Is Norton Anti-virus enough to protect my computer?

Question

Is Norton the best method of security and anti-virus protection available for a home user or is there a better method. Also does adding free downloads from other anti-virus products affect the efficiency of Norton or even cause it to disable?

Answer 1

I use Norton Antivirus and it has never failed me. No problems with it slowing down my computer either. I have Norton Antivirus 2006 and it comes with spyware protection.

Answer 2

Personally, I don't like using Norton. It slows the system down and is a nuisance. You can use AVG Free Edition or get the AVG Pro Edition which is licensed for 2 years. The Pro Edition offers you extra functionality, but as a home user, the Free Edition will probably suffice. The AVG Anti-virus software is quick and does not noticeably affect your system performance.



I personally wouldn't use more than one Anti-Virus program. It will sometimes result in conflicts and is a drain on system resources.



If you are using XP and are regularly updating your system, the XP Firewall is quite good. Otherwise add another Firewall.



To handle the Spyware, get Spy-bot or Ad-Aware. These are freely available.

Answer 3

I doubt you can use downloads from other anti-virus products with Norton, but I never use it so I don't really know.

As others have said, forget Norton (uninstall it) and get AVG Free from grisoft, they also have a free anti-spyware program so get that too.



Basic principals should protect you from most virus threats without the need for virus checkers:



Don't open unrequested email attachments, any emails from dodgy-looking senders or with bad spelling in the subject line (using 1 instead of i etc), scan them with a virus checker if there's something you're not sure may be real or not;

don't put your email address or any details about your computer security (username and password, etc) on the internet;

keep all user accounts password protected and don't use the Administrator account for web surfing (you really should only use it for installing or removing software etc);

run a software firewall and keep it tight (i.e. all unrequired ports closed), XP has one built in (or downloadable from Microsoft) and you can get one for other Windows versions - ZoneAlarm is a good one;

Be selective about which websites you visit - some can plant viruses without you even knowing it, not to mention pop-ups, spyware, and other annoying things;

If possible, run your computer behind a router - this could be the broadband modem/router that your internet supplier gave you - this is called a hardware firewall, an extra layer of protection from hackers; a USB modem is not sufficient as a means of protection in this way.





Good luck!

Answer 4

I used Norton for about 8 years and I hated it the whole time. There are several good free AV software titles out there. I'm currently using AVG Free. It doesn't get in my way and doesn't eat up a billion resources. It also found severl back door trojans that Norton missed.



I would also highly recommend regularly using spyware software. My favorites are Adaware and Spybot S&D, both of which are free. Adaware lets you scan for spyware. Spybot does also, but has another feature which monitors for changes to startup by bad products.



Finally I top everything off with WinPatrol. It sits in the background and lets me know if anything tries to change the startup routine of my computer.



It sounds like a hassle, but these days, almost nothing is more essential to keeping you a happy user. Being hijacked is no fun at all.

Answer 5

McAfee is really good, but it conflicts with Norton. Many Antivirus softwares conflict with each other. Norton is okay, but makes pc slow. Download Spybot or AdAware or Yahoo toolbar with Norton Spyware scan to protect ur pc from spywares. Antivirus and Spywares are different. So Norton antivirus doesnt give protection from spywares. Also try free ZoneAlarm firewall. A firewall is often essential for ur pc and windows firewall is worthless. If u have Norton Security Suite ful version, then well and good. But remember that Norton is not preferred by many users bcoz, even if it is uninstalled, many fragments of it may lie on ur pc.





All these downloads are available in http://www.download.com , and Yahoo toolbar with Norton antispy at http://toolbar.yahoo.com

Answer 6

In my opinion yes Norton Anti-virus is a great system they continually have updates to keep your computer safe. I run a home based business and I feel confident that my computer is safe using this system. There is also Norton System Works which works in conjunction with Norton Anti Virus but I would not us the System Works without having the Anti Virus System. Its definately one of the best out there in my opinion.

Answer 7

No, Norton is not the best - I used it and when my laptop stopped working, my software engineer found 37 viruses on it that Norton had let in!!



I have found a fantastic anti virus and anti spyware in one which is called Panda - it is great and updates itself every day. It is very reasonably priced - I think it is cheaper than Norton - and you do not need any other products with it.

Answer 8

Your better off with AVG it's free it doesn't slow down your system like norton's. I have used it for years it's great it auto updates etc..

I also run it alongside a spyware called---superantispyware---

Also free these work well together and stop anything coming through.

I have tried all kinds of free spyware crap from the internet and generally what it does is install spyware so you have to but their product to remove it bloody criminal but true.

Just goto free avg on google and download the free edition.Then do the same for superantispyware.

I promise this will save you endless hours on the internet and save your system becoming infected!!

I run the spyware every eve. I'm amazed hom much crap it gets rid of just from surfing normal sites.

Try it now

Regards

Answer 9

I don't recommend Norton any more. Used to be top of the range but now it slows down the copmputer and doesn't even find all the virus s.

In addition, I think a Firewall might be agood idea to any other anti-virus programme.

Answer 10

I used to hvae norton until my subscription ran out. I did some research and determined that the Norton Suite used a lot of resources (slowing your computer down). I uninstalled it and replaced it with some reliable freeware. AVG Free for AV. Spybot for antispyware, Adaware for Antiadware...etc etc. Check my 360 blog page for what i use.



good luck.

Answer 11

Viruses are no longer the biggest problem on the net, trojans are. You need a firewall, an anti virus, an anti trojan, an anti adware and an anti spyware and you can get all this free for home use from reputable companies.

I'd suggest Avast!, Ewido, Spybot, Ad-Aware and Ccleaner plus a firewall and Winpatrol.



The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.

http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall

http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall



Shields Up security site, check your firewall works

https://www.grc.com



http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser

http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser

Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.



Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.

http://www.winpatrol.com



Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com



http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.



http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus



http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/ - Trend Micro online virus guide

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ - Trend Micro PCillin online scan



http://www.ewido.net - Ewido anti trojan



Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware

http://www.lavasoft.com



Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware

http://www.safer-networking.org



http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.



http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.



http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool



Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.

http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.



Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 12

Remove Norton. It's no good, it takes up to much cpu time and misses alot of viruses as well. I use kaspersky, it gets around about 95-99% of viruses and usese less cpu time. You can also use AVG free. It is a strong little programe and of course it's free.



I hope this helped you out a little bit. Best of luck.

Answer 13

Using norton really fecked my pc up. I couldn't access hotmail, msn, my bank account or ebay online. It completely blocked loads of sites and I ended up getting rid of it and installing AVG. Since then, I've not had one problem! Getting rid of Norton wasn't easy, I had to download three files but it was worth it in the end.

Answer 14

norton is crap and is a pain in the a**, if you were likely to down other anti virus products they sometimes telly you to disable nortons i find that avast or avg are good anti viruses to use.

Answer 15

I dont use Norton Anti virus because it really slows down my computer. Try using bitdefender free edition.

Answer 16

No Norton Anti-Virus will only help stop virus.



You will need to have a firewall and anti-spyware too.



These can be downloaded for free from Microsoft by windows updates (www.windowsupdate.com) & at: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



You might also want to check out Zone Labs - Zone Alarm Firewall (http://www.zonelabs.com) and Ad-Aware for anti spyware (www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)

Answer 17

Norton will protect you from virisus, but it's not a very good virus killer NOD32 from Eset is much better.

Also download Windows Defender from Microsoft.

It's free and seems to keep spyware off my system.

Answer 18

Don't get Norton; it sucks. It may protect for a little while, but then you're screwed. I had it and still got a virus which wouldn't die.

Answer 19

If you are paying for it, then it's too much. I have had it and found it uses a lot of RAM and can be intrusive. You can get free protection from AVG. Go to downloads.com amd type avg in search box. I am able to get McAfee for free ($49 value) from my isp but choose the AVG instead. It will catch all viruses and scan your email.

Answer 20

Never tried Norton but Spybot is good too. It's free.

Answer 21

If you have liveupdate feature on youe Norton Antivirus, then it is enough. Other softwares you need are spyware and firewall. windows defender from microsoft works as both.

Answer 22

From my experience with it, it is not only terrible at dealing with viruses, but it also causes your computer not to function as well. I removed it from a computer and have never installed it on any other computer after that. I think it used to be good. They must have gotten incompetent replacement programmers and/or managers.

Answer 23

norton is crap ur only paying for the name,its slows down the speed of ur pc, ive been using AVG for over a yr and my pc running fast and have never had a prob with viruses.

Answer 24

NO!!!! Norton sucks! i've had it before on my other computer, and still got viruses. And it slows your computer down, it uses like 90% of the cpu.

Answer 25

It'll only protect you from viruses



an anti spyware program will prove better

Answer 26

Yeah norton is great. I have it on mine. You may experience some problems with it but appart from that its good.

Answer 27

It is good enough to protect form viruses, however why pay for it when you can download AVG from Grisoft for free....Much better and easier to use....

Answer 28

avg is alot better then norton and never instal norton with mcaffe all hell will eventualy break lose

Answer 29

i have Mcafee virus protection - norton pisses me off & so does mcafee - why can't there just be no viruses!!

Answer 30

i dont know but i would suggest having some knd of anti spyware softare as well

Answer 31

No. It's expensive & slow. Dump it & install AVG. It's fast & free.

Answer 32

no, norton is not reliable, try eset and trend they are the best

Answer 33

the Mozilla Firefox is much better

Answer 34

no it isnt. download spyware doctor and if you dont want to buy it get the cack from http://www.astalavista.com

Answer 35

Yes, if you regularly update it & scan your computer.

Answer 36

yes

Answer 37

Maybe that is why my PC has slowed down. Thanks