bitdefender/norton etc

[comphappy]

I cant really help you with the specific software that you are talking about but for a home user I would recommend that you use AVGFree, I use it at home, and at the two places I work we use the commercial version which is basically the same protection but without the commercial support. I can attest to it JustWorks TM on all versions of Vista and XP. It is also not really a resource hog.

Good luck with it.

Thanks, I will check that one out as it might be awhile before Bitdefender figures out the problem they are having with 2009 locking up vista systems.

I'm sure Norton is good product, it's just a huge engine and uses a lot of power to run.

mark

[artdutra04]

My advice is to avoid Norton; there is better A/V software that doesn't use up all your system resources. One of my roommates earlier this year converted me to NOD32. After seeing it in person, I don't think I'll ever use any competing virus scanners for the foreseeable future.

About 80% of NOD32 is written in assembly; this means that the program runs insanely fast and uses only a few megabytes of RAM. It's also the least "obtrusive" of all the anti-virus software I've used, while still providing amazing "always on" virus scanning. And so far, I've haven't had it cause any problems or conflicts with any other software in either XP or Vista.

The only downside to NOD32 is that the user interface can be difficult to use at first. But after using it for a few days, it becomes no different than any other virus scanner.

[Gdeaver]

Norton Internet security 2008 was a resource pig. Norton internet security 2009 is MUCH improved. However most of the improvements rely on at least a dual core. Forget norton 360 or just the AV. Newegg has the IS disc only for system builders for 29.00$.

[rdlevy1215]

I second the "Use AVG Free" ... It is what i use (i run Vista Ultimate SP1), and i use that along side Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and UAC (yes, i actually leave it running). I have yet to get a virus/ad/spyware/ and my PC preforms pretty well for what it is (Pentium D, 2GB RAM)

Hope this is helpful

Originally Posted by artdutra04

My advice is to avoid Norton; there is better A/V software that doesn't use up all your system resources. One of my roommates earlier this year converted me to NOD32. After seeing it in person, I don't think I'll ever use any competing virus scanners for the foreseeable future.

About 80% of NOD32 is written in assembly; this means that the program runs insanely fast and uses only a few megabytes of RAM. It's also the least "obtrusive" of all the anti-virus software I've used, while still providing amazing "always on" virus scanning. And so far, I've haven't had it cause any problems or conflicts with any other software in either XP or Vista.

The only downside to NOD32 is that the user interface can be difficult to use at first. But after using it for a few days, it becomes no different than any other virus scanner.

"difficult to use at first", any ideas on how to get it installed past the BSOD? and yes I did try removing all traces of other security software and from the registry etc and turning off the windows firewall, still saw a lot of blue.

[Tom Line]

I tend to recommend against AVG, and suggest instead AntiVir or Avast.

http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivi...a/freeav_2.htm

Both are also free and have a higher detection rate than AVG.

As a general rule, I also suggest changing to a web browser like firefox, and install the adblock plugin. For additional security you can install the noscript plugin, though I found that one a bit of a hassle.

However, please realize that these programs stink at picking up adware. You'll need to install another program, like Spybot Search and Destroy, or Ad-Aware, both of which are also free. Of those, Ad-Aware is currently considered the "best".

The best for-pay system out there is Kaspersky, FYI. Highest detection rate, and also gets the spyware at the same time.

Please note, when I say best - that is based on the latest reviews. These are always somewhat subjective, and everyone always has an opinion one way or another. Be careful of anecdotal evidence from one user. You know how many computer illiterate people there are out there, and they are far more dangerous than any spyware

[JohnBoucher]

before you install a different package, make sure all of Norton is gone from your computer. They provide a tool to do this.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039

Originally Posted by JohnBoucher

before you install a different package, make sure all of Norton is gone from your computer. They provide a tool to do this.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039

oh yes, I have made sure all traces of Norton is gone

My laptop is now once again super fast and barely using 10% CPU, That Norton 360 might be good but I think I need a supercomputer to run it

[rsisk]

SpyBot has a brilliant little tool called the TeaTimer which monitors writes to the registry and prompts for permission to allow the write to succeed. You would be amazed at how many web ads try to write to the registry. It also builds white and black lists to minimize the number of prompts for permission.

Stopping unwanted writes to the registry will significantly reduce the chance of a virus infecting your computer.

[Kingofl337]

I don't think the above review was with AVG 8.0 based on lower scores against Avast.

Here is a counter review for AVG 8.0. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2291466,00.asp

So another +1 for AVG and Spyware Doctor running in tandem with it.

Originally Posted by Tom Line

I tend to recommend against AVG, and suggest instead AntiVir or Avast.

http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivi...a/freeav_2.htm

Both are also free and have a higher detection rate than AVG.

As a general rule, I also suggest changing to a web browser like firefox, and install the adblock plugin. For additional security you can install the noscript plugin, though I found that one a bit of a hassle.

However, please realize that these programs stink at picking up adware. You'll need to install another program, like Spybot Search and Destroy, or Ad-Aware, both of which are also free. Of those, Ad-Aware is currently considered the "best".

The best for-pay system out there is Kaspersky, FYI. Highest detection rate, and also gets the spyware at the same time.

Please note, when I say best - that is based on the latest reviews. These are always somewhat subjective, and everyone always has an opinion one way or another. Be careful of anecdotal evidence from one user. You know how many computer illiterate people there are out there, and they are far more dangerous than any spyware

Antivir is what I ended up going with and all is well, as usual as a last resort I knew if I came here I would get good advice. Kinda disappointed that Bitdefender 2009 would not install for me but I'm sure that bug will be corrected in due time.

I came across a wierd one this evening, my quickbooks would not run, unexpected error and it would close, turns out you have to set all you're internet explorer settings to default for quickbooks to now run even though I actually use Firefox as my browser.

[Tom Line]

You got reasonably lucky

AVG just had a bug that deleted the user32.dll file from some computers so they wouldn't boot

If you want to get rid of the antivir nag screen, go to Control-Panel, Computer Administration, Security Policies, and add a new path policy to deny avnotify.dll.

You can find better instructions online.

Not only was I happy with Avira free software I upgraded and bought the premium suite and wow! it's like the old Bitdefender before there big problems with Bitdefender 2009.

Thanks again, works great and hardly uses any CPU. just amazing and not ONE bug installing it, it installed and set itself up and it working flawlessly.

mark