to ontrack fix it utilities which is excellent - does more than norton and is more efficient. The defragmenter on nuts and bolts is an excellent and one of the best I have used, however it fills your drive with other Mcafee stuff that can be a pain and interfere with other programs. :rolleyes:

[Phaedrus]

Like Furby, I would recomend Window Washer for clearing your system of web clutter (temp internet files, history etc). It will even clean your index.DAT files. It cleaned out over 128mb of stuff from my Temp folder alone! (I did back it up first, just in case) :)
As with all software like this, take some time to read the user guides and you should be ok.

Trev.

[Schockwave]

I too, have Norton Systemsworks and have no problems.

[Techtips]

Dont be confused between and Anti Virus like Norton and A firewall Like szonealarm they are totally different if you need any advice on PC security see my link below.

[Andrew Hamilton]

Just found out when registering for online banking with Barclays that they are offering free Norton Internet Security 2001 - Family Edition. Stated retailing at £50. This has anti-virus and personal firewall. CD has both PC and Mac versions. Expect delivery within 14 days. Seems pretty good offer to me and am awaiting delivery. Would be interested in other peoples views!

[Leonidas]

As was pointed out there has been some confusion. :confused:

Zonealarm is basically an internet Firewall.

That is to say it prevents intrusion into your system from anywhere on the Web while you are online.

But as for Virus protection it is very limited indeed, the only detection that it does is. When you have the PRO version of Zonealarm it has an Email scanner facility.

I myself use the basic 2.06 version that is totally free and updatable off the website. :D

My virus protector is the Grisoft AVG, which again works very well and is free and is updatabl;e off the Website.

I have very limited experience of the Norton virus protector, but I do believe that the whole Norton family of programs are generally rated as very good. :cool:

[Catwoman]

Thanks everyone - very useful I also realised after posting that ZoneAlarm is only a fire wall and not the same thing as antivirus, but thanks for pointing it out. This forum is a really good idea (and entertaining as well!)

I'm going to install Norton now (well, not right this minute but you know what I mean!) Where can I get Window Washer? I'm guessing CNet.

Sarah

;)

[Rainbow Warrior]

Window Washer: http://www.webroot.com/washer.htm