Do I really need Norton Anti virus Software on my computer?

Question

My computer came preinstalled with a 90 day subscription to Norton Anti Virus and Internet Security, but to be honest I don't like it and have always used Avast Anti virus instead. What do you think am I better off deleting Norton and crossing over to Avast or would you not recommend that at all?

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

No, you don't need Norton. s***w Norton. s***w Mcafee too. Kaspersky rules. OK?

Answer 2

Ditch Norton before it crashes your PC.  Make sure you download Avast first though.

I use Avast antivirus, PC tools firewall & spybot search & destroy.  They work much better and the best bit is they are totally free and far more reliable than Norton.

Answer 3

No amount of antivirus software can keep you safe if you are careless where you surf or click.

With that said, I have Norton on my new PC, but had to use AVG on my older PC which would not run the new Norton.

As other answerer said, use Norton until time to subscribe, then download AVG and be watchful.

AVG free version, antivirus

http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-avg-...

scroll down and be sure to click on the free download

Ad-Aware -- Downloaded 2/10/08 from:  

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html...

scroll  halfway down the page to Adaware 7.0

click Download

Be careful not to click Buy if you want the free version only.

Spybot

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-De...

Answer 4

I used AVG on my previous pc, now I'm using Avast. They're free and extremely efficient :)

Answer 5

i get mine provided by bt and have had no problems with norton /symtec protection.

if you have to pay for it when 90 days up.and decide not to keep it delete it through add and remove programs ,as it can conflict with other security systems.

Answer 6

No its c**p, avast is ten times better.

a.v.g is proably the best

Answer 7

hi wrighty

          norton anti-virus is one of the most complained about anti-virus programs and the main reason for this is the way its designed

          for starters it uses far too much system memory,unlike other anti-virus software that uses between 5 and 20mb memory usage norton anti-virus uses about 50 to 60mb of memory,and when pc.s running windows xp with just 256mb this is a large portion of the ram used

           avast(http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...

is a excellent choice of anti-virus software,and this program uses only 5mb of system memory,making it much more memory efficent,and along with this you get a excellent scanner with regular updates

          one great feature of avast 4.8 is its audible update reminder,after any update a american sounding voice will remind you that your "virus database has been updated"

          another excellent feature is the downloadable skins,these are skins designed by avast users and can brighten up your desktop when running virus scans

           other anti-virus software worth considering are avg(http://free.avg.com/ww.download-avg-anti... and bit defender free(http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en...

             the bit defender anti-virus is a excellent choice especially for gamers,i discovered this when using this software last year

            unlike other anti-virus programs that can produce lag when playing online bit defender allows online gaming to run  

nearly lag free

             good luck mate !

Answer 8

You are quite right to be worried, my computer came preinstalled with Norton too and i think it's total rubbish as the first time i clicked onto a bad site on the internet Norton just didn't do anything and allowed my computer to have viruses i went out the next day and paid for bit defender. It's true to say that no one anti virus can protect you from all the possible viruses and trojans but i've heard nothing but bad things about Norton and if i where you i would get myself a good paid for anti virus. if you are happy with avast go for it.

Answer 9

i use the norton anti virus i would reccomend using it untill it expires i find it better than any other anti viruses

Answer 10

I really hate Norton. Now I have One care which is a piece of c**p. I am

going to get Kasperisksky next time around.

Answer 11

The Norton Removal Tool

http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsg...

Answer 12

definatley not.

I used to run norton and mcafee together with AVG. the first 2 were unable to detect viruses that AVG (FREE SOFTWARE) picked up on straight away, can't recommend AVG enough, it's free but by no means less of a program than the pay for ones.

Answer 13

Funnily enough, i did just this to my brothers new computer yesterday. So i recommend you do it. I have had both Norton & currently im using Avast and rate Avast more than the massive system hogging Norton :)

Answer 14

I had Norton and I hated it - it kept turning my fire wall off and didn't really help in any way. I didn't even wait for the 90 days to end. I stopped that updating and scanning and went straight to AVG and downloaded that. I suggest getting another - while it is meant to be one of the best I don't believe it is

Answer 15

I got rid of Norton and have been with Bullguard for the last few years.  It's brilliant and I would not return to Norton if they paid me for it now.  It was way too interfering.  I've no experience with Avast but if you get on with it I would say stick with it.

Answer 16

Use it until it runs out then get avast, thats what I did.

Answer 17

Norton is a bloated piece of c**p. I use Avast and Spybot myself.

Answer 18

I don't know Avast, but there's nothing special about Norton's protection. I use AVG at home, we use Sophos at work, and I recommend McAffee over Symantec (Norton) any day.

Answer 19

yes i hate all antivirus.