Norton

[Geoff A.]

I've recently been advised via these newsgroups to ditch most aspects of
Systemworks (possibly excluding the AV) and use win XP's own utilities, as
well as other free anti spyware and anti adware programs.
Can someone also please advise on Norton Internet security Professional?
Should I be using this? If I don't, what will protect me from whatever it
does????
Thanks.

 

[ByTor]

I've recently been advised via these newsgroups to ditch most aspects of
Systemworks (possibly excluding the AV) and use win XP's own utilities, as
well as other free anti spyware and anti adware programs.
Can someone also please advise on Norton Internet security Professional?
Should I be using this? If I don't, what will protect me from whatever it
does????
Thanks.

Symantecs FireWall prog is a piece of crap.......Use ZoneAlarm
instead....I believe they still have a free version.
As far as SystemWorks, maaaaaaaaaaybe at one time their defrag utility
was ok, just use the defrag in windows.....the rest of sysworks is
useless. Their AntiVirus is OK but I have my own doubts about it and may
switch to AVG Pro.......

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Should give you a good idea what a FireWall does.

All said is just my opinion.........

 

[Yabbadoo]

Good advice, this!
Consider AVG (free) Anti-virus, excellent and often recommended in ng's.
I'm actually using XP's firewall, so far no probs (am assuming you have XP
SP2 and automatic updates ) but ZoneAlarm is as good if not better. Spybot
and AdAware (both free) also. And there's various utility suites which do
SystemWorks jobs (and more) better. I use TuneUp Utilities 2004, well
impressed with it (esp. the Registry Editor which backs up original
settings, and restores them in the event of trouble - and it works!!)

Sincerely, Len

"> Symantecs FireWall prog is a piece of crap.......Use ZoneAlarm

 

[RobertVA]

Symantecs FireWall prog is a piece of crap.......Use ZoneAlarm
instead....I believe they still have a free version.
As far as SystemWorks, maaaaaaaaaaybe at one time their defrag utility
was ok, just use the defrag in windows.....the rest of sysworks is
useless. Their AntiVirus is OK but I have my own doubts about it and may
switch to AVG Pro.......

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Should give you a good idea what a FireWall does.

All said is just my opinion.........

I had to unistall AVG pro. Unistalling it was the only way I could get
any email out except through msn's web interface. I'm not AT ALL happy
with web based email, and even with email checking turned COMPLETELY off
AVG insisted on blocking ALL outgoing mail from Outlook Express and
mucking with my mail account login settings.

 

[herbzee]

seems to work foe me!!!!!!!

I had to unistall AVG pro. Unistalling it was the only way I could get
any email out except through msn's web interface. I'm not AT ALL happy
with web based email, and even with email checking turned COMPLETELY off
AVG insisted on blocking ALL outgoing mail from Outlook Express and
mucking with my mail account login settings.

 

[Sharon F]

I've recently been advised via these newsgroups to ditch most aspects of
Systemworks (possibly excluding the AV) and use win XP's own utilities, as
well as other free anti spyware and anti adware programs.
Can someone also please advise on Norton Internet security Professional?
Should I be using this? If I don't, what will protect me from whatever it
does????
Thanks.

I'm not a fan of Symantec BUT if it's working well for you and it's already
installed - why not use it?

I never worry about what I "should" be using. Instead I look for programs
that do what they're supposed to, do it well and that don't cause other
problems with my system. If Symantec is behaving itself on your system,
leave it alone. Trying to remove it could cause another whole world of
woes...

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If you are not having problems leave alone at least until the subscription
is up. Personally, I use Norton System Works 2005 and am doing OK.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Symantecs FireWall prog is a piece of crap.......Use ZoneAlarm
instead....I believe they still have a free version.
As far as SystemWorks, maaaaaaaaaaybe at one time their defrag utility
was ok, just use the defrag in windows.....the rest of sysworks is
useless. Their AntiVirus is OK but I have my own doubts about it and
may switch to AVG Pro.......

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Should give you a good idea what a FireWall does.

All said is just my opinion.........

My opinion is to ditch the software firewall altogether - I have a router
which acts as a hardware firewall - you have no idea how much faster my
system has been since ditching it - it munches clock cycles like - well like
a clock cycle munching thing.

If you've no need for a router then, yes, ZA is good.

 

[ByTor]

My opinion is to ditch the software firewall altogether - I have a router
which acts as a hardware firewall - you have no idea how much faster my
system has been since ditching it - it munches clock cycles like - well like
a clock cycle munching thing.

If you've no need for a router then, yes, ZA is good.

And this catches all your outgoing also?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My opinion is to ditch the software firewall altogether - I have a router
which acts as a hardware firewall - you have no idea how much faster my
system has been since ditching it - it munches clock cycles like - well like
a clock cycle munching thing.

I disagree.

If you use a router with NAT, it's still a very good idea to use a
3rd party software firewall. Like WinXP's built-in firewall,
NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself (or
any "curious," over-confident teenagers in the home). Again -- and I
*cannot* emphasize this enough -- almost all spyware and many Trojans
and worms are downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit unknowingly)
by the user. So a software firewall, such as Sygate or ZoneAlarm, that
can detect and warn the user of unauthorized out-going traffic is an
important element of protecting one's privacy and security. (Remember:
Most antivirus applications do not even scan for or protect you from
adware/spyware, because, after all, you've installed them yourself, so
you must want them there, right?)

I use both a router with NAT and Sygate Personal Firewall, even
though I generally know better than to install scumware. When it comes
to computer security and protecting my privacy, I prefer the old "belt
and suspenders" approach. In the professional IT community, this is
also known as a "layered defense." Basically, it comes down to never,
ever "putting all of your eggs in one basket."



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Tom]

The problem with that thinking is that nothing will alert you to getting hits, or something that is already phoning home. Router are great hardware firewalls, but don't do anything to alert you of incoming or outgoing hits. I would at least use the software firewall that came with the router (they usually come with a firewall software installation proggy).

 

[ByTor]

I disagree.

If you use a router with NAT, it's still a very good idea to use a
3rd party software firewall. Like WinXP's built-in firewall,
NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself (or
any "curious," over-confident teenagers in the home). Again -- and I
*cannot* emphasize this enough -- almost all spyware and many Trojans
and worms are downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit unknowingly)
by the user. So a software firewall, such as Sygate or ZoneAlarm, that
can detect and warn the user of unauthorized out-going traffic is an
important element of protecting one's privacy and security. (Remember:
Most antivirus applications do not even scan for or protect you from
adware/spyware, because, after all, you've installed them yourself, so
you must want them there, right?)

I use both a router with NAT and Sygate Personal Firewall, even
though I generally know better than to install scumware. When it comes
to computer security and protecting my privacy, I prefer the old "belt
and suspenders" approach. In the professional IT community, this is
also known as a "layered defense." Basically, it comes down to never,
ever "putting all of your eggs in one basket."

Couldn't of said it better myself............ ;0)

 

[billurie]

Symantecs FireWall prog is a piece of crap.......Use ZoneAlarm
instead....I believe they still have a free version.
As far as SystemWorks, maaaaaaaaaaybe at one time their defrag utility
was ok, just use the defrag in windows.....the rest of sysworks is
useless. Their AntiVirus is OK but I have my own doubts about it and may
switch to AVG Pro.......

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Should give you a good idea what a FireWall does.

All said is just my opinion.........

I stick with NSW 2005 because of convenience and inertia
and stubbornness on my part. When I've bought and paid for
something, from a 'reputable' supplier, I will hound him
until he makes it work.

I now have NSW 2005 working reliably, and I've used their A-V
for years and years and it has never let a virus sneak through. Their
One Butten Checkup is convenient. Their Disk Doctor and Win Doctor
are all convenient tools.

What is almost impossible to live with, is their "Activation"
procedures. From time to time, things seem to go wrong and
make you "reactivate" with them. If for some reason you've
used up your allocated but never released number of
activations, you have to phone in...and that's a forever
operation. Problem is, whether their software is bad, good,
mediocre or wonderful, they are big and don't give a tinker's
dam about customers.

 

[billurie]

I'm not a fan of Symantec BUT if it's working well for you and it's already
installed - why not use it?

I never worry about what I "should" be using. Instead I look for programs
that do what they're supposed to, do it well and that don't cause other
problems with my system. If Symantec is behaving itself on your system,
leave it alone. Trying to remove it could cause another whole world of
woes...

Sharon is SO right!!! When a Norton program goes bad,
just uninstalling it can be a monumental task, involving
pages and pages of printout of instructions, and then
messing with the (ugh) registry.

 

[ByTor]

I stick with NSW 2005 because of convenience and inertia
and stubbornness on my part. When I've bought and paid for
something, from a 'reputable' supplier, I will hound him
until he makes it work.

I now have NSW 2005 working reliably, and I've used their A-V
for years and years and it has never let a virus sneak through. Their
One Butten Checkup is convenient. Their Disk Doctor and Win Doctor
are all convenient tools.

What is almost impossible to live with, is their "Activation"
procedures. From time to time, things seem to go wrong and
make you "reactivate" with them. If for some reason you've
used up your allocated but never released number of
activations, you have to phone in...and that's a forever
operation. Problem is, whether their software is bad, good,
mediocre or wonderful, they are big and don't give a tinker's
dam about customers.

Glad to hear it........I think all activation like that is bullshit
anyway........

All said is just my opinion...........

 

[newbie]

I am using Norton Systems Works. I have found their features one button
check up (which does registry scan and its shortcut scan checks for
mismatched or missing programs and file shortcuts) very useful.

The feature Norton Utilities (which have optimize performance and find and
fix problems) is also very useful.
Is their any free alternatives for these features or we can do without these
features?

Your view in this will be very useful.
TIA.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Use Norton Systemworks as it is. The one button cleanup includes the Disk
Cleanup function found in the XP System Tools. You will hear all sorts of
arguments in this newsgroup about the Utilities versus the XP Defragger,
etc. I prefer the XP defragger to Norton but don't use either. Since
defragging is important to performance, I use a third party program,
Diskeeper 9. The only important thing is that you keep the hard drive
reasonably defragged.

Recommendation: You have Systemworks so take advantage of it. Don't
clutter your system with more utilities. Instead focus on good antispyware
and antivirus software. Always shut down your system properly. For the
rest, let XP take care of self-maintenance.

 

[newbie]

Will follow your suggestions and continue with Systemworks, but what is to
be done after that.
Why are you suggesting not to use xp's defragger.
Regards.

Use Norton Systemworks as it is. The one button cleanup includes the Disk
Cleanup function found in the XP System Tools. You will hear all sorts of
arguments in this newsgroup about the Utilities versus the XP Defragger,
etc. I prefer the XP defragger to Norton but don't use either. Since
defragging is important to performance, I use a third party program,
Diskeeper 9. The only important thing is that you keep the hard drive
reasonably defragged.

Recommendation: You have Systemworks so take advantage of it. Don't
clutter your system with more utilities. Instead focus on good antispyware
and antivirus software. Always shut down your system properly. For the
rest, let XP take care of self-maintenance.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

I am using Norton Systems Works. I have found their features one button
check up (which does registry scan and its shortcut scan checks for
mismatched or missing programs and file shortcuts) very useful.

The feature Norton Utilities (which have optimize performance and find and
fix problems) is also very useful.
Is their any free alternatives for these features or we can do without
these
features?

Your view in this will be very useful.
TIA.

utilities,
as whatever
it

 

[ByTor]

I am using Norton Systems Works. I have found their features one button
check up (which does registry scan and its shortcut scan checks for
mismatched or missing programs and file shortcuts) very useful.

The feature Norton Utilities (which have optimize performance and find and
fix problems) is also very useful.
Is their any free alternatives for these features or we can do without these
features?

Your view in this will be very useful.
TIA.

If you know your system well you will find that the "onebutton" fixes
are not all that they are cracked up to be......I would never trust any
program to just "auto" fix anything.......Way back when I used to use
Norton Windoctor I was amazed that the majority of the fixes that were
"auto" suggested had NOTHING to do with the actual program or
path/shortcut corrections...........
But heh, that's my opinion & experience though but also based on fact
when I seen it with my own eyes..........I use a prog called "Registry
First Aid" and find it very useful for what I need it for..........

All is just my opinion..........

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I am not saying you shouldn't use it. I am saying I don't use it because I
like its big brother, Diskeeper 9, much better.

The defragger is one of the two most important maintenance utilities (the
other is the backup program) on my computer, so I spent an extra $20 to get
the extra abilities (such as background defragging on an as-needed basis).

The other set of important utilities is the security group. I agree with
others here on an antivirus program and three antispyware programs as a good
plan. I don't go beyond these five programs and I am happy with my system's
performance. Your mileage may vary.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Will follow your suggestions and continue with Systemworks, but what is to
be done after that.
Why are you suggesting not to use xp's defragger.
Regards.

Use Norton Systemworks as it is. The one button cleanup includes the
Disk
Cleanup function found in the XP System Tools. You will hear all sorts
of
arguments in this newsgroup about the Utilities versus the XP Defragger,
etc. I prefer the XP defragger to Norton but don't use either. Since
defragging is important to performance, I use a third party program,
Diskeeper 9. The only important thing is that you keep the hard drive
reasonably defragged.

Recommendation: You have Systemworks so take advantage of it. Don't
clutter your system with more utilities. Instead focus on good antispyware
and antivirus software. Always shut down your system properly. For the
rest, let XP take care of self-maintenance.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

I am using Norton Systems Works. I have found their features one button
check up (which does registry scan and its shortcut scan checks for
mismatched or missing programs and file shortcuts) very useful.

The feature Norton Utilities (which have optimize performance and find and
fix problems) is also very useful.
Is their any free alternatives for these features or we can do without
these
features?

Your view in this will be very useful.
TIA.

Sharon F wrote:

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 11:30:07 -0000, Geoff A. wrote:


I've recently been advised via these newsgroups to ditch most
aspects
of
Systemworks (possibly excluding the AV) and use win XP's own utilities,
as
well as other free anti spyware and anti adware programs.
Can someone also please advise on Norton Internet security
Professional?
Should I be using this? If I don't, what will protect me from whatever
it
does????
Thanks.


I'm not a fan of Symantec BUT if it's working well for you and it's
already
installed - why not use it?

I never worry about what I "should" be using. Instead I look for
programs
that do what they're supposed to, do it well and that don't cause other
problems with my system. If Symantec is behaving itself on your system,
leave it alone. Trying to remove it could cause another whole world of
woes...

Sharon is SO right!!! When a Norton program goes bad,
just uninstalling it can be a monumental task, involving
pages and pages of printout of instructions, and then
messing with the (ugh) registry.