Norton Anti Virus
- Thread starter dondada7
- Start date
Wilson Grant Fisk
Elite Member
- Nov 10, 2012
- 15,677
- 46,839
Just use MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) it is fine and does the job.
If you are still worried use these as secondary scanners.
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download http://www.malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware http://www.superantispyware.com/
Use the free versions and you will be covered and you should see a performance boost now you have dumped Norton.
If you are still worried use these as secondary scanners.
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download http://www.malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware http://www.superantispyware.com/
Use the free versions and you will be covered and you should see a performance boost now you have dumped Norton.
TheApocalypse
Registered Member
- Aug 5, 2013
- 51
- 32
Avast and Malwarebytes! 
Nigel Farage
BANNED
- Feb 8, 2012
- 565
- 1,502
antimalwarebytes seems to be the most popular. There are several good free ones, and none are really "better" as they all have strengths and weaknesses.
1st thing is to make certain to completely remove all traces of the previous AV softwares. I use Revo (free) and then run the specific tool to remove the software. Norton AV Remover, AVG Remover, etc... Do this before installing the next one.
Here's my standard lecture:
There are 3 components for computer security, and the AV software is only the 3rd one. No software can keep a computer safe when the User is stupid and/or determined to get infected. Browser behavior is the primary reason computers get infected.
1) Windows Updates are current. WU closes security holes as they are discovered.
2) Firewall
3) AV software. Better to make sure the malware doesn't get onboard by controlling browser behavior, closing security holes and having a good firewall in place. AV software works after it's too late.
Meaning, don't have too much faith in your AV software. People that do get infected a lot more frequently than people that do not.
1st thing is to make certain to completely remove all traces of the previous AV softwares. I use Revo (free) and then run the specific tool to remove the software. Norton AV Remover, AVG Remover, etc... Do this before installing the next one.
Here's my standard lecture:
There are 3 components for computer security, and the AV software is only the 3rd one. No software can keep a computer safe when the User is stupid and/or determined to get infected. Browser behavior is the primary reason computers get infected.
1) Windows Updates are current. WU closes security holes as they are discovered.
2) Firewall
3) AV software. Better to make sure the malware doesn't get onboard by controlling browser behavior, closing security holes and having a good firewall in place. AV software works after it's too late.
Meaning, don't have too much faith in your AV software. People that do get infected a lot more frequently than people that do not.
dondada7
Power Member
- Jun 17, 2013
- 766
- 301
What's the purpose of having to remove all traces of the previous software? And ye I'm going to have to stop downloading shady files I had too much faith in Norton
brickharbor
Junior Member
- Jun 19, 2012
- 170
- 73
This is exactly what I use. I used to have Norton for a long time, then I got Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware, did a scan with both of them and realised Norton did pretty much F all. Also my laptop is so much quicker without it now.
Nigel Farage
BANNED
- Feb 8, 2012
- 565
- 1,502
Installing a new AV on a system with the old AV still active is bad. The conflict, work at cross-purposes and having more than one will slow the system down dramatically. Installing an AV in a computer that is infected is also bad. There's a chance that, after the install, the machine will stop booting to desktop completely.
+1 to Kaspersky. Great things come with a price. Install Kaspersky Internet Security and forget about everything. Been using it for the past 4 years and never had a intrusion attack or a malware attack. Simply the best one
You WON'T get complete protection with the free ones lying around.
Comparing free AV with the paid AV is just not right and it is like comparing WordAI or any other premium spinners with the free spinners.
DunDidIt2X
Elite Member
- Mar 22, 2012
- 2,863
- 2,432
Avast has the very best free AV that you can get. Lots of other companies charge money for some of the features Avast gives away for free. Also Avast you can do boot-time scans, which are very thorough and good detecting if there is any root kits and such hiding on the disc.
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DunDidIt2X
Elite Member
- Mar 22, 2012
- 2,863
- 2,432
- Sep 17, 2008
- 6,037
- 3,974
In 2013 lol
But on the topic, as this will always be an ongoing argument, nobody should ever pay for something like Norton as it is fucking terrible.
If anyone is using SEO software regularly on their home machine they should be using a far more lightweight AV solution that does not interfere with web requests. Microsoft's Security Essentials / Defender should be enough for the vast majority of people with the occasional Malwarebytes scan to back it up.