Ditching Norton, Need thumbs up on Replacements

I have done enough research to realize I don't need Norton Anti-virus/Security anymore. I am going to uninstall it, but I would love some confirmation on which free programs are the best since some of the threads I looked at were many months ago. Also, if you agree (or recommend something else) can you give me the updated links to them as well?

Uninstall Norton AV and Sec.
Install Avast
Install Zone Alarm (which I already have)

and I should be set to go - yes?? Please let me know so I can start my new year right. I want to completely optimize my laptop so that it runs more smoothly, quickly and efficiently.

Thank you so much for over a year of advice!! Love, Stephanie

 

Another Option for Firewall (free too) Is Sygate:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3356.html


I have used most of what Star17 posted, all good.

 

thanks so much! So you are agreeing that I don't need NAV?? My husband is very skeptical about my removing it. I just want to make sure that I can maintain our computer through these suggestions that you gave me. Thanks

 

Stephanie,

Be sure to uninstall Norton's thru Add/Remove.

Steve

 

i never used avast but i do know avg is pretty good http://majorgeeks.com/download886.html

 

Hi Steph. Agree with Steve. Be very thorough in removing Norton. I use ZA and Avast. I used to use AVG but switched to Avast. IMHO Avast is easier, especially on the updating side. Bazza

===

 

Thanks so much everyone. Now I feel confident in removing NAV. You're the best!

Stephanie

 

Replace NAV with almost any AV solution will see an improvement in your system response time. There are many "lighter" alternatives - we use and recommend NOD32 since XP SP2 came out, and were so impressed with it, that we became resellers for the solution!

hth

Greg Hewitt-Long

 

I finally removed NAV and replaced it with the programs mentioned here. My laptop is running more smoothly and quickly. Thanks so much!