Alternatives to Norton Internet Security and Antivirus?

Hey Guys,

Could you recommend three products that are better or just as good as Norton Internet Security ...

.. and three more that are better or just as good Norton Antivirus.

I'm sick of having to pay for a new one every year and the resource hogging!!!

 

AVG/Avast!/Kapersky.

 

I have ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. And I love it, I only paid once for virtually unlimited updates and no resouce hogging.

JC

 

AVG and Avast can't match the detection rates of Norton.

Kaspersky/NOD32/Trend Micro PC-Cillin

Each of those products have excellent detection rates and use reletively low amounts of memory. NOD32 is highly recommended, but if you want a whole suite you should look at Kaspersky.

 

Avast or AVG - Antivirus
Win Defender/Adaware/Spybot - Antispyware
Zonealarm/Keiro/Comodo - Firewall

All are free and pretty good.

 

If you're into the "larger companies", look into Trend Micro PC-Cillin. Its light (not a resource hogger like Norton), strong (I have no first hand experience, but should be as powerful as Norton at detecting viruses). Otherwise, if you don't mind the "smaller" companies, look into ZoneAlarm or AVG Antivirus.

 

Avira makes a good antivirus program called Antivir. Its detection rates are supposed to be pretty good and it's available for free and purchase.

 

I have 3 newer machines running Microsoft OneCare which is firewall, antivirus, antispyware and also has a utility for deleting un-needed files and automates de-fraging. $60.00 for up to three machines.

I also have an older laptop running Nod32,Windows Defender and Windows Firewall.

The MS OneCare seems to run as lite as Nod32 IMHO.

I would be interested if anyone else has tried OneCare and what their thoughts on it are!

 

On the loder laptop I previously ran Norton but dumped because it slowed the system down too much. I was very impressed by the difference changing to Nod32 made.

 

I'm running Computer Associates anti-virus and Windows Defender for anti-spyware. CA has a free one-year license and Defender is free. Both do automatic updates, and don't hog resources nearly as much as Norton.

 

Kaspersky and NOD32 are the best paid alternative to NAV. AVG, Avast, or Avira's AntiVir are the best free alternative to NAV.

CA and/or ZA's antivirus engine is not that powerful, and testing has proven that AVG/Avast are equal, if not better than them. Windows OneCare should be used as a last resort ... not a primary defence. Windows Defender is for antispyware, and is comparable to Spybot SD and Ad-Aware SE Personal, however since its in Beta 2 still, it has corresponding errors and flaws which alternatives don't have. If you want info. about detection rates, go to www.av-comparatives.org; they have the most comprensive online AV testing information available.

 

AOL offers the free Active Virus Shield, a limited version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus. I haven't tried it but it may be worth a look.

 

AOL security?!? PASS....

I probably never recommend AOL, Norton AV 2006, Internet Security, or SystemWorks.

For consumer level firewall:

ZoneAlarm (non-Pro) :

free and very simple to use, numerous awards for this firewall compared to the competition (ex. Norton, McAffee, etc)

Note: The firewall is the frontline for internet security. Technically, you should not need an AV if you use the firewall correctly and do not go to questionable sites (where you can get infected crap).
___________________________________________________________________
If you really want an Anti-Virus:
(most AV's purpose is to handle Viruses and should NOT try to do the rest, like Spyware and Firewall.... not great quality product if it tries to do too many things)
The best AVs are the ones that you DO NOT have to keep paying for.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

free AV program, does what it needs to do for viruses, and its automated.

Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate Edition (highly recommended)

(this aint no Norton crap)
-hands down one of the best AVs in the world, in terms of who uses it (true virus/malware removal, schools, corporations, high-level servers, etc.), its a simple GUI (low resource usage) with a load of power behind it (scans through the networks, supports Lotus and MS Exchange)
-if you get a hold of one, there are NO subscriptions, NO limits on how many computers (client or server) that it can be installed onto, and FREE UPDATES for life (definitions).
-its actually being sold wholesale on eBay for $30!!!!!. (i had clients buy them already, all legit and real)

Hope this helps,
-Gophn

P.S. Avoid anything that has the words: Suite, Works, etc in it for computer security.... Its not a great deal when you realize all the crap that gets installed with them.... The horror... the unspeakable "resource hogging" horror.

 

Thanks alot guys.

I guess one question that has risen whilst reading your replies is ...

Are paid AV and Firewalls better than the free ones?

 

not always, i found from my extrensive testing for Free and Commercially bought PC security programs is that:
-Free programs, overall, do a better and more efficient job than one you pay for.
-and the resources taken up a much more minimal in free ones.

 

zone alarm pro
nod32
spybots/adaware