got rid of Norton/symantec. running Avast/Zone Alarm. do I need anything else?

[Gabi Hayes]

AVC refused to initialize, so I didn't use that.

is this sufficient protection

computer is running better w/o rotten Norton

thanks

anybody know anything about Avast? seems everybody uses AVG for their free antivirus

[CountAllVotes]

1. that should help a lot!

Been using Avira antivirus here (seems to do the job!).

I don't run a firewall as most of my computers are very old and they run slow enough.

I dumped McAfee (wow did that ever suck!). :puke:

Glad you got things running faster now!

:D

[amerikat]

2. PC windows? nt

[Gabi Hayes]

3. vista n/t

[amerikat]

37. I recommend Microsoft Security essentials and

Iobit one care and malwarebytes.

all are free downloads. Google them.

[Gabi Hayes]

42. thx. have malware. MSS gets good reviews here, too. Iobit is a new one.

will check it out

wonder what the right mix will be

obviously, the less the better, but a what cost, both practically and monetarily

hate spending money these days on anything I don't have to

[Sentath]

4. Sounds good so far

I would suggest that you add an every-so-often scan for ad-ware, gray-ware, spy-ware and general mal-ware.

I use Spybot S&D, AdAware is good too.

P.S. Congrats on getting your computer going better.

[Gabi Hayes]

8. thx. running malwarebytes as we speak. that seems to run slower than

it did w/norton, but I'm not sure

are those other things comparable?

thx again

[Upton]

10. Use Malwarebytes as a free on demand scanner only

don't activate the real time protection.

[Gabi Hayes]

12. that's what I did. running from document file

[OregonBlue]

5. I've been running the same for months. Works well. Norton/symantic really sucks!!!!

It's like a giant monster that tries to take over the whole computer. Every once in a while I run Spybot search and destroy. It often finds a couple of adware tracks which are easily deleted.

[Upton]

11. Norton has changed a lot

in the last couple of years. I've got NIS 2011 on this computer and I hardly know it's there.

[kentuck]

15. Me too.

I put on Norton to replace McAfee and it is a lot better than McAfee, in my opnion. That is the only thing I have to compare with.

[OregonBlue]

20. It came preloaded on my computer and it was such a nightmare, I'll never try another one of their

products. Not only did it insert itself into every portion of the computer, it was nearly impossible to get it out of every corner when I did remove it. It probably is better but now, I'm so disgusted, I'll never try them again.

[madfloridian]

29. I agree about Norton Internet Security. Don't even know it's there.

[Gabi Hayes]

33. my problem with Norton 2009 was that it runs a complete scan EVERY time I use it, and

if I'm on for a long time, it does it AGAIN

there's no way to turn it off, like I used to be able to do.

it really slows things down when it's doing that

it also put this ''CCsvchst.exe'' error whenever I shut down, which apparently is a norton problem, for which I went to a website, and it's a big problem with 360 and other norton versions

I think it might be gone since I've dumped them, but I'm not sure

[Pryderi]

6. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

[Pryderi]

7. Spybot and Adaware

[wildbilln864]

9. I like...

& use "Tiny Watcher"
It lets yuo8u know if any new files have been added or changed in anyway whenever you startup or whenever you run it. It's small & compact.

[Gabi Hayes]

14. thanks. malwarebytes found about 30 corrupted files it can't fix,

but says it's OK. I still have trouble getting online as fast as I used to before Norton screwed me up over a year ago.

it used to be almost immediate, but now it can take up to 20-30 to get online, and I have cable modem

[csziggy]

16. Have you run the Norton Uninstaller?

That will remove pretty much every last trace of Norton from your computer so if that is what is slowing down your connection, it could help. Just search for "norton removal tool" to find it - I found it but the link is extremely long and probably prone to breaking when cut & pasted.

[Gabi Hayes]

19. I did it from my remove software file, and it seemed to work pretty well.

dunno if I can do it from the site now.

it is still showing up in my outlook express in anti-spam configuration. does that mean I still have it lurking somewhere?
it's off my taskbar, or whatever that thing on the bottom with all my icons (speaker, battery, etc.)

it's still on my recycle bin (norton protected)

will it show up on a file search?

it's not on the add/remove list anymore, or the programs window

[csziggy]

65. Norton is pretty notorious for leaving crap in the registry and other places

When I dumped it, the other anti-virus would not install because it still saw Norton on the drive. I had to get the removal tool to clear it out. After that, no problem installing a new anti-virus program. Traces would not be very obvious - they are hidden, in the registry, in startup stuff, all over the place.

Of all the Symantec stuff I have run over the years, the removal tool gave me the most satisfaction and the least trouble.

[tridim]

13. Norton sucks, I uninstalled Zone Alarm for some reason in the past.

Unfortunately I can't remember why. It could have just been a buggy release.

Right now I'm using AVG Free and Windows firewall.

Anything is better than Norton.

[Gabi Hayes]

17. AVG refused to install; some sort of glitch that stopped it.

anybody know anything about Avast? any advantages of AVG over Avast?


I heard they were OK, but everybody, including our tech guy at work, always mentions AVG

I saved the file and tried to run it from my files

what if I try downloading it directly from the site?

will Avast/ZA make it difficult?

will both Avast/AVG running at the same time be overkill/slow things down too much? guess I'd find that out myself


thx

[ChiciB1]

25. I've Just Spent Almost Two Days Trying To Get My PC "Back" To Running

at the speed it was BEFORE I installed AVG again. I had been getting security errors saying that my PC "might" not be protected, so I would go in and run my AVG again. It was set to run automatically, but it wasn't. So I finally checked my control panel and it seems that under the AVG program it stated that it HAD NOT run since MAY!!!

So I uninstalled it and re-installed the AVG for 2011, and now my PC is slow as molasses! I called the people who fix my PC from time to time and he told me to uninstall it again, turn off PC and install it again! Just finished it, and it's STILL slow. I have malwarebytes and used it too, but somehow I NOW have a very, very, slow PC through Verizon.

I called Verizon and they couldn't figure out the problem and wanted me to PAY for the high grade technical support but I said no. Now, the PC is working, but I have NEVER seen it so slow! I'm in such a bad mood now that I want to SCREAM. Actually I did scream. I even got a message saying that I didn't have enough virtual memory but the message said it was also adding extra memory. I don't do anything other that the usual stuff on my PC, so I really CAN'T figure this out.

If I can't get it to work better I will have to take it in to get it checked out. I've used AVG for years and never had a problem, but now I'm wondering if they are no longer as good as they once were.

Anyone else having trouble with them?

[Gabi Hayes]

27. my head is spinning! good norton, bad norton, bad macaphee (we used it on the THOUSANDS

of computers in my school district, and it seems to work fine)

AVG seems to be the free AV program of choice, but it's all different for everybody. I wonder if it's something besides the AVG, though, if you weren't getting a scan since may, you're probably screwed. something like that happened with my first computer, and I had to junk it. it was fun drilling holes in the hard drive, and bashing the shit out of it with a framing hammer

[ChiciB1]

39. But I WAS Running AVG Manually, Or So It Said! It Always Said I Was

updated AND PROTECTED. It wasn't until I checked the program through the control panel that it told me it hadn't been used since May! I don't understand it because all my mail coming in says it has been checked by AVG. Very weird!

I just need to know what to do now! I do have AVG installed right now, but as I said... very slow PC now too!

[GoCubsGo]

I had similar problems with AVG

It slowed my computer down to a near standstill. I switched to Avast Free Edition, and it's been running just fine.

[ChiciB1]

38. So You Think Avast Is Now Better? How Long Have You Been Using Them!

I'm just SOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated right now and SICK of spending so much time on this PC! Even while typing I have to wait for the letters to catch up to make a word.

Do you think I should UN-INSTALL AVG again? I was going to run that program to clean the PC, but I'm afraid to do anything right now!

[Gabi Hayes]

43. my computer wouldn't even boot one time, because of something that got past norton,

so I ran a disc copy of malwarebytes, and that solved the problem

you might try running that first. have somebody copy it to a CDROM for you if you can't download it. that's what I did

try that before you do anything else.

maybe somebody here who knows more than I do (just about anyone?) can comment

this blows, yes?

[tridim]

51. There are some AVG services that you have to shut down manually

I'm not going to give instructions because I don't want to be blamed for anything.

You'll find it here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=avg+slow+disable&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

Yea, it sucks that you have to do this, but the product is free (and effective) so I can't complain.

Good luck!

[ChiciB1]

66. Thank You... Sorry For The Late Reply, But As I Said I've Been Working

on this problem and it's still not solved, but I will try both suggestions here. The person who I take my PC to says AVG still very good and this is the first time I've had problems. I'm not sure it's AVG, but after the new download it's does seem to be a factor.

I don't want to have to take it in to be repaired, but I don't want to screw it up any more. I think I'll quite for tonight because it's been a long day! I'm still able to connect, so I'll be back at it tomorrow. I DO appreciate the help here and I DON'T want to have to pay for a repair if I can figure it out myself. Money is an issue for some many of us these days so I'll rest for now and keep at it tomorrow.

Again, sorry for the late reply.

[lpbk2713]

18. Run CCleaner to clean the trash out before you do any scans.

http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/">{Click}

[Gabi Hayes]

23. thanks. should I stop or pause malwarebytes when running this?

I'm running malwareB right now

[lpbk2713]

44. Install it when you finish what you're doing now.

Then reboot and run CCleaner. If you run CCleaner before you do any other preventative maintenance scans in the future
you will eliminate a lot of the files that would take extra time to scan. Thus your scans won't take quite as long.


:thumbsup: :hi: :thumbsup:

[Gabi Hayes]

47. that makes sense. thank you. it takes forEVER to run a simple disc cleanup.

that happened when I updated Norton last year. sometimes it just stops in the middle

[demmiblue]

21. I use Malwarebytes, AVG, Windows firewall, Advanced SystemCare. n/t

[Gabi Hayes]

22. what's Advanced SystemCare?

and how do I find out of windows firewall is running?

I think I deactivated it for Norton

is it better than Zone Alarm?

does it matter?

can you use both?

[demmiblue]

31. It is similar to CCleaner (Ibelieve).

Here is a link to CNET's description:

http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000-2086_4-10407614.html


To check to see if Window's firewall is running:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Turn-Windows-Firewall-on-or-off


I used to use Zone alarm, as well. I honestly do not know if if one is better than the other. I have never had any security issues, so something is working!

[Gabi Hayes]

34. thanks! that's a big help. Now...all I need to know is what to expect from Avast.

I've looked at various consumer links, but who knows what to believe there

does anybody here know anything about it?

only reason I didn't run AVG is because it wouldn't load

that can't be a good thing

[demmiblue]

40. Here is CNET's take on Avast:

http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?

CNET editors gave it a 5 star rating, users gave it a 4.5 rating.

[Gabi Hayes]

41. thanks. that's one of the ones I looked at.

I'm getting more and more confused, the more I look at:

more stuff slowing things down vs. nasty stuff getting through, as it has in the past, resulting in eventual loss of computer (which happened to my first comp, as mentioned in another post)

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

24. There are too many damn security systems

Call me when there is one that doesn't have some hole in it.

[Gabi Hayes]

amen. head is spinning. if I had the $$, I'd get a mac, I guess. seems they're not

the target PCs are

got too much invested in this hog, though

[Wickerman]

26. I use Micro$oft Security Essentials

and am extremely surprised and happy with the program. It's light, its a quick install and largely transparent. I am REALLY fussy about my anti-virus, etc and this has been great. And for now at least, it's free.

I was using Eset Nod32 which is very highly rated but I quit it when something got past it on one of the machines I tend to.

Advanced System Care does a nice job of clearing crap off your computer. Worth running the trial at least and seeing what you think.

[Gabi Hayes]

30. edit: found the site

but I'm still an ignoramus.



do you know anything about Avast? am I setting myself up for big problems by going with that and Zone Alarm?

should I get off before something bad happens?

thanks

[Gabi Hayes]

35. what happens if I download that while still using Avast/ZA?

don't want to be unprotected

thanks

[kestrel91316]

28. I use Microsoft Security Essentials, PLUS Malwarebytes, PLUS

Piriform's CCleaner.

Norton is evil. I am a MUCH happier person now that it has been wiped from BOTH my computers.

[KatyMan]

32. HijackThis is good to have around

it checks your browser for hijacks etc. You have to manually run it, but I would definately recommend having it available.

[customerserviceguy]

36. HijackThis is good

but it's dangerous in non-geek hands. There are websites out there that will let you post a logfile of all the stuff HT finds, and people will help you sort out the crap from the essentials.

[Gabi Hayes]

45. So, it looks like this is becoming sort of a "what are the essential--and free--web protection

protection programs one should be running constantly, and have available to run manually when necessary (like malwarebytes--ccleaner, highjackthis, and others belong here?)

thoughts?



any suggestions for sites that discuss this sort of thing, which would seem to be a very basic undertaking for skittish ignoramos like myself who don't want to lose their computers and all the info on them

thanks

[TK421]

46. If you got rid of Norton, everything should be fine now n/t

[Gabi Hayes]

48. it does seem to be working better, with the initial getting online linkup.

I'm going to run a disc cleanup and see what happens. that became problematic last year when they took my computer over to fix the install that wouldn't install, and left me w/o any virus protection for a few seconds...long enough to put some nasties on my box, before I realized what was happening and pulled the power cord

[TK421]

49. Norton was always missing shit on this computer, and since I decided to

drop it, I picked up AVG ( free anti-virus program ) and it has already found, blocked, and quarantined several items in my registry. I also use SuperAntiSpyware

[CountAllVotes]

50. you might consider running a Norton AV removal tool

At some point along the way here, I did this and I believe it helped a lot. I was shocked :wow: by the results!

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Uninstallers/Norton-Removal-Tool.shtml

[Gabi Hayes]

55. thanks. I'm going to try that

still having trouble getting online as quickly as I did before Norton remotely updated me after I had two versions running simultaneously (old version wouldn't go away)

[Gabi Hayes]

58. WOW! amazing! just did that removal tool,

but the softpedia link sent me to AVG, which didn't show me the removal tool anywhere I could easily find it

I googled it and downloaded from some geek site

http://www.soft82.com/download/windows/norton-removal-tool-for-windows/

what DIFFerence that made!

my software uninstall thing on my computer didn't do the entire job, and the difference between that and your removal tool is dramatic!!!

many thanxxxx

[CountAllVotes]

62. yeah I know!

it really is a :wow: huh?

I couldn't believe how many fragments were embedded in my registry from this piece o'crap software that is preinstalled on almost every machine you find! :puke: again ...

Glad it helped!

:D

[rucky]

52. One more thing: HijackThis

Free software. Run the diagnostic scan. If it detects something, you can send your results to an expert in the community who can help.

http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/

The URL sounds hokey, but it's official - from TrendMicro.

[Gabi Hayes]

56. will do. another thanks

[Statistical]

53. Avast is great stuff. I woulnd't use Norton if they paid me. Honestly.

The pro version of Avast is worth considering. It places browser in a virtual machine (most malware comes from browser vulnerabilities) however even the "free" version of Avast is good.

[SoCalDem]

54. I like AVG and zone alarm..both free

[Canuckistanian]

57. I'm using Avast. I like it.

It updates every day like clockwork and I've even had about 5 warning events that I later found out were serious.

AVG was good, but it needed a lot of attention, IMHO.

[Gabi Hayes]

59. I like it so far....course, it's only been a few hours, but the ZA/Avast combo is SO

much faster than frickin Norton was

now, I shall see if my Word program will come up as fast as it used to before the Norton ball and chain was applied......

[Gabi Hayes]

60. even my Word program is popping up immediately, like it used to. I'm almost....

happy!

is that sad?

[ChiciB1]

67. Hey, Gabi... I'm Like You, Kind Of Afraid So I'm Going To Print Out

all of these suggestions you've been given. My problem doesn't seem to be as severe as yours because I'm still able to access everything, it's just so VERY, VERY slow!

Glad you asked all these questions, it's been good to see all the input. Good Luck to you, but you seem to be making progress. I'm DONE for tonight, my back has had it and my head is just about to explode too!

Tomorrow, another day!

And I want to thank everyone too. Didn't think about putting this out there but for someone who is "techie" challenged, there are some good process ideas.

[Swamp Rat]

61. A LINUX-based system might be a better alternative

Try the new Ubuntu 10.10 operating system. It has Open Office (which has a MS Word substitute), as well as many other free programs like Gimp (Photoshop substitute), etc. All of this is for free and you won't need virus protection like a Windows-based system.

If you have an old computer, it will probably run much faster than Windows, especially if you're running Vista (which is a really crappy operating system).

http://www.ubuntu.com

[Gabi Hayes]

64. ahm a-skeered! wut if it don't work raht?

my machine is six years old, with about 45 gigs left

dunno what to do about that, but it would be a load off

can you come up here and show me what to do with all the crap I have on here, including some video editing crap?

would that stuff work on Linux?

[bemildred]

63. Norton sucks.

I like AVG, but am open to alternatives. I like Noscript and Ghostery for Firefox. On Linux you don't need AVG or the like, but I realize you need Windoze for some things, I run it with AVG. I know nothing about Avast.

YMMV.

[TroglodyteScholar]

68. Avast/ZA has been my security setup forever

Never had any problems.