should i install any of these norton antivirus,,norton personal firewall,antispyware ???

Question

from bt yahoo! online protection...i already have spyware doctor and AVG free....thanx!!

Answer 1

I wouldn't, Norton can be resource hungry and difficult to uninstall.
All the following programs are free for personal use;

You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo security suite.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware

And these are useful utilities;
Shields Up security site;
https://www.grc.com - check your firewall works
http://www.grc.com/optout.htm - grc anti spyware program and info.

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail program.
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.

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
http://www.mailwasher.net/ -spam filter
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 and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.
http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder
http://heidi.ie/eraser - Eraser file shredder
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Lavasoft-ARIES-Rootkit-Remover.shtml - Aries Rootkit remover.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 2

To be honest it doesnt matter how many programmes you install, whats important is how you use them. AVG is an excellent antivirus programme, especially as its free. ( Please note the free version 7.1 ends Jan 15th so update to version 7.5. ) I used Norton for years until 2004 when they wanted to charge the same price for a downloadable upgrade as I would have paid for a boxed disk at pc world.? So I moved to AVG and would never go back. It updates its virus definitions every time you connect to the internet, Norton used to be Wednesdays only.

So you already have, in MY opinion a superb Antivirus, a decent Firewall should just about cover it. Biggest problem is the user.

At the end of the day YOU are responsible for what you download onto your PC. If you get an unknown email, Dont open it. If a friend sends an attachment , scan it with AVG before you open it. If an email tells you to click on a link, dont, make a note of the address and go to main site site via your web browser ( dont copy and past the link)

Have a decent Antivirus, a Decent firewall and use lots of common sense will keep you safe without buying and loading all the "Security" programmes out there.

Answer 3

I've used norton for years. Paid for that is. Had no problems until the 2006 version.
I installed the free bt version when I first saw it and it made a right mess.
Uninstalled all norton stuff now and I've put McAfee on most of the laptops in the house but have AVG free on the main pc.
I understand it's not a good idea to have two anti virus programs as they can cause conflicts.

Answer 4

You can run antivirus and antispyware programs, but the sad fact is if you have found one virus on your computer, you probably have several. Cleaning the computer now requires you to follow these steps, because modern viruses and spyware entrench themselves in files that your computer needs in order to run: 1. Virus-check your data files (not application files-- you have installer CDs for those). 2. Back up the data files, getting them off your hard drive. 3. Get your original operating system CDs that came with your computer. 4. Boot your computer from the operating system CD. 5. Select the option that erases your hard drive and then reinstall your system software. 6. Turn on your software firewall that came with your operating system. 7. Reconnect to the internet, and download *all* Windows updates, no matter how long it takes. 8. Reinstall your application software, and update the applications as much as you can. 9. Reinstall your data files. 10. Create a limited user account on your system that does *not* have administrator access, and web surf only from this account. Yes, this is a pain in the butt. No, there is no other way. No, antivirus and antispyware programs cannot fix this problem on its own. So, what do you do in the future? 1. Never click on links you find in an e-mail. 2. Never open an e-mail attachment, ever. 3. Only download files from a reputable website that you know is on the up-and-up. 4. Never use bit-torrent and other file-sharing programs. 5. Never use an unsolicited drive-checking site. 6. Turn off all java and java scripting by default, and only enable java and java scripting for sites that you know you can trust. 7. Never read an unsolicited e-mail, and delete spam immediately. It is possible to be hacked by reading an e-mail alone. Please adhere to the 'dont's' I provided above, because you will have to repeat the cleaning steps that I listed first *every time you get infected.* Anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are good to have, but they are a second line of defense. The best way to protect your system is you, and changing your behavior. Good luck!

Answer 5

Well, I have Norton for everything and have been very happy, no problem installing, does regular checks and I feel safe. Yahoo also uses Norton so they must have a reasonably good idea on what is good for protection. However I'ved read the other answers as it is always good to learn. I will stick with Norton, but if you are looking for someone to give the badge for best answer to, go for the gal who did all the internet research for you. Must have taken a while so deserves some kind of accolade. As for me, I will continue with Norton.

Answer 6

I would say "definitely yes". "Norton" is a very well known name. I use both and at the same time McAfee and PCTolls Spyware Doctor. McAfee tends to deal with only the more malicious and dangerous viruses, Trojan and all that inconvenient cr_p whereas PCTolls Spyware Doctor take3s care of both the more major and dagerous viruses AND the less dangerous like niggling cookies... I am happy with both. But as I said, yes, I would use those.

Answer 7

norton antivirus is auful unless you have norton everything - you should have a firewall on your computer anyway but if you are planning on going on the internet alot then a antivirus is a must - i recomend AVG free edition - i have it and have done for several years - i have never had a problem - it updates itself for no price at all - veiw there website

Answer 8

Ultimately the solution to Windows being infected/hijacked by viruses, spyware, malware and adware etc is to change your operating system to Linux. Linux is immune to all these nasties, and is an industrial-strength operating system which is easy and fun to use.

I know it's a bit of a drastic solution, but it really is the answer for many people.

Here's a great easy-to-read (not geeky!) Acrobat PDF document about Linux to have a look at. It's only about 500k - quite quick to download:

http://home.clara.net/oldpresident/linux/frontpage.pdf

DC :)

Answer 9

I have norton package free with BT, I wish I never got it as it has slowed my pc and laptop down so much you could go on holiday and back as it boots up.

Answer 10

wow first answer deserves best answer. She has spent time on you my friend.
I would never use norton. It messes up your computer and is a bug.ger to get rid of!! My parents had it and are having to take their computer to the shop to have it removed as it won't let them do anything!!
There are free ones out there. I guess you already have them in your first answer. Good luck with that babe!!!!