Please help -best value internet security needed ASAP!

Motivatedworkingmum

I have just had a pop up to say my Norton Internet security is due to expire in 2 days. The popper was quoting me £39.99 for I think the same as I have now and £95 (!) for Norton 360. I've googled this and come up with the following which at £27.94 doesn't look too bad (on eonlinesoftware.co.uk). Can anyone clarify if this is good or can do any better by getting it for free!!?? I am in serious money saving mode and forgot this renewal was coming up so something I have not budgeted for! Any help from someone clearly more techie than myself would be greatfully appreciated.

Norton Anti Virus 2009 1 User - Download (PC Protection: 2 year of protection For £7.97 More, 3 Users Protection Upgrade Offer: No Thanks, 1 User Only) £27.94

aliEnRIK

Personally id use the uninstall tool
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Then install free software
AVAST anti virus
http://www.download.com/avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239_4-10019223.html

and PC TOOLS FIREWALL
http://www.download.com/PC-Tools-Firewall-Plus-Free-Edition/3000-10435_4-10625321.html

and MALWAREBYTES as a secondary scanner
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
(Only runs when you open it)

Norton upto 2009 has been a bit c*ap as security software.
If you MUST buy one, then id suggest Kaspersky or NOD32

thomas01155

Get Avira for the antivirus http://www.filehippo.com/download_antivir/

And use Comodo Firewall for the firewall(make sure to un select the antivirus during installation) http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html
or
Online Armor
http://www.tallemu.com/
or
Pctools Firewall
http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
Also when you uninstall Norton it will leave parts behind use this to remove them
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

GunJack

as per RIK's suggestion, but also CCleaner and possibly spyware doctor(although I know RIK isn't a fan) or super antispyware as a secondary spyware tool......

withabix

Are you a Barclays online banking customer? If so, you can get Kaspersky for free (by download).

Also available half price at PC World at the moment.

penrhyn

If OP wants to continue with Norton then a one user 3 PC version is on Amazon for £22 ish

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Norton-Internet-Security-2009-Computers/dp/B001EQ696I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1230980185&sr=8-1

It is supposed to be less of a resource hog than previous versions.

aliEnRIK

penrhyn wrote: »

It is supposed to be less of a resource hog than previous versions.

yeah, Ive heard the same. But then a part of Nortons problem has also been that it generally lets too much though.

Motivatedworkingmum

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. As a MSE newbie I as still amazed at this site and at how helpful the everyone is! Where have I been all these years??

RIK - As I know NOTHING (!! - sorry - might as well be honest) apart from the fact I need security by following your first post will this give me everything I need (that I would have got from Norton - or probably more/better as you guys seem to suggest) to protect my PC?

I assume I just follow through the links and install?

Your first link is to uninstall Norton - stupid question possibly (yes?) but hey I'm going to ask. When I uninstall Norton does that mean for the time it takes me to load up all the links you have given me am I 'unprotected' ?! Is this something I should worry about or not?

Thank you again and your time in helping me out.

aliEnRIK

First link is to uninstall norton depending on the version you have now (Norton can 'sometimes' be hard work to remove otherwise)
I cant recall exactly what Norton does do now (other than its anti virus and firewall properties I mean)
If you use ONLINE email systems (Meaning 'not' through outlook express) then AVIRA which Tom posted is fine (And faster in fact)
But the software I posted is all free and does what you 'need' to be protected

MALWAREBYTES is purely an 'on call' scanner (It doesnt run untill you click it), and it scans your hard drives for any nasties that may be lurking.
It does need manually UPDATING though before you run it

Motivatedworkingmum

Hi Rik/All

I have now:

uninstalled Norton
Enabled Windows firewall (as advised by pop up when I disabled Norton)
Installed Avira anti virus
Installed PC Tools firewall

At the end of the PC tools firewall it runs a scan and has found 11 threats and 238 infections through spyware doctor (mainly low but with 1 high and 2 medium threats). How do I get rid of these? Help? I am now stuck!! and not too sure how to progress? Is this normal or am I in trouble?! This is what happens when you try to save money and do it yourself when you don't know what you're doing!!!!!!!! Looking forward to your response.........thank you!

cowclan138

If you are looking 4 a FW, www.fwbuilder.org
I use it for home and my company. It is excellant.

Cowclan138