BT and Norton Anti Virus

[Mike.C]

I am changing my ISP from AOL to BT and as part of the package BT give you free Norton Anti Virus and Firewall etc. The only problem is, like some other members I had nothing but trouble with Norton a few years ago and I am just wondering if they are still the same or have they improved?

At the moment I am using AVG anti virus, Zone Alarm firewall and McAfee shedder, which are also free, and which I have had no problem with. So my question is should I stay as I am or is it worth changing over to Norton?

I also use AOL spyware but that will be removed, so can anyone recommend a good one?

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[Gary]

Mike

I use Norton and can't really say I've had any problems, however if your current softwear works for you why change it.

As they say, if it ain't broke why try and fix it?

 

[JackL]

We are also with BT and also have our own Norton package. We've had no problems with Norton.
We've tried several ISP over the years and I suppose that BT have been about the best - but don't assume from that that I mean perfect - far from it.
We reckon AOL was about the worst of a pretty bad bunch and none that we have investigated recently provide the advertised Broadband speed.
The only problem that we had with Norton was when we tried to renew our annual subscription on-line. We gave up in the end and went to Staples and bought an up to date disc.

 

[Woody Alan]

I am with BT and both the kids PC's use the BT Norton and my colleague uses it, with no issues. Personally I have had problems in the past one of the most irritating when you try to turn it off and it says it's off and it flipping well isn't. If you want to send a series of files by e-mail for instance Norton scans them all and causes timeouts at the server. I guess it depends on what you want to do. I run avast on one of my PC,s and AVG on the other and I am very pleased with their performance and they don't slow things down as much as Norton. I would say if you're happy with what you are using don't change for the sake of it because it appears to be a "bargain"

Alan

 

[Deejay]

I am changing my ISP from AOL to BT and as part of the package BT give you free Norton Anti Virus and Firewall etc. The only problem is, like some other members I had nothing but trouble with Norton a few years ago and I am just wondering if they are still the same or have they improved?

At the moment I am using AVG anti virus, Zone Alarm firewall and McAfee shedder, which are also free, and which I have had no problem with. So my question is should I stay as I am or is it worth changing over to Norton?

I also use AOL spyware but that will be removed, so can anyone recommend a good one?

Thanks in advance

Mike

Hello Mike

Like you, I gave up with Norton and now use Zonealarm.

You might try Spywareblaster, a freeware (donations welcomed) program from javacoolsoftware at

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

There is also, Spybot search and destroy from

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Lavasoft offer a free version of Adaware at

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

I think the links will have to be enabled by a moderator.

Cheers

Dave Johnson

 

[les chicken]

I have used norton internet security for years and never really found any problems. The only problem was with the add on pack for e mail and PG last year, it kept crashing but an e mail to symantec and it was fixed within 48 hours.

Your biggest problem could be getting AOL off your computer, it seems to hang on and won't let go. So the best of luck.

Les

 

[Mike.C]

I think I will do as you say and stay with what I am running now, because as Gary says "If it ain't broke why try and fix it?" Thanks for your advice.

Dave many thanks for the links.

Cheers

Mike

 

[White House Workshop]

Good decision Mike.

I just got rid of Norton and switched to AVG antivirus, AVG antispyware and Zone Alarm. Norton never caused me any problems as such, but I'm amazed at how much disk space I've gained (almost 400MB) and everything runs faster now. Our server PC is now switched over as is my laptop. When the wife's subscription to Norton runs out in February I'll be switching her over, too.

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks WHW, whats the AVG antispyware like?

Cheers

Mike

 

[White House Workshop]

When I installed it it found 28 'threats', 2 of them severe. Norton hadn't picked them up. The other 26 were the usual tracking cookies. Other than that it just sits in the background now, quietly doing its job.

 

[Gary]

Have I got this right, when my Norton expires rather than spend £50 for the latest edition I can download AGV and it will do the same job for free?

Sorry if I'm being thick but it sounds like the old something for nothing is too good to be true.

 

[woodbloke]

Have I got this right, when my Norton expires rather than spend £50 for the latest edition I can download AGV and it will do the same job for free?

Sorry if I'm being thick but it sounds like the old something for nothing is too good to be true.

Gary - I'm no 'puter expert by any means, there are a lot more informed people here than me, but yes, that's about the size of it. I was advised to kick Norton and all it's wordly goods down the 'earth spike' and upload some anti-virus software and a half decent firewall from this site and if a programme doesn't suite, then try another one. I used the AVG stuff and the Commodo firewall. I have been advised by someone at work that Avast is a better anti-virus programme to use, so that is what is installed now - Rob

 

[White House Workshop]

Have I got this right, when my Norton expires rather than spend £50 for the latest edition I can download AGV and it will do the same job for free?

Sorry if I'm being thick but it sounds like the old something for nothing is too good to be true.

It's not quite too good to be true. There are limitations with the free editions, but for the most part that means no technical support. However, they are so simple to use and there's a host of users out there willing to help that the risk of no support from the supplier is negligible. Most of them also have user groups where you can ask questions.

Also, AVG does not replace the whole Norton package, only the anti-virus part (unless you also get the anti spyware prog). You will also need a firewall for full protection - I use Zone Alarm.

All of them do have automatic updates so you will always be protected up to the latest available.

Save your £50!

 

[newt]

MS windows ONECARE seems to work for me. I threw out Norton.