symantec vs. freebies

brand new here,

my HP came loaded with Norton Symantec and had since lapsed, i haven't updated. basically, i am wondering if it is safe to rely on the built-in Vista "defender" firewall and some of the freewares, i.e. AVG and spybot and just remove the norton altogether?

 

>> My HP came loaded with Norton Symantec and had since lapsed, i haven't updated. basically, i am wondering if it is safe to rely on the built-in Vista "defender" firewall and some of the freewares, i.e. AVG and spybot and just remove the norton altogether? johnc73 <<

I was in your shoes a few years back, having Norton installed; via a new computer purchase. But after I installed AVG AntiVirus Free Edition (when the free Norton trial ran out); I have had zero viruses since then.

I mean I've actually had a few AVG "warnings" (which I immediately clicked to "heal"), but a virus has never penetrated the AVG, therefore I would definitely recommend installing AVG AntiVirus Free Edition instead of continuing to pay a yearly fee to Norton.

Good Luck!

 

Absolutely! I've seen so many infected PCs running active and updated Norton that it makes me wonder how they get away with actually getting money for their software. I've been running nothing but free security utilities for years, and NEVER had a bad infection. Only once did something bad actually get to the point where it was installed and an active infection, but that was entirely my fault; I thought my antivirus and security tools were giving me a false positive on some software I was trying to install. Anyway, the answer is yes. I personally recommend completely removing every trace of Norton by using their own removal tool: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_SymNRT_d4749.html Then keep Defender installed and updated, and install AntiVir http://www.majorgeeks.com/AntiVir_Personal_Edition_7_d955.html and Comodo BOClean
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Comodo_BOClean_Anti-Malware_d5616.html and I also use Browser Hijack Retaliator http://www.majorgeeks.com/Browser_Hijack_Retaliator_d4582.html Using these tools, and running regular scans and regular cleaning with a good drive cleaner will keep you safe, as long as you add a healthy dose of common sense
...and Welcome to MajorGeeks! :major

 

thanks for the assurance and advice. i have been very close to deinstalling the norton every time that d@mn pop up tells me to pay them $50! now i will with confidence.

thanks for the links too, i will use it all and trust the chain of command!