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Antivirus Help (trouble with Norton)
italianranma
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Years ago, just prior to building a gaming rig I shopped for professional antivirus software to install, and based off of my research (from a Tom's Hardware article I think?) I decided on Norton and I've been using them since. I'm currently unhappy with it for a few reasons. First, I've been suckered into buying multiple plans: for a few months I actually paid for two concurrent subscriptions on the same computer. Second, I'm currently unable to install my Norton Security Premium on my laptop. When I go to install it I always receive an error that another Norton product is currently being installed. I uninstalled all Norton products and tried to download it again and received the same error. Despite not having any Norton product installed, I do receive a Norton pop up that prompts me to install new software: following that prompt tries to install a different version of Norton that I do not have a subscription for. Additionally, I suspect that Norton slows down certain games I play online (like Guild Wars II). I was about to call Norton and have them walk me through the process of correctly installing whatever the current software is, but I don't like how cryptic their software and website can be with managing my software.
My question for the masses is should I continue to use Norton, or should I look elsewhere? I just resubbed (I think 15 December is my annual renewal), so it'd be a shame to waste that (if I can't get that money back that is). If not Norton than what should I use? I'm incredibly lazy and ignorant when it comes to checking for updated software and monitoring my computer/online identity, so I'm willing to pay for software or someone else to do that for me. If all paid subscription services are like this than I'll probably just stick with Norton. New Year, New Me however, so I could probably be persuaded to learn a little more about computer self-defense.
My question for the masses is should I continue to use Norton, or should I look elsewhere? I just resubbed (I think 15 December is my annual renewal), so it'd be a shame to waste that (if I can't get that money back that is). If not Norton than what should I use? I'm incredibly lazy and ignorant when it comes to checking for updated software and monitoring my computer/online identity, so I'm willing to pay for software or someone else to do that for me. If all paid subscription services are like this than I'll probably just stick with Norton. New Year, New Me however, so I could probably be persuaded to learn a little more about computer self-defense.
飛べねぇ豚はただの豚だ。
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Mcafee is only marginally better.
I would say Windows Defender and Malware Bytes together are going to serve you well, and they are free.
I used to be a big fan of Malwarebytes but I'm not sure I am anymore. The software is still good but in their effort to modernize they've made it look and act an awful lot like some of the scam software like DriverSupport. It still does the job, but the trajectory it's taking makes me not trust them as much these days.
In which case, stop doing those things.
Wait for the next Windows update that includes sandboxes. :rotate:
Of course this means when you actually want to download something, you have to jump through a bunch of hoops. And if you are trying to download something that is infected, you can unwittingly defeat the sandbox by allowing the download (which is infected) access outside the sandbox.
There are programs (like sandboxie) that you can download right now that implement this kind of protection. I like it, but some people find it annoying, and tend to give access outside the sandbox whenever it asks without thinking, which kind of defeats its purpose.
Otherwise you want some kind of ad-blocker for your browser, as often times the ads on normal sites is where the virus/malware will be hidden. If you’re really paranoid you also want to disable javascripts on most sites, either through built in settings on the browser, or with a script blocking addon. This will disable functionality in some sites, but javascripts are notorious for being hi-jacked to run malicious code.