McAfee and Norton

[Frank M]

I have McAfee anti-virus installed, and McAfee Personal
Firewall and Privacy Service on my disk but not installed.

I would like to install Symantec Norton Systemworks 2003.
Symantec advised to uninstall all McAfee before doing
this. I wonder if I really have to.

Can I uninstall McAfee anti-virus but install Firewall
and Privacy Service (Does Systemworks have the
equivalent?) and then install Systemworks?

Or, since Windows xp has a firewall do I even need
another one?

 

[Gary Thorn [MVP-Windows Technologies/Xbox]]

-----Original Message-----
I have McAfee anti-virus installed, and McAfee Personal
Firewall and Privacy Service on my disk but not installed.

I would like to install Symantec Norton Systemworks 2003.
Symantec advised to uninstall all McAfee before doing
this. I wonder if I really have to.

The McAfee Antivirus should be the only program creating
issues. Uninstall it only and leave the firewall there.

Can I uninstall McAfee anti-virus but install Firewall
and Privacy Service (Does Systemworks have the
equivalent?) and then install Systemworks?

Yes as mentioned above. Norton System Works does not have
a firewall program so keep the mcAfee one.

Or, since Windows xp has a firewall do I even need
another one?

No. WinXP has a very simple version of a firewall and the
McAfee version will be much better at protecting you.

--------------------------
Answers are in you questions above:


Hope this helps!

Gary Thorn
MVP-Windows Technologies/Xbox
Associate Expert

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights

More about the Windows XP Expert Zone:


More about the MS MVP Program:
http://tinyurl.com/n08

 

[Peter Adler]

You prbably should listen to Symantec's advice and not attempt to have
two antivirus programs running at the same time. Whether you actually
have to entirely purge one from your system before installing the other
may not be necessary, but probably is also a good idea.

Personally, I don't like McAfee (it hasn't played nicely with some apps)
and have always used Norton, but I'm certain there are different
opinions.

The Norton suite that includes both a/v and firewall (and related
internet "privacy" apps) is Norton Internet Security. Norton System
Works does not include a firewall. NSW has a/v, Norton Utilities,
CleanSweep, and GoBack.

Either Norton or McAfee firewalls would be better than the XP firewall
(e.g., the XP firewall will not protect against trojans that have been
installed on your PC and then phone home). From what I've seen,
however, many people seem to think that neither of the suites is worth
installing. Rather they use a standalone a/v (free, Norton, McAfee, or
tother) and a standalone firewall (the free version of ZoneAlarm is
often recommended).

In addition to antivirus programs and firewalls, more and more people
seem to advocate the use of anti-spyware programs such as AdAware or
SpyBot Search and Destroy, which detect and remove software that --
while not technically viruses -- may highjack your browser, export your
personal information, or otherwise make trouble for you.

 

[Lemon Jelly]

Frank M - typed:

I have McAfee anti-virus installed, and McAfee Personal
Firewall and Privacy Service on my disk but not installed.

I would like to install Symantec Norton Systemworks 2003.
Symantec advised to uninstall all McAfee before doing
this. I wonder if I really have to.

Can I uninstall McAfee anti-virus but install Firewall
and Privacy Service (Does Systemworks have the
equivalent?) and then install Systemworks?

Or, since Windows xp has a firewall do I even need
another one?

I would advise steering well clear of NSW on XP! Do a Google groups
search for evidence of problems. NAV, NIS & Ghost are fine. I would not
run 2 s/w firewalls at the same time (little point) but you could run a
2nd AV app in manual mode only - choose the one which has the least
impact on your system to run in autoprotect (realtime) mode. Apart from
a firewall in my router, I use the free Kerio firewall which blocks
unauthorised outgoing connections as well as incoming (not that it ever
sees any).