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    Security Package

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by River Hill, Sep 29, 2005.

  1. River Hill

    River Hill Newbie

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    What are your thoughts on the security package? Is there a cheaper or better option when purchasing new?
     
    River Hill, Sep 29, 2005
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  2. Brando551

    Brando551 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Depends on whether you like Norton or Mcafee... A lot of people don't like either one, and there are quite a few free firewalls and AV programs out there as well.

    Check out this thread here
     
    Brando551, Sep 29, 2005
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  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I'd use FireFiox, ZoneAlarm, AVG Free and get your mail on Yahoo.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 29, 2005
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  4. qwertyuiop

    qwertyuiop Notebook Enthusiast

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    McAfee slows your computer down at startup, and it can be annoying. Norton gobbles up memory as well.

    I'd use:
    avast! home edition (free virus scanner: it's really good)
    windows xp firewall
    zonealarm firewall (free version)
    spybot search&destroy (free spyware blocker)
    lavasoft ad-aware (free spyware blocker)
    mozilla firefox (secure browsing)
    mozilla thunderbird (for e-mail, spam-blocking)

    Use msconfig to completely disable McAfee or Norton, and you'll be fine.
     
    qwertyuiop, Oct 15, 2005
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  5. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Mcafee is the better virus protection. I dont see how it slows start up which is only like 3 seconds. Its nice protection and all around, one of the best antivirus protection. I had Norton and it almost killed my laptop and its not a strong protection.
     
    nickspohn, Oct 15, 2005
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  6. rasputinj

    rasputinj Notebook Consultant

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    McAfee eats up less ram than Norton, I am a big Norton fan, but use corporate McAfee at work and have had good sucess with it. I also have a few pcs with TrendMicro and it works well also.

    Do not purchase from Dell, purchase from Amazon, Compusa, Buy.com. If you have an older version of McAfee, Norton, use it for the upgrade rebates.
     
    rasputinj, Oct 16, 2005
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  7. qwertyuiop

    qwertyuiop Notebook Enthusiast

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    For me, McAfee/Norton is pretty fast on new computers, but as time goes on, the startup lag becomes really noticable. Changing to the free software I mentioned earlier solves the problem; my old computer on Pentium III 866mhz and 128Mb RAM starts up in like 5 seconds between login time and being able to do something with free security software, compared to my 1-year-old Pentium IV HT 3ghz and 512mb RAM with McAfee taking 25 seconds.
     
    qwertyuiop, Oct 16, 2005
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  8. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Well all in all what would be better? A couple seconds longer in start up, or a destroyed computer from a virus? Mcafee will actually find it and clean it automatically without you doing anything. It also catches PUPs which arent major but it does stop them. Automatic updates, support. I would go with mcafee which counsidently i get free since i have comcast.
     
    nickspohn, Oct 16, 2005
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  9. qwertyuiop

    qwertyuiop Notebook Enthusiast

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    actually, avast! anti-virus also offers automatic updates and will actively scan all activity on your computer for viruses as well. I never use customer support for these things, so that's not an issue for me. avast! has been unbelievably reliable and trustworthy in my experience.
     
    qwertyuiop, Oct 17, 2005
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