Thinking about buying Norton's AntiVirus

[Brad]

Hi,

Note: I have used NAV (Norton's AntiVirus) 2001 on a Windows 98se
computer(s) in the past.

Over a month ago, I bought a new Dell laptop with Windows XP home edition.
It came with Trend Micro PC-cillin (30 days trial) pre-installed. I am
thinking about buying NAV, assuming it allows me to control (preferences) how
it "behaves" as NAV 2001 did. I don't want NAV always running in the
background. I want to be able to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I
want, the same way I did using NAV 2001.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

 

[R. McCarty]

Skip Norton ( or Symantec ). Just this morning I worked on a PC
with SAV ( Symantec Corp ) AV that had 2 Viruses on it. Nod32's
online scan found and removed the viruses.

Eset's NOD32 is a better choice, they offer both simple AV and a
more comprehensive Security Suite.
http://www.eset.com/

 

[ToddAndMargo]

Hi,

Note: I have used NAV (Norton's AntiVirus) 2001 on a Windows 98se
computer(s) in the past.

Over a month ago, I bought a new Dell laptop with Windows XP home edition.
It came with Trend Micro PC-cillin (30 days trial) pre-installed. I am
thinking about buying NAV, assuming it allows me to control (preferences) how
it "behaves" as NAV 2001 did. I don't want NAV always running in the
background. I want to be able to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I
want, the same way I did using NAV 2001.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

I wouldn't do it. It only catches ~50% of viruses and it
is a bit of a resource hog.

Here is a good review based on actual virus testing:
http://www.anti-malware-test.com/?q=taxonomy/term/16

-T

 

[Bob I]

Open this group in Google groups, and do a search for "Norton" and
Symantec".

 

[DL]

I used Norton products for many years without problems, until v2005 - what a
disaster
BTW Turning off real time scanning effectively leaves you open to any
malicious software, any decent virus will disable / renders unusable your AV
as soon as it loads.

 

[John]

If I were you, I'd go for other AV software. Keep in mind that there is no
AV software that'll give you 100% protection.

I don't want NAV always running in the background.

If you don't enable AV real time protection while surfing the internet, you
may as well not install any AV software.

I want to be able to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I
want, the same way I did using NAV 2001.

I am sure all AV products provide on demand or manual scan.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

Not that great.

 

[Unknown]

Bad thinking!

 

[dullpain]

Symantec products get favorable reviews for reasons that are difficult to
fathom.
They tend to be resource hogs, although supposedly the newest version is
better.
They are incredibly expensive for what you are getting.
Worse, NAV can be impossible, I mean impossible to remove without taking
down your entire hard drive. Having experienced this I will never use NAV
ever.
For general antivirus use free programs like Avast and AVG are more than
adequate.
It is a myth that most general users who are behind a hardware firewall in
their router need a software firewall. For most users software firewalls
just complicate even further setting up networks.

 

[Big Al]

Symantec products get favorable reviews for reasons that are difficult
to fathom.
They tend to be resource hogs, although supposedly the newest version is
better.
They are incredibly expensive for what you are getting.
Worse, NAV can be impossible, I mean impossible to remove without taking
down your entire hard drive. Having experienced this I will never use
NAV ever.
For general antivirus use free programs like Avast and AVG are more than
adequate.
It is a myth that most general users who are behind a hardware firewall
in their router need a software firewall. For most users software
firewalls just complicate even further setting up networks.

I do like the free version of zonealarm. I like the side effect that
anything that tries to access the internet needs your approval. I
don't think it complicates any networking at home that I do.

And I'll toss my vote for AVG or Avast.

I got McAfee 2 years ago on a Circuit City special for 4.95. Thought
this was going to be great, but it screwed things up so much. Gads!!!!

 

[HeyBub]

Hi,

Note: I have used NAV (Norton's AntiVirus) 2001 on a Windows 98se
computer(s) in the past.

Over a month ago, I bought a new Dell laptop with Windows XP home
edition. It came with Trend Micro PC-cillin (30 days trial)
pre-installed. I am thinking about buying NAV, assuming it allows
me to control (preferences) how it "behaves" as NAV 2001 did. I
don't want NAV always running in the background. I want to be able
to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I want, the same way I did
using NAV 2001.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

I doubt anyone on this group would recommend Norton, or, to a lesser degree
McCaffee.

There are several problems with Norton:

1. It is a resource hog, burning up to 15% of available CPU cycles.
2. It is difficult to remove. Very difficult. You have to run the secret
Symantec removal tool several times then manually scan the registry for
detritus left behind.
3. Norton interferes with many software installations - and doesn't tell you
it's bothering the install process. You end up with an application that
won't work and you don't know why. Virtually every bit of software that
tells you to "disable your virus checker" before continuing really means
"Disable Norton."

 

[Brian A.]

Hi,

Note: I have used NAV (Norton's AntiVirus) 2001 on a Windows 98se
computer(s) in the past.

Over a month ago, I bought a new Dell laptop with Windows XP home edition.
It came with Trend Micro PC-cillin (30 days trial) pre-installed. I am
thinking about buying NAV, assuming it allows me to control (preferences) how
it "behaves" as NAV 2001 did. I don't want NAV always running in the
background. I want to be able to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I
want, the same way I did using NAV 2001.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

I suggest installing/using NIS 2008 if you wish to use a Symantec application
for security and protection, you can configure it to do as you wish and more.
I've been using Norton/Symantec products since way back when without any issues
what-so-ever of any concern. I've also tested a number of other security
applications of which IMO none were better and many were worse, especially when
it boiled down to scanning the levels of archive files (zipped). No matter what
application anyone or you choose to install/use, performance of any application
and any machine will vary from machine to machine due to may variables.

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Brian A.]

I doubt anyone on this group would recommend Norton, or, to a lesser degree
McCaffee.

There are several problems with Norton:

1. It is a resource hog, burning up to 15% of available CPU cycles.

Huh? As I currently look, not a single Symantec I have installed is using any
at all.

2. It is difficult to remove. Very difficult. You have to run the secret
Symantec removal tool several times then manually scan the registry for
detritus left behind.

There's nothing secret about their removal utility, it's been around for
years, no different than any of the other applications and Symantec isn't the
only one that has registry entries that are not removed.

3. Norton interferes with many software installations - and doesn't tell you
it's bothering the install process. You end up with an application that won't
work and you don't know why. Virtually every bit of software that tells you to
"disable your virus checker" before continuing really means "Disable Norton."

If you truly believe your last statement, you truly don't realize the
importance of shutting down running programs when installing an application.


--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[tashfeen]

Here's my experience using Norton:
http://avscan.blogspot.com/2008/01/norton-antivirus-2008-review.html

I've pretty much used all the major antivirus brands, and the blog
records my experiences. You might want to check it out. Best of luck!

 

[Lil' Dave]

Hi,

Note: I have used NAV (Norton's AntiVirus) 2001 on a Windows 98se
computer(s) in the past.

Over a month ago, I bought a new Dell laptop with Windows XP home
edition.
It came with Trend Micro PC-cillin (30 days trial) pre-installed. I am
thinking about buying NAV, assuming it allows me to control (preferences)
how
it "behaves" as NAV 2001 did. I don't want NAV always running in the
background. I want to be able to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I
want, the same way I did using NAV 2001.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

This year, I stopped on using NAV again. I didn't like 2007's version, used
it up until the year subscription was used up. Waiting on 2004 version
renewed subscription to expire next month. Going with Trend Micro AV and
its sister Trend Micro Antispyware. The latter has temporarily stopped some
local bonafide/trusted software installations in the past waiting for my
approval. Spyware its found locally has been cookies left by IE.
--
Dave

Hypocrisy. Big SUV, filament lights on all night. You think your neighbor
should be changiing to compact fluorescent light bulbs and driving the
hybrid.

 

[Robert Pendell]

Hi,

Note: I have used NAV (Norton's AntiVirus) 2001 on a Windows 98se
computer(s) in the past.

Over a month ago, I bought a new Dell laptop with Windows XP home edition.
It came with Trend Micro PC-cillin (30 days trial) pre-installed. I am
thinking about buying NAV, assuming it allows me to control (preferences) how
it "behaves" as NAV 2001 did. I don't want NAV always running in the
background. I want to be able to "run" NAV to check folders, etc. when I
want, the same way I did using NAV 2001.

What is your experience with the new version of NAV?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

I wouldn't get Norton considering the track record I've had with them on
other customers machines. The disaster happens when it malfunctions.
If it malfunctions it becomes increasingly difficult to diagnose. When
you have Norton you can't rely on safe mode as a means to determine if
security software is the issue. Why? Because the services that load
the protection also manage to startup there. Yep. Norton figured out
how to get it to load there. Also as others have stated it doesn't
remove itself correctly a good portion of the time and then you have to
run the removal tool. We provide our own security to our customers if
they have it. Most will remove prior security before installing ours.
We still get calls about odd issues caused because Norton or Mcafee did
not remove themselves correctly.

--
Robert Pendell
(e-mail address removed)

"A perfect world is one of chaos."

Thawte Web of Trust Notary
CAcert Assurer

 

[Unknown]

Protect very well?? Where on earth did you get that from? Give facts.

 

[Unknown]

Wow. Are you brainwashed.

Huh? As I currently look, not a single Symantec I have installed is
using any at all.


There's nothing secret about their removal utility, it's been around for
years, no different than any of the other applications and Symantec isn't
the only one that has registry entries that are not removed.


If you truly believe your last statement, you truly don't realize the
importance of shutting down running programs when installing an
application.


--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Brian A.]

Far from!

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[HeyBub]

Huh? As I currently look, not a single Symantec I have installed is
using any at all.

You didn't install it properly is my guess. Google "Norton+resource+hog"
yields 226,000 hits.

There's nothing secret about their removal utility, it's been around
for years, no different than any of the other applications and
Symantec isn't the only one that has registry entries that are not
removed.

It IS a secret. It's not mentioned in their documentation nor is it part of
the normal uninstall process. Further, running it once is often
insufficient. Further-further FINDING it on Symantec's website is
non-trivial.

If you truly believe your last statement, you truly don't realize the
importance of shutting down running programs when installing an
application.

We write software for a living and Norton has to be disabled before our
software will install properly (because we're adding things to the
registry). This is not true for AVG, Avast, and several other AV programs
with which we've experimented. Moreover, when Norton DOES interfere, it
gives no indication that it did so. The only clue we get is when our
customers can't run our product.

 

[Unknown]

Thousands of posts have been sent concerning problems with Norton and
Symantic programs. Yet you claim they're great.
If that isn't being brainwashed then you must be a Norton salesman. I.E.
FOS.