Dump Norton and McAfee Anti-Virus? - Comments Page 6

I started using Norton when Peter Norton was one of the greatest early PC gurus, but dumped it some years ago because of the bloatware it contained. I used AVG for a few years until it started nagging me too much and now use and love Microsoft Security Essentials for both my XP machine and my Windows 7 machine. Great system, no problems, no cost and it seems to protect me from the bad guys. What's not to like?

I dumped Norton and McAfee back in the late 90's. Used AVG for years until the recent bloat set in. Then I gritted my teeth and tried Microsoft Security Essentials. I don't like using most Microsoft programs (Yeah I'm looking at you Office and Outlook) but this one works, especially on older systems. It doesn't fight with the Comodo software firewall I run on the Windows boxes either. Now it's what I recommend and put on customers systems.

Norton abandoned ME several years ago, so I abandoned THEM. My "old" version of their crap was running fine. I purchased the expensive renewal for the current year. I never had a lapse in "coverage."

Guess what? THEIR most recent renewal would not RUN on my several-years-old version of Norton. I found this out AFTER they sold it to me.

Their "solution"? For me to buy the latest version of their garbage -- on top of the renewal I had just purchased.

Bye-bye.

And a complaint to my credit card company resulted in their getting the charge cancelled.

No more Norton, ever.

I dumped Norton yeaaars ago when I couldn't update it and the only support was an unintelligible "knowledgebase" article concerning Norton Ghost.

I checked out the FREE download for AVG. The download is a 30 day trial. Then you have to purchase for $54.99 to

activate it after that. Hardly FREE.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not true. You must be looking at the free trial of the paid version. You can get the FREE version at http://free.avg.com

Honestly, I don't see what the problem with Norton is. I have a year old computer running on Windows 7 with the free Norton Security Suite from Comcast. And you know what? It is the best security I've ever had, and I've tried nearly everything.

Viruses used to be a serious problem for me. I'd spend entire days running my computer on safe mode and deleting every virus on it. Now, Norton practically vaporizes them without any effort from myself. I actually feel bad for viruses!

Maybe not all setups of Norton are great, but I can tell you one thing: Norton Security Suite is amazing, and it even updates it's library of known viruses automatically every hour or so. I'd say that's pretty good.

I was using AVG Free for several years but last year watched as a virus blew right through my AVG anti virus program. I have a few clients who experienced the same problem.

I have sinced switched to Norton which I have bought for $20 on sale at my local office supply store. The plain Norton Anti virus is better than the more pricy versions with way too many bells and whistles. So far we have had no virus problems since switching.

my computer guru removed Norton years ago & installed AVG Free; has worked beautifully since!

i get free norton through my workplace, i switched to mse about a year ago when i reformatted my pc, i was reluctant to reinstall norton, turns out mse is much easier to use. i'm getting less phone calls from family and friends who depend on me for support. in most cases i've switched them from avg to mse.

Norton can be removed completely using the 'Norton removal tool' that Norton provides for free. The same goes for Mcafee.

Like one of your earlier posters Tim I stopped using Norton & McAfee and AVG last year. I also now use Avast and find it excellant. I also use the free PCTools firewall, which is surprisingly good.

The Microsoft Security Essentials is also a good AV tool.

We use McAfee in work but it slows down the older PCs there too.

Got a Dell Inspiron recently, got rid of Macafee on day one and installed the excellent Avast. An hour later I installed spybot & Adaware. Re every aforementioned product, I am so satisfied I walk around with a grin like a cheshire cat. On previous computer I had C-cleaner. Cant be certain this didn't slow me down a fraction, fab product, but in two minds.

NEVER used Norton. USED to use McAfee, way back when when it was, in my opinion, a "better" product. After the company got too big for it's britches and customer service went virtually down the drain, I dropped them, too. Although their Stinger Tool is definitely worth having. Started using FREE versions of anti-virus and liked AVG, but even that one became cumbersome taking up huge amounts of memory. Today, I am VERY happy with AVAST FREE. It doesn't use extreme memory, it stays out of the way, and it does what it's supposed to do. What more could you ask for?

I used AVG for a long time, but have found Microsoft Security Essentials to be every bit as good and often less intrusive. I had problems with AVG tying up too much CPU some times.

Who are these people who have to format their computers in order to simply remove Norton or McAfee? They MUST be absolute idiots! They shouldn't even be using a computer from the sounds of it. Please introduce me to one of them so I can give them a well-deserved slap!
I've worked on all kinds of computers, a lot running Norton products and have NEVER ever in 15 years had an issue uninstalling it. Yes the support lines are a nightmare, but once you are thru if you know what you are talking about you can get fast resolution. If you do decide you want to go with Symantec, then the plain Norton AV is fine, no need for the super fancy version.
The same with McAfee, I have removed it easily time after time. I would however never advise anyone to use their product. If someone really does want one or the other, then I would advise using Norton.

I got a tip from a college computer security instructor recommending a free security suite called Comodo. I have been using it now for a few months now and am quite pleased with it. The instructor still recommends Norton, if you want to pay, but, like Bob says: why pay?

I had used Pete Norton's utilities as far back as when he still had pimples. It was straight DOS and was fine until just around the time Symantic. It got progressively worse as it grew into some sort of borg-like moster. I have personally had issues with it and can understand how folks have had issues as it infiltrates other programs (Quicken) and the whole computer. So - to the smart-guy who wants to slap somebody why don't you come here to NJ and slap me? You can find me at the Jackson American Legion.

I made the mistake of buying McAfee just over a month ago.

It had been pre-installed on my acer iconia - herself thought I needed a pressie!

I bought the exact same McAfee internet security set from Amazon at about £20 - instead of the around £50 special offer for buying direct from McAfee.

Great so far, clever me.

For the benefit of the clever clogs' who think that McAfee's deinstallation gizmo works perhaps they could explain why, after an update, it reverted to the original licence and demanded another £45 and told me I had been unprotected for 39 days......

OK so one day I will take everything off and re-format etc. but as all the software on this £1400 twin touch screened extravagant idiosyncratic i5 monster laptop came pre-loaded I may just continue as is....

Jon

PS - Barclays Bank provides Kaspersky free for three PCs per customer in the UK. Virgin allows three installations of another (can't remember the name) AV and firewall for free here as well. AND this idiot went and BOUGHT McAfee :(

Recently my brother got a virus bad enough he had to take his computer in to be fixed. The tech there said that AVG, which had been installed, used too many system resources, and recommended Avast. No problems since. I've been an Avast user for over 4 years and no issues. Even the free version updates automatically.

I started out using AVG. It was good then, but it's not as good as it used to be. I then tried Avast! for a long time. Not very good against rootkits. Plus, it slowed my computer down considerably. I am now using Comodo. I am happy with it so far. Oh, and I have tried Norton in the past. Two thumbs down (and eight fingers)!