Norton AV 2007 (Protection Center)

I just got myself a new PC for Photoshop....and it came pre-loaded with Norton Protection Centre.

In the past I've always used the freebie Avira AntiVir plus the Windows Firewall and had no problems.

Has anyone got any experience with the Norton tools? From what I found on Google they seem to be famously 'resource hungry' - but if they provide the best protection it's something I can live with.

Any comments or experiences much appreciated.

I don't use Norton, basically for the reasons you mentioned. Way too resource hungry, way too intrusive. I've used AVG free anti-virus for years, with no issues. If you're happy with your current software, don't install Norton. Another thing to remember about Norton, is once it's installed, it's darn near impossible to totally get rid of it you should change your mind. Stick with what you've got.

I also use AVG anti-virus.

Do NOT use Norton. You'll be having so much trouble with it! Trust me.

Swift1 wrote in post #3958675
I also use AVG anti-virus.

Do NOT use Norton. You'll be having so much trouble with it! Trust me.

Is the Windows firewall still the best 'free' one? If I don't use Norton I'll need a firewall app too I suppose.

Thanks for the comments btw.

Norton is bloated junk in my opinion. Another avid AVG user.

Get the free ZoneAlarm firewall it and AVG get along just fine together.

If you're using a router, use the hardware firewall built-in to the router. Much better than a software firewall.

I dumped Norton this past year. I got tired of all the crap they were throwing at me and all the resources it would take up. I was suspicious of all the things it was trying to do.

We still use it at work though. I ran a scan one day about two months ago and it told me I had a trojan. A quick google search revealed that only Symantec knew anything about the trojan. I followed the removal instructions and ran another scan. Another trojan! But it didn't find that one earlier. Another Google search revealed the same thing, only Symantec knew anything about it. This time I didn't follow the removal instructions but instead downloaded AVG and ran the scan. Nothing found. PC has run fine without any issues since. My conclusion is that Symantec is making these things up to make it look like they are doing something. Never again will I use ANY Symantec product.

crn3371 wrote in post #3959200
If you're using a router, use the hardware firewall built-in to the router. Much better than a software firewall.

If its like my Linksys Router theres is no individual control over the different software applications. Thats why I use the ZoneAlarm. For instance I have Adobe apps blocked via the Firewall from accessing the Internet. On my last WinXP install CS3 updated something automatically and caused the program to quit functioning. No amount of reinstall of CS3 or tech support solved the problem. Only a complete reformat of the hard drive took care of the issue. So now I control all updates of any application on my computer. Just download and install manually and that way you're aware as to whats being updated.

crn3371 wrote in post #3958651
I don't use Norton, basically for the reasons you mentioned. Way too resource hungry, way too intrusive. I've used AVG free anti-virus for years, with no issues. If you're happy with your current software, don't install Norton. Another thing to remember about Norton, is once it's installed, it's darn near impossible to totally get rid of it you should change your mind. Stick with what you've got.

I agree - I used to love Norton, and used several of their tools but when I moved up to XP a few years ago, the corresponding Norton product was a serious resource hog. And as stated, it is very difficult to remove once installed.

I would stick with AVG or Avast! antivirus (I use Avast!), Microsoft Defender, and perhaps Spybot & Ad-Aware 2007 for additional spyware scanning capability. They're all free for home users.

Helrain wrote in post #3958722
Is the Windows firewall still the best 'free' one? If I don't use Norton I'll need a firewall app too I suppose.

Thanks for the comments btw.

No, Windows firewall only blocks incoming. Get Zonealarm. It monitors incoming and outgoing internet (and network) access and allows you to choose which programs get access, which don't, and which have restricted access.

check out www.avast.com

it is GREAt free virus software and does realtime monitoring of outlook, p2p and other commonly used ports/apps. Most of my clients I typically put a hardware firewall or route in place and lock it downa nd forward ports 80 and 110 for web and outlook to a stratic ip address, and any other specific port you may need. This is the safest way. I HATE SOFTWARE FIREWALLS.

Steve Beck wrote in post #3959786
check out www.avast.com

it is GREAt free virus software and does realtime monitoring of outlook, p2p and other commonly used ports/apps. Most of my clients I typically put a hardware firewall or route in place and lock it downa nd forward ports 80 and 110 for web and outlook to a stratic ip address, and any other specific port you may need. This is the safest way. I HATE SOFTWARE FIREWALLS.

I have both hardware (Linksys router) and software (zonealarm). I'd put more trust in the hardware, but I'm not certain about all the settings so I keep a second layer. Plus, I don't have a problem with having two barriers instead of one.