Windows Firewall or Norton

[baltsteve]

When I power up, I get a security alert saying my antivirus software may not
be installed. Then, later I get a popup from Norton saying Windows Firewall
has been turned on. Do u want to use Norton Internet Security instead of
Windows Firewall? My Windows Firewall had always been turned on. This started
the other day after I did salvagerepository to fix something else. Does
Windows Vista recognize Norton? How do I stop these from popping up? Also, my
free subscription to norton ends in a week? Any suggestions to replace it?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

For maximum protection, consider installing
a comprehensive anti-virus/security program, such as
Windows OneCare. You can try it FREE for 90 days.
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

When I power up, I get a security alert saying my antivirus software may not
be installed. Then, later I get a popup from Norton saying Windows Firewall
has been turned on. Do u want to use Norton Internet Security instead of
Windows Firewall? My Windows Firewall had always been turned on. This started
the other day after I did salvagerepository to fix something else. Does
Windows Vista recognize Norton? How do I stop these from popping up? Also, my
free subscription to norton ends in a week? Any suggestions to replace it?

 

[baltsteve]

Does that mean I wouldn't use Windows Firewall or defender? I am not very
literate in these ares. if I do WindowsOnecare do I have to uninstall those?
Any idea how to stop the popups I mentioned in my initial message?

 

[Charlie42]

When I power up, I get a security alert saying my antivirus software
may not be installed. Then, later I get a popup from Norton saying
Windows Firewall has been turned on. Do u want to use Norton
Internet Security instead of Windows Firewall? My Windows Firewall
had always been turned on. This started the other day after I did
salvagerepository to fix something else. Does Windows Vista recognize
Norton? How do I stop these from popping up?

Norton integrates with Vista Security Center. The repository salvage
procedure quite likely reset repository defaults, causing Security Center
not to recognise Norton. The standard remedy for this problem is running
"sfc /scannow" (yep, kind of ironic).

As for the firewall, you need to enable one of them. Do not run both
simultaneously, pick the one you prefer. Two or more fw's are likely to
conflict, and may cause instability and connection problems. You will find
the enable/disable options in Norton's main window and Vista's Security
Center.

Should you decide to go with Vista's firewall, Norton will keep nagging you
with a nice red X, which you can safely ignore.

Also, my free subscription to norton ends in a week? Any suggestions

Yes. Do not renew. Norton really is not the best anti-malware around, plus
it is bloated and leaves a huge footprint on your system. In this newsgroup
(and in ...vista.security) there have been many discussions on which
security software is the best. Do a search and read the threads for advice.

If you are looking for a free solution, AVG Anti-Virus and avast! are both
popular and perfectly good programs. For a free firewall, you can download
Comodo Pro, but imo. most home users are sufficiently protected by the
built-in one in Windows Vista.

Keep Windows Defender enabled and run regular scans with an additional
anti-spyware, there are good free ones available. Also remember to enable
your router firewall if you have one.

Search Windows Vista newsgroups:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-US/community/default.mspx
AVG 8.0 free anti-virus:
http://free.grisoft.com/
avast! free anti-virus:
http://www.avast.com/
Comodo Firewall Pro (free):
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/index.html

Charlie42

 

[Charlie42]

Yes. Do not renew. Norton really is not the best anti-malware around,
plus it is bloated and leaves a huge footprint on your system.

This link is to Symantec's Norton Removal Tool:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Run it at least two times, each time reboot after it has finished, before
you attempt to install your new anti-virus. Even Symantec's own tool
struggles to rid a computer of all Norton residue.

Charlie42

 

[baltsteve]

As I said, not very computer literate so I have no idea what sfc/scannow is.
I would like to get a free anit-virus program so I'll try AVG or Avast. Which
is better? They won't conflixct with Windows Firewall?

 

[C.B.]

AVG and Avast are both good. However, I would suggest the paid version
of NOD32. You can use the native Windows Firewall, the Advanced Windows
Firewall or Comodo, which is free and in my opinion very good.

C.B.

 

[oscar]

I use Trend Micro PC-Cillin on all of my 4 computers including XP and Vista.
Trend Micro automatically shuts off Windows firewall and uses its own during
installation. I tried Norton twice (free trial) on XP computers and it caused
me more trouble than helped. McAfee was OK but Trend Micro does the job.

I'm hoping that Vista's Security will evolve to the point that third party
security software will be unnecessary.

As an aside I'm becoming more confident of Vista's security and am tempted
not to use Trend Micro when my subscription expires this summer.

oscar

 

[LesleyO]

Norton integrates with Vista Security Center. The repository salvage
procedure quite likely reset repository defaults, causing Security Center
not to recognise Norton. The standard remedy for this problem is running
"sfc /scannow" (yep, kind of ironic).

As for the firewall, you need to enable one of them. Do not run both
simultaneously, pick the one you prefer. Two or more fw's are likely to
conflict, and may cause instability and connection problems. You will find
the enable/disable options in Norton's main window and Vista's Security
Center.

Should you decide to go with Vista's firewall, Norton will keep nagging
you with a nice red X, which you can safely ignore.


Yes. Do not renew. Norton really is not the best anti-malware around, plus
it is bloated and leaves a huge footprint on your system. In this
newsgroup (and in ...vista.security) there have been many discussions on
which security software is the best. Do a search and read the threads for
advice.

If you are looking for a free solution, AVG Anti-Virus and avast! are both
popular and perfectly good programs. For a free firewall, you can download
Comodo Pro, but imo. most home users are sufficiently protected by the
built-in one in Windows Vista.

Keep Windows Defender enabled and run regular scans with an additional
anti-spyware, there are good free ones available. Also remember to enable
your router firewall if you have one.

Search Windows Vista newsgroups:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-US/community/default.mspx
AVG 8.0 free anti-virus:
http://free.grisoft.com/
avast! free anti-virus:
http://www.avast.com/
Comodo Firewall Pro (free):
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/index.html

Charlie42

I've wondered about how good Avast! is, as I know someone who swears it's
good, yet he's had viruses twice in the last year. Yet I, using NIS (most
recent), have had none. Makes me wonder.
LesleyON

 

[SG]

LesleyON,

No Virus Software can catch every virus out there and their only as good as
their definitions. It's not that NIS is bad for missing Viruses, it's the
total integration with the system and the fact NIS has messed up thousands
of systems. You are one of the lucky ones and if it works for you go for it.
I used AVG for years and not long ago I switched to Avast because AVG is
getting bloated and more and more we are seeing threads about the newest
version messing up more systems. So far Avast IMO is written very good, it
has on demand options to turn off certain features without having to
uninstall and re-install. The biggest problem I see with some of these Virus
Software Company's is they are integrating to much junk in a package deal
and it's becoming pathetic. From a business standpoint I can see their side,
but not from a user standpoint. These total package's that include Virus,
Spyware, Firewall and who knows what else IMO is going to be the downfall to
many of these company's. I work and have worked of thousands of machines and
the first thing I tell any new customer is if you have Norton or MacAfee on
their system it's coming off or they can take it elsewhere. I know that's
sounds blunt, but I refuse to clean up this mess before I get into other
problems these systems have.

--
All the best,
SG

Is your computer system ready for Vista?
https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/
Want to keep up with the latest news from MS?
http://news.google.com/nwshp?tab=wn&ned=us&topic=t
Just type in Microsoft

 

[Charlie42]

As I said, not very computer literate so I have no idea what
sfc/scannow is.

Since you have decided to install a different anti-virus, you can just skip
this step.

I would like to get a free anit-virus program so I'll try AVG or Avast.
Which is better?

I prefer AVG, mainly because of the interface and configuration options, but
they are both decent programs. You can give them both a try (just not at the
same time) and decide for yourself.

They won't conflixct with Windows Firewall?

No. They are anti-virus programs that coexist just fine with Windows
Firewall.

Charlie42

 

[Chris]

You say "comprehensive" Onecare's db lags by most standards. I have a second
computer i use just to go check out the sights that hackers and other
unsavory types like to set up. Onecare found 2 Trosions, Norton found a
couple (sorry about spelling) I ran AVG on the same computer after running
those 2 and the FREE version found all and cleaned the system along with the
spyware and adware these sights installed.

I do not in anyway work for AVG (or grisoft the publishers)

This is my own opinon only, and i think people should know if there is a
better choice.

now ver. 8 has a firewall.

 

[Charlie42]

I've wondered about how good Avast! is, as I know someone who
swears it's good, yet he's had viruses twice in the last year. Yet I,
using
NIS (most recent), have had none. Makes me wonder.

Like SG mentioned, no anti-virus has a 100% detection rate. Generally, the
free AV solutions perform surprisingly well in tests. Symantec products also
have ok test results. Take a look at these sites:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/
http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/

The major Norton criticisms are related to stability and footprint, the most
common problem being slow-downs because of the massive system resources
Norton hogs. There are products on the market with equal or better test
results than Symantec's products, consuming less resources at a lower price
(even free ones).

Charlie42

 

[Not Me]

My wife's computer came with a free trial of Norton.
When it expired, I removed it and installed AVG.
The initial scan found 4 viruses that Norton had missed.
Just because Norton says you're OK doesn't make it so.

 

[Kayman]

For maximum protection, consider installing
a comprehensive anti-virus/security program, such as
Windows OneCare. You can try it FREE for 90 days.
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm

Your enthusiasm is admirable but your statement is IMO exaggerated and does
not reflect the (independent) reports I've been reading.
The reports (admittedly) are somewhat dated and you may be privileged to
the latest evaluation results of WOC. Would you please submit these results
to this newsgroup?
TIA.

 

[silver hair]

hello
thank you for all that info on this tread
my AVG free 7.5 all so expires on May the 31 st
and there is a avg 8 free available that I will install
2 questions
Do I need to uninstall avg 7.5 first?
I guess so, if so
Do I need to down load a Removal tool ?
to remove it properly
if so, where can I find it?
guess there are 3 questions here
I appreciate a responce

 

[silver hair]

sorry, forgot
I don't need a firewall
my Vista security and firewall that came whit the system works just fine
guess I can download the AVG 8 without that firewall

 

[Not Me]

I installed AVG 8 free on a Vista machine yesterday.
It uninstalls the older version as part of the install process.

 

[Charlie42]

AVG advices us to uninstall v.7.5 completely before installing v.8.0. I
recommend you reboot after removing the old version, wether prompted for it
or not.

Afaik, AVG does not offer a removal tool. Uninstall via Control Panel >
Programs.

Charlie42

 

[Kayman]

hello
thank you for all that info on this tread
my AVG free 7.5 all so expires on May the 31 st
and there is a avg 8 free available that I will install
2 questions
Do I need to uninstall avg 7.5 first?
I guess so, if so
Do I need to down load a Removal tool ?
to remove it properly
if so, where can I find it?

How to remove AVG Free Antivirus
http://askabouttech.com/how-to-remove-avg-free-antivirus/