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Computer question 2010, security software

A

alfablue

Banned
I'm sure some of you all know a lot more about computer security and utilities than I do. So here is goes.

Right now, I have two home computers that run Norton Systemworks- basically a anti-virus + some system utilities program. Well, I'm not all that happy with it- when I run the basic scan, one one of my computers there are some registry errors that are never repaired, and a host of internet tracking things that it tells me are cleared but they always come back.

I've tried Mckafee- or however its spelled- and it just takes WAY to much operating space, and just gums up the works- very frustrating.

So instead of re-subscribing to Norton, I'd thought I'd open up the option to changing programs. Both computers run Windows XP for home- one is a media edition- but that shouldn't matter, and I have no obvious reasons to change the OS. I need something that does decent work to keep viruses out, cleans ones that get in, and does a very good job at fixing problems that slow my computer down.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

Back in my pre-Mac daze, I was very happy with the free Avast! AV products. However, I have not used it for a few years. I found Symantec and McAfee products to be major resource hogs and no more effective.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

There was a weekly column in my hometown newspaper and the guy started a website (securitytango.com) to standardize the steps that users would consistently undertake. The steps are thorough and useful, but IMO a little overkill. A good firewall, a good anti-virus program and some form of anti-malware should be sufficient.

Personally, I use AVG as it is free and does its job fine. It is not as memory- or processor-intensive as McAfee or Symantec, which are also loaded with tons of extra crap which are fairly useless and still consume way too many resources. In order to reduce the effect that I see from AVG screens, I have it run its scans during the day while I'm at work or class. (Of course, I also leave my machine on pretty much 24/7.)

I hope that this helps. There are plenty of free alternatives and the "security suites" offered by big-name companies are probably some of the worst packages put out there. The main thing to be concerned about is keeping the definition files up to date. If the program doesn't know about half of the new viruses that are out there, you could be in trouble pretty quickly.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

AVG is the way to go.

Advanced SystemCare is a great program for things like registry errors, malware, and other clutter you want to clean up, just make sure you set it to not run at start-up and that you manually run it about once a month. It's also free.

Smart DeFrag is the best defrag program I've found. Again, free.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

AVG just released a new version 9. It seems to be even faster at scanning once you optimize the scan. I have used AVG along with Spybot and Malwarebytes for years and been very happy. I am sure others have similar experience with other programs but these do not seem to interfere much and they are rather simple to set up and use.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

ScoobyDoo said:
...
Norton/Symantec and Mcafee suck resources and destroy performance.
Click to expand...
I agree - They both act like trojan/virus programs that you load and install yourself. They bog down a system more than I can stand. Mcafee in particular (haven't used Norton for a while) continually goes to its servers and downloads and installs 'upgrades' behind the scenes, then requires you to restart your computer. Very annoying; and what else are they sending back and forth? Probably nothing, but it still bothers me.

Try some anti-spyware software, like LavaSoft's Ad-Aware or SpywareBlaster, which will remove trojans/spyware and prevent them from coming back.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

ScottM said:
Back in my pre-Mac daze, I was very happy with the free Avast! AV products. However, I have not used it for a few years. I found Symantec and McAfee products to be major resource hogs and no more effective.
Click to expand...

I also use Avast! at home, and have for a few years since I got rid of Norton. I'll vouch for the other complaints against the Norton package.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

I use a combination of Ad-Aware and Prevx on my new PC. Haven't run into any problems yet, and my computer's still running smoothly compared to my old one with McAfee on it.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

Thanks, all- AVG seems to be the most common suggestion, so I'll start with it. Please feel free to keep listing suggestions, though.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

There is something to look out for with AVG.

There's a free version and a pay version that has bells and whistles. The website tries to steer you to the pay version.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

CLS said:
There is something to look out for with AVG.

There's a free version and a pay version that has bells and whistles. The website tries to steer you to the pay version.
Click to expand...

A great point. Stick with the free version, the pay version doesn't add anything that you actually need.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

moe24 said:
A great point. Stick with the free version, the pay version doesn't add anything that you actually need.
Click to expand...

Good to know as I have AVG and was contemplating upgrading to the pay version.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

I always used AVG and Spybot S&D when I ran XP. Now I use Linux, so I don't really have to worry about that crap :D
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

Ok, I think I'm 90% down a path.

But a few curveballs- I found out that Norton is very "smart"- so that depending on the level of viruses, it will not be defeated. What does that mean to me? It's quite hard to really remove the software. I hear that Symatic has a removal tool that will get it all. But.

A different option has been posed- using Norton 360- apparently, it's much better in terms of resources, and it's a lot more modern software. So it sounds more effective than what I have. And the added benefit that it would know to remove all of the parts of Norton System.

So I know AGV is the popular choice, and probably the path I will go- BUT, does anyone have experience with Norton 360? The IT people who suggested it are quite happy with it.
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

alfablue said:
Ok, I think I'm 90% down a path.

But a few curveballs- I found out that Norton is very "smart"- so that depending on the level of viruses, it will not be defeated. What does that mean to me? It's quite hard to really remove the software. I hear that Symatic has a removal tool that will get it all. But.

A different option has been posed- using Norton 360- apparently, it's much better in terms of resources, and it's a lot more modern software. So it sounds more effective than what I have. And the added benefit that it would know to remove all of the parts of Norton System.

So I know AGV is the popular choice, and probably the path I will go- BUT, does anyone have experience with Norton 360? The IT people who suggested it are quite happy with it.
Click to expand...

I do not have experience with Norton 360 but I do have experience with the Norton Antivirus removal tools. I had used them to clean 3 XP computers and then install AVG free AV on all 3. The tools are simple to use and quite effective. I have had no conflicts from Norton leftovers on any of the computers and AVG is running well on all 3. In the current economy-free is not a bad choice!
 
Re: Computer question 2010, security software

DrDemento said:
I do not have experience with Norton 360 but I do have experience with the Norton Antivirus removal tools.
Click to expand...

Did you find the removal tools on the Symatic website? Or someplace else?

I really appreciate the help!
 
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