What is the Norton Alternative (and how do I get rid?)

[alpinemonkey]

After reading here and there and everywhere I think I'm now ready to ditch my Norton Internet Security/Anti-Virus 2005 and speed up my PC a little bit! It's been a hard decision to make as Norton IS effective at stopping and viruses getting to me. In fact I've had NO trouble with Norton at the helm.

However, with start-up times taking far too long, and the pc generally being slower than it's capable I want to find an alternative.

Which Anti-Virus/Firewall/Internet Security software is JUST AS EFFECTIVE as Norton, but plays alot less stress on my PC?

And also, how do I COMPLETELY remove Norton 2005 from my PC (as I know this isn't an easy task either!!)?

[Laguna]

I have never had trouble removing Norton from any of my friends machines.
I just un-installed all Norton applications in add/remove programs then do a search for the likes of Norton and Symantec etc and delete them.You can also go to run and type in services.msc and stop all Norton processes if any remain.

On the note of what to switch to it really depends on what suits you I can make many suggestions to you but there are always a million and one other alternatives.
I'll make suggestions based on what I have running and if you like you can test them out.But i'm sure there will be a lot of other people running to make more suggestions for you too so don't worry if what i suggest doesn't meet your likings.

You didn't mention whether you were looking for a payed subscription to an AV or just free ones so i'll go with free for now.

AVG anti-virus is a great AV as it auto-updates if you allow it to when your machine turns on.It runs a resident shield and is also a very good e-mail scanner.With very regular updates and a reliable scan as if you are infected it mostly is the first thing to tell you.You could also try the pro or free version of Ewido anti-malware which is affiliated with AVG and the pro version has resident protection, but the free one is just a really good scan.

For anti-spyware there are loads of different programs you can try.I used to run windows defender which can be found at microsoft.com it gets it's definition updates through Windows update and runs a daily weekly monthly scan at your discretion and runs resident protection.But I am now running SpyBot Search and Destroy which also has resident protection and is updated manualy by checking yourself and is a reliable program as it has an immunisation ability which blocks bad signatures from running on your computer.Or maybe try Ad-Aware Pro or personal the pro version has resident protection and the free version just is a really good adware and spyware scan.

And for a fire-wall I honestly 100% recommend Sunbelt's Kerio Personal FireWall.
I find it really easy to use and is so customisable that you can pretty much have it running exactly the way you want.You can tell it to drop packets from bad IP addresses or websites and it logs any shady behaviour towards your computer aswell as asking you if an application is allowed to start nevermind access the internet.
Don't worry you can tell it to remember the settings you want.

Anyway thats my recommendations on your question i'm sure many will follow and I hope mine helped.

[PrntRhd]

To remove Norton get the removal utility on the Symantec site.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

For advice on AV applications, see mjc's sticky posts at the top of the applicable forum category.

[alpinemonkey]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Am now fully rid of Norton and fully hooked-up with AVG, Ewido, Ad-WareSE and the good old Windows Firewall.

:)

[Whyzman]

So, how are your boot times now?

[alpinemonkey]

MUCH quicker!!! It used to take ages for Norton to sort itself out, and it always came last on the list of start-up programs.

Now it just comes on all at once and I can get cracking.

So all I need to do now is sort out my power-down issue (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=47292)

[Laguna]

You are running Ad-aware SE?Not the pro version?
If so Ad-aware does not offer resident spyware protection.
This is a must if you want to keep all security at top notch.

And is this all in aid of keeping your computer at full speed or keeping it safe?
As Windows FireWall isn't the most interagating towards the goings-on on your computer.

I would recommend getting a better firewall and getting resident spyware protection.There are so many options for you to chose from but if your concerned about speed don't get ZoneAlarm it killed my computer with horrible boot times and my machine is pretty powerful.

Just recommendations though if your happy the way you are now thats cool

[alpinemonkey]

Thanks Laguna...I'll look into that new firewall and get Adware kicking in pro version soon.

Cheers.

[Laguna]

Good to hear.
But if you wanted to save some mula you could just as easily download SpyBot Search&Destroy it's free and has tea timer(resident protection).
Just a suggestion if you wanted something free.

Or you could try Windows Defender but it's up to you.
If you think Ad-aware Pro is the way to go thats coolies.