Norton's pissing me off. I need new security suite

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Had to reinstall Norton about a month ago and now its crashing all the time. I was on with tech support for about 45min earlier today and I just got pissed and ended conversation. I'm just looking for some opinions on what you've used and what works for you. I'm safe when it comes to surfing the web so Im not even sure if I need something like NIS or Kaspersky or some high dollar suite. Wouldn't mind paying for good software but leaning towards some good freeware. Thanks

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I've started testing the new Kaspersky and so far it is pretty awesome. they have a 30 day trial too so you can check it out for yourself.

 

[Scouzer]

Norton 16.7 comes out on Monday, maybe wait for that before ditching Norton.

 

[lxskllr]

Avira antivirus, Windows firewall, SpyBot S&D, and SpywareBlaster.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
Norton 16.7 comes out on Monday, maybe wait for that before ditching Norton.

Odd, I have been using NAV 16.7 for a while now or does NIS have a differing version number?

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Scouzer
Norton 16.7 comes out on Monday, maybe wait for that before ditching Norton.

Odd, I have been using NAV 16.7 for a while now or does NIS have a differing version number?

They released 16.7 to a limited user base then discovered it was behaving poorly on many people's sytems. They stopped the patch roll out until they reworked it, so it's being re-released on Monday. It's even possible OP has 16.7 and was one of the people who ended up with the buggered patch.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Scouzer
Norton 16.7 comes out on Monday, maybe wait for that before ditching Norton.

Odd, I have been using NAV 16.7 for a while now or does NIS have a differing version number?

I have been running NIS 16.7.2.10 for a while now

 

[LR6]

I had major problems with 16.7.2.10 starting Thursday, it pretty much made the computer unusable. I kept getting Norton Framework crashes every few minutes. Finally they updated the support page Friday night and it fixed the issue for me.

I have liked NIS2009 until now and I really don't know if I will keep it now or move to something else.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Originally posted by: LR6
I had major problems with 16.7.2.10 starting Thursday, it pretty much made the computer unusable. I kept getting Norton Framework crashes every few minutes. Finally they updated the support page Friday night and it fixed the issue for me.

I have liked NIS2009 until now and I really don't know if I will keep it now or move to something else.

This same thing happened to me. Then when I talked to tech support I was very disappointed with the level of service. I only have 100 days left on subscription so I'm cutting my losses. Sure Norton is fast and very safe but what good is that if I keep having system crashes. I just downloaded Kaspersky 2010 30 day trial and Im gonna use that and see what happens. I would rather pay for a well known security suite at the moment. What really disappointed me about Norton is on the support site they are deleting threads about problems people are having with Norton to save face. What a joke. If they aren't willing to let people have discussions about problems how can they know what needs to be fixed or improved.

 

[Scouzer]

You can also try the Norton 2010 beta for free if you want more time before buying something new.

 

[nordloewelabs]

Norton 16.7 comes out on Monday, maybe wait for that before ditching Norton.

dont postpone to tomorrow what you can do today.

Originally posted by: lxskllr
Avira antivirus, Windows firewall, SpyBot S&D, and SpywareBlaster.

agreed! :thumbsup: although, i'd go with Malwarebytes or SuperAntispyware in place of Spywareblaster.

...and to crown the whole thing, the OP should use a Restricted User Account, instead of the Admin one. i consider this the most important step to prevent infections and mishaps.

 

[alexstreff]

I am in love with Kaspersky...

 

[Lemon law]

To Oilfieldtrash,

As someone who somewhat thinks I now know a thing or two about internet security, I too long ago started with some faith in Norton. And to put in mildly, Norton has disappointed in all areas. Nor do I now have any faith in any so called security suites, although Kaspersky may be the best of a bad bunch.

The problem with a security suite from any vendor lies in its predictability. And the realization that there are two groups, those of us that do not want to be hacked, pitted against the "bad guys" who want to hack us. And the first thing the "bad guys" do is to buy test bed computers loaded with various security suites, and simply keep refining their wares until they can find some way to get through. Then they release the virus into the wild and bag the lot of people using that security suite.

As for me, I don't want to be predictable, over the years I have found various freeware security applications I can mix and match into a lean, mean, and effective multilayered security system. If nothing else, its stood the test of time, six years and counting for me and my wife. Net cost zero dollars/yr.

 

[SigArms08]

Is the Trend Micro suite any good?
http://store.trendmicro.com/us...7AAAABA:20090918031942

I'm more asking than suggesting. Like the original poster, I'm also looking around for security products. Allegedly, Trend Micro's application has this (from their website):
Comprehensive protection that includes:

Antivirus
Antispyware
Antispam
Antiphishing
Identity theft protection
Two-way firewall
Internet protection for children

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[balloonshark]

SigArms08,

Kaspersky Internet Security is probably the best all around suite. Amazon has the 3-user 2009 version licenses for $19 so it's a steal and is upgradeable to the 2010 version.

Norton's suite is probably the 2nd best and similar deals can be found. Buy.com has a 3-user 2009 license for $26 and free shipping. It's also upgradeable.

 

[SigArms08]

Originally posted by: balloonshark
SigArms08,

Kaspersky Internet Security is probably the best all around suite. Amazon has the 3-user 2009 version licenses for $19 so it's a steal and is upgradeable to the 2010 version.

Norton's suite is probably the 2nd best and similar deals can be found. Buy.com has a 3-user 2009 license for $26 and free shipping. It's also upgradeable.

Thank you, balloonshark!!!

 

[Schadenfroh]

FYI, Norton 2009 can be upgraded to the new Norton 2010 for free if your license is still valid.

 

[LR6]

I am not going to renew my Norton subscription when it runs out, I am going to try one of the free solutions. A big part of it is the problems that I recently had with Norton that I talked about in a previous post. The rest of it is that I am tired of playing stupid games to get the best price. It is usually easy the first time that you buy it, but not when you need to renew it. And then you usually need to time everything right and deal with rebates. I think that Norton wanted something like $55 to renew my subscription, and I only paid $30 for it initially. I could of gotten it cheaper if wanted to deal with the rebates.

 

[Lemon law]

To LR6,

IMHO, lxskllr basically nailed it for a very lean freeware security combo. If you want, you could replace avira with the freeware version of avast, consider getting a freeware two way firewall to replace the SP2 one, maybe add some more HIPS and Host files, lots of options, but for the basics, lxskllr has it right.

And if you do decide to chuck Norton, you will have to go to their website and download their removal tool, because simply using add remove programs leaves too many damaging Norton hooks in your registry.

 

[puffywulf]

In terms of paid, you can't go wrong with the ESET Security Suite. For 1 year/1 user it's only 59.99. For 3 users, it's only 69.99

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: OILFIELDTRASH
Had to reinstall Norton about a month ago and now its crashing all the time. I was on with tech support for about 45min earlier today and I just got pissed and ended conversation. I'm just looking for some opinions on what you've used and what works for you. I'm safe when it comes to surfing the web so Im not even sure if I need something like NIS or Kaspersky or some high dollar suite. Wouldn't mind paying for good software but leaning towards some good freeware. Thanks

NIS oem is about $20 for a year.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
Avira antivirus, Windows firewall, SpyBot S&D, and SpywareBlaster.

This pretty much sums it up. If you are behind a NAT router what more do you need?

If you are paranoid, run a limited user account, surf with firefox (with noscript installed) and you can even do away with spybot.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
FYI, Norton 2009 can be upgraded to the new Norton 2010 for free if your license is still valid.

My license is still valid for another month.
Are you saying that I can upgrade to 2010 for a year for free or for the remainder of my license?

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: Tullphan

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
FYI, Norton 2009 can be upgraded to the new Norton 2010 for free if your license is still valid.

My license is still valid for another month.
Are you saying that I can upgrade to 2010 for a year for free or for the remainder of my license?

Remainder of your license

 

[Tullphan]

Ahhh...ok.
Wishful thinking on my part.
I must state, however, that i've not had any problems w/my NIS 2009. Depending on renewal charges, I may stay with it.