Norton Anti .... or free?

Smag

My p.c. came with Norton Internet Security ready installed and now it is time to renew.

I would like know if I should go ahead with renewal or is AVG (or another free download) just as good?

Thanks

UPDATE

Just tried uninstalling Norton Internet Security via Add Remove Programmes in control panel and got this sign:

"A norton internet security account with supervisor access must be logged in to uninstall this product. If norton internet security is not running,click the start menu, select norton internet security and log in. Set up will now exit."

I am logged in and it still won't let me install. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

John_M_Business

I tried AVG before I got Norton. Basically it's OK but not that great. i.e. if you want good security and you place a high value the contents of your computers' hard disk - go with Norton. If you're not so sure, then use AVG or similar.

Fran

I would say go for free. There are many people who visit this site who use the free security and usually problems occur due to settings that the user has got rather than any fault of the free software.

wolfman

Yeah either go with one of the free ones like Avast or AVG.

Or, if you are going to pay for a new license, get a better av than Norton. Nod32 (£25) would be my recommendation, or Kaspersky.

Personally I like to use Nod32 as it's lighter than any of the free ones I've tried, scans much more quickly and from reports I've read, has a higher success rate at finding viruses.

Kaspersky is generally seen as the best, but it's quite heavy on resources and can take a while to do a full scan.

Tojo_Ralph

I've tried Norton, AVG and AVAST and having had AVAST installed for a few years now, I really cannot recommend it highly enough ....

don9999

If you have a registered version of Norton, try this (it works for me!)

Un-install the software, and re-instal it.

I find that it gives me 12 months of free updates from the date of installation! Simply by removing the software and re-installing it gives me another year of free updates!

(Let me know how you get on....)

Cheers,
Don

JimArnold

uninstalling/reinstalling doesn't usually work with Norton unless you manually clean the registry of all Norton and virus entries.

JimArnold

Oh and it is undoubtedly breaking the terms of your software agreement

I use Norton - for me it gives a good balance of system resource use and effectiveness. My experience is also that when problems arise eg after one upgrade a few years ago I lost the ability to collect e mails - they are quickly sorted. I have not had the same experience with free AV

Smag

don9999 wrote:

If you have a registered version of Norton, try this (it works for me!)

Un-install the software, and re-instal it.

I find that it gives me 12 months of free updates from the date of installation! Simply by removing the software and re-installing it gives me another year of free updates!

(Let me know how you get on....)

Cheers,
Don

Unfortunately the software was ready installed with no CD. I am sure theres a way round it?

moomintroll_3

The free ones are pretty good, personally I use PC-Cillin as the Halifax gave away licenses for it years ago when they started doing online banking and I like it so stayed with it. If you bank with the Halifax they still have a link to "Anti-Virus Software" when you log in. Click the link and copy and paste the serial number - you can use it to get the upgrade price rather than paying full price!

G

lestamunda

Tojo_Ralph wrote:

I've tried Norton, AVG and AVAST and having had AVAST installed for a few years now, I really cannot recommend it highly enough ....

avast rocks!!!!!!!!!!

does what it is supposed to and mega advanced - also updates alomst everyday!