Help With Anti-virus

@carolbee (16230)
United States
February 24, 2009 5:30am CST
I have Norton on my computer and it's due to expire in a few days. I don't mind buying another year subscription because I know it's a good program but don't know if I need to install anything or if the service is continued once the order is processed. What I'd like to know is this: is there a program that is as good as Norton on the internet that I download free? I really appreciate any feedback. Thanks, carolbee
1 person likes this
11 responses
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
24 Feb 09
Hi there! Norton is no longer that working as best anti-virus, so perhaps you just try other anti-virus. I had been using Avast for 2 years or more now and it worked for me until a Mylot member recommend a website where 35 anti-virus software would scan an uploaded file if it has a virus. Go to www.virustotal.com, upload a file which you suspect to have a virus and there within 2 minutes or less it will view the result which anti-virus will be able to detect it. If you do not have a file that has no virus at the moment, you may choose from the anti-virus listed in virustotal. I think, most anti-virus have free downloads for Home version or personal purpose. Try avast.com, antivir.com, McAfee. Hope I was able to help and answer your inquiry.
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Feb 09
Thank you so much for your helpful response. I will check out all sites you mention and not renew Norton.
@cvrajan (354)
• India
24 Feb 09
AVG Anti virus free edition is really good enough and works fine for me. Before installing it, I read in several sites about it and most of the users gave very good opinion about it. I am happy with it; no complaints.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Feb 09
Thanks so much for responding to my discussion. I will definitely check it out. Need some kind of protection before Norton expires.
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
24 Feb 09
I was a former user of AVG and really worked good for some time. Until, a friend introduced to me Avast. After installing Avast, there are virus that it was not detected by AVG which Avast did. So, I uninstalled AVG gave away my AVG installer. My friends, who are computer troubleshooters are no longer recommending AVG. However, it is up to you if you stay an AVG user.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Feb 09
Thank you again for another informative response.
@kidjuwee (611)
• Philippines
25 Feb 09
If you decide to subscribe to Norton for another year it will automatically require you to update your Norton version. This will also validate the subscription you have. If you cannot provide the subscription keys , Norton will not be activated into your computer. I personally don't like Norton as I have tried it before. What works better for me is the Avira anti virus, it is absolutely free and detects more virus and illegal stuff than when I had Norton. Get it and you won't regret it. It has automatic updates too which updates your systems virus information.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Will do a search and get the link to Avira. Thanks so much for your response.
@kumarpslv (3216)
• India
24 Feb 09
I am not able to understand your problem fully.If you trust on Norton, you can continue to use it. If we place the order for renewal in most of the cases it will be processed immediately.Even if it take a long no need to worry.Even if your license expires, your software will do its function as usual and only it will not get updated after the expiration of license.You update the software manually before the end of the license by looking the server time of Norton.Nothing will will happen harm to our system if we failed update even a week in most of the cases.Otherwise, you can install the trial version of Norton which is available for 30 day or 90 days and trial version will get updated for the whole of the trial period.Al you need is to create one account with Norton for the request of trial version.If you feel that your system must be kept most secured, you download the trial version and keep it readily available before your license is expired.Then install it at the last moment or one day in advance. Still if you need some other free software, just visit the following sites:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/49500 and here you can find most of the important software. Navigate to the desired link and download the trial version and all are having the trial version.It may found in their respective websites mostly under the download section.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Not so sure I want to pay for another year using Norton. Thanks so much for your response.
@fren45 (894)
• Malaysia
24 Feb 09
try Avg antivirus free edition..its works the best for me
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Feb 09
Thank you so much for responding to this discussion. You're the second member to mention avg so it must be a good site.
1 person likes this
@fren45 (894)
• Malaysia
24 Feb 09
So far I'm protected with the free edition.. Else is just lack of a firewall..Which i could find free alternative.. Now My Pc is ready to handle anything
• Chile
25 Feb 09
Well if you want to buy a license then I would recommend you the ESET NOD 32 Smart security. I´ve tried all the other antiivirus but none of them is as good as NOD 32. McAfee is Baaaaaaaaaaaaad Norton, is quite good but it uses too much PC resources Panda Platinum its exageratedly secure, even it fets annoying Avast its quite good, the same for AVG, but the payed antivirus are better, they give you support and massive updates. But I guess its your decision, research a little bit and you´ll notice that ESET has gained a lot of prizes because of NOD 32, and smartsecurity its an antivirus, a firewall and an antispyware.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Since my computer is probably on it's way out, only a year old but it's not functioning properly, think I will lean towards the free programs. It's a long story about this computer but I am not happy with it. Maybe it's aol...lol Thanks for your response.
• India
25 Feb 09
first i had norton anti virus then i put avg from the internet its free from the net.then i came to know avg is not good as eset nod32 so i installed it then i came to know that 32 nod doestnt delets all the infections now iam deciding to install avast.everyone here also advising u to put avast it is good.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I think Norton is good but slows down my computer. Don't want to renew the subscription. Thanks so much for your response.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
24 Feb 09
I also have Norton, carolbee, but I am not entirely happy with it because I think it slows down your computer way too much. I have used AVG Free and it seems to do a good job, also Avast Free Edition. Someone else might know some that are better though.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Something is really slowing my computer to a snail's pace so maybe Norton is the culprit. Thanks for responding.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Feb 09
I have AVG too..but mine is not free because I have it for a business computer...anyway....It's a very good program!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Feb 09
I have AVG and have never had a virus in my computer...they do a scan everyday though...but it's not free. But I am willing to pay for a good program if it protects my computer.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Thanks Jill for your feedback. Norton is about to expire on my computer and I'm not so sure I want to renew. It's worth the $50/year to renew but something slows my computer down and wonder if it has to do with Norton. Thanks for responding.
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
24 Feb 09
Yes there's an antivirus that's good as norton and can be downloaded free.The name of the antivirus is avira antivir free edition.It scans the computer very fast.It also has definition updates from the internet.It also has a guard to protect from infected dvd's and pen drives.I am using it in my computer right now.I am having no virus problem.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Feb 09
Thanks, Vicky, for your response to this discussion. Will be sure to check it out.
@knaphih (57)
• Australia
25 Feb 09
Try Kaspersky internet security. Its one of the best there is. I bought an original one year subscription. Its worth it. Coz it eliminates all the Viruses on yr computer. its done so for me. Giv it a try. U'll love it
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I will check it out. Thanks so much for your response.