Author Topic: Re: Antivirus Software help (Read 9348 times)

SharonAnn · « **on:** December 30, 2006, 09:17:00 AM »

I have a couple of new computers I need to protect. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best one to use these days? It's just for our 3 home computers on a home network. Norton seems to have the market cornered but it really slows things down.

JohnnyCastaway · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2006, 09:50:00 AM »

if these are home computers, then have a look at free avg. Its the one that I recommend to all my clients for home use. As for Norton, stay far away from it. The website is at http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

this product is free for home use only.

lizzylobs · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2006, 10:21:00 AM »

Agree with JohnyC ...I had Norton for years but have recently ditched it for Avg ..much better and faster .......and FREE !!!

Charmainiac · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2006, 11:13:00 AM »

I used to use AVG - long before the rest of the world found out about it - I have geeky friends who KNOW about these things! Anyway, I was told by some paid-for-teckie-head that I should switch to a "brand name". So with my Rogers package I get Norton...but have been considering switching back.
Now, how the heck do I unravel all the Norton components from my Rogers package so that I can load AVG?
Is it a simple case of "Add/Remove Software" through the Control Panel or is there more to it?
:confused:

JohnnyCastaway · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2006, 11:24:00 AM »

Hi Char,
the Add/Remove should take care of getting everything out of there, at least the major components, but it still leaves some "hooks" in the system.

that's my beef with Norton, it sinks its claws into everything. :xixyi:

Charmainiac · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2006, 11:43:00 AM »

Ahh yes! The "hooks"! That's why I asked...
Is there ANY way to get rid of them? (short of become a so-called "teckie-geek" myself) :rof:

Gambitt · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2006, 12:56:00 PM »

Thanks John

I'm now running AVG..

I too got rid of Norton, but boy was it a headache. Sorry Charmaine, but it does take a fair bit of work to get rid of the last of Norton.

Not sure how much more it does, but there is an uninstaller available here:
Here

JohnnyCastaway · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2006, 01:05:00 PM »

the best way that i can suggest without doing any registry editing is to uninstall norton from the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS, then uninstall any norton utilities that get left behind (live update or symantec live update --> make sure you don't have any other Norton/Symantec programs that rely on those). Once that's done go and get a program called CCleaner (It's real name is called Crap Cleaner, CCleaner is a more friendly name) and run the registry fix section there, that looks for the "orphaned" dll's and hooks. It works really well, and actually should be run one per month.

http://www.ccleaner.com/ is the website.

one word of Caution with CCleaner is that if you run the general clean up, it kills all your cookies too, so if you have any websites that log you in automagically, you will lose those logins, so you will have to remember your login names and passwords. The upside to that is that you can tell it not to clear the cookies, or you can look at the list of files that it's going to clean and de-select the important cookies, but if there's a lot, it can be an quite the task.

Charmainiac · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2006, 02:01:00 PM »

Thanks you guys. I think I'll do this a bit later tonight and if I run into trouble I'll let you know.
And thanks to you John, I'm already the happy runner of CCleaner...when you introduced us to it earlier in the year!
Alright, I'm going to make my first trip out in 3 days, to pick up our tickets for Cuba...wish me luck!

lizzylobs · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2006, 02:58:00 PM »

Hi - I uninstalled Norton in the add/remove programme and then ran this Norton removal tool to clear it off completley ;)

SharonAnn · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2006, 03:33:00 PM »

Thanks for the tips. I was running AVG for a long time but I too got sucked into loading Norton back on when it came as part of my Rogers internet package. Boy did my computer ever slow down!! I've got a clean machine to set up for my daughter so I'll load AVG for her and skip the Norton.

Gambitt · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2006, 05:25:00 PM »

SharonAnn

If you don't want to install AVG on the other computers, you can just map the network drive, on another computer on you network, and then scan it from the main computer.

Milli · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2006, 01:03:00 PM »

I too have Norton with my Rogers Internet. Why would you not recommend it? Mind you all my web surfing is for information and for the travel message boards and MSN. MacAfee was a nightmare for us. If I uninstalled Norton according to all the instructions here and used the one that is recommended what difference might I notice?

JohnnyCastaway · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2006, 02:59:00 PM »

The big difference that you'd notice is an increase in speed, not huge, but an increase none the less. Norton likes to get it's paws on everything, and in most cases adds about 20-25% overhead onto your system, eating valuable resources. McAfee used to be a better choice, but now it's as bad as Norton. I've seen Norton's do some stupid things to computers, that's why i try to stay away from it when i can.

Some will argue against me, I've heard people say that they love it and wouldn't go with anything else. Personally, I'd sooner go with nothing, however with AVG Free Edition for Home use, it's a much better alternative.

SharonAnn · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:53:00 PM »

Well, I've uninstalled Norton using the uninstaller available on the Norton website, installed AVG anti-virus and AVG anti-spyware (new I think?) and updated and ran CC Cleaner. Things are running a little faster. I don't know why I switched from AVG to Norton in the first place. I should know better than to take Rogers TV advice. :roll: I'll be sure to keep Norton completely off my daughters new computer when I finally get around to setting it up.

Thanks for all your help.