[P-E]

I've had Norton Security for many years but can anyone recommend a free adware/spyware programme that would run along side Norton?

[Mosh]

I have used AVG (the free version) now for around six years. That, plus simple common sense (no opening dubious .exe files and the like) has amounted to no single virus so far making their way into my PC. I forgot about Norton after constant PC performance bog-downs and clashes with my Wacom tablet software.

For spyware detection, I use Ad-Aware. It found now and then some unwanted action in the background. Very reliable, in my opinion, although one never knows if everything is being detected with any anti-spyware programmes.

[P-E]

Thanks Mosh.....I will see if that will work alongside Norton.

[dabhand16]

I stand to be corrected - but always thought that you should not have more than one anti virus program running at any one time.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Mosh

I have used AVG (the free version) now for around six years. That, plus simple common sense (no opening dubious .exe files and the like) has amounted to no single virus so far making their way into my PC. I forgot about Norton after constant PC performance bog-downs and clashes with my Wacom tablet software.

+1 Removed Norton years ago & have run with free AVG for years now with no probs.

[P-E]

So you would recommend uninstalling Norton and use one of the free programmes?

[feeson]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

I stand to be corrected - but always thought that you should not have more than one anti virus program running at any one time.

You stand right 2 Anti virus can conflict -
Another for avg free anti V here and I use spybot SD for malware and such. As to norton, first thing I do if I get a machine that has it installed is take it off, as IMO it slows thing down and replace it with AVG.

[Markulous]

Norton managed to get itself a bad rep - thoroughly deserved at the time but have to say the current iterations are excellent with very small resource footprint and they've gone back to being amongst the leaders for detection/prevention.

Having said that, I use Outpost for a firewall and avast! antivirus as they both do what I want (I found Norton always wanting to take over - fine for those that want it to but I want control) and haven't had any probs with either app nor any infestations

Personally, I'd recommend that if you find Norton does what you want at a price you're OK with, then stick with it - but not a good idea to run another AV concurrently (most will detect your attempt and complain!)

[P-E]

I'm happy enough to use Norton for virus protection but have noticed one or two cookies I'm not happy with.

Would if be easier to block all cookies only allowing them from Pixalo etc that I visit?

[jake]

I use Norton and find it ok for my needs with one exception, it can block System Restore. To get over that you need to go to Settings - Miscellaneous Settings -Product tamper control and turn it off then run System Restore. Turn it on again when its finished.
As regards speed loss the two most effective things I've done of late is to install Soluto, a free programme that lets you know what you can and what you cant delay or pause on startup. That knocked two and a half minutes off the startup time. Then I took notice of the Computer Active workshop in issue 331 and turned off the listed visual effects. In practice there is only a little difference to the Windows Graphics but it certainly speeds things up. Both these actions are completely reversible should you not like them.

I too have always been told it is bad practice to install more than one antivirus system.

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by jake

I use Norton and find it ok for my needs with one exception, it can block System Restore. To get over that you need to go to Settings - Miscellaneous Settings -Product tamper control and turn it off then run System Restore. Turn it on again when its finished.

That might explain the system restore failures I've had on more than one occasion

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by P-E

I'm happy enough to use Norton for virus protection but have noticed one or two cookies I'm not happy with.

Would if be easier to block all cookies only allowing them from Pixalo etc that I visit?

I wouldn't block all cookies as it becomes a PIA with some sites that insist on them. TBH, they're less of a threat than is sometimes made out - nothing wrong with a bit of healthy paranoia but it can become overblown (but do have sympathy with the view that there's way too much personal info being tracked). Personally, I allow all cookies but I do monitor site threats - much more likely to cause problems

Originally Posted by jake

I use Norton and find it ok for my needs with one exception, it can block System Restore

I've never used System Restore in all the years in the industry! Problem is, I never know what is actually going to be restored so prefer to fix the problem (and I'm continuously adding/removing trial copies of s/w to try for people) - whether it be messing with DLLs or delving into the Registry (both of which were common pastimes - rarely needed nowadays)

[P-E]

Thanks for all your replies and info

Well I tried a few programmes....

Spyware Doctor: This found the tracking cookies which could only be removed if I purchased the software...this did alert me that there was a conflict with Norton.

Ad-Aware: Again this found the tracking cookies and got rid of them.....this appears to be working alongside Norton ok

The following 2 were tried after Ad-Aware.

Norton Power Eraser: This found things that were safe. There was a warning it would as it's pretty aggressive.

Stopzilla: Alarmingly this found a Trojan in PhotoMatix Pro

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by P-E

Stopzilla: Alarmingly this found a Trojan in PhotoMatix Pro

Well PhotoMatix has all the properties of a virus the way it's used.........

[P-E]

Originally Posted by Markulous

Well PhotoMatix has all the properties of a virus the way it's used.........

Just trying the free version of AVG....seems to get some positive feedback.

Just noticed I now have Norton, Ad-Aware, Stopzilla and AVG all active at the same time

[EMSGuy]

I used to use Norton but with System Works 2006 I stopped.. It was a HUGE system hog... I have friends that are using the latest thing from them Norton 360 and they swear by it.... Having said that, I switched to Avast for Antivirus and Zone Alarm for a firewall. I have Malwarebytes Anti Malware installed and have not had any problems. I run a deep system scan every month and regular system scans once a week... Haven't had a problem with my system since using both. Even with kids on the computer. I have also used Super Anti Spyware with success but recently it has become a bit of system hog..!!

[homer_j]

AVG or Avast free versions seem to work great for me and the others in our house, we also use Malwarebytes an excellent program, find it much better than spybot,

[Silver Dragon]

The latest incarnation of Norton is lighter and less resource hungry than previous ones that got some bad press...
Symantec listened, and changed things, making a better product.

Anti-Nasty additions, you can use many anti-spyware products alongside Anti-Virus, the law of "One at a time" applies to Anti-Virus, but no such anti-spyware...

The best by far so far have been...

SpywareBlaster.
SpywareBlaster® | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.
This is best run alongside Spybot Search and Destroy, it is a "passive" deterrent that actively blocks certain parts of your computer from ever getting infected.
Run Update once a week and just forget it the rest of the time.

Spybot Search and Destroy.
The home of Spybot-S&D!
Keep this updated and scan frequently, it also has an "Immunise" function, that if kept updated will know and block any incoming threat before it gets to you....

The best indication that these are working is that you dont get any warnings at all... you can set pert of it to "Paranoid" that will alert you for every blocked and blocking action taken, but that gets quickly old after seeing it ping every few seconds....

Also advised CCleaner.
Piriform - Download CCleaner, Defraggler, Recuva, Speccy - Millions of users worldwide!
Removes all "Junk" files from your computer, and "Sanitises" your recent history, so that if anyone is trying to spy, it finds you have nothing worth looking at....
It also cleans up temp files and gives an improvement to speed.

Adaware by Lavasoft, also high recommendation.
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft - Antivirus software, free spyware removal, firewall

As well as Malwarebytes as listed above.

For all of them, make sure you are getting the "Free" version.

Browser choice...
I use Firefox, because it has a better security than Internet Exploder...
It also is the native home of AdBlockPlus.
Adblock Plus: Save your time and traffic
This allows you to block adverts and tracking cookies.

Tracking cookies, Taco with Abine, again a Firefox add-on,
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11073/
Allows you to SEE who is trying to add Targeted Advertising Cookies on your system, and BLOCK them.

Hope these help.

[Dave Canon]

Choosing the right security software is difficult and a few individual experiences do not give you the big picture. For example a friend removed an old version of Norton and installed AVG; his computer was recently overtaken by a destructive virus and the hard drive hard to be reformatted and rebuilt. Would Norton have stopped this attack? Fortunately he had listened to advice about backing up data. I use Virgin Media Security which seems very comprehensive but the Norton package I used prior to that also seemed very good. Which? independently review security software and Norton comes out on top now. If you are running the latest, Norton, McAffee or Virgin Media packages, I doubt that you need anything else.

Dave

[P-E]

Thanks again all.......much appreciated

I'm happy to use Norton but would just like to find something to run alongside it to monitor the tracking cookies.....I'll have a good read through Silver Dragons post at the weekend thanks

[spacepacker]

I found Norton made every thing run slow.
I now use Avast (its free), it seems to do the job, I also use Spybot ( also free) which only runs on command.
Both work very well.
As others have said; my understanding is you should not run two anti -virus side by side...cheers

[Aspire]

I also found Norton made my computer run slow, so tried both AVG and Avast at different times. My son recommended PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Anti-virus, I've used this on my computer now for about 2 years and 'touch wood as they say'...it's never let me down.

[Silver Dragon]

What version(s) of Norton were you using that makes it run slow?...
Earlier versions (pre 2010) attracted this complaint, yes, but Symantec listened to all the troubles, and have re-built Norton, the latest versions are much improved.

[dabhand16]

Funny how mud sticks. The version of Norton that caused slow running must have been five or six years ago, but since then it has been refined year on year and has now got the Which? best buy for the last two years.

[Dave Canon]

If you use the current Norton, McAffe or Virgin Media security package, there is no need for additional software. For instance, the Virgin Media I run has Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Identity Theft Protecton, Privacy Mangement (Cookies), Firewall, Add Blocker and Parental control. The Cookies Management is excellent in that I can block most cookies but retain those I need (sites I regularly use). You do not get all this protection with AVG (free) though I think you can if you pay for the professional version. I suspect that AVG(free) is popular because it is free and lightweight but it does not provide comprehensive protection.

Dave

[P-E]

Dave I'm with Virgin Media....does the security package run automatically or can this be configured?

[Markulous]

How to get Virgin Media Security

[P-E]

[Dave Canon]

You can certainly configure individual aspects yourself. For example if you bring up the Virgin Media Security window by clicking the icon on the task bar and opening Virgin Media Security. From the main Window you could, for example, click on Privacy Manager> Manage Cookies. The top part of this window lists all cookies on your computer; there are currently almost 100 on mine. The lower window list all trusted sites. You can select any of the Cookies which you recognise to be OK and click add to Trusted sites. Cookies from trusted sites are displayed in green and from other sites in red. According with your general settings, cookies will be regularly deleted except those from trusted sites. Of the nearly 100 I have almost 80 are from trusted sites. The cookies you want are usually very recognisable; I have one which is pixalo.com/ and I have made this a trusted site so I do not need to log in each time. Each of the different security features can be configured to suit and there is some help but the default settings are a sensible starting point.

[P-E]

Thanks Dave