Is Norton Anti-virus enough to protect my computer?

Question

Is Norton the best method of security and anti-virus protection available for a home user or is there a better method. Also does adding free downloads from other anti-virus products affect the efficiency of Norton or even cause it to disable?

Answer 1

I use Norton Antivirus and it has never failed me. No problems with it slowing down my computer either. I have Norton Antivirus 2006 and it comes with spyware protection.

Answer 2

Personally, I don't like using Norton. It slows the system down and is a nuisance. You can use AVG Free Edition or get the AVG Pro Edition which is licensed for 2 years. The Pro Edition offers you extra functionality, but as a home user, the Free Edition will probably suffice. The AVG Anti-virus software is quick and does not noticeably affect your system performance.

I personally wouldn't use more than one Anti-Virus program. It will sometimes result in conflicts and is a drain on system resources.

If you are using XP and are regularly updating your system, the XP Firewall is quite good. Otherwise add another Firewall.

To handle the Spyware, get Spy-bot or Ad-Aware. These are freely available.

Answer 3

I doubt you can use downloads from other anti-virus products with Norton, but I never use it so I don't really know.
As others have said, forget Norton (uninstall it) and get AVG Free from grisoft, they also have a free anti-spyware program so get that too.

Basic principals should protect you from most virus threats without the need for virus checkers:

Don't open unrequested email attachments, any emails from dodgy-looking senders or with bad spelling in the subject line (using 1 instead of i etc), scan them with a virus checker if there's something you're not sure may be real or not;
don't put your email address or any details about your computer security (username and password, etc) on the internet;
keep all user accounts password protected and don't use the Administrator account for web surfing (you really should only use it for installing or removing software etc);
run a software firewall and keep it tight (i.e. all unrequired ports closed), XP has one built in (or downloadable from Microsoft) and you can get one for other Windows versions - ZoneAlarm is a good one;
Be selective about which websites you visit - some can plant viruses without you even knowing it, not to mention pop-ups, spyware, and other annoying things;
If possible, run your computer behind a router - this could be the broadband modem/router that your internet supplier gave you - this is called a hardware firewall, an extra layer of protection from hackers; a USB modem is not sufficient as a means of protection in this way.


Good luck!

Answer 4

I used Norton for about 8 years and I hated it the whole time. There are several good free AV software titles out there. I'm currently using AVG Free. It doesn't get in my way and doesn't eat up a billion resources. It also found severl back door trojans that Norton missed.

I would also highly recommend regularly using spyware software. My favorites are Adaware and Spybot S&D, both of which are free. Adaware lets you scan for spyware. Spybot does also, but has another feature which monitors for changes to startup by bad products.

Finally I top everything off with WinPatrol. It sits in the background and lets me know if anything tries to change the startup routine of my computer.

It sounds like a hassle, but these days, almost nothing is more essential to keeping you a happy user. Being hijacked is no fun at all.

Answer 5

McAfee is really good, but it conflicts with Norton. Many Antivirus softwares conflict with each other. Norton is okay, but makes pc slow. Download Spybot or AdAware or Yahoo toolbar with Norton Spyware scan to protect ur pc from spywares. Antivirus and Spywares are different. So Norton antivirus doesnt give protection from spywares. Also try free ZoneAlarm firewall. A firewall is often essential for ur pc and windows firewall is worthless. If u have Norton Security Suite ful version, then well and good. But remember that Norton is not preferred by many users bcoz, even if it is uninstalled, many fragments of it may lie on ur pc.


All these downloads are available in http://www.download.com , and Yahoo toolbar with Norton antispy at http://toolbar.yahoo.com

Answer 6

In my opinion yes Norton Anti-virus is a great system they continually have updates to keep your computer safe. I run a home based business and I feel confident that my computer is safe using this system. There is also Norton System Works which works in conjunction with Norton Anti Virus but I would not us the System Works without having the Anti Virus System. Its definately one of the best out there in my opinion.

Answer 7

No, Norton is not the best - I used it and when my laptop stopped working, my software engineer found 37 viruses on it that Norton had let in!!

I have found a fantastic anti virus and anti spyware in one which is called Panda - it is great and updates itself every day. It is very reasonably priced - I think it is cheaper than Norton - and you do not need any other products with it.

Answer 8

Your better off with AVG it's free it doesn't slow down your system like norton's. I have used it for years it's great it auto updates etc..
I also run it alongside a spyware called---superantispyware---
Also free these work well together and stop anything coming through.
I have tried all kinds of free spyware crap from the internet and generally what it does is install spyware so you have to but their product to remove it bloody criminal but true.
Just goto free avg on google and download the free edition.Then do the same for superantispyware.
I promise this will save you endless hours on the internet and save your system becoming infected!!
I run the spyware every eve. I'm amazed hom much crap it gets rid of just from surfing normal sites.
Try it now
Regards

Answer 9

I don't recommend Norton any more. Used to be top of the range but now it slows down the copmputer and doesn't even find all the virus s.
In addition, I think a Firewall might be agood idea to any other anti-virus programme.

Answer 10

I used to hvae norton until my subscription ran out. I did some research and determined that the Norton Suite used a lot of resources (slowing your computer down). I uninstalled it and replaced it with some reliable freeware. AVG Free for AV. Spybot for antispyware, Adaware for Antiadware...etc etc. Check my 360 blog page for what i use.

good luck.