Security Software + Nod32

I just received my 9500t and it came preinstalled with Norton. I haven't had too many good experiences with Norton. I currently have McAfee on the desktop at home and it is O-K. I'm looking to uninstall Norton, but I don't want to until I have an alternative security software. I can get McAfee for cheap w/a military discount, but before I go with that option, I was wondering if those with NOD32 could give me like a mini-review and if its definately worth the purchase over McAfee. If it matters, I have Windows Vista Home Premium. Thanks in advance!

Also, for those with lightscribe, I can't find the software on my computer so I'm assuming I have to go to the website to dl the software...

 

I just switched from Trend Micro to NOD32. I haven't used it on Vista long but I liked it on XP. My desktop booted faster with Nod (takes me 15-20 seconds to get on web after desktop appears) even though the Trend was pretty good that way (it was 2006 version). Nod scans in Safe Mode too. The definition updates come all day so you don't need to wait as I recall doing with Norton when I had it 3 years ago. Nod has a lot of scan options too. On the other hand it doesnt try to do firewalls, adware and other things like phishing sites. It seems whenever I find a good app they can't leave it along and start to pack crap on it. They try to protect people from so many things (or SAY they do) that the app becomes complicatd to use anyway. Nod scans fast (as did Trend). I used some highly rated AV apps that take 4 hours to scan with (ZoneAlarm and Kaprisky were like that when I tried them). Heck with that.

You can use trial version of NOD for a month. I finally bought OEM version at Newegg for 25.00. I tried the free AVG AV and that was better than Norton too. I would have stuck with Trend but I read too much about "bloat" AND they wanted 50 bucks to renew.

 

Norton sucks. Get rid of it. The best way to get rid of it is to do a clean install (follow my guide, in my sig). Norton is one of those notorious things that even if you try to uninstall it, it leaves lots of crap behind.

As far as good tools, I recommend AVG Free, because it's really good, and it's free. From what I hear, if you're willing to pay some money, NOD32 is currently the best you can get.

For firewall, ZoneAlarm free always seems to get good ratings. It doesn't work yet on 64bit Vista, but they have a version for 32bit Vista (what most people probably have).

I usually avoid the "all in one" type software, as they might have one good thing, but not the other.

Also, the ABSOLUTE BEST THING you can do for your security is stop using Internet Explorer and use Firefox instead. Really, this is the BIGGEST thing you can do if you are worried about security.

 

It seems all I do is follow behind Orev and say...

I agree 100%!

 

Never have two (or dare I say more) anti-virus programs installed at once. It can confuse them, especially if Norton is in the batch.

Stop all Internet access to your notebook, uninstall Norton, then install the anti-virus software of your choice.

I know what a ***** (pardon my language) Norton can be to uninstall. I'm planning to get a new laptop in the coming days. I'm definitely getting rid of Norton, no questions there. My question is as follows: Can I successfully uninstall Norton on my new notebook without screwing it up completely? I'm not too keen on re-installing Vista if it's already installed.

You know what would be good? If we all got restore discs with the purchase of new notebooks. We'd pop the CD's in and choose whether we want to install Norton along with Vista and presto.

EDIT: The word that got censored started with a "B" and ended in "itch".

 

I'll toss my vote in for CA EZ Antivirus 2007. I've seen it as low as $9.99 for a 1 year 3-user pack. It may not be free but it works very well without using much resources.

 

i 100% agree with orev. DITCH IE...GET FIREFOX..thats the first thing, then get rid of Norton bloat and get NOD32 or Kaspersky. Then install ZoneAlarm for software firewall. Once you install Zonealarm, you can stop the windows firewall service. I would also suggest Spybot Search & Destroy, SpywareBlaster, Lavasoft Adaware for spyware, and a-squared free for trojans and such.

 

i haven't used either of those but let me give you a really good solution avast anti virus.

High points
* Its Free
*Pre Boot Scan to get viruses in windows folders
*updates every day
*Resident shield watches your downloads if your downloading a virus it terminates the d/l
*Scans Email Automatically
*when your pc is idle it makes backups of your files inclse you ever do get a virus it will restore back to that file.

it also has settings for im's it blocks scripts, psp settings and much more

my hp came with that installed as well i immediately uninstalled it and installed the free avast i wouldn't trust my new 1600$ laptop with anything but avast

Try avast before you buy anything what do you have to lose

 

I am behind a router, so I don't need a firewall.

But for an antivirus I am using NOD32 for couple of years. And if you need a firewall use Komodo, because it is good and freeware.

For adware, spyware protection I use Spybot search&destroy which is also freeware and haven't had a serious problems since 2 years.

 

NOD32..definitely recommended.

Firefox..always beating the same drum. I use Maxthon (an IE shell) and Opera and I've had no issues whatsoever. Firefox is strictly third choice for me.

If you want a firewall..Look 'n' Stop is excellent if tricky for new users.

 

I relocated my Windows Vista Home Premium Security post here because it's easier for me to to edit and maintain it in that form, but the information is still there!

 

Maxthon, as you pointed out, is an IE shell. That means that pretty much ALL of the security issues that affect IE also affect Maxthon. All maxthon does is give you tabs and some other interesting features.

 

Ah yes, those security issues that I've never experienced...Boy, there's nothing more dull than FF bores and they've infected (ironically) most of the web.

If you want different browser..always pick Opera over FF.

 

...or the opera fanboys who are also beating that drum...

Anyway, the point is to use something other than IE.

 

No, that's your point..

 

We use Spyware Doctor at the office and I think it's the biggest memory hog after Norton... I can't bare to have it on my machine as it slows down the windows startup process and just about every other program you open.

Do you actually find it worth using in "active" mode?

 

I'd steer clear of McAfee, it has a background scanner running that will significantly slow the machine and it's hard to disable.

 

Thanks for the info everyone! I downloaded the free trial of Nod32 and have had no problems with it so far. Once my trial is up, I'm going to try Avast and some of your other suggestions before I decide which one to go with. Thanks again!

 

how about onecare from microsoft? Does anyone have any experiences with that?

 

I just have a problem with buying something from a company who's security lapses are the reason the market exists.

 

NOD32 is the best. Doesn't use every much resources.

 

Touché . I did use the trial once and did have no problems with it though. Then again, i don't visit many obscure sites, and I know what links and emails not to trust..

 

I do not show SpyWare Doctor to be "hogging memory"

 

I'm curious to know what setting your have your active scanning set to.

I'll have to activate it again and see what results I was getting.

 

The free SpyWareDoctor may be different than the cost version, too. Let me know what in particular you want to know about, be specific, and I'll look at my configuration for comparative purposes.

 

That screenshot shows only the "tray" process, which basically just shows the icon in the system tray. You need to actually open the program to show the real memory usage.

 

We are using the paid version at the office. I know that when I had it on my workstation, it slowed down every aspect of the computer - that is until I disabled it from loading.

As an on-demand scanner it was alright, but not for real-time scanning. I'll give it another go to compare.

 

I cannot tell you how your experience might be, but PC Tools Spyware Doctor does not adversely affect the performance of my PC in any noticeable way.

 

64,244K with active scanning on... It will be off of my system by the end of the day

 

I see that you have V4. I am running V5 (free), so there is one difference.

 

Hmmm, perhaps the best things in life are free! I'm just glad my boss paid for this!

On my laptop I use AOL Active Virus Shield (Kaspersky) and Windows Defender... and of course a few of the popular freebies to