Bought norton AV '05 from DELL, then i read this forum . . send it back?? Help pleez

So my new laptop (as you can see the specs below) is coming and i preordered Norton AntiVirus 2005 with it but after doing some research on this forum it seems if i get the computer (tomorrow it arrives ) and the software is uninstalled and still in the box - which since i bought AV in addition to my computer and not as an option it should be - it would be wise for me to return it for a refund (minus 15% ) and get something else. . .

people are saying Avast is best . . . i don't mind spending money - i just want the most kick ass antivirus program out there . . . thought it was norton (im such a noob) guess not if it slows you way down, is hard to uninstall, and has buggs . . .

what do you think??? Send it back and buy something else?? Just stick with it?

 

Well if you can return it for a refund I would. You can always use Avast or AVG. Norton is very overrated & full of bloat IMO.

 

Re: Bought norton AV '05 from DELL, then i read this forum . . send it back?? Help p

Alot of people here seem to favor Avast. Many people favor AVG also, from computer pros to hobbyists. This is actually the first forum I've seen where it seems less people use AVG compared to Avast, I thought it was always the other way around. It's probably 1 and 1A, IMO. Having used the free version of AVG for awhile, I am still surprised at how well it rivals the commercial programs. AVG is excellent if you choose it, don't just look at money. The greatest computer security expert in the world, IMO, Bruce Schneier, wrote a book Digital Security in a Networked World (published in 2000 though entirely true today and a great book for all levels) that has a great chapter devoted to home network security threats like viruses, trojans, etc. He drove home the same points over and over in the book, important ideas, such as "Security is a process, not a product." Major Geeks also has a good article about this stuff, the more you read about security, the better you'll be, whether you have Norton, AVG, etc. Some are better like they get a couple more or less viruses, some are more and less taxing on resources, but if you read just a couple good articles like what I mentioned, you will be safe regardless of which you choose, and that may be why many use AVG or Avast cause it's free. Hope this helps ya. Now, on the detailed specific let's benchmark them style tip, I still think AVG is slightly better than Norton, but again the most important thing here is how you use whatever antivirus program you use.

 

Re: Bought norton AV '05 from DELL, then i read this forum . . send it back?? Help p

Very good responses - thank you for your time . . .

my question is narrowing down to this . . . IF Norton AV is overrated, does that mean it does more harm than good? Is it possible that it will NOT give me any problems? If it does slow down my computer, then how much - my specs are below . . . seems like the new computer will be pretty fast, so does AV slow down even matter if no gaming? how about burning? And are the updates from symatec effective as composed to others and are the other tools useful?

Also (sorry for the list) will zone alarm be needed in conjunction with norton AV or avast?

what about system mechanic 5 pro? I LOVE its utilities in 5 but the pro version has bells and whistles like AV and firewall that if effetive seems like great bang for buck . . .

answers to any of the above would be very helpful as ill be acting upon this tomorrow

Wiz

 

Re: Bought norton AV '05 from DELL, then i read this forum . . send it back?? Help p

I was a long time Norton user, but have swapped all my machines over to Avast.
On older machines, you can really tell a slight increase in speed, plus there is no time waiting for Norton's proxy while scanning email. Avast doesn't slow down your system like Norton, and doesn't insert itself in every nook and cranny of your operating system, making removal difficult to almost impossible. As for Iolo
System Mechanic, I've used some of their earlier versions, and liked it.
If it were me, I would return both Norton and Iolo for refunds if possible. There are too many freeware apps that are on the same level as these products, do as good a job, or better, in my opinion, and aren't resource hogs.

My own personal preference for applications would be Avast for antivirus, Sygate for firewall - ZoneAlarm is okay, but gave me some problems on XPSP2 machines, Spybot Search and Destroy, AdAwareSE, and CCCleaner. All of these can be downloaded from the download section on MajorGeeks and are free, and do a great job. I have no opinion on AVG antivirus, as I haven't used it. I went with Avast because several of the senior members of this forum used it, and AVG was having problems with their update server. I have not regretted this decision.