Uninstalled Norton Internet Security - good or bad?

[The Avon Lady]

I've been test running a PC, where Norton Internet Security 2005 was previously installed and handled the firewall, email scanning and spam filtering.

Have since removed Norton and installed AVG Free Edition and ZoneAlarm to handle viruses and firewall protection.

Everything has been constantly running faster. Startup, shutdown, everything.

I've just made the same change today on my notebook having SH3 installed on it. Again, everything's noticeably quicker, including SH3 startup and career patrol loading, too.

Good or bad idea? What do you think? :hmm:

[Kapitan]

I dont realy know i only got one freeware virus scanner and it works fine.

[lesrae]

I've been running with AVG for a few years now and highly recommend it, it's certainly 'lighter' than Norton. I know opinions vary on different AV but it has to be up there with the best free ones.

I used to use ZoneAlarm, but now just rely on XP's built in firewall, again I've never had problems with either of them.

All in all I'd say you've certainly done the right thing.

[jumpy]

I use ZoneAlarm firewall (and now ZoneAlarm PRO) on my machine and my better half has AVG free antivirus and ZA firewall on her 'puter.
ZA is great... the last time I had norton internet security installed I had the devils own job of allowing internet sharing and access- it used to forget my rules as and when it felt like it.
Since getting ZA (both my previouse freeware version and my paid for PRO version) I have had no trouble at all. Does the job, has kept out viruses and other nasty stuff. Only thing to remember with the free ZA firewall is that it will not allow ICS - internet connection sharing - using one machine as a gateway to others on a network; you need ZA PRO for this.

I also have Norton Antivirus 2005.

[STEED]

I have got Norton Anti Virus and Firewall 2006 got them as a present at xmas both are running well, I shall check the cost of renew near the end of the year. What I do and is recommended do a once a month on line anti virus scan just in case the installed one missed anything. For the online one I go to BIT DEFENDER so far all OK and that's find by me.

[GunnersMate]

Mailwasher
AdAware
SpyBot
D-Link DI-704p

[kiwi_2005]

Nortons is crap. Good move you uninstalled it. 9out 10 times ppl bring there pcs to fix cos of slow downs for a quick fix i just delete there nortons. And install some freeware antivirus.

Free - AVG Personal edition
Not Free - Avasti Pro [ but very good]
Firewall - WindowsXP SP2 firewall is ok or System Machanic 7's firewall is good and comes with its own antivirus

This next recommendation is gonna cos a lot to blast it, but Ive been running Microsofts AntiSpyware Beta 1 for a few months and its perfect, i find it better than ad-aware.

[Skybird]

I had to do with four different Norton softwares on four PCs,, Win98SE and winXP. three times it gave me headaches, one time it worked reliable and well.

I avoid Norton like the pleague. customer feedback sites had been regularly crowded with complaints that never weresolved, until after one year critics were advise to buy the newest and latest version of the software.

"No go" from me. I work with free AntiVir PE and free Zonealarm, combined with my restrictive way of using IE, and my paranoia when being online, I neither had a real security problem since then, nor have i missed something important in content. It also spares you money. I also use Spybot, A-squared and Adaware, which also are free.

The best security suite is inside your head.

http://www.grc.com/default.htm

Have a visit at this site and check it. Especially look out for something called "Shields Up!" At least it will shout bloody murder! when you have very obvious security holes in your port protection scheme.

[Hellcat]

I honestly believe that the "internet security" programs are highly overrated. The knowledagble user can get away with a good anti virus program, a router and most importantly mature internet usage. (trusted sites etc...)

I use the following on my several systems....

NOD 32 anitvirus, highly rated alternative to norton AV. bloat free and solid functionality.

Adaware for the bi-weekly scans

router with blocked ports and all that good stuff.

I'm sure many of you on these boards know enough that you have your own setup that works well. I am only posting this to give an idea of what I use. It may not be the best but it fits in my budget and gets the job done.

[XabbaRus]

I use Zone Alarm Pro for my firewall and AV. So far no problems.

Runs fine and good customer care.

Also I use Firefox and don't go to dodgy sites.

[Fish]

I've been running with AVG for a few years now and highly recommend it, it's certainly 'lighter' than Norton. I know opinions vary on different AV but it has to be up there with the best free ones.

I used to use ZoneAlarm, but now just rely on XP's built in firewall, again I've never had problems with either of them.

All in all I'd say you've certainly done the right thing.

The same here, AVG and XP's firewall.
I had Babylon Virus Scanner/Firewall, but it would't let me play Dangerous Waters online, I had to delete it completely. :(

[gdogghenrikson]

Nortons is crap. Good move you uninstalled it. 9out 10 times ppl bring there pcs to fix cos of slow downs for a quick fix i just delete there nortons. And install some freeware antivirus.

good call

[sonar732]

I highly recommend AVG and ZA combination for people wanting a freeware software package to protect their computer. In fact, I've uninstalled Norton from computers way before the renewal was up. Make sure that you get the uninstaller from Norton because 60% of the time, Windows uninstall feature doesn't get rid of all of Norton.

[The Avon Lady]

At this point in the poll, we have 2 naysayers. I wish they'd pipe up and explain why this is not a good idea. :hmm:

[kiwi_2005]

At this point in the poll, we have 2 naysayers. I wish they'd pipe up and explain why this is not a good idea.

They are probably Linux users, they love using Nortons to "CREATE" viruses :yep:

:-j

[JSLTIGER]

I think that I'm the third naysayer. I've used Norton on my machines over the last five or so years. Never really had a problem, per-se, but I have had some annoyances with the program (i.e. at game start-ups for the first time where it asks if it can go online, and it tends to be a little slow to ask permission to use networks). I am willing to live with these, as I have never received a virus on one of my computers while Norton was in place. My dad did, however, and Norton was able to clean off the virus from the machine with a single click.

[The Avon Lady]

I think that I'm the third naysayer. I've used Norton on my machines over the last five or so years. Never really had a problem, per-se, but I have had some annoyances with the program (i.e. at game start-ups for the first time where it asks if it can go online, and it tends to be a little slow to ask permission to use networks). I am willing to live with these, as I have never received a virus on one of my computers while Norton was in place. My dad did, however, and Norton was able to clean off the virus from the machine with a single click.
Well, you're not really naysing my major points, which are:

1. Will the product changes negatively affect my protection?

2. There's a noticeable performance improvement on both machines where I've done this conversion so far.

[JSLTIGER]

1: Yes, although unless you're engaging in risky activities with your computer, you probably won't notice it. Most worms and such require a user's stupidity to be what initially launches them.
2: The speed increase comes as a result of the lack of CPU usage and memory usage incurred by Norton running background scans on your computer. Going back to number 1, this is a loss of a layer of protection.

In all honesty, eliminating Norton probably won't affect you too much. Norton allows you not to worry about viruses and the like by effectively putting your computer on auto-pilot. So long as you're willing to manually put in the time to run most of these freeware programs, you should be fine. Of course, you leave yourself a nice gaping hole in your e-security if you neglect to remember to do this.

[The Avon Lady]

1: Yes, although unless you're engaging in risky activities with your computer, you probably won't notice it. Most worms and such require a user's stupidity to be what initially launches them.
2: The speed increase comes as a result of the lack of CPU usage and memory usage incurred by Norton running background scans on your computer. Going back to number 1, this is a loss of a layer of protection.

In all honesty, eliminating Norton probably won't affect you too much. Norton allows you not to worry about viruses and the like by effectively putting your computer on auto-pilot. So long as you're willing to manually put in the time to run most of these freeware programs, you should be fine. Of course, you leave yourself a nice gaping hole in your e-security if you neglect to remember to do this.
I don't understand. Both freeware products are fully automated, with the exception of ZoneAlarm prompting you as to whether you want to install a newly available update.

But once they are installed and running, what's not covered, other than cases of blatant ignorance or stupidity?

[The Avon Lady]

I've got one person using Outlook Express as their email client.

Can anyone recommend a good quality anti-spam program for Outlook Express that does not require you to route your email through the software company's servers and does not base itself on replying to senders to force them to conifrm they are who they say they are?

[Gizzmoe]

Can anyone recommend a good quality anti-spam program for Outlook Express that does not require you to route your email through the software company's servers and does not base itself on replying to senders to force them to conifrm they are who they say they are?

http://www.spamihilator.com/

[sonar732]

I've got one person using Outlook Express as their email client.

Can anyone recommend a good quality anti-spam program for Outlook Express that does not require you to route your email through the software company's servers and does not base itself on replying to senders to force them to conifrm they are who they say they are?

I would suggest Mailwasher (http://www.mailwasher.net/).

[Drebbel]

Can anyone recommend a good quality anti-spam program for Outlook Express that does not require you to route your email through the software company's servers and does not base itself on replying to senders to force them to conifrm they are who they say they are?

Norton Internet Security does the job

;)

[kiwi_2005]

The best against spam. Is using the phone instead.

Never fails. :|\

[Squires]

At this point in the poll, we have 2 naysayers. I wish they'd pipe up and explain why this is not a good idea. :hmm:


Norton is definately a hog. The only reason I can think of not to uninstall it is it may cause problems. Not sure if this is true or not, but I heard new versions of norton replace a few windows files so if you uninstall it, you get errors at boot up. Getting rid of it will surely help performance.

[Iceman]

In 10yrs of playing with thousands of computers Norton Vs Mcafee, Norton wins hands down but I think everyone here has some pretty good advice.I could count on one hand how many times I have had customers un-install Norton mostly only because of a bad install of it in first place...but Mcaffe I could not count how many times I have had to Un-install it because of some issue..mainly because of it blocking internet access in some way....From my experience is is not the program itself but the "Combo" programs Norton and Mcaffe included...The all in one Virus/Firewall/Spyware/Toaster Oven just seems to create alot of problems....same with combo modems/routers...if one screws up then you may be kinda screwed on the whole thing....I dont like combo deals except on my lunch order...

I use ..

Norton Plain White toast virus protection

Zone Alarm Free Version...and limit and monitor which programs have a free reign...

Router...

Hijack-This

Spybot

Adaware

CWS Shredder

and top it all off with an occasion free virus scan from Trend Micro's online scan....

Microsoft's Outlook express is a favorite target of hacks....But I use it all the time if neccessary with no problems...I just delete the garbage without even realizing it anymore without opening it.


I bulit this computer probably almost 5 yrs ago now and never had to do one format or had any major incidence...norton has caught many a viruses trying to slip thru...but I have seen cases where Norton has "Not" found something that Trend Micro has....hence the double scan occasionally....defrag once in a while...eat your veggies and most will be ok....

Bigest thing I teach people is...Computer will fail...count on it...thats why that DVD burner needs to be used for more than mp3's... :)


I use as much as 6 huge graphics programs at a time and never have any performance issues...Firewalls set too high...security set too high...visiting too many porn sites and clicking yes blindly to every pop will just kill any machine....Peace AL :)


Norton...Um...Good :up:

[Kapitan]

i still use norton but i do use other freeware out there but cant remember where i got my scanner from :x

[STEED]

My list

Norton 2006 Anti Virus & Firewall and once a month free on line scan for that I use Bit Defender

Check my ports on line at Gibson Research Corporation scrow down to the section ShieldsUp

Freeware I got -

Microsoft AntiSpyWare

Spybot Search and Destroy

Ad-Aware SE Personal

Cwshredder

Ccleaner

G-Zapper

One of the best places to pick up Freeware is here - http://www.filehippo.com/

And of couse update my Windows as well. A PC is like a car take care of it.

[Theta Sigma]

The anti-Norton sentiment is rather surprising. Norton was touted as the best for a long time.

Last I heard, Symantec Anti-Virus (The corporate version of Norton) is considered the best.