computer knowledge needed. It's time to renew my subscribtion to Norton Antivirus and some of these terms are

Question

confusing. At least to me they are. I have Windwos XP pro. I mostly use Yahoo answers, but I also pay lots of my bills on line if I can. I don't use the computer for any buisness of any sort so here is what I need to know.
About all these updates and if I need them or why I need them..1. inspects my computer for securtity holes with one click 2.monitors and reverses software installation if I change my mind or if installation goes poorly (I think I can do this much) 3. give me control over Widnows settings and processes on my system (don't I have contol over my own computer?) 4.notfies me of high level security threats (it sounds good but may not be) 5. hides my computer from hackers (but if the site is secure, do I need this, really) 6.automatically enables firewall after disabling it (I don't even know if I HAVE a firewall)This is not a complete list but only the ones I can't understand.
Hope someone can help me. Do I need all these things?

Answer 1

1) If you have Windows Update turned on, you do can say no to this. Otherwise, say yes. Just asking if you want it check for Windows updates rather than have Windows do the checking itself

2) If you rarely install new programs on our PC, you can say NO. Will save hard drive space and you can do 90% of what this does
with the restore points build in Windows XP)

3) Yes. (You have control now - you want to KEEP control)

4) Whatever. Just wants to know if it should show you a box saying there is a problem before it fixes it. If you will warning, turn it on, otherwise off.

5) Yes. Some people run web sites on their PCs or allow remote access (run their home PC from work) so they need to have their IP visible. Does not sound like you do any of that, so let it make you "inivisible" and it is harder for someone to hack your PC. Plus it makes it harder for the "Music cops" to track you if you are downloading illegal music ( ;-)

6) Yes. If you are running Windows XP, you have a firewall. It is build in to XP. Some viruses and spyware will turn off the firewall so they can send information (or mass emails) out from your computer. This setting says "if the firewall gets turned off, turn it back on at once." Just an extra security measure.

Hope those help...

Answer 2

1. inspects my computer for security holes with one click
Boo to this. You won't ever need this feature, without fixing the holes is useless, and Microsoft would release patches somewhat soon enough (although it may be late for several months). Or for a faster solution, some people out there makes an unofficial patches for things MS don't release patch soon enough, usually by disabling the holed feature.

2. monitors and reverses software installation if I change my mind or if installation goes poorly (I think I can do this much)
You can do this through Add/Remove Program, some programs though (notably Norton) may refuse to be uninstalled through Add/Remove Program. Usually the program that refuses to be uninstalled through Add/Remove Program is either: 1. Made by an unintelligible programmer 2. Is a rogue (adware, trojan, spyware) program, that is made hard to uninstall, or uninstall completely

3. give me control over Widnows settings and processes on my system (don't I have contol over my own computer?)
Yeah, you already have control over your computer, this one is... well... fake.

4.notfies me of high level security threats (it sounds good but may not be)
Well, you may be notified for high level security threats, but not always. It is never possible for them to detect all security threats, especially the highest level security threats

5. hides my computer from hackers (but if the site is secure, do I need this, really)
Yeah, you need to since you don't need to be visiting rogue sites to to get hacked, but hiding your computer from a hacker is the job of a Firewall not Antivirus, you'd better download a decent, free Firewall (like Zone Lab's Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/ )

6.automatically enables firewall after disabling it (I don't even know if I HAVE a firewall)
Good Firewall (like the recommended ZoneAlarm), would ask you twice if you're really sure you want to disable it, and would refuse to be closed by even Task Manager. The only way to close it (well, unless some hacker/virus know a hole to disable the firewall) is to manually close it from the program itself.

- Do I need all these things?
No.

Answer 3

I recommend against using the on-line Renewal.. You end up with a half-baked way to reinstall it, if problems occur. I recommend that you BUY the disk for the Anti-virus version. (not the system works or Internet Security edition). These other versions are too slow.

If you are using Windows XP with SP2, then use the Windows Firewall. That, you already have. If you don't have SP2, then get Zone Alarm.

You should have an anti-spyware solution on your computer. I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.

Yes, I would use Windows Update to get the Security fixes. But I recommend against AUTOMATIC UPDATES, and here's why. Remember, the Windows Updates is there to FIX their bugs. What makes you think that Microsoft won't ADD another BUG in their fix. They DO!!! So wait and look at the availability dates one the new ones. Wait a week, then download. Remember that Microsoft makes the NEWS when they screw up.... and they HAVE.

This double whammy will help keep you safe and running faster

Answer 4

Forget the renewal. If you're going to continue using Norton it's better to buy the new one. For one thing, you get the latest version of the software and not just "subscription updates" added to your existing version, and also $40 is a ripoff.

Since you own it already you do qualify for the upgrade rebate and sometimes it ends up costing as little as $10.

In terms of other essential security programs I would recommend the following:

Firewall program - ZoneAlarm (free version): No PC on the internet should be without a firewall these days.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en

SpywareBlaster (free) - This will help prevent the installation of spyware from your browser. Remember to update it often.

http://www.download.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022-10196637.html

Spybot Search and Destroy (free) - This will scan your PC for spyware. It also needs to be updated often.

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10122137.html

Along with a good antivirus program, this should help keep your computer up to par with basic security.

Answer 5

Hi there,

Yes, you really should renew your subscription. If you do anything on the internet (and you say you use Yahoo Answers and you pay your bills online), it's really best that you have a current virus protection software running.

Granted, it sounds like you are probably reasonably safe, if you only go to Yahoo and to your bill sites. But still, it's only $40 or so for the renewal, and it's better to be safe than sorry. Your life would be miserable for a while if something happened to your computer!

Answer 6

Norton is a resourse hog, and loves to take over your computer. You can find something better and cheaper out there. I use AVG antivirus, it finds more viruses than nortons and doesn't clog your system up.Windows xp comes with a firewall so you really don't need one. If you keep it updated it works quite well. Check out the link below.

Answer 7

I use Norton basic. I think it costs like $30 or $40. Once it's installed, the updates are free. There's absolutely no reason to refuse them. If they want more money for the updates then it could possibly be SPAM. Delete it!!

Answer 8

Download only SiteAdvisor http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie_learnmore.html you will now what sites are good and what sites are bad on the net. So if you are going to the red sites you will have a big problem. Also, you can use the best Firewall and it's free http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Answer 9

Get rid of all that crap. Really. If you really want to surf the Internet while being safe, forget about Windows, anti-virus software and their security issues. Go for Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/). You can even ask a free CD to be delivered to you (http://shipit.ubuntu.com). There's no need to pay money to use crappy software when you can get the best for free.

Answer 10

Um Norton, NO dont go with them they are a waste of money and WILL slow down your machine. Go for avg its free and much better

http://www.phx-web.co.uk/forum/index.php