Anti-Virus software help/opinions please

[Booknut]

We are having some major issues with the free Norton anti-virus we got with our computer last year. It should have 3 months left on it but when I try to upload new updates it keeps saying installation has failed and gives me no reason. And I think at the moment something must have infected our computer because I keep getting errors saying 'you do not have the security certificate for this site' etc for simple things like the Yahoo log-in.

So tomorrow we're going to buy a new one and uninstall Norton (which DH has never liked anyway!) and was wondering if you guys had any you could recommend?

Thanks so much

 

[natalielongstaff]

i can't reccomend any sorry but i have never heard good things about Norton !

 

[Minniespal]

Eloise we have AVG and it seems to work perfectly, never had any problems with it

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I use the following together:-

Anti Virus:- NOD32 excellent
Firewall:- Zone labs Zone Alarm
Anti malware:- Ad Aware, Zone Alarm, and Spybot Search & destroy.

With those installed I have not had an infection for a few years.

 

[mikki.young]

I use Mcafee complete protection. I have used various mcafee products over the years (tried Norton once and had huge problems with it) and have been virus free the whole time. If you go to their US site you have slightly different purchase options and it is cheaper. I just bought two years of complete cover (virus, firewall, adware, network etc etc etc) for two PCs for about £50 and I don't thnk that is a bad price at all!

 

[Goofyish]

Another fan of AVG here (especially as it's free ).

Used to have Norton, but it slowed my PC down so much! Also had a lot of trouble renewing the license.

 

[Goofysmate]

We had the same trouble with Norton a while back and it slow's the computer down also.
We have the AVG on now and everything is ok ( touch wood).

 

[jns]

another free AVG user here

 

[tennisfan]

I use Mcafee and I have never got a virus yet (touch wood). It is also very good at removing trojans.

I have used Norton too as I had it free with my laptop but have gone back to Mcafee as I find it much simpler.

 

[arieliwish]

Yes I've had trouble with Norton in the past and use AVG free on our laptop, have BitDefender on Desktop, for anti-virus, and Spy Sweeper on both for anti-spyware.

Norton on work desktop and pc works fine! Mind you both have Vista which is both weird and wonderful at the same time!

Lynn

 

[carolfoy]

another free AVG user here

and me!

 

[Booknut]

Thanks everyone, we've gone with AVG and SpySweeper and are rid of Norton forever!

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Ever since Norton forced me to do a format back in the Windows95 days, ive stayed clear of it.

I recommend Avast anti virus software. Its a commercial business product so it is frequently and promptly updated when new viruses come out. It is however free for home users, you simply register on the avast site and tick a box confirming its not for commercial use.

With regards to a firewall, I say that nothing is needed other than Windows own built in firewall (vastly improved since XP SP2). OK, it doesnt have the logging and depth of information that the likes of Zone Alarm has, but reading those only makes you paranoid. The built in one will block whats needed to be blocked just as well, and works better for internal networking that can be an absolute pain with Zone Alarm etc.

 

[Mike&Mel]

I allways recomened www.avast.com it is free only Business version costs(just sign up and u will get cd key in your email that lasts for 18 months and re-new when that runs out) and has never failed me and comes out top in lots of reviews as well

Norton is rubbish, system hungry app

also use Windows defender for spyware etc etc, again it is free, just goto www.microsoft.com and search for Defender and download from there...

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

and works better for internal networking that can be an absolute pain with Zone Alarm etc.

Not if you use Network Magic as I do, its a breeze!

 

[florida sun]

another free AVG user here

and another one here, I think its great

 

[Jakey Rowling]

I wouldn't rely on just one AV piece of software.

I'm with Obi and use Spybot and Ad-Aware in addition, both freeware from download.com

McAfee firewall and AV software at present, pretty happy with it.