updating norton internet security

[charlieboys1]

I've asked the question of removing Norton Internet security 2007 but I've looked online and at PC would I can get the same Norton Internet security for �25 that's cheaper then if I update my old version which they want �40 for the download, if I do buy this new version 2008 will it just update my old version or will I have to still remove my old version, removing my old version from my computer completely seems a bit of a nightmare when I looked at what I'll have to do.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Removing Norton completely isn't 'a bit of a nightmare'. You simply download the removal tool and run the software. (All the other stuff on the Symantec website is about saving your product key. If you're going to do a fresh install of Norton 2008 or, better, use something completely different, you can ignore it).

If you were to install Norton 2008, from PC World, it would probably be best to uninstall the 2007 version first. However, as has been repeatedly stated by a large number of the 'regulars', here on AB's Technology section, installing any version of Norton is complete madness anyway. Both Norton and its biggest 'paid for' rival, McAfee, are known to be 'resource hungry' and slow many PCs to a crawl. The computer press repeatedly advise against installing them.

You should never need to pay for security software. The free stuff repeatedly scores as well or (usually) higher than commercial programs in independent tests.

[Buenchico]

The majority of AB's 'regulars' use Zone Alarm Free Edition as their firewall:
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company /products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
(Use the download link on the right of that page, not the bright green one which leads to a time-limited trial of a commercial product).

The most popular free alternative to Zone Alarm is Comodo:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

The most popular free anti-virus software is AVG:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/
(Use the download link at the bottom of the right-hand column).

Some people prefer Avast! as their free anti-virus solution:
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.h tml

You should install just one firewall and one anti-virus program, to avoid possible software conflicts. However, you can have as many anti-spyware programs as you like. Many ABers have both Ad-Aware and SpyBot (both free) on their PCs:
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/ad_aware_free.php

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Ditch Norton, install some decent (free) software and put your money to better use.

Chris

[Doc Spock]

I agree, do not buy anything.

AVG is superb
Also free is spybot search and destroy.

[Panic Button]

Don't worry, I had the same fears but had no problem.

I had Norton 2005 on my computer and recently bought 2006 dirt cheap on ebay. When it arrived it said it was a disc for a new computer, so I wondered if I should uninstall first.

However I was worried my computer would throw a wobbler with it removed, so I experimentally put the disc in.

I was worried doing this too in case the massed armies of 2005 and 2006 did battle on my hard drive.

No problem. It just took it in and went through the set up process without so much as a warning message. It didn't transfer settings, so acted as a new programme asking what I wanted and going through a period of learning.

In a years time I will look for a cheap 2007 disc on ebay again.

Personally I feel happier with my limited knowledge of the giblets of a computer to buy a complete security package from a professional company, that is automatically updated. I would not feel comfortable trying to build a free security blanket of my own, in case I missed something or got a rubbish programme.

[neuron]

ZoneAlarm eh? Well, in some circumstances it's not al;ways as good as it's fans claim.

I've got a paid version of Norton 2007 on my PC. The NAV was updated via a "special offer" with my ISP. I used the Norton Firewall for some months until for a reason I've never been able to fathom, it stopped me getting on the web - the standard page was displayed asking me to check network connections and firewalls etc. I decided to install ZoneAlarm sharpish and for months it worked OK.

This weekend I had a message saying there was an update available and it asked me if I wanted to install it. Foolishly, I said yes. When it was finished, I could not install it as it said I needed SP2 on my PC. I couldn't revert back to a previous version as the new one had uninstalled it. It also messed up my system restore so I could not go back a day. I was now helpless at the mercy of hackers. I then tried Comodo, which again downloaded but would not install as it needed SP2. As a last resort, I tried Norton again and found to my amazement that it worked fine.

So why haven't I got SP2? Well it's simple. It's because I have a pirated version of XP Pro on my PC and the authentication system won't allow me to download them. I object to paying ridiculous sums to line Bill Gates's pockets and if this is the price I have to pay, so be it. I'll stick with Norton which doesn't want to poke it's nose inside the giblets of my PC before installing itself.

Remember that sometimes these free programs are not always what they're made out to be.

[jno]

neuron steals something and then complains that it doesn't work properly; a sad story indeed.

[rojash]

"Remember that sometimes these free programs are not always what they're made out to be. "

It's irony week on AB!

Steal a paid-for program, then refuse to use a free program because it won't work with your stolen software. I'm gonna be laughing about this for weeks.

[Yorks lad]

Just a quick note for all you guys that have spybot on your computers as it protects you from spywear it is in fact a piece of spywear itself as it's what is called a keylogger so every thing you type and every site you go to is being recorded.

[ACtheTROLL]

yorks lad

have you actually got spybot

the name is so unweildy that the phishers have a field day

the "real" spybot is a legit (and very respected) prog

but there are also many malware variants for the poor zpellers

[Panic Button]

These recent posts only serve to convince me, I am never going to try these ways of trying to do it without paying. I will stick to Norton.

Why try to protect yourself from computer geeks that you don't know, by taking free programmes from computer geeks that you don't know?

[fo3nix]

Panic: instead, you think you're protecting yourself by paying a bunch of idiots passing themselves off as computer geeks.

Just because you pay money for something, doesn't mean it's better.

[ACtheTROLL]

fo3nix

of course it does ... the more you pay ... the better it is.... it stands to sense
..... and if you can get a red one ....
(actually in the case of iPods ... its a white one isn't it!)
if it's worth having ... it's worth stealing
(just look at macs ... how many ppl would steal a leopard?)

this thread reminds me of the guy who sued the bloke who's house he was breaking into because the ladder he stole to do it was faulty