Norton and McAfee - Am at a Crossroad

[Jack Gillis]

The licenses for NAV on three machines are about to expire. I need to renew
them soon. This morning, I got a circular from Staples offering, with
rebates included, a free copy of McAfee. I have been thinking for a few
months of switching to it anyway for no real clear reasons and this might be
the time.

Has anyone had experience with both? If so what are you thoughts about the
two. I've no complaints about NAV itself but find Symantec to be very
awkward to communicate with and very slow in responding.

I will really appreciate any thoughts anyone who has had experience with
both can give me.

Thank you very much.

 

[R. McCarty]

I would suggest you drop Symantec/Norton for at least two or three
reasons ( System Resources, Cost, Support). McAfee wouldn't be
on my list of choices for at least two of the reasons above. For 3 PCs
you might consider a "Free" option with AVG. I use it on some older
OS installs and place it customers machines who can't/won't purchase
AV protection. Personally, I use Computer Associates eTrust 7.0.
They have a 1-Year free program. Formerly, their yearly renewal
costs where around ~$15 per system. Just recently, I got a renewal
notice and it quoted ~$19.95. Anyway, there are many choices for
AV but after years of experience with McAfee/Symantec I would
try and stay away from either. There are web sites that review AV
products but I wouldn't blindly take their recommendations. Best to
find a product with customer forums (like XP-Gen) and read a few
postings by people who already purchased & use the software.

 

[Leythos]

I will really appreciate any thoughts anyone who has had experience with
both can give me.

We've done many corporate networks and those with Symantec (not Norton)
have not had any viruses.

We've also done a couple Sororities and found that the only uninfected
machines that came into the house were a MAC and two machines running
current updates of Norton AV 2004/2005. All McAfee machines had at least
one Torjan/Virus, CA was just as bad, Panda was not good and seemed to
be massive bloat ware, and several others.

I've used Symantec Corporate editions for years, Norton before that, and
never had a compromised machine.

 

[kurttrail]

We've done many corporate networks and those with Symantec (not
Norton) have not had any viruses.

We've also done a couple Sororities and found that the only uninfected
machines that came into the house were a MAC and two machines running
current updates of Norton AV 2004/2005. All McAfee machines had at
least one Torjan/Virus, CA was just as bad, Panda was not good and
seemed to be massive bloat ware, and several others.

I've used Symantec Corporate editions for years, Norton before that,
and never had a compromised machine.

And what is the smallest number of licenses that you can buy of Sym
Corp? A quick look at the web site seemed to show 10 licenses.

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"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
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[Yves Leclerc]

Double check the "free" time that the McAfee would allow for updates.

I have personally experienced both NAV and McAfee. I find McAfee to be a
"worst" system resource "hog" than NAV. However, NAV is "bad" with its
un-installs (which is broken).

 

[R. McCarty]

You're right about the Uninstall on Norton. I got so many service calls
about it, I finally wrote up an Uninstall guide. I didn't want to miss the
potential income - but uninstalling Norton is worse than "Root Canal"
surgery and given a choice, I'd probably rather de-AOL one than do
a Symantec-ectomy on it.

 

[Peter A. Stavrakoglou]

I would suggest you drop Symantec/Norton for at least two or three
reasons ( System Resources, Cost, Support). McAfee wouldn't be
on my list of choices for at least two of the reasons above.

Hmmm. I use McAfee on three of four systems at home. The last three
version have not been resource hogs and the cost is minimal after factoring
in sales and rebates. As for their support, I've never needed it. Norton,
OTOH, was a huge resource hog and caused me to stop using it years ago,
don't know if that has changed in recent years.

For 3 PCs
you might consider a "Free" option with AVG. I use it on some older
OS installs and place it customers machines who can't/won't purchase
AV protection. Personally, I use Computer Associates eTrust 7.0.
They have a 1-Year free program. Formerly, their yearly renewal
costs where around ~$15 per system. Just recently, I got a renewal
notice and it quoted ~$19.95.

I just started using AVG Pro on my personal desktop at home once my McAfee
license expired. I figured I'd give it a try and so far, so good. It seems
very unobtrusive.

Anyway, there are many choices for
AV but after years of experience with McAfee/Symantec I would
try and stay away from either. There are web sites that review AV
products but I wouldn't blindly take their recommendations. Best to
find a product with customer forums (like XP-Gen) and read a few
postings by people who already purchased & use the software.

I've read good things about PC-Cillin, the cost is not very high either. It
seems like a good solution. Another choice to consider is buying a copy of
V-Com System Utilities 6 which can be found for anywhere from $ 20.00 on
sale to free after sale and rebate. It includes a very good antivirus app
which is licensed from Trend Micro who publishes PC-Cillin.

 

[kurttrail]

And what is the smallest number of licenses that you can buy of Sym
Corp? A quick look at the web site seemed to show 10 licenses.

And do you know how much 10 licenses of Sym Corp costs? $1000!

Leythos is, in effect, suggesting the OP spend $1000 to keep 3 computers
protected from viruses, when there are FREE AV solutions out there!

Symantec/Norton sucks, whether it is their bloatware Norton, or their
way over priced Symantec products. I almost am rooting for MS to run
them out of business!

--
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Kurt
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http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[R. McCarty]

Actually, your second observation is probably not far from wrong.
Earlier today, Microsoft announced it will be offering Enterprise
level security software/solutions.

You can gauge how "Frightened" Symantec is of that happening,
by how quickly their CEO will send out a letter saying they welcome
the competition and how confident they are of maintaining their
market share. Typically, a form letter drafted by their PR department.

Add to the Enterprise offerings, Windows OneCare and Symantec
better quit buying companies and learn to write lean/efficient code.

 

[kurttrail]

Actually, your second observation is probably not far from wrong.
Earlier today, Microsoft announced it will be offering Enterprise
level security software/solutions.

You can gauge how "Frightened" Symantec is of that happening,
by how quickly their CEO will send out a letter saying they welcome
the competition and how confident they are of maintaining their
market share. Typically, a form letter drafted by their PR department.

Add to the Enterprise offerings, Windows OneCare and Symantec
better quit buying companies and learn to write lean/efficient code.

Hell Symantec is already complaining to the EU Anti-Trust regulators.

http://www.techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?NewsID=4535&inkc=0

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microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
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"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Uncle Joe]

I've heard many people say that the corporate edition of Symantec
is rock solid. I can only speak for the personal copy of Symantec
Internet
Security 2005 I'm running on my personal PC. It's warned me many times
about blocking potentially dangerous software attacking my system. It
blocks them automatically. And I'm pleased with the Internet Security
aspect by testing my system with ShieldsUp. Also use Spyware Doctor
to provide online support against spyware/keyloggers and so forth.

Symantec, on the other hand, is a resource hog. Thankfully, I have the
PC resources available to compensate for Symantec products so that
isn't a problem.

The one thing that sells me on Symantec is its large and very active
antivirus lab. They stay on top of viruses as some freeware antivirus
makers can't. They simply don't have the resources, IMO.

I've disabled Microsoft firewall/antivirus facilties.

 

[Ed]

Has anyone had experience with both?

Yes..... Get yourself a copy of Free AVG. However, if you can get a
copy of NAV 2003, it's not the resource hawg and activation nightmare
that following version are and uses the same virus definition updates.
Still cost you a yearly subscription though.....

I use NAV 2003 on two of my systems and AVG on the other two and am
happy with both. I have used NAV 2004 and 2005 and threw them in the
trash soon after installing them. Getting the bastards off my HD was
a whole nother nightmare. The joke going around is, trying to get NAV
2004/2005 off your computer is like trying to get rid of a Virus!

My suggestion:

1. AVG
2. NAV 2003 (if you can find it).

Regards,
Ed

 

[Ed]

uninstalling Norton is worse than "Root Canal" surgery

I don't know what the problem is.... all you got to do to get rid of
NAV 2004 and later versions is to reformat your HD! (Grin)...

Regards,
Ed

 

[R. McCarty]

Which is a little ironic comparing the performance of SARC against
the parent software. I suppose it proves what they are capable of.

I sometimes suspect that had Peter Norton not got caught in that
Divorce settlement - he probably would have tried to get his name
removed from recent product lines. I wonder what ever happened
to him - whether he even keeps up with PC technology these days.
Think he runs Norton on Norton's PC ?

 

[Ed]

You can gauge how "Frightened" Symantec is of that happening,
by how quickly their CEO will send out a letter saying they welcome
the competition and how confident they are of maintaining their
market share.

Maybe going back to the old days and offering real human support again
might keep them in the game. Having the ability to get the bastard
completely off your HD with a single "Uninstall" click would be nice
also.....

BTW, M$'s jump into the anti-ad/spyware game didn't seem to phase the
big anti-Ad/Spyware utility makers so maybe their jump into the
anti-virus game won't have much effect on those big utility makers
either. It's hard, even for a monopoly like M$, to invade the market
strength of utilities already successfully entrenched in that specific
field.

All its going to be is more code added to an already bloated OS that
could, can and does already exist as separate and successful utility
makers such as Norton, AVG, McAfee, etc. etc. etc....

M$ should stick to trying to make a streamlined bug free OS and
unflawed Activation/Verification Scheme and leave the utilities to the
Utility Makers that have built that market.

Regards,
Ed

 

[Leythos]

And what is the smallest number of licenses that you can buy of Sym
Corp? A quick look at the web site seemed to show 10 licenses.

5 as far as I can tell.

 

[Leythos]

And do you know how much 10 licenses of Sym Corp costs? $1000!

Leythos is, in effect, suggesting the OP spend $1000 to keep 3 computers
protected from viruses, when there are FREE AV solutions out there!

Symantec/Norton sucks, whether it is their bloatware Norton, or their
way over priced Symantec products. I almost am rooting for MS to run
them out of business!

I'm not suggesting anyone spend anything - I related my experience with
different AV products in the wild, same thing we found last year too.

The Corp version has a 5 user license and does not expire every year
like the others do - so, considering that 7.6 is still supported, more
than 5 years now, if you buy 5 licenses for $495, you get updates for 5
years, it appears that it actually saves you money over the Norton cost
for the same period of time.

 

[Leythos]

I've heard many people say that the corporate edition of Symantec
is rock solid. I can only speak for the personal copy of Symantec
Internet
Security 2005 I'm running on my personal PC

Symantec Internet Security is not the same as Symantec Antivirus
Corporate edition - the first is bloated and I would never use it, the
second is small and fast, and it's rated #2 in the detection business by
non-sponsored sites.

 

[kurttrail]

I'm not suggesting anyone spend anything - I related my experience
with different AV products in the wild, same thing we found last year
too.

The Corp version has a 5 user license and does not expire every year
like the others do - so, considering that 7.6 is still supported, more
than 5 years now, if you buy 5 licenses for $495, you get updates for
5 years, it appears that it actually saves you money over the Norton
cost for the same period of time.

LOL! FREE AV Solutions! And I didn't see the 5 license packs on the
Symantec website.

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"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

5 as far as I can tell.

http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat...CUR=840&DSP=&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=1949220000195486

http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat...9&V5=31034037&S1=&S2=&S3=&S4=&S5=&V2=&V3=&V4=

I see no mention of 5 licenses.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"