Can I install Norton Firewall and Anti-virus aoftware before Windows Activation?

[robertvemail-ssnb]

I have installed a new, clean copy of Windows XP Home Edition. Windows
firewall is turned on. How safe is it to go online and activate Windows
before installing Norton Firewall and Anti-virus software. Or would it be
better to install
Norton Firewall and Anti-virus software first. Am I able to even do the
Norton installs before I activate Windows? Any help would be much
appreciated.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have installed a new, clean copy of Windows XP Home Edition.
Windows firewall is turned on. How safe is it to go online and
activate Windows before installing Norton Firewall and Anti-virus
software. Or would it be better to install
Norton Firewall and Anti-virus software first. Am I able to even do
the Norton installs before I activate Windows? Any help would be
much appreciated.

My actual recommendation is to NOT install Norton's Firewall. Ever.

You can do the antivirus (although I believe Norton's home product to be
bloated for the need) if you desire - but I think you will be just fine with
nothing but Windows XP SP2's (or later) firewall - especially if you happen
to be one of the many people who connect to the Internet through some
high-speed connection and between you and the Internet there is some router
device (and your PC gets its IP from that router - not directly from the
ISP.)

The answer to your question is that with the Windows Firewall on - you are
fine to activate Windows. Then immediately patch Windows XP through the web
page: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

My bet - there will be several responses about Norton - perhaps similar to
mine. That is your own personal choice, in the end. Your actual question's
answer is above this paragraph and below the first two.

 

[Greg]

It dopes not matter either way you choose to go.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have installed a new, clean copy of Windows XP Home Edition. Windows
firewall is turned on. How safe is it to go online and activate Windows
before installing Norton Firewall and Anti-virus software. Or would it be
better to install
Norton Firewall and Anti-virus software first. Am I able to even do the
Norton installs before I activate Windows? Any help would be much
appreciated.

Several points:

1. Yes, you can do the installations before you activate Windows

2. You don't need to do the installations first. The Windows firewall
is sufficient to protect you during the activation process.

3. I strongly recommend that you do not install the Norton software.
They are the poorest choices available.

4. The Windows firewall is adequate and you don't need a third-party
one at all.

5. There are several anti-virus programs that are much better and less
intrusive than Norton. I recommend the freeware Avast!

6. Besides a firewall and an anti-virus program, for good protection
you also need anti-spyware software. I recommend installing at least
two from this list (all free):

Spyware Blaster
Adaware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Super Antispyware
Windows Defender.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Just activate Windows. You can install your security suite afterwards.

As you can see, Norton is not popular with the technology enthusiasts who
hang out here (including me) but not because it won't work for you. You've
already made the investment so don't mind us. Go for it.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463

PS: Avoid all Norton software like the plague!

 

[Newbie Coder]

Ken,

I disagree with you & read once that you have either AVG or Sophos if I am right both of
which are a poor choices. Sophos doesn't pick up anything & AVG comes with an adware BHO

The Windows Firewall only works one way & is completely useless & should be disable on
installing SP2 or XP with SP2...

McCrappy is dreadful, Nod32 is worse & I personally recommend using the Corporate versions
of Symantec products.

To answer the OP: Yes you can install before of after activating Windows

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<entire conversation thread may be read in the link below>
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...af40e654fbb/ef82b6feb8350c78#ef82b6feb8350c78

I have installed a new, clean copy of Windows XP Home Edition.
Windows firewall is turned on. How safe is it to go online and
activate Windows before installing Norton Firewall and Anti-virus
software. Or would it be better to install
Norton Firewall and Anti-virus software first. Am I able to even do
the Norton installs before I activate Windows? Any help would be
much appreciated.

Several points:

1. Yes, you can do the installations before you activate Windows

2. You don't need to do the installations first. The Windows
firewall is sufficient to protect you during the activation process.

3. I strongly recommend that you do not install the Norton software.
They are the poorest choices available.

4. The Windows firewall is adequate and you don't need a third-party
one at all.

5. There are several anti-virus programs that are much better and
less intrusive than Norton. I recommend the freeware Avast!

6. Besides a firewall and an anti-virus program, for good protection
you also need anti-spyware software. I recommend installing at least
two from this list (all free):

Spyware Blaster
Adaware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Super Antispyware
Windows Defender.

I disagree with you & read once that you have either AVG or Sophos
if I am right both of which are a poor choices. Sophos doesn't pick
up anything & AVG comes with an adware BHO

The Windows Firewall only works one way & is completely useless &
should be disable on installing SP2 or XP with SP2...

McCrappy is dreadful, Nod32 is worse & I personally recommend using
the Corporate versions of Symantec products.

To answer the OP: Yes you can install before of after activating
Windows

Most people do not _need_ two-way protection and if you have it and notice
something from your computer trying to communicate with the outside world
without your permission - you may have already installed something you
shouldn't have... In other words - you may already messed up. If you
installed something that is mischevious and does wish to do that - a good
programmer would have had it add itself as an exception to whatever firewall
you have during the install and most home users might have seen a popup -
but clicked OK on it anyway - because they figure it is okay now that they
are protected with AntiVirus, AnutiSpyware and Firewall... heh

Where'd you get that AVG has a BHO?


You'd recommend using the corporate versions of Symantec products... to a
home user? I like the Symantec corporate products - I do - but just how is
a home user going to get ahold of them easily?

In the end - it is up to the OP to do the research and do what they
understand and will maintain best. Most home users will not properly
maintain a firewall - so the Windows XP Firewall is more than enough for
them and if they combine it - as I stated in my answer to the OP - with some
sort of router device (NAT router) - they have more than enough protection
for their data.

Again - these are home users.

Whatever works best for them, which usually is the less intrusive to their
daily usage, but providing updated (automatic) protection.
Good Comparison Page for AV software: http://www.av-comparatives.org/

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken,

I disagree with you & read once that you have either AVG or Sophos

I run neither AVG nor Sophos on any of my machines, nor have I ever
done so.