DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Virus Protection Question
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 19 of 19, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 09/05/2006 09:20:28 PM · #1
My Norton Internet Security just expired, I can't afford to renew my Virus updates right now, so I downloaded AVG's free anti-virus software..

My question is-----

Now I have 2 virus programs running real time protection in the background..

Should I disable real time on the Norton since the definitions wont be updated anymore, how much resources/memory is being taken up running both at the same time..

The only reason I'm hesitant about disabling Nortons real time protection is that is also disables Nortons adware/spyware real time protection.

I have adaware se, but that doesnt have real time protect (nned the pro version)..

Should I be safe disabling nortons?


09/05/2006 09:33:16 PM · #2
I'd disable Norton and keep AVG.
Norton has given me false alarm before, and I find it quite a resource hog with all it's "extras" like live update scheduling, etc
 09/06/2006 02:54:31 AM · #3
Norton is junk. Actually, it's worse than junk because it claims not to be.

Get rid of it.

I ran my computer normally for 2 months with the provided full Norton package for my brand new computer before I got my first virus. My sister lasted about the same. They were old viruses that should not have been let in. Additionally, at the time, norton was slowing my system down badly. it tripled the time to boot and sucked almost 100 MB of RAM.

I ran totally unprotected except with the google toolbar to block popups for 6 months without getting any real problems.

Also, check out www.geeks2go.com as they have a few tutorials as to how to keep your system secure in other areas than just viruses. AND they recommend all free programs. I have been infected twice since then, but they were newer threats that I found solutions for on geeks2go.

Removing Norton is probably about as safe as keeping it in... IMHO

Message edited by author 2006-09-06 02:59:34.
 09/06/2006 03:08:58 AM · #4
Disable (or preferably uninstall) one or t'other. Having two could mean that they conflict with one another.
 09/06/2006 03:14:50 AM · #5
I'm going to have to agree with eschelar - Norton is crap. Completely uninstall it and keep AVG. Norton is a resource hog and doesnt' work NEARLY as well as it should. Keep AVG as long as you are on a tight budget, then purchase NOD32 antivirus from //www.eset.com/ when you have the money (it's only about $39/year though). NOD32 is the best in the industry, hands-down. But just stick with AVG for now. Best of luck!
 09/06/2006 03:54:02 AM · #6
Originally posted by mist:
Disable (or preferably uninstall) one or t'other. Having two could mean that they conflict with one another.


yeah that too... actually that was what I had in mind when I originally hit 'reply', but I got distracted... :)

There's a peice of malware out there called SpySherrif that actually uses this method to infect your system. It installs another piece of anti-virus software which conflicts with your primary AV. Then it opens up some holes and calls in all its friends... yick.

i got it with Avast! once... what a pigger. I can still remember the panic pop-ups from Avast!... heh.

Message edited by author 2006-09-06 03:56:14.
 09/06/2006 05:27:47 AM · #7
I have used Nortons (Virus & Firewall) for 5 years or more and found it to be great, I never once got a virus, and found it very easy to use as it was so automated.

However, my registration ran out about 3 weeks ago and while looking for an alternative I found a fully legit version of the latest version of McAffee (spelling?) for just £10 on Ebay.

I like this too, it seems to be doing the trick and is fully automated again so I can't do anything wrong!
 09/06/2006 05:54:29 AM · #8
I agree with the others about preferring AVG. I've had several friends who have asked me to help them remove Nortons (which they had paid for) and replace it with AVG (which is free), and they have all been much happier since. Nortons seems to cause as many problems as it solves.

AdAware is a different type of program - it's an anti-spyware program, unlike AVG which is anti-virus. They deal with completely different types of nasties.

Popular and trustworthy recommendations for protection software on Windows:

Firewall (only run one): Sygate Personal Firewall (SPF not available on the website now, but copies can still can be found), ZoneAlarm, or Kerio Personal Firewall.

Anti-virus (only run one): AVG, Avast, Trend Micro or Kaspersky.

Anti-spyware/malware (it's ok to run more than one): AdAware, Spybot S&D (Search and Destroy), SpywareGuard.
09/06/2006 06:16:47 AM · #9
Agreeing with the others to get rid of one, and the one that is no longer updated is the best canidate. I have used AVG for quite a while and it is a great program.

Also, while we are on the subject of protection, make sure you are not using an account with administrator access to your system for day to day use. It is absolutely amazing how many people do -- and then blame their anti-virus program when they get infected. The tactic mentioned above of the virus pretending to be an anti-virus program to confuse the real anti-virus is only possible on a system running with administrative access. But there are others, such as the virus simply turning off (or uninstalling) the anti-virus -- even a look-alike taking its place so the user doesn't know they are not protected.

Not using the system with administrative access is the most basic and most reliable way to keep virus free -- it is also likely the most over-looked.

David
 09/06/2006 10:26:06 AM · #10
I was doing some work and the program had a calculator to show how long the process would take. During this process Norton started a full system scan. Time needed increased from 9 minutes to 43 minutes....
Also my laptop was becoming incredibly slow. Long startups, lack of resources. Kicked Norton off it and now run AVG. Startup has become near instantly, every program runs a lot faster....

And whatever you do, do not try to upgrade to a next version of Norton. Did that once and the computer crippled to a halt. Norton is a virus on its own.

09/06/2006 10:28:20 AM · #11
Some virus software runs on access to programs, McAfee does this. McAfee has an option to exclude folders and subfolders or just individual files from this startup scan.

Norton may have some similar functionality.

Message edited by author 2006-09-06 10:29:04.
 09/06/2006 11:13:17 AM · #12
I've seen these threads several times before and about a year ago I finally decided to get rid of norton and just use AVG.......everything is and has been perfect, no problems.
we recently got a couple of new laptops in the house and straight away I deleted McAfee and replaced it with AVG.

09/06/2006 12:55:21 PM · #13
Originally posted by eschelar:

I ran totally unprotected except with the google toolbar to block popups for 6 months without getting any real problems.
Ive never run virus protection and have only had 1 virus, which was my own fault.

99% of all infections are self installed. Understanding the basics of how virus' can be trasnmitted is your best protection, that and keeping your OS up to date on security patches.
 09/06/2006 01:17:17 PM · #14
Can I just uninstall the norton's antivirus, I have internet security, and I dont want to lose my norton firewall, since I have everything configured just how I want it..

And btw, I also have never had a problem w/norton and its been almost 2 years on this system..


09/06/2006 01:45:29 PM · #15
Originally posted by buzzrock:
Can I just uninstall the norton's antivirus, I have internet security, and I dont want to lose my norton firewall, since I have everything configured just how I want it..

And btw, I also have never had a problem w/norton and its been almost 2 years on this system..

I had McAfee on my PC with no problems. On my laptop I have Nortons and it does seem to slow things down a bit, ESPECIALLY when running a scan.
All I have to say is.......if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Do a cntrl/alt/del ONCE (twice will restart your computer) and go to the 'processes' tab. Scroll down the list and see how much of your CPU each item is using. AIM seems to be my bug. SOMETIMES it acts up and uses a TON of memory.

Added: Even though Nortons won't update your definitions, it'll still protect the ones already in there.

Message edited by author 2006-09-06 13:46:34.
 09/06/2006 01:58:07 PM · #16
Originally posted by MrEd:
I had McAfee on my PC with no problems. On my laptop I have Nortons and it does seem to slow things down a bit, ESPECIALLY when running a scan.
All I have to say is.......if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Do a cntrl/alt/del ONCE (twice will restart your computer) and go to the 'processes' tab. Scroll down the list and see how much of your CPU each item is using. AIM seems to be my bug. SOMETIMES it acts up and uses a TON of memory.

Added: Even though Nortons won't update your definitions, it'll still protect the ones already in there.


However, one CANNOT rely on old virus definitions. There are so many new viruses being released, that you need to be prepared at all times. Oh, and you might want to try using Gaim (//gaim.sourceforge.net/win32/index.php) instead of AIM. ;)
 09/07/2006 01:29:00 AM · #17
The virus that my sister got was almost 3 years old. She had the full Norton Suite.

We actually packaged it up and sent it to Norton.

Later on, when we researched it on google, we found out how old it was.

never rely on Norton's virus definitions old or new, they are full of holes.

I've not heard a lot of bad things about macafee's stuff.
09/07/2006 01:42:04 AM · #18
I've been using AVG since Norton allowed my system to be infected with the Net.Sky virus several months ago. Along with that virus came a nice little root kit that allowed access to my PC, a spam e-mailer that tried to use my system as a Sapm-bot and other little nasties.

Norton happily let them all in. My only clue is that Norton started popping up flags when the Spambot started doing it's thing.

AVG has kept me virus free ever since and doesn't require near the resources Norton did.

Message edited by author 2006-09-07 01:42:54.
 09/07/2006 02:37:55 AM · #19
Not going to read all the posts, but I use Panda Platinum (//www.pandasoftware.com/). I picked it up for $10 CND OEM (I bought a $15 mouse which my friend payed for), saved myself from paying $100 CND, which is what they want on their site. Got that from Memory Express here in Calgary, not sure where they will ship to.

I find Panda absolutly wonderful. Don't ever run your computer "naked" on the internet without a firewall and anti-virus.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 01/05/2026 09:33:05 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 01/05/2026 09:33:05 AM EST.