Norton 2007

[tommo]

My subscription ends in a month. Should I renew it or are there other free anti virus's with similar protection.

[The Builder]

No...........AVG (free) to name just one :-)

[ojread2]

Avast is better than AVG
Norton is cr*p
Does your ISP not provide free anti virus?

[tommo]

Don't think so.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):
This question comes up quite often. There seems to be almost complete consensus that you should avoid Norton because
(a) it costs money ; and
(b) it has a nasty habit of slowing the performance of PCs.

Exactly the same criticisms are also levelled at McAfee.

The most popular free anti-virus solution, with ABers, is AVG Free Edition. (It repeatedly scores 100% in tests carried by the computing press and other independent reviewers):
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/

Some ABers prefer Avast Home Edition. It also has a very good reputation:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

As you've probably got the full Norton suite, that means that you'll need to replace your firewall as well as your anti-virus software. The most popular product is Zone Alarm Free Edition:
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog /products/znalm/comparison.jsp

The Comodo firewall also has got quite a few fans among ABers:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

[Buenchico]

You'll also need an anti-spyware product, such as Ad-Aware 2007 Free:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_f ree.php
and / or Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

IMPORTANT: You should never have two anti-virus products operating simultaneously. (It can cause serious system conflicts). Even though your Norton subscription may expire, some of its functions will continue operating. You must fully remove Norton before installing either AVG or Avast. This can't be done from 'Add/Remove Programs'. You have to use the Norton Removal Tool, which you can download from here:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo .nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Similarly, you shouldn't have two firewalls running simultaneously. (Use Zone Alarm or Comodo, not both). However, because they're 'run on demand' programs (rather than 'run in background'), you can have both Ad-Aware and Spybot on your PC.

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

Sorry B ... but that's not true .... no prog ever gets 100%
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/155/antivirus-soft ware/products.html


avg always scores well in the value for money section (as you'd expect) ... but not in detection. (in recent tests it scored only 83%) .... http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/120451/avg-antivir us-free-edition.html

the free version scans for viruses ... but doesn't have real time protection .... so the time taken to neutralise the infection depends on the user's scanning timetable

AVIRA is now the freebie "darling" in the mags (PCPro & PCW) with a 92% detection rate
but again ... no real time protection
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/120448/kaspersky-a ntivirus-7.html

all the bought versions DO provide real time scanning
Kaspersky scored 98% (the kasdpersky engine is also used by steganos which costs less and got the same results)

and Noron 360 is on the most wanted list for PCPro (it IS expensive though)
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/110678/norton-3 60.html

[tommo]

Thanks to you all for your reply's. There's so many alternatives and obviously everyone has an opinion as to what's the best. I have seen previously that you have to remove Norton completey 1st previously on this site. . I have until mid November before I have to decide so I think that I will wait to see if any other alternatives besides the ones mentioned come up on this site. But thanks again to you all.

[ACtheTROLL]

opinions is what we do. ;-)

the mags generally don't have an axe to grind .... and test quite thoroughly - my money is with them ... their recommendation is far more reliable than ours in this sort of area

as for removal ... be thorough norton is famous for this

when the time comes
you can d/l the removal tool from the symantec site
just google "remove norton 200x" (complete your version 2007?)