Deleting Norton?

Question

I am considering deleting Norton Internet Security 2007 and downloading either AVG or Avast for antivirus protection. Also, to take care of spyware, I was planning on downloading Spybot Search and Destroy. Would this be a smart thing to do, or should I just stick with Norton?

The Internet Security programs supposedly gives me firewall, spyware, and virus protection so I would be deleting it and replacing it with antivirus (AVG/Avast) and anti-spyware (Spybot) but then I do not know if I would have a firewall. The reason I am doing this is because Norton only finds a cookie or two when I run a full system scan, while other free scanners find hundreds of problens. So basically I am wondering if I should do this or keep Norton, or maybe you have an even better suggestion...I just want to make this computer faster.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Answer 1

Personally, I'd delete anything to do with Norton's from my system. It's ok in a corporate enviroment or if you are running a high end spec'd machine but for your average home user it is resourse hungry and will attempt to chew away at every bit of your memory/cpu as possible.

If you are going to remove Norton's from your system you need to do it properly, any remnant's left behind while uninstalling will conflict with any new anti virus (and in some case's) spyware programs you wish to install at a later date.

To remove Nortons properly you need to visit their website, d/load and install the proper removal tool for the application you are running (in your case Norton internet security 2007). Don't run it just yet, if you do your system will open to all kind's of vulneribilty's.

D/load the antivirus/firewall programs of your choice, dis-connect from the internet and run the Norton's removal tool, this should only take (from memory) a minute or two, once done it will re-boot your computer and should be completely removed from your system.

Next Install your firewall ( I agree with an earlier post that ZAlarm is user friendly) then install your antivirus program, d/load the latest virus definition's and you're up and at em again.

It's alway's good to run a couple of spyware/malware program's so if one misses hopefully the other pick's it up. My choice's are Spy bot, Ad-aware 2007,Spywareblaster, Ccleaner, A2 squared and Spyware terminator and along with AVG I have to say I've been a happy camper for many a year.

Anyway's, I rant, but hope this help's

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Dump Norton. Why pay when there are awesome free programs?

But use Antivir PE for Antivirus. It is the best free one out right now, then Avast, then AVG.

For Spyware You should try Superantispyware, A-Squared Free 3.1 or Spyware Terminator. Pick your favorite 2.

** To make faster: More Ram, Defrag, Use Iobit Advanced Windowscare or Ccleaner to clean up the computer.

Try Comodo Firewall or Pctools firewall both free and 2 way firewalls.

Answer 4

Some free scanners can be fake, such as Malware Alarm. However, some scanners pick stuff up others don't. Norton has its own firewall. I recommend staying with Norton. If you switch, and they don't have a firewall, just use the Windows firewall.

Answer 5

I had major problems w/ Norton and XP.... I finally deleted Norton and downloaded the AVG free... It automatically updates every time you turn on your computer.... I also downloaded Spy Sweeper (believe it's a freeware as well) and I also donwloaded CCleaner.... (as in C stands for Crap...Cleaner... no lie and also a freeware... all 3 work well.... and I don't have to pay through the nose year after year...
Good luck...

Answer 6

GET RID OF NORTON! get what you said, it's better for you, i use them too. and dont listen to the guy above. The software you mention is safe. i dont know about any other software then those you mention. paid software doesn't mean they are the best.

Answer 7

i've used Norton's for 2 yrs with XP and Vista and have very little conflicts with either OS

Answer 8

If you are finding lesser cookies, then it is doing its job online: protecting you!