[PJ-Comix]

Thanx in advance for your advice. If Norton Anti-Virus is sufficient and I don't also need Spysweeper, I might as well NOT renew the latter.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Got ‘em both. But I’m a belt & suspenders kinda guy.

[darkwing104]

No, not really, but I generally leave it to personal preference.

[garyhope]

Anything Norton is a resource hog.

Try Eset Nod32

http://www.eset.com/landing_pages/landing_page1.php?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=eset%2Bnod32&utm_content=Brand_Search&utm_campaign=Brand_Search-Atlas

[rellimpank]

—about year ago I got rid of all the Norton stuff and went to the free AVAST with good success-—

[Still Thinking]

In my experience Norton blows. Get AVG instead. It’s free so that would settle the issue of having to pay for two possibly redundant products. I don’t know what Norton puts in the product they call an “anti-virus” but typically anti-virus and anti-spyware are two different things, so if that’s the case then yes you would need them both. But really, ditch Norton and get AVG.

[matthew fuller]

One of the computer magazines currently rates Norton Internet Security 2008 as the one to beat. (I’m not an expert.) However, every professional person that I’ve asked about the programs (firewalls, antivirus, antispy) totally dislike and downplay Norton. I have found it a pain that they do not have a free phone tech support, however, few others do either.

[mikrofon]

Rule of thumb is to have just one good anti-virus package, but multiple anti-spyware utilities are OK. (whether Norton is “good” anti-virus or just bloatware is debatable ;)

If your new version of Norton includes an anti-spyware component (which our commercial version at work does), it’s still a good idea to have another competent version i.e. SpySweeper in use...

[TruthWillWin]

Short answer: Yes. (If you have Norton get rid of it, it is a real PITA!) Much better options out there.

[TruthWillWin]

I recently bought 2 new computers for my business that came with Norton free for 90 days. I have had major problems getting the computers to network properly that were caused by Norton.

Other problems with Norton include a 13 step process to disable and turn back on when installing new software. All other virus protection software I've owned can be turned on and off with a simple right click of the mouse on the icon in the task bar.

[bcsco]

Virus software and spyware software are two different issues. You really need both.

Since you have Norton, I’d stay with that for your anti virus application. But I’d also download Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Control (both free). They will handle spyware and trojans that Norton (or any other anti virus application won’t.

As far as Norton, do you have the full package (including firewall)? If not, I’d also be sure to get yourself behind a software firewall, if not a hardware firewall (router, whether wireless or wired). And if you’re firewall is a software application, I’d recommend getting a hardware firewall anyway. They’re the best type of firewall protection (and not expensive).

[bcsco]

PJ:

You don’t want to use more than one anti virus application. If you have Norton, use it. If you don’t like Norton, go the Avast route. It’s fine software. But don’t use both!

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Avoid Norton like the plague. Terrible customer service, crooked tech support, and non-reliable virus protection. This past summer, my supposedly Norton protected system ground to a halt and nearly crashed. I took my computer in to my local teck geek, and he found 386 viruses that Norton had missed. I went with AVG and have had no problems since. Norton just plain sucks!

[VA Voter]

ping for later.

[Petronski]

You would have been better to set aside NAV for NOD32. That said, you would want to have an anti-virus AND an anti-spyware, as they do different things, attack different enemies.

[JRios1968]

All that time you spend at the DUmp is liable to mess up your computer...

[goldstategop]

An anti-trojan program like AVG Spyware will detect spyware and trojans your anti-virus might miss. Threatfire is a good HIPS that keeps unwanted malware off the computer. That's all you need alongside a good firewall. Spyware Blaster will prevent malware from installing in your browsers. For the ultimate in security, Zone Alarm's new Force Field virtual browser will create a dummy double that will anything from infecting your browser - it acts like a kind of sandbox for the browser. All are Windows Vista compatible and all are free to download.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Squantos]

Just a comment from me as ya already have a plan yet I like the free defense in depth plan that includes but is not limited too:

AVG
Ad Aware
Zone Alarm
Spybot
Spywareblaster
CCleaner

All available with free daily or weekly updates.

All that run along with windows defender and windows malicious spy-ware removal tool from M$ has kept my little systems free and clean from malware.

Free is good.......I feel that companies that make ya pay for your security tend to present false positives per se to make you ....continue to pay !

Stay safe ......:o)