So, I can't wait to get rid of Norton Anti-Virus 2007. 2006 was bad enough: 2007 is unbearable. It eats up system resources, you can't control how often it updates itself (or in fact, anything significant about how it's configured), it's a space hog, it has pop-up advertisements for itself on MY desktop every 20 minutes, there is virtually no customer support... basically, I cannot begin to describe how much I hate this software. Braindead zombies from outer space would hate it, it's that dumb & that obnoxious.

If anyone is running anti-virus software that

1) truly WORKS, and
2) they don't loathe...

please let me know what you like, and why. I want something fast that doesn't hog resources, and that is somewhat configurable. I don't think I should have to offer up the blood of my firstborn to get such basic things from my software. Thanks, e


3-4 year-old computer w/limited ram. XP home edition, SP2.

Hi ekny!

I've had norton (and have the same opinion of it than you do) and then I've had trend micro for a year (which wasn't too bad, but still not great). About three months ago I switched to McAfee Total Protection - and I think it might just be the anti-virus software you're looking for...

You can get a 30-day trial version here: http://us.mcafee.com/root/downloads.asp?id=freeTrials

Go for McAfee VirusScan® Plus with SiteAdvisor, AntiVirus, AntiSpyware & Firewall - it even let's you know which sites are regarded as questionable or downright unsafe - without hampering your speed (or that of your computer! :) )

Thx microsofty. :) I had McAfee before I got Norton (sorry, should've said!): it was the one time I had a virus, & McAfee couldn't deal. Norton could. I could go back to McAfee because it was easy, and stable... but when push came to shove, it didn't have the definitions for that particular virus, which basically is the end-life of the product, far as I'm concerned. If it can't help me when I'm in a jam....

I was wondering if anyone has used AGV?

I was going to suggest AVG Free - We've been using it with no real problems.

Another free one I've been told about and assured is excellent is Avast. The person who told me really knows about their stuff, so although I've not tried it I have no doubts about it being good.

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html should take you to the free download page.

As for Norton - Its usually a bugger to uninstall once on your machine! At least it used to be so I don't know if there is any improvement these days, but don't be surprised to find folders that aren't automatically taken out.

Thx ILMJNet, I'll look into Avast as well as AVG, which I had heard good things about but didn't want to try w/o knowing if someone else was using successfully. Because I KNOW uninstalling Norton will be just as obnoxious as having it in the first place... and there's always that panic when you have nothing on the machine, too! :) So I want the transition to not be painful. If possible. --e

Hi there ekny I also use AVG the free version and it seems to work real well for me.....

Sooooooooo glad to not be using Nortons anymore :clap

Your welcome E...... I am thinking of trying out Avast sometime on another computer I'm just upgrading for my sister. I don't think there is a lot to chose between that and AVG, but I might just periodically alternate between them every 12 to 18 months because its likely one will pick something up the other hasn't.

As for Norton, spawn of the devil! Absolutely hideous! Causes more trouble than it prevents! Nasty...........

*anyone would think I don't like Norton*

Yeah, regardless of anything else, this thread has given me a LOT of validation for my hating-of-Norton. Which, you know, I thought sometimes, oh don't be so fussy, so it advertises on your desktop, probably lots of people don't even mind it. Doesn't effect how the program works. But man did it piss me off! (Not to mention the whole taking-over-my-mouse for 15 minutes every-four-hours thing. It's at the point now where it literally won't LET me reset the update schedule, dunno why. So I've manually stopped it from inside the control panel/admin svcs things. I am so, so over Norton.)

ekny .... I got rid of Norton. It was a nightmare ... what more can I say.
I now have AVG Malware & Antivirus etc . It costs me $65.00 for 2 years. I haven't had a problem since and my computer runs so much faster and cleaner. Worth every penny :)

Cheers ... traveller

Cool, another vote for AVG, thanks traveller! Listen, what are you guys using for firewalls, while we're on the subject? Because if I uninstall the demon software from hell, all I'll have is whatever winblows comes with, I think... right? So I should probably have another proper firewall, shouldn't I?

Firewall - There are two very good options available.

COMODO - http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Zonealarm - http://www.zonealarm.com/store/catalog/pro...sku_list_za.jsp

I used to use Zonealarm, and while it was okay I did use to get some connection problems off our home network. I've since changed to COMODO and don't have the same problem, but both are much of a muchness! Toss a coin time - just load and see which you prefer to use.

norton's is one to avoid for sure!

i used zonealarm for a long time and really had no issues with it until i changed my router and suddenly i was having connection problems so now i've changed to panda anti-virus and firewall. i used panda in the past and found it to be excellent and using it again just confirms that!

avg is quite good too

Many thanks again to all, I'll look into those! :) Whew, it's so nice to have some options besides norton.

Here is a product for you to look at. I know there are plenty of free programs out there but they are not always a complete coverage as some of my friends have found out the hard way.

Just something for you to consider.

http://www5.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-i...urity-b/us/t2/2

I've also used AVG for as long as I can remember and have no complaints about it whatsoever, although around here it's not a very popular one.

As for firewalls, I used to have Zonealarm in the times when I didn't know what a firewall actually was. Then I was introduced to Kerio Personal Firewall which I've been using for at least 4 years and I can't complain about it, it does a perfect job with blocking traffic and has a nice and comfortable interface (unlike Zonealarm although maybe its look has changed). I think it's not free, but cracks are available online, too.

Thanks, traveller & madmaggot, heavy hits for AVG, I'm going to go for that; if it comes w/a firewall, I think I'll probably just get the whole package. I did use ZoneAlarm for a number of years but as someone mentioned upthread, I also started having some conflict & nonresponsive issues with it... I also used Kerio at home for a while, with my former (verrrrrry old!!!) computer, & found it a bit tricky to learn how to use, but reliable, up to a point--a little twitchy. At the time it was free, though, & very small in size, both big pluses.

ekny .... let us know how you make out. :)

Cheers traveller

Thanks traveller, will do! Just ordered it over the phone from an actual human being several hours ago: paid $10 extra to get a backup disc. Now to try to cleanse my machine of Norton... <shiver>. Maybe I should have a priest standing by or summat....

My god. Everything... WORKS. It took 3 minutes to uninstall Norton--Norton, of course, refused to cooperate through normal means, so I had to dl a special uninstaller which totally wiped all traces of the evil software from my desktop. Installing AVG was painless and fast. And in about 40 minutes total, including full system scan... I was up and running again.

So ok, maybe it's too soon to say things like: it WORKS, or... Wow, suspiciously easy much? or... software that lets me configure and interact with it! and doesn't get in my damn WAY all the time... but I'm feeling awfully optimistic. <darts eyes around nervously>

Still, if only because I FINALLY have Norton off my freakin computer, I gotta say:

EKNY .... :party :clap :dazzler :D :woot

So glad to hear you are free of Norton. Hope AVG delivers everything you need. I love the fact that AVG doesn't get in my way .

All the best and happy computing :)

We've been hijacked....which from what I know is different than a virus.
Webbuying adware has imbedded itself on our computer, probably in the registry.

Are we totally f**ked and should just go ahead and get a new computer (XP)?

I read about Hijack This and Combofix....but I'm not sure I could manage although am game.
Are these the programs I should start with?

Thanks in advance, from a computer retard, ss

the program i use to help with id-ing and removing these type issues is:
Trojan Remover. its a fairly small program - and does a really great job because it manages to find and remove things other spyware programs don't. it goes into the registry etc and doesn't make you do it manually - which is really the best part. it removes Malware - Trojan Horses, Worms, Adware, and Spyware. the version i have is Trojan Remover 6.6.7 Build 2514 and i can help you with getting it and installing it - if you'd like to try it. i think it would help. let me know!

molsongirrl,
thanks for the suggestion re the software.
I found this site with Trojan Removal and the version you mentioned.
Does this look like a trusted site as I noticed that other sites redirected me to say, Spybot instead.
http://www.simplysup.com/tremover/download.html
It's got a 30 day trial.
Today, Sat, we're out for the balance of the day but could try this tomorrow if you think this looks like an ok place to to download your suggestion.
Thanks in advance, solita


Oh forgot to mention that what ever got into our computer hijacks our privacy settings in Internet Explorier...no matter how many times we change back to our usual Medium or Medium High for dealing with cookies, it always reverts back to Accept All Cookies..... :cry2

yeah that looks fine - try it out - i was reading some more about this software and a few people mentioned ongoing issues they were having with various programs being hi-jacked and this was the first software that actually helped and cleaned everything up. good luck!

molsongrrl,
Thanks for the suggestions and support. Sent pm.

Tried Trojan. Still plagued by Webbuying and Darksma downloading.
What about Stinger by Macafee...recommended by cable provider.

ss

well i pm'ed you back - i'm going to do some more research and see what i can find. and i also sent you another suggestion - not sure if you'll like that one though!