Norton

[Deleted]

My PC is so slow is virtually unusable sometimes. On other occasions, it seems to work ok but when it's on a "go slow" it is so frustrating, I nearly throw the bloody thing out of the window.

I'm convinced that it's my Norton 360 that is slowing it down. When it goes on a go slow, I can hear it chuntering away and I'm sure that it is Norton that is doing it. Does anyone else use Norton 360 (or any other version of Norton) and if you do, do you have this kind of problem ?

I'm thinking of getting rid of Norton all together. I've also got Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware, and Lavasoft Ad-Aware but if I get rid of my Norton, I'll need a firewall, anti-virus and spam filter for my email. Any suggestions ?

Ta

FA x

[Ruthie]

Hi FA. My computer seems to chunter most of the time. It's so busy it often does not listen to the instructions I, it's alleged owner, give it (Can you remember some film years ago about a computer called Proteus which started doing its own thing against the wishes of its programmers.........seemed very chilling at the time but its just par for the course now :
Anyway, I got rid of Norton 'cos I thought that caused it (and it cost a lot) and went onto AVG free. As far as I know I'm covered (firewall, virus guard etc) but, when AVG does a system scan, my computer will do NOTHING that I ask it to!! I can't even open AVG to stop the scan Other than that it's still just as slow.
Guess that wasnt very helpful was it

[maggy]

I have A5Shampoo that is great for getting rid of lots of things you dont need, as soon as mine starts going slow I run it and it does make a difference.I have Kasperskyd internet security I wouldnt like to chance just running with the free ones as this is always picking up malware, banners etc.

[Spruance]

I stopped using Norton six years ago for similar reasons FA as it seemed to really slow up my PC. From what I have read it is claimed that Norton™ Internet Security 2010 (Link) is much faster and user friendly.

Of the free programs, I did make use of Avast a few months ago when my PC packed up and I had to reactivate an older one, but I am now back with ZoneAlarm which I have used since ditching Norton.

At the moment I have ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 (Link) which from what I can see does at least everything that Norton 360 does.

ZoneAlarm uses some components from Kasperksky but I find the user interface much easier than what I have seen of the Kaspersky product.

[JennyWrenn]

Have AVG (paid version) at the office and AVG (free) at home
Had probs with Norton at the office so deleted it and installed AVG

You can set the time you want it to scan but it does slow the pc down when doing this but you can stop it

[Rosefriend]

I got rid of Norton years ago for two reasons - one is takes over the whole PC and two it really does slow a PC down.

I use Avira (paid version) and I am completely satisfied. I was always told never to use the PC when scans are running so I put the PC through it's paces (Spybot, Ad-aware, Avira, Defrag etc) every Sunday morning whilst I am preparing and cooking lunch.

I also have to admit to clearing my cache every day as well - a full cache slows a PC down enormously, not to mention the nasties that could have found their way in.

RF

[Deleted]

Well, I thought I'd just try an experiment this morning. I logged on at 12:06 and have just been able to get into GWD at 12:24

Norton is obviously doing something because the PC is chuntering away and it is incredibly slow. I think I might give Spru's ZoneAlarm a go. It looks pretty comprehensive and is no more or less expensive than Norton.

Cheers

FA x

[Tig]

Can you get the free download to upgrade to Norton 2010 first FA? I only ask 'cos I upgraded from 2009 a couple of days ago and the PC seems to be working a bit quicker - the scan runs a lot quicker too

x Tig

[Deleted]

Too late ! I uninstalled Norton 360 and installed ZoneAlarm today. I have to say, it's already noticeable that the PC is running a lot quicker since Norton was consigned to the bin !!

FA x

[beanie]

We have Comodo,Spybot, Super anti spyware and A squared, my son keeps installing them

[Rosefriend]

FA - I dislike Zone Alarm as it tends not to get on soooo well with other software...however Spru gets on well with it - perhaps he can give you a few tips.

RF

[Deleted]

What doesn't it get on with RF ?

I can see a difference with the PC already. It's definitely quicker. To be honest, I was at the point of smashing my PC with a sledgehammer it was so slow, so ZoneAlarm can't make it any worse ;D

FA x

[Rosefriend]

FA - it could well have to do with the fact that I have 3 Firewalls on my PC - the normal XP firewall, the Avira firewall but I also I have a hardware firewall. They all work happily together.

I didn't get on with ZA - if you are happy with it that is all that counts.

RF

[Deleted]

Well put it this way, I could sometimes go and make a cup of tea and be back at my PC before it opened up an application (4½ minutes for a word document of 1 sheet of typing the other day). Having got rid of Norton, I would barely get off my seat before it opened. It's like having a new PC, it's that quick !

FA x

[Rosefriend]

Cooo FA - that is a big difference - I can see why you are happy!!

RF

[Missredhead]

erm....what is a hardware firewall?

[Rosefriend]

Right, ok - a hardware firewall is...very simply, a PC which has a firewall software that is placed before another PC.

I have a network with my OH and as my PC is online for at least 15/16 hours per day I decided years ago, after a rather nasty virus attack, to make sure it didn't happen again - or at least to make it/them a lot harder to finish me off.

I have a Linus firewall (basically another PC tower) in front of my PC - it protects my PC and OH's. If it is attacked, and it has been on more than one occasion, viruses, malware etc cannot get to our PC's - all our data is safe.
The last time I was attacked the hardware firewall just shuts down stopping anything getting to my PC.

RF

[Missredhead]

oh so that is why that you have 2 towers instead of just one on your PC
I did notice but I didn't like to ask at the time

So firewalls are not all the same?

[Rosefriend]

Yes, that is why I have two towers and not just one...

No, Firewalls are not all the same but they have to work together - there is a lot of software that doesn't harmonize and that is very important, plus the fact that Norton is very expensive and the larger the software is (MB) the more chance that it can slow a PC down.

Norton/Zone Alarm didn't work for me but that doesn't mean that is isn't great for others.

RF

[Missredhead]

I have bullguard on mine..is it any good do you think?

Touch wood ;D I haven't had any probs with viruses.

[Spruance]

I also have a hardware firewall router but I still appreciate the extra level of security on ZA and the current package also seems lighter on resources than the previous incarnation.

It is said that ZA does not 'get on' with the likes of Spybot and other third party AV software but as I see it, with the latest ZA product I don't need anything else. As well as the automatic AV downloads you also get any product upgrades FOC throughout the warranty period. You just need to remember to renew your warranty down the line (usually in one year).

[Auricula]

I got rid of Norton some years ago. I have the free Avira which was recommended by the tecchie who installed my new computer. I don't know nuffin, but it seems ok to me

[Barbara]

I have Virgin media anti virus, it's free when you have cable installed.

[Auricula]

We don't have new fangled innovations like cable out here in the a**e end of nowhere, deep in the country...........we've only just get them new fangled phone thingys ;D

[Missredhead]

;D

[Deleted]

I cannot believe how much quicker my PC having got rid of Norton and replaced it with ZoneAlarm. Every time I log on now, it just amazes me how much quicker everything is !!

I would thoroughly recommend it if anyone else has Norton 360 (or any other version of Norton) installed.

FA x

[maggy]

Well I didnt think Id do it but my kaspersky expired and Ive installed the free Avast + spybot and my p.c is running much better! one of my Sons who knows a lot more about p.c.s than us told us he has it on his, so if he is not worried Im not! also it found a few problems that should have been sorted by kaspersky and that wasnt a cheapy they wanted £38 to reinstall it when it ran out! well it shouldnt for a couple of days yet but I took it off early.