Norton Anti Virus

hippy chic

Hello. I am new to this so please advise me. Last christmas i bought a new pc and got Norton anti virus in with the package at half price. From what i have been reading it would be much better to now install free AVG 8.0 As my subscription is due for renewal next week i would like to know do i first unninstall Norton and then install AVG or is it difficult to unninstall Norton? My pc is Vista i am a little worried as i am very new to all this and any help to take me through the procedure would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

yoyo

Run the Norton uninstaller as usual from add/remove programs, then download the Norton Removal tool. Run the removal tool to clear all traces and then install AVG

Nick

Donald-Duck

Download the tool before you uninstall Norton. Sometimes it likes to play games and bollocks up your internet when its removed. Then uninstall it and run the tool.

Kevster

I just want to say that I stopped using Norton around one year ago and then began using AVG. I then stopped using this around 6 months ago and have not received a single virus on my machine. I don't believe that anti-virus software is necessary if you have common sense with computers. I still have the firewall provided by Internet Explorer though

Overheal

Donald-Duck wrote: »

Download the tool before you uninstall Norton. Sometimes it likes to play games and bollocks up your internet when its removed. Then uninstall it and run the tool.

No no, you Run the tool to Uninstall norton, not uninstall norton then run the tool. The tool is designed to take care of the entire removal process for you. There is no need to mess about in the contol panel. And yes, before installing an Antivirus Program, you must remove the previous antivirus program.

As for AVG, I strongly recommend Avast Home over AVG 8 with regard to free antivirus tools. AVG has gotten a reputation for mucking up internet connections and such.

also if you had Norton Internet Security (not antivirus) remember that you will also now need to find a Firewall and a Spyware program. For that I recommend Spybot and Zonealarm*

*but its been a while since I used a free firewall, something better might be out there already.

AlmightyCushion

Kevster wrote: »

I just want to say that I stopped using Norton around one year ago and then began using AVG. I then stopped using this around 6 months ago and have not received a single virus on my machine. I don't believe that anti-virus software is necessary if you have common sense with computers. I still have the firewall provided by Internet Explorer though

While I agree with you I'd still have one just to be on the safe side.

unnameduser

I find that AVG is turning into a bit of a system hog. Its quite disappointing really as I was a big fan. I have now turned to Avast for free AV.

mlelsc

Uninstall the Norton for your control panel......after you have removed it then go to AVG 8.0 as this is the latest version and yes it is far better than Norton or McAfee. Google AVG8.0 and download it!
If you ever suspect that you have a virus on your p.c. then install malwarebytes........click on latest udate and then download.......and install and form here then run a scan and it will remove any infections that maybe on your p.c.

Good Luck and happy surfing!

mlelsc

Unless you know what your are doing installing spybot is not a good idea as you need to know what programmes to remove after it has searched for spyware etc........malwarebytes is safer and easier for a person who is not fully au fait with p.c's.
I always take advice from an IT professional who runs his own business and he 100% agrees with using AVG over anyother anti virus software. You can schedule a daily scan when you install it and then you don't have to worry...Just make sure you install the latest edition 8.0

Amalgam

I would have to go with AlmightyCushion, have one around to scan stuff you've downloaded. I tend to switch my AV off otherwise. Not much call to use it if you're browsing mainstream sites with Firefox and a few choice plugins..

I use this (free): http://www.free-av.com/

Avira Anti Virus. Discreet and basic.

Combine it with: CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/

..and: Spybot Search & Destroy http://www.spybot.com/

The only snag with Avira is the free version omits 'POP3 scanning', scanning of email using Outlook, Thunderbird etc..

All the free versions omit POP3 scanning I think, as a way to hook you into the Premium\Priced products.

Norton on Vista is far less invasive than previous versions of Windows\Norton. My parents HP laptop came with Norton 360 and it uninstalled in a very quick and clean manner, I was expecting far worse behaviour.

the_syco

Kevster wrote: »

I just want to say that I stopped using Norton around one year ago and then began using AVG. I then stopped using this around 6 months ago and have not received a single virus on my machine. I don't believe that anti-virus software is necessary if you have common sense with computers. I still have the firewall provided by Internet Explorer though

*Chortle**Snigger*BUW-HAW-HAW-HAW!!! Sorry. Unless your PC is not online, and you don't put any important files on it, sure, you should be ok, but the moment you connect, your asking to be infected. Dodgy sites no longer matters. There has a few legit sites hacked, and trojans put onto them. Not many, but unless you do a scan, you won't know they're there. Use a free antivirus and see how virus free you really are.

=-=

Once connected a "fresh" PC to dialup. May have been the number, but the firewall stopped 2 trojans within the first 10 minutes.