Can anyone recommend an alternative to Norton?

Question

This thing will just not run right!

Answer 1

First you need to delete it so it doesn't conflict with another anti-virus program. You can't have 2 virus checkers running at the same time.

Second I recommend downloading and running ALL of the following programs. (not all at once)


The best Anti-virus is: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. (www.grisoft.com)
The Best Spyware defense is: SpyBot Search and Destroy (www.spybot.info)
AND: AdAware SE (www.lavasoft.com)
AND Spyware Blaster (www.spywareblaster.com)
The best Firewall besides the one that comes with Windows is: Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co... or just (www.zonelabs.com) and select the FREE version.

These are all FREE and are all that are required. There is no reason to pay for this kind of software, except to give a donation to the writers if you can.
ALL the above programs are recommended and should be run on a regular basis. With some the free versions they must be run manually.

The best way to avoid getting any Malware (virus, Trojan's, spyware, etc) is to practice safe computing. Microsoft and many others have countless articles on the subject of safe computing. (something I think should be taught in schools)

Answer 2

Best AV is Norton's Corporate Edition, however this isn't readily available for your average home user. Recommended is the current version of Norton.

AVG is absolute rubbish as are most free applications - Zonealarm basic is just that, a very basic firewall - Zonealarm Pro is the one to use, this combines spyware as well and is excellent.

Basic rule of thumb is simple, if it's free it's not going to be brilliant - Companies don't invest lots of money developing their free programmes compared to their money making programmes.

For a home system I would recommend the following -

AV = Norton 2006
Firewall = ZoneAlarm Pro Edition (With Spyware)

I would recommend against using the built in Windows XP firewall as it has some major issues with some programmes.

Answer 3

There are alot of Anti-virus softwares.
Norton is indeed a nightmare now-a-days because it takes to many resources, specially the 2006 version.

You got alot of anti-virus softwares that you can take a peek at, like:
AVG - free but not very effective;
Trend Micro PCCillin - Good but was reported to have an huge flaw when updating (would disable itself for a few seconds);
MCCaffe - good, reliable
NOD32 - Fast, low on system resources, decent protection (not the best though);
FProt - good, reliable
Bitdefender - good, reliable
Kaspersky - extremly good and light weight on system resources
many others

But in my personal opinion and not only mine but also other experienced users (alot of tech foruns on this, of people who actually care to test things and share experiences), the best choice for 2006 would be Kaspersky 6. It offers the best protection (even where norton fails), it doesnt take to many system resources and keeps permanently updated.
(you can download a 30day trial version at www.kaspersky.com)

In addition, you can use an online viruscan to make sure your current antivirus isn't missing something. Personally I like bitdefenders online virus scan.

Best of luck.

Re.: Would have to agree with giffer2 that norton corporate is excelent. But go with Kas or the the kaspersky internet security and you won't be disappointed.

Answer 4

AVG it is free and s.... all over Norton had Norton for years myself just gave me grief,since i have been using AVG no problems.I have no windows firewall switched on,no Norton,now PC is running beautiful.So I would only have AVG anti virus and defender or beta 11 to stop the add ware or pop ups.

Answer 5

Here are some legal freeware aternatives to a security suite, and the original web addresses for a safe download. Suites are a bad idea; if a hacker cracks the Norton soft ware engine he's straight through all your defenses like a dose of salts. Layered protection is safer; too many engines to crack for the average hacker.
None of this software is second rate. Most of it is available to purchase, the designers know that people don't like to keep learning new programs so it pays them to provise the basic functioning version free of charge to home users.

The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall

Shields Up security site, check your firewall works
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to
I.E.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

The best antispyware is Spyware Doctor
http://www.pctools.com The free version will give you the file name and location so you can get help removing them without having to pay.

http://www.ewido.net Ewido anti trojan

Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Avast! is a much better product than AVG, it has scanners running in the background to check different elements such as Messenger, P2P and e-mail.
http://www.avast.com Avast Antivirus

http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.

http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool

Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.
As a last resort always be prepared to go for a hard drive wipe and clean install; which means backing up all your data off the pc.
You can use Acronis TrueImage to image your operating system after you've activated Windows, installed your drivers and security software etc. Store a copy on the hard drive and a copy on a dvd. You'll never have to activate Windows again after that!

Answer 6

No.I think Norton is the best.I know loads of people who have tried lots of different ones and caught viruses.I checked the statistics and Norton came up the best.Do a search from Yahoo home and you will see.I cannot understand why it will not run for you though.
By the way Bongo you look like Michael Caine.

Answer 7

im not suprised mate,the number of reports i get about norton is staggering,i think users think its "cool"to have norton on their p.c as they think its the best,it is good,but it drains your p.c,s resources and if you only have 256mb ram it will leave you with nearlly nothing and you will be well into your virtual memory(page file)
avg,avalible from http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1,is a very good free anti-virus,and just because its free dosent mean its no good,infact the opposite,its a highly effective scanner and is very capable of protecting a average home p.c
for a payed option ,i have to recommend f-secure,avalible from http://www.f-secure.com/,this is what i use and its all you want from a anti-virus program..it features:
1) internet explorer sheild
2) anti-spyware scanner
3) rootkit scanner
4)automatic updates
5)news updates on new in-wild viruses
6)browser control(stops browser hijacks)
7)active x control sheild
if you want to give this a 6 month evaluation you can do this by going to http://esd.element5.com/demoreg.html?productid=300042690&languageid=1,and enter your email,you will then get a link in your inbox to download the evaluation
good luck

Answer 8

Norton software? Try System Suite
Norton Motorcycle - try a mechanic

Answer 9

AVG is deff the way to go but you have to find a norton uninstall tool online before you can install any antivirus

Answer 10

I'm not going to make any recommendations based on anecdotal evidence or vitriol Bongo but I will point you to the results of a test conducted by PCWorld magazine in March 2006 of all the leading antivirus software, using both listed viruses and viruses in the wild, which most antivirus software, even using heuristics, fail to pick up.

Top Ten - http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124475,00.asp
The New Virus Fighters (article in full) - http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124163,00.asp

I think only one of your contributors advised you to go for the winning software - sound advice too and deserving of your 10 points.