Need help on AV software

paulburt99 · Mar 13, 2009

Greetings,

I am an old novice so please be kind! My son recently gifted me a laptop which came installed with windows vista. It also had Norton antivirus trial version which is about to expire. Now I am looking forward to buy one.
While doing my bit of research I came across two software one is Norton antivirus and the other is Norton internet security.
http://www.checkoutsoftware.com/symantec/norton-antivirus-2009_p5000
http://www.checkoutsoftware.com/symantec/norton-internet-security-2009_p4996
I just want to know the disparity between the two. Which one should I buy?

JimJoe · Mar 13, 2009

Norton was good at one time, but isn't any longer.

Avast or AVG free is far better. I have used AVG free for years now, no virus problems.

sygnus21 · Mar 13, 2009

JimJoe said:
Norton was good at one time, but isn't any longer.

Avast or AVG free is far better. I have used AVG free for years now, no virus problems.

Uhhh...that's a matter of opinion, and a little research goes a long way. I could add that I use Kaspersky Anti-Virus and have had no virus problems either; nor did I have them with Norton Anti-Virus, which I used for years (1998-2008, Win98-Vista 32). Kaspersky on Vista x64

Search the internet and read some reviews.

And to be honest, opinions vary wildly on this "touchy" subject

sygnus21 · Mar 13, 2009

paulburt99 said:
Greetings,

I am an old novice so please be kind! My son recently gifted me a laptop which came installed with windows vista. It also had Norton antivirus trial version which is about to expire. Now I am looking forward to buy one.
While doing my bit of research I came across two software one is Norton antivirus and the other is Norton internet security.
Buy Norton AntiVirus 2009 (14131314) online :: Checkout Software.com - Software Supplier
Buy Norton Internet Security 2009 (14125628) online :: Checkout Software.com - Software Supplier
I just want to know the disparity between the two. Which one should I buy?

Just to answer your question - Internet Security comes with a spyware program which looks for files and program designed to steal or read your personal information and/or spy on your internet habbits, to include your banking on other on-line personal information. Anti-Virus programs just look for viruses or such that could infect your system and that of others.

Internet Security suites incorporate both spyware and malware (virus) programs, thus the added costs.

That's it in a nutshell. Hope that helps.

archie123 · Mar 13, 2009

ill keep it simple Firewall, Antivirus, Antispam: ESET Smart Security Has It All

and the best thing about it apart from its fantastic AV protection and low memory usage , if a new version comes out and your a subscriber , you get it for free.

http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/214724-new-nod32-4-smart-security-4-released.html

Submarine · Mar 13, 2009

sygnus21 said:
Just to answer your question - Internet Security comes with a spyware program which looks for files and program designed to steal or read your personal information and/or spy on your internet habbits, to include your banking on other on-line personal information. Anti-Virus programs just look for viruses or such that could infect your system and that of others.

Internet Security suites incorporate both spyware and malware (virus) programs, thus the added costs.

That's it in a nutshell. Hope that helps.

And, of course, Internet Security includes a firewall, easier to configure than the Vista one.

Noddsta · Mar 14, 2009

if i was to buy any sceruity for my pc i would buy ..
kaspersky as i find its the best ...
i had virus come through avg/norton all them this best one i found yet ..
thats what i think anyways ..
nod 32 is good as well

sygnus21 · Mar 14, 2009

Submarine said:
sygnus21 said:

Just to answer your question - Internet Security comes with a spyware program which looks for files and program designed to steal or read your personal information and/or spy on your internet habbits, to include your banking on other on-line personal information. Anti-Virus programs just look for viruses or such that could infect your system and that of others.

Internet Security suites incorporate both spyware and malware (virus) programs, thus the added costs.

That's it in a nutshell. Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

And, of course, Internet Security includes a firewall, easier to configure than the Vista one.

oops...How did I miss that one. LOL

Thanks.

RedDawn · Mar 14, 2009

paulburt99 said:
Greetings,

I am an old novice so please be kind! My son recently gifted me a laptop which came installed with windows vista. It also had Norton antivirus trial version which is about to expire. Now I am looking forward to buy one.
While doing my bit of research I came across two software one is Norton antivirus and the other is Norton internet security.
Buy Norton AntiVirus 2009 (14131314) online :: Checkout Software.com - Software Supplier
Buy Norton Internet Security 2009 (14125628) online :: Checkout Software.com - Software Supplier
I just want to know the disparity between the two. Which one should I buy?

Hi paulburt99,

Norton's 2009 range has vastly improved over previous years versions and as you state that you are a novice, I would stick with what you know and has worked for you. If you look at Norton's site HERE, you can see a comparison of their products. You will also notice that the pricing is a lot less than the prices shown in the links in your post (just in case you were thinking of buying from that site

).

[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif] PC World: Top Internet security suites
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif] PCMag.com: The best security suites for 2009
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif] Maximum PC: Antivirus software roundup — protect your PC from guys like this![/FONT]

I have Norton Internet Security 2009 installed on a family members computer and it works well for them. I have no personal experience with Eset's or Kaspersky's products and they may indeed be better choices than Norton, but I have had feedback that Kaspersky's alerts may be a little hard for a new or inexperienced user to interpret.

rive0108 · Mar 15, 2009

The best place to find a good Antivirus/antimalware program is to check the Comparision testing labs where the various products are tested for performance and detection abilities under rigorous real world situations- the most important features of any product is the ability to detect and prevent infection of new and arising threats (Heuristic detection), and to do it without falsly labeling Legitimate Windows/program features as threats (which can result in Windows/Program instability and crashes due to corruption- Norton failed this aspect badly with many false detections of malware).

The two best, and most authoritive Labs are: AV-Comparatives and Virus Bulletin.

Websites like "PC Mag/PC World" recommend Products- This should be taken with a grain of salt. It is what's refered to as "Editor's choice", and usually is a result of an Antivirus vendor paying them to promote their product for them. There is no Lab Comparision, or testing of the products involved.

Under recent Antivirus testing two programs came out on top, and these are the best on the market:
Avira Professsional and Eset's NOD32

dk70 · Mar 16, 2009

Actually the best you can do to have be protected is not asking what to buy but to think/research dangers. Why you want to buy?, what you want protection from? What could happen? What are you afraid of? What can you do?

If you get in touch with dangers and dont get carried away installing/buying AV is a minor issue. How you use computer and internet is what matters. You might not need any protection except what comes with Vista! If not really sure of what is important you seek safety and of course Norton welcomes you

Worst you can do is buying hold-my-hand software like Norton (which works just fine) and think well that was it, now Im protected - Ive even paid for it. You get some protection but dont think you are 100% safe.

Norton is foolproof, as in it works, for all I know and might be good choice for you. You get direct support and pretty good protection. There is no other product offering that much more. But always remember most important protection is not programs but your self.

About your links to purchase. Be careful. I recently helped someone get rid of old infected Norton AV 2006 and she insisted on buying new Norton, NIS 2009. Okay then! Then she went to some shop (Staples?) and got the 1 user-1pc version. Stupid. Buy directly from Symantec and get 1 user-3pcs version. Then you can install same program on 3 pcs if in same household. There is hardly any price difference.

If you ask me go for Norton AV and save some dollars. What could matter for your security is covered by AV = ok to go for suite but then you are aware of why and dont fall for more is better. False protection

That stupid woman I mentioned wanted NIS because she had heard Windows Firewall is insecure. Oh great, she has heard... Understand somewhat or get someone you trust to guide, dont listen to stories or "good" advice - not out of the box at least. There is much nonsense flowing around about what you "need" to compute safely. I would say much less than you think and it does not necessarily have to cost you a penny. Security, as in buying stuff, is overrated if you have understanding, some valid knowledge/info.

sygnus21 · Mar 16, 2009

Huh...:huh:

dk70 said:
About your links to purchase. Be careful. I recently helped someone get rid of old infected Norton AV 2006 and she insisted on buying new Norton, NIS 2009. Okay then! Then she went to some shop (Staples?) and got the 1 user-1pc version. Stupid. Buy directly from Symantec and get 1 user-3pcs version. Then you can install same program on 3 pcs if in same household. There is hardly any price difference.

Symantec Store: Norton Internet Security, Antivirus, Norton 360 Products - 1 use, 3 PC's
Amazon.com: Norton Internet Security 2009 1User/3Pc: Software - 1 use, 3 PC's

Which one is cheaper???

dk70 · Mar 17, 2009

Well retail price - Symantec vs. any store like computer shop should not show a premium making them look bad. There are other channels to use of course

This is what to avoid, 1 user 3 pcs is a must have, makes Symantec look attractive almost Norton Internet Security 2009 - 1 User 1 Computer (PC): Amazon.co.uk: Software boxes with "1" on it.

Symantec are fools though - what is the reasoning behind having a default 1 user 3 pcs license and yet keep that 1-1? They do make those boxes even if not selling them.

DaCH · Mar 17, 2009

JimJoe said:
Norton was good at one time, but isn't any longer.

Avast or AVG free is far better. I have used AVG free for years now, no virus problems.

Using AVG free, Defender and Windows firewall here too. So far, no probs at all.

rive0108 · Mar 17, 2009

DaCH said:
JimJoe said:

Norton was good at one time, but isn't any longer.

Avast or AVG free is far better. I have used AVG free for years now, no virus problems.

Click to expand...

Using AVG free, Defender and Windows firewall here too. So far, no probs at all.

Avira is free, and they are one of the best according to recent av-comparative testing, and they blew away both Avast and avg. Myself, I am using NOD32 4, and have no complaints:D

miki69 · Mar 18, 2009

rive0108 said:
[Myself, I am using NOD32 4, and have no complaints:D

true! If you want FREE AV then Avira should be on the top of your list, otherwise NOD32 (my choice also).

Cheers,
Miki

dk70 · Mar 18, 2009

Avira released vers. 9 yesterday. Ive read something about free version now also covering adware-spyware. Dont think they have updated website yet, I saw it on forum Release information Q1/2009 - Unternehmens- und Produktmitteilungen - Avira Support Forum

If pop up from updates is fixed/removed it starts to look like a real AV but Avast is still closer as a full featured product. I use Avira but Avast is still cool and almost foolproof

So pop up is removed or just moved to a less annoying place http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=85363

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