What should I replace Norton Internet Security with?

Question

Hi,
I currently have a free trial of Norton Internet Security Suite on my HP computer. However, in a couple of weeks, the trial will end. My question, what free programs can I use to replace this program? In other words, what exactly does the Norton program have (firewall, spyware protection, etc.)?

Great answers, thank you all.

A few more quick questions though...
Do these programs automatically work and protect all the users on Windows XP?

Also, is it alright to have more than one spyware protection program running at the same time?

Answer 1

Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free.

1. For your Anti-Virus......(Always use only 1 A-V)

I like the AOL AntiVirusShield. Don't let the name AOL scare you. AntiVirusShield is made by Kaspersky which is one of top-rated anti-virus vendors in the world.

In recent tests, the most popular free anti-virus, AVG, was only able to detect about 82% of a very large sample of viruses. On the other hand, AntiVirusShield was able to detect better than 99% in the same test.
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82

AntiVirusShield has excellent virus detection rates and is extremely light on using your computer resources.

Updates many times per day to detect new malware.

Free to anyone, AOL member or not from:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?


2. For your Firewall..........(Always use only 1 firewall)

An excellent free firewall is Comodo Personal Firewall. It can pass firewall "leak tests" that even most of the "paid-for" firewalls cannot pass.

And Comodo has a great support forum. Where the CEO / President of the company might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/


3. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs...............(use 2)

Pick and choose, 2 anti-spywares from the list below and alternate scanning with them on a regular basis. New spywares are created literally hourly, so no single anti-spyware can really detect all malware. Have at least 2 on hand and alternate scanning with each every few days or so. All are free. All can remove as well as detect.

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

Ewido:
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Adaware SE:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

A-Squared:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

SUPERAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Windows Defender:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Unfortunately, many "paid for" anti-spyware products are in fact either of limited usefulness or downright scams. When in doubt, look at the list of rogue anti-spyware solutions listed here:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm


4. And to protect your computer from ever getting infected with spyware in the first place............ (use them both)

SpywareBlaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SiteAdvisor:
http://www.siteadvisor.com/


Everything here is 100% free!!!!!!

Great luck!

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Hello, Norton is in my opinion one of the worst security suites to go with, I personally use different programs to do different things. I don't think that there is any single security suite that can compare to the many different freeware applications available for free. I use antivir for my antivirus (updates like every day and i have been using it for a couple years now). I use zonealarm for my firewall(also been using that for a couple years). I don't usually use antispyware programs because I know how to avoid getting it but when I do or suggest it I suggest adaware or spybot search and destroy. I also use a little program called xp-antispy which offers some really useful tweaks for windows xp operating system, I use codestuff starter to edit my startup list and stop programs from loading up when my computer boots up and regseeker to clean my registry, I also use ccleaner to remove junk files periodically. Every program I just mentioned is free I did not provide links but they should not be hard to find also almost all of them are available at www.snapfiles.com that is where I find almost all of the programs that I use today.

Answer 4

In my opinion, Norton and Symantec..well..sucks. Not saying there aren't worse ones out there but still. Look up Avast! 4. It's a free antivirus that protects all your programs and systems. It updates automatically with on-access scanner. You just have to request a registration key and renew it each year free. The 4.8 version you have to buy, that comes with the malware and rootkit feature. For a firewall. There's Threatfire, also a free version for download that has enough features to protect against malware, unauthorized accesses, viruses, and trojans. It updates automatically. Or you can look up other ones. Comodo's a pretty strong firewall, but I find it too stringent. It blocks your wanted traffic all the time and you have to keep telling it to allow it through. McAfee's Internet Protection Suite or Total Protection is a very solid protection guard, but McAfee isn't free. Avast, AVG, and Comodo can all get the job done, but McAfee carries a more officialness panache. Who cares, right? As long as it works... With McAfee there's a catch. You have to buy it and then pay a subscription fee every year or so. Microsoft OneCare is pretty good and standard, coming from the top brass itself. Like McAfee, it offers total protection but you have to pay.

Answer 5

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite

Answer 6

I'd say buy the program. There are no free replacements for a complete internet security suite. It has a firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, phishing protection, and all those little goodies you'd want for protecting your PC.

And ~greß~sie, that post was idiotic and stupid. How can Spy Sweeper replace a whole internet security bundle! Heck, there are some free anti-spyware programs that actually beat Spy Sweeper.

Answer 7

May I suggest going with a free program. There are several to choose from but the one I have used for quite a while is AVG Free Edition. You can easily find it by doing a yahoo search for it. One important thing is to download and save it so you can find it, then while off line go to add/remove and delete Norton. Then you will have to do a search of the computer to get rid of any remnants of Norton you may find before installing your new anti-virus program. Norton is notorious for hiding. Go to where you saved AVG and just follow the easy instructions to install.
As for a Firewall, free again. I use Zonealarm

Answer 8

Norton Internet Security uses most of your systems' resources and slows your computer down. Just download avg anti-virus, and also zonealarm for your firewall, and ad-aware personal, or spybot, and it's free.

Answer 9

I would renew if I were you, I like it and it has the following, spam blocker hacker protection, virus protection, firewall, intrusion detection logging ISP logging Privacy control and parental control all in one package and updates for a year for free and you are notified of any outbreaks that are happening. And much more you have to read the directions to really know what your getting.

Answer 10

I can't believe I'm only the 2nd one here recommending Zonealarm Pro!

Zonealarm is easily the best firewall application out there in terms of easy to use and security.